How to Apply: IDeATE Associate’s of Arts Degree
- Application and Fee: Complete an application for admission and submit it to the Dean of Students. There is no application fee.
- Personal Statement: All applicants are required to submit a 250- to 500-word, typed personal statement that describes their reasons for choosing a Design-focused education, any influences that led
to this choice, and any career goals aligned to this study. Applicants should list their full name and mailing address on the statement and email it to the Dean of Students.
- Transcripts: An official high school transcript is required of all applicants. Students currently completing their senior year of high school may also be asked to submit their most recent senior
grades along with their transcripts. Applicants not holding a high school diploma must submit an official GED completion certificate prior to enrollment.
- Test Scores: String Theory School of Design uses the AccuPlacer series of standardized testing to determine readiness for college level work. Testing may be waived for dual enrollment high school
students and high school graduates demonstrating readiness for college level coursework through review of their high school transcript. For all other high school graduates, readiness for college-level course work
is evidenced by an AccuPlacer Reading score of Level 3 or above, a Writing score of Level 4 or above, and a Mathematics score of Level 5 or above. Those lacking the requisite scores may be admitted provisionally
at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, but may be required to enroll in pre-requisite courses, which will not count toward the Associates degree.
- Portfolio Review: Building a portfolio requires careful planning. Students will want to show work that not only reflects their current abilities but also their readiness for creative work in a Design
school environment. A portfolio of creative work is required for admission. This is a personal statement about the prospective student, and their visual training, interest, and aspirations. Each portfolio is reviewed
by an admissions representative and is an important part of the way the school can learn more about the prospective student and their talents. It is critical that students adhere to all details regarding contents
and presentation of their portfolio, and meet submission deadlines as outlined in the IDeATE Program application.
- Recommendations: Recommendations are generally optional, but may be required based on a students’ previous academic performance Letters may be written by high school teachers, employers, or others who have had contact with the student and can attest to their abilities and level of commitment to higher education. Recommendations should be sent directly to the Dean of Students.
Review Process:
- To offer opportunity to qualified design students, regardless of academic history, portfolios are first reviewed independently from other application academic documents. Portfolios are reviewed by at least two faculty
and scored high – medium – low. This data is then considered with the rest of the application documents.
- The portfolio is a design project. How the applicant chooses to format, present, label, and sequence the work is considered in the portfolio evaluation.
- The portfolio is both reflective and projective. It presents an applicant’s growth to date, their current ability levels, and their development capacity into a professional designer and/or entrepreneur.
Contents:
- The portfolio should demonstrate breadth, depth, and growth over time. Strong portfolios present a range of media types and subject matter. Strong portfolios present a particular focus of interest within that range.
The admissions committee recommends chronological sequencing of the work.
- The portfolio should present an applicant’s capacity to see and think spatially, to ideate, to think critically, to problem solve, and to offer a view of how the world might be, rather than is.
- Include the following: 10-15 unique project work products.
- Static Images: A maximum of 3 images per project.
- Video: Maximum length 60 seconds per project.
- Portfolio content may include, but is not limited to: animation, architecture/interior design, fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, observational drawing (still life, portrait, landscape), painting,
photography, product design, sculpture, sketching, short films/video.
- Drawings should be based on observed subjects, not photographs.
- Design project presentations should focus on the process rather than the final product. Include sketches, drawings, prototypes, study models, and final models.
Descriptions:
- Portfolio artifacts must be original work created by the applicant. If the work is the product of a team or group effort, the applicant’s role and contribution must be clearly defined in the descriptive caption.
- Each artifact image must include a descriptive caption including the following information: project title, date of completion (month/year), medium, approximate dimensions (static work) and/or length (video).
Submittal Process:
- Upon receipt of complete application documents, candidates will be issued a link to a secure Google Drive folder. All portfolio items should be placed into this folder by the stipulated deadline.
- Label each file as follows:
itemnumber.applicantlastname.applicantyearofbirth.subject.
For example: 01.einstein.1879.sketches, 02.einstein.1879.models, etc.
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Please confirm that all files are common file types with the proper extensions, ie. .jpeg, .pdf, .mov, etc. If we can not open the file, your portfolio work will not be reviewed.
- Alternate: Physical portfolios may be submitted in lieu of digital portfolios. Please contact the admissions office for the submission process. Physical portfolio dimensions should not exceed 11” x 17” x 2”.
The IDeATE Program’s rolling admissions process allows applications to be reviewed year-round.
Applicants will be notified by letter or email of the admissions decision within one month of receipt of all required admissions materials.
Students attending area high schools participating in high school dual-enrollment programs that have an agreement with the String Theory School of Design may register for courses in the IDeATE Program. Dual-enrollment students must complete an abbreviated admissions process facilitated by their high school’s college counseling office before registering.
The String Theory School of Design seeks to make a college education accessible for all students by offering affordable tuition rates.
Full-Time Tuition per Year: $8,109.00
Tuition per Quarter Credit Hour: $159.00
Technology Fee: $500.00
Registration Fee: $109.00