2024-25 Academic Year
It’s okay to start an application now and finish later, just make sure you submit before the deadline. Starting early will give you time to get help from CalArts admissions counselors as you prepare your application materials.
Prepare to apply with our step-by-step guide
It is possible to apply to more than one program at CalArts. To do so, simply start two applications, one for each of your programs of interest. Please note, an application fee is required for each application.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 11:59 PM PST
Not all programs offer spring admission. The following programs are accepting Spring 2025 applications:
School of Art
School of Music
School of Theater
After the deadline, we will continue to receive applications on a rolling basis until each program closes.
Friday, December 1, 2024 11:59 PM PST
Friday, December 1, 2024 11:59 PM PST – Preferred Deadline
Friday, January 5, 2025 11:59 PM PST – Regular Deadline
The preferred deadline at CalArts is a reduced application fee, NOT early decision. Applicants must submit all materials (including the portfolio, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) by December 1 to qualify.
After the deadline, we will continue to receive applications on a rolling basis until each program closes.
$65 - Preferred deadline* of Dec. 1, 2024
$85 - Regular deadline of Jan. 5, 2025
*The preferred deadline at CalArts is a reduced application fee, NOT early decision. Applicants must submit all materials (including the portfolio, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) by Dec. 1 to qualify.
Students applying online may submit their fee with a credit card or send a check/money order. Applications without payment will not be processed or reviewed. Fee waiver requests must be submitted by email (with the applicant’s full legal name) to admissions@calarts.edu.
We acknowledge that the application fee may present a financial hardship to some applicants; please contact CalArts’ Office of Admissions for more information.
Fee waiver requests are submitted separately from the application for admission to CalArts. Submit your fee waiver request well in advance of your application deadline, whenever possible.
The final deadline to submit a fee waiver request is Jan. 7, 2025. Do not submit your application fee until your fee waiver request has been processed and you have received a reply. Paid application fees will not be refunded.
Undergraduate (BFA) programs’ options for fee waiver:
Graduate programs (MFA, MA, DMA) options for fee waiver:
First Time Freshman - If you are applying to an undergraduate (BFA) program and will not have attended another college or university for credit between graduating from high school and coming to CalArts, even if you will be bringing college credit from advanced placement (AP) testing or dual enrollment from when you were in high school.
Transfer - If you are applying to an undergraduate (BFA) program and will have attended another college or university between graduating high school and coming to CalArts.
Graduate - If you are applying to a non-doctoral graduate (MFA or MA) program.
Doctoral - If you are applying to the doctoral (DMA) program.
Email: admissions@calarts.edu
Phone number: 661-255-1050 x2185 or 800-545-2787
Room number: F303