Essay Requirements

View the essay requirements by major listed below.

The Short Answer Essay will be submitted in the online application. You can copy and paste your response or upload it as a separate document. Your response is required to submit your essay.

You will upload Essay 1 (and Essay 2 if required) as separate documents in the online application or through the applicant portal after you submit your application. Please list “Essay 1” or “Essay 2” at the top of the document.

Please note that our essay requirements have been updated as of 8/15/23. Spring 2024 applicants have the choice of responding to the new essay prompt or submitting the previous essay prompt. New essay prompts are required for all Fall 2024 applicants.

Creative Direction

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Entertainment Design

ANIMATION/CONCEPT

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

GAME DESIGN

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Essay 2

Why do you want to be a game designer? (400 words recommended)

Fine Art

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Film

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Graphic Design

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Illustration

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Interaction Design

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Essay 2

Describe the innovations you think will happen in Interaction Design over the next five years. Describe why you think these innovations will occur and how you see yourself working in the field of interaction in the future. (400 words recommended)

Photography and Imagining

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Product Design

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Spatial Experience Design

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

Transportation Design

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).

First Year Immersion

Short Answer Essay

Describe the path that has led to your choice of major/program and why you believe an ArtCenter education will further your educational and career goals. (200 words recommended)

Essay 1

ArtCenter believes that our community is enriched when our classrooms are filled with individuals with different lived experiences and points of view. Tell us how your lived experience informs your point of view as a creative and as an individual. Have you encountered challenges associated with what makes you unique and, if so, how have you addressed these challenges? (400 words recommended).