Application Materials

Admission to PAFA is contingent on the submission of your creative work through a portfolio. Portfolios consisting of 12 to 15 images must be submitted through SlideRoom. It is up to each applicant to choose works that best exemplify their talent and ambition. 

• Refer to PAFA’s Portfolio Guidelines document for guidance on selecting, preparing, and submitting your work.  
• Before submitting your application meet with an Admission Counselor to receive an optional informal Portfolio Review.

Applicants should pick one of the following writing prompts and write a 1–2-page, double-spaced response.  

• How do you see a PAFA education influencing your artistic development and ambitions?  
• If you could be any work of art in PAFA's collection, which one would you be and why? 

Upload this to the Admissions Portal before or after submitting the application PAFA or Common App. Your Statement of Purpose must be saved as Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) or Portable Document File (.pdf) documents. PAFA does not accept any other file formats for the Statement of Purpose.

Applicants must provide two (2) references and their contact information on the application. Your references should be able to speak to your character, achievements, and or artistic endeavors.

Official transcripts are required for each applicant. Transcripts must be sent directly from the applicant’s school to be considered official. We can accept unofficial transcripts temporarily until an official transcript is obtained.  

• BFA applicants must provide proof of graduation, such as a final official high school transcript showing the graduation date, or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).  
• If your academic credentials are not written in English, they must be translated into English by an approved translator prior to submission.  
   

Electronic Transcripts  

PAFA accepts electronic transcripts via eSCRIP-SAFE, Liaison, Naviance, Parchment, Student Clearing House, and other verified transcript services. Electronic transcripts may also be emailed to admissions@pafa.edu from the institution you attended.

Physical / Hardcopy Transcripts

Physical copies of transcripts may be mailed to the following address:

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Office of Admissions
128 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Transcript Exceptions

The following candidates are not required to submit high school transcripts:  

• BFA applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.  
• Transfer students who have, or will have, earned 30-semester credits before enrolling at PAFA.

Students are required to submit official language proficiency scores if their primary language is not English. PAFA accepts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests.

Resume

Applicants may include an optional resume as a way to list life experiences and accomplishments that may not be reflected in an application otherwise.

SAT & ACT Scores

SAT and ACT tests are optional; applicants do not have to submit standardized test scores as part of the application.

We will review SAT and ACT scores for applicants that have chosen to send them. Applicants must use the following institution codes for submitting SAT and ACT test scores:

Entering students may receive credit for honors-level scores on Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. AP and IB scores must be forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions. Credits may count towards fulfilling PAFA’s liberal arts requirements and general studio electives, but will not replace any studio foundations courses. Please refer to the tables below for credits awarded and curricular equivalents.

Each accepted exam will award six (6) credits fulfilling distribution requirements within the liberal arts curriculum listed below. The maximum number of credits transferrable is as follows:

Advanced Placement Tests

International Baccalaureate Exams

Only Higher Level (HL) courses will be considered for credit.