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Summer Academy is open to all high school students who are seriously excited about art- from those who just completed their Freshman year to recently graduated Seniors. The program welcomes talented young artists of varying artistic experiences who are dedicated to honing their craft and exploring the world of art.

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Application Deadlines

Scholarship Application Deadline: April 10th, 2023

Merit-Based Aid: All applications submitted by April 10th will automatically be considered for a merit-based scholarship.

Need-Based Aid:  Applicants may apply for need-based financial aid by filling in their family's income information. Need will be assessed using a modified FAFSA calculator.  There is a limited amount of financial aid available and PAFA cannot guarantee to meet full need.


Rolling Application Deadline

Applications submitted after April 10th will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive results within 2-4 weeks of all materials being submitted, including application, portfolio, and personal statement.  
 

Application Requirements

Application Form

Create an account on SlideRoom. After you login, select Summer Academy Application 2023 from the directory. The Personal Statement and Portfolio are all submitted through this application form.


Personal Statement

Write a 200-300-word personal statement on why you are interested in attending Summer Academy. This may include information on your previous experience(s) with art, what you hope to learn in Summer Academy, how this experience relates to future goals and/or any other information you feel is relevant. The personal statement is submitted on SlideRoom.
 

Portfolio

Submit a portfolio of 5-10 images of your strongest, most recent work that indicates your abilities and interests. Please include examples of observational drawing (i.e. drawings made while looking at actual objects). These can include figure, portrait, still life, interior spaces, landscape, and so on.

Submit your portfolio on SlideRoom. You can save an application in progress if you need to edit or add information or images before submitting it.  Once submitted, a portfolio submission cannot be altered. 

Some things to keep in mind when submitting your portfolio:

  • Image quality is important. A smartphone camera usually provides sufficient resolution
  • Photograph artwork with adequate lighting and a neutral background
  • Position artwork directly facing the camera—do not photograph artwork viewed at an angle
  • Be sure your images are in focus
  • Applicants can use your SlideRoom account for future SlideRoom applications at PAFA and other participating institutions.
     

Admissions Decisions

Applications submitted by April 10th will be reviewed as a group and scholarship and admissions decisions will be made and communicated by April 21st. Applications are first reviewed for admission, and then for merit and need-based aid if submitted by the scholarship deadline with all necessary information.

Applications submitted after April 10th will receive a decision within 2-4 weeks of all materials being submitted, including application, statement and portfolio. Applicants will be notified by email of admissions decisions.

How to Accept

To accept, you will register for the program as directed in your admission letter and pay a $200 deposit.

If you have questions, please reach out to precollege@pafa.org or 215-972-7630


Contact Pre-College Programs

Studio art classes and education for high school students to develop their artistic passions and prepare for college.