Admissions

APPLY:

May 2, 2008 - Although the Certificate/BFA merit deadline has now passed, we continue to accept applications on a space-available, rolling basis. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible, especially is you are seeking financial aid. Please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@pafa.edu or 215-972-7625 if you have any questions.

General Admissions Requirements

Thank you for your interest in the Pennsylvania Academy. We look forward to receiving your application. Please note that our application is self-managed. This means that you are asked to submit your completed application, in one envelope, to our office by the appropriate deadline.

The best inside information we can give you is to apply early! Although our funds are limited, we do offer merit scholarships for all of our programs, and it is imperative that your completed application be received by the deadline for your program to be considered for these competitive merit awards.

Deadlines

Fall 2008 Certificate/BFA Early Decision: December 3, 2007
Fall 2008 Certificate/BFA Regular Decision Merit: March 1, 2008

Fall 2008 Academy BFA & Certificate Decision Merit Deadline (Extended): May 1, 2008
Fall 2008 Post Baccalaureate: April 1, 2008
Fall 2008 MFA: February 1, 2008

		Important Deadlines Early Decision The Pennsylvania Academy offers an Early Decision option for our undergraduate program. The Academy Early Decision option is a non-binding program where applicants indicate that the Academy is their first choice. To apply for our Early Decision option, simply submit your completed application (including portfolio) to the Office of Admissions by the deadline. Be sure to check the Early Decision box. The Fall 2008 Early Decision deadline will be December 3, 2007 (December 1 falls on a weekend). Questions about the Academy Early Decision? Just give us a call! Merit Scholarship For all other Academy BFA, Certificate and U Penn BFA applicants, the Merit Scholarship Priority deadline is March 1 with an additional (extended) deadline of May 1. Early Decision applicants will be reviewed for merit awards at the same time as they are reviewed for admission. Housing Application The deadline for submitting applications for the Academy-affiliated housing at International House, Philadelphia will vary depending on when you are accepted. All accepted students receive information on I-House with their acceptance packet. Information on the Office of Student Service’s H.O.M.E. Day (Housing Off-campus Made Easier) will be sent out in mid May, 2008. MFA Program The Deadline for Admission to the MFA program was February 1st. The Academy only considers MFA applications for the fall semester of each year. Post Baccalaureate Program for Developing Artists The Deadline for Admission to the Post Baccalaureate Program for Developing Artists is April 1. Be sure and apply early-- well before this deadline-- if you are seeking academy-affiliated housing at International House. If you are considering applying AFTER the Post Baccalaureate deadline, please contact the Office of Admissions to see if space remains available for the program. We will do what we can, on a space-available basis, to assist late applicants to the Post Baccalaureate program. Financial Aid To be considered for Academy Merit Scholarships, you do not need to apply for financial aid. Merit Scholarships are given out purely on merit, based on the competitive nature of the applicant pool. To be considered, you MUST have your completed application in the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline (see above). Please note this is not a postmark deadline, but an in-house deadline. Other financial assistance, such as need-based scholarships, loans, and college work-study are based on information provided on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must have your FAFSA successfully submitted by March 1 to be considered for anything other than merit scholarships. The Academy strongly recommends that you submit the FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov by the March 1st deadline for fall and November 1 for spring. We recommend that—whether you think you will receive it or not—that all applicants apply for financial aid using the FSFSA. Do not wait to be accepted to apply for financial aid! Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of $40 is required for all applicants to all programs and must accompany your completed application. You may pay your fee by check, money order, or credit card. If you wish to pay by credit card, please contact the Office of Admissions for special instructions.

		Undergraduate Portfolio To assist applicants applying to our undergraduate programs, we have created the Undergraduate Portfolio Guide. This guide should answer all of the questions and concerns you may have about the challenge of developing your portfolio. *Download the Undergraduate Portfolio Guide* Graduate Portfolio Generally, those seeking a graduate program already have a solid portfolio but may wish to know how-- specifically-- the Academy reviews portfolios for our MFA and Post Baccalaureate programs. This Graduate Portfolio Guide is provided for your information *Download the Graduate Portfolio Guide*

		Statement of Purpose All applicants must submit a written statement of purpose. The application lists the specific questions for each program. Your statement should be a maximum of 1-2 typed pages, double-spaced.

		Letters of Recommendation The Academy requires two letters of recommendation for each applicant to all of our programs. Letters of recommendation should come from individuals who are familiar with you and your artistic ability such as: teachers, guidance counselors/advisors, and employers. Be sure and give them enough time to write their recommendation well before the deadline. The full name of the applicant should appear in each letter of recommendation submitted to the Office of Admissions. As our application is self-managed, we highly recommend that you have the letters sent to your attention and that you do not open the sealed (and signed across the seal) envelope. These should then be forwarded directly with your completed application.

		Transcripts All applicants for admission, including those Certificate applicants seeking advanced standing, must submit official transcripts. Undergraduate applicants must have proof of graduation (a final, official high school transcript showing date of graduation) or high school equivalency (GED) prior to their first day at the Academy. Graduate applicants must have proof of their bachelor's degree before their first day at the Academy. Only transcripts in a sealed envelope will be considered official. Although transcripts may be sent directly to the Office of Admissions or delivered by the applicant (in a sealed envelope), it is important to keep in mind that our application is self-managed and transcripts should arrive WITH your completed application by the appropriate deadline. Certificate applicants who have earned a Bachelors degree or higher do not have to submit a high school transcripts. Those Certificate applicants who have not earned a degree are required to submit an official, final high school transcript with date of graduation. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the transcript requirements.

		Housing The Pennsylvania Academy is pleased to announce the continuation-- for the 2008-2009 academic year-- of our Academy-affiliated housing offered in conjunction with the International House- Philadelphia (I-House). I-House is a popular destination for all of the students in the Philadelphia vicinity. Currently, the Academy offers several 10-student suites that are single-sex, and offer single rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. All accepted students for fall semester will receive a housing interest form with detailed instructions on applying to the Academy suites at I-House. Because of limited space, students who live outside a 35-mile radius of the Philadelphia metropolitan region receive first priority for rooms at I-House. If you are interested in I-House housing opportunities for spring or have questions about our I-House housing opportunities, in general, please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 215-972-7625 or at admissions@pafa.edu. Other off-campus housing opportunities are also available through the Academy's Office of Student Affairs.
The Following Apply Only to the Undergraduate Program
		Part-time Students Students may be admitted to the Academy on a part-time basis for up to two years. Students must attend a minimum of five class sessions per week (7.5 credit hours per semester). Part-time students may still apply for financial aid.

		Continuing Education Applicants We encourage applications from eligible applicants within the Continuing Education program. Courses taken in the program may be evaluated for transfer into the Certificate program, if requested by the applicant on the admissions application. Transfer credit is awarded based on satisfactory completion of coursework and a review of the student's portfolio. If approved and applicable, a maximum of 15 credits may be accepted as transfer credits.

		Reapplying An applicant, who did not complete the admissions process, did not receive a favorable admissions decision or was accepted and did not attend (but did not attend another college or university), may reactivate their application for a second year by requesting to have their application updated-- in writing-- to the Office of Admissions. The Pennsylvania Academy does not permit deferrals. Previous applicants may request to have their application updated for reconsideration for the next year.

		Readmissions Students seeking readmission within two years of officially withdrawing from the College should contact the Office of Student Affiars to determine eligibility for readmission. Beyond two years, students are required to submit a new completed application and portfolio to the Office of Admissions. Certificate > Post Baccalaureate > BFA > MFA >

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