Transcripts
All transcripts should be uploaded to the application directly on the Academic History section prior to submitting. Applicants should plan ahead and request transcripts as soon as they decide to apply to CalArts.
Please do not mail your transcripts to CalArts. We will have limited capacity to process paper transcripts due to COVID-19. To ensure your transcripts get into your record quickly, please only send electronic copies through any credentialing service (Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, eTranscript, SPEEDE network). Your school should be able to help you with sending transcripts electronically.
If you have transcripts from the following countries:
- Bulgaria
- Colombia
- Cuba
- India
- Iran
- Palestine
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
Please be sure to visit our International Applicants Page for further instructions.
Submission of Transcripts
Scan and upload copies of unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended. In the online application, you will be prompted to upload your scanned documents. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript, even if the backside is blank. Concurrent and optional submission of official transcripts can be sent electronically using any credentialing service (Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, eTranscript, SPEEDE network).
Uploaded unofficial transcripts should be recent and include the following: your name, the institution name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits, and grading legend. If no transcript is available, please upload a PDF document with a statement explaining the circumstances.
Do not mail hard copies.
BFA Applicants
Graduation from an accredited secondary school or its CalArts approved equivalent is required to enter and graduate from either the undergraduate certificate or the BFA program. Equivalence may be established by completing the General Educational Development (GED) examination or a comparable regional test such as the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).
MFA & MA Applicants
College transcripts are required of all MFA applicants. College transcripts should cover all work undertaken and should be sent for each institution attended. Completion or the expected completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required of all MFA applicants. We do not need high school transcripts from MFA & MA applicants.
DMA Applicants
Graduate school transcripts are required of all DMA applicants. Transcripts should cover all work undertaken and should be sent for each institution attended. Completion or the expected completion of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for all DMA applicants. We do not need high school transcripts from DMA applicants.
Transfer Applicants
Transcripts are also required of Transfer Applicants. Be sure to review Transfer Applicant Requirements for additional transcript requirements.
International Academic Transcripts
Credentials, diplomas and certificates of secondary-school and college-level work must be presented in official English translation. The records must clearly state the date of completion (or the anticipated date of completion) and the level of education received with notations as to the number of hours attended per week and the total number of weeks completed.
International students applying to MFA programs must submit evidence of receipt of an undergraduate degree or its equivalent.
Upon Admission to CalArts
As soon as you learn of your admission to CalArts, please arrange to have your in-progress, official transcripts sent to CalArts. If you decide to join us at CalArts, you will be required to submit final official transcripts with degree conferral and graduation date. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically using any credentialing service (Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, eTranscript, SPEEDE Network) or by physical mail.
Applicants from Chinese institutions may request and submit official transcripts directly through CHESICC. Requests are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically to the CalArts Office of Admissions. Do not submit a paper copy of your transcript if you have requested transcripts through CHESICC. Get started.