Pre-College Programs

Admission
Admission to Pre-college: Rising Star is highly selective and preference is granted to applicants with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, a strong visual arts portfolio, and demonstration of maturity, leadership and responsibility.

Admission Requirements

• Completed online application and $35 application fee. Applications should be submitted before supporting documents.
  
• Official high school transcript
• Visual portfolio
• One recommendation. The recommendation should be completed by a teacher in the student's main area of interest. Supplemental recommendations may be completed by teachers, counselors or community leaders. Recommendations may not come from family members unless the student is home-schooled.
• A 500-word statement of purpose providing an overview of the applicant's academic and personal experience and readiness for college study

Supplemental Requirements

• Official report of SAT or ACT scores (optional for Pre-college: Rising Star admission; required for freshman admission)
• Evidence of English proficiency for students whose first language is not English
• If applicable, any other documents or materials required to obtain a student visa

Fees
Application fee (nonrefundable): $35
Program fee (nonrefundable): $250
Tuition: $4,000
Housing and meals: $1,000
Total:    $5,285

Portfolio Requirements
Portfolios are evaluated on the following qualitative measures: aesthetic awareness, composition, drawing, design, color perception, spatial perception, quality of presentation, technique and originality. Strong 2-D and 3-D work that shows attention to technique, drawing, scale and original design are favorably considered. Portfolios should consist of 10-15 pieces that represent the student's best work.

Suggested Portfolio Pieces
Students are encouraged to submit their strongest work in any visual arts medium (drawing, painting, photography, animation or film short, etc.). Listed below are suggested basic drawing submissions. Students should draw from observation whenever possible.

• self portrait
• still life
• drawing of a hand
• homage to an artistic movement
• perspective drawing
• interior room drawing
• still life or portrait with a strong light source
• landscape
• close-up nature sketch

Portfolio submission guidelines

Application Timeline
April 15 is the priority deadline.
The application, nonrefundable $35 application fee and all supporting materials are required to complete a file for admission.

Scholarships
Students who would like to be considered for Pre-college: Rising Star scholarships should indicate this on the application and submit all documentation by April 15. Funding is limited and is awarded to the earliest qualifiers. Scholarship awards are available to both U.S. citizens and international students. 

Payment Deadlines
May 1
Program fee due

May 15
Balance due

Invoices are sent at the time of acceptance; however, if acceptance is granted after payment due dates, fees are due upon acceptance.

Checks should be made payable to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Payments should be mailed to:
    Pre-college: Rising Star Student Accounts
    SCAD
    P.O. Box 2701
    Savannah, GA 31401-2701 USA

Cancellation/Refund Policy
The application fee and program fee are nonrefundable. Full refunds for tuition, housing and meals may be issued if the student cancels prior to the start of the program. Partial refunds for tuition, housing and meals may be issued only during the first week of the program if the student withdraws for personal reasons.

Instruction and Class Size
All courses are taught by SCAD professors. The level of instruction is challenging and class sizes are  small, with a maximum of 20 students per class.

Enrollment after Pre-college: Rising Star
Students who satisfactorily complete Pre-college: Rising Star with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher may be admitted early to SCAD for further undergraduate study if they have submitted all first-time freshman application requirements (including standardized test scores in the form of an official SAT or ACT report). These students also may be invited to continue their Pre-college: Rising Star experience as eLearning students. Through eStars, students take one online course each quarter with other freshmen; eligible students may earn up to 25 quarter hours of credit. Students who wish to be considered for early admission should contact the admission department.

Supplies
Pre-college: Rising Star students are responsible for purchasing their own class supplies. Supply expenses vary by course. A list of supplies is provided with the course schedule and supplies may be purchased at the SCAD bookstore upon arrival. Photography students must bring a digital camera, with a minimum 6.1-megapixel capability. Students should not purchase supplies for any class until they have been admitted to the program and receive their course schedule, as classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis upon payment of the program fee.

Credit/Evaluation
Upon successful completion of the program, each student earns 10 quarter hours of college credit that may be applied toward a bachelor's degree at SCAD or another college or university. (Course credits are applied to degree requirements at the discretion of the accepting institution.) Professors evaluate academic performance and artistic progress at the conclusion of the program.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequently asked questions.

Parent Information
Prior to the start of the program, parents are mailed an information packet including frequently asked questions and contact information. Parents who accompany their students to check-in attend a parent information session.
   

Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to discuss FERPA regulations with their student and SCAD counselor prior to the start of the program. Student waivers may be signed at check-in.

Course Selection
Upon acceptance to Pre-college: Rising Star, students are asked to indicate their preference of courses. Students are placed in courses based upon receipt of the $250 program fee and space availability. Placement in the student's top selections is not guaranteed.

Student Life
Housing
Pre-college: Rising Star students live in a SCAD residence hall and are supervised by a professional residence director and resident assistants. Rooms are furnished with beds, drafting tables and private baths. Residence hall accommodations are triple occupancy; no exceptions are made.

Dining
Students have their meals in SCAD dining halls. The Pre-college: Rising Star program includes three meals per day, Monday through Thursday, and two meals (brunch and dinner) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Security/Curfew
All SCAD residence halls have 24-hour guards on duty. Entry is carefully regulated. A current SCAD ID card is required to access any SCAD building.

Pre-college: Rising Star students have free time daily before and after class sessions. At 9 p.m., students are required to be in the residence hall for the evening. At 10 p.m., students are required to be in their assigned rooms. Students violating curfew policies are required to attend an official SCAD student conduct hearing, which may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program.

Student Activities
Resident assistants plan and coordinate a variety of activities to build community among Pre-college: Rising Star participants and help them become familiar with SCAD and community resources.
    

Trips to museums, galleries, movie theaters and the beach round out the student experience. All students also have access to Club SCAD, a SCAD fitness center in Savannah.

Visitors
Only family members and Pre-college: Rising Star students are permitted to visit in the residence hall. Overnight guests are not permitted.

Automobiles/Transportation
Pre-college: Rising Star students are permitted to bring cars, but are not permitted to drive them during the program. Transportation is provided to and from class and to all SCAD activities.
    

A complimentary shuttle service to and from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and SCAD is available during specific hours on check-in and checkout days.

Student Conduct
Attendance policies are strictly enforced.
    

Smoking is prohibited at Pre-college: Rising Star and in all SCAD facilities, including classroom buildings and residence hall rooms/hallways.
    

SCAD maintains a zero tolerance policy for all illegal activities, including possession or use of drugs or alcohol. At the discretion of the university, any student in violation of policies or otherwise creating an unsafe or unproductive climate will be dismissed from the program. Due to FERPA regulations, the university is not able to contact parents/guardians during the program. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to discuss FERPA regulations with their student and SCAD counselor prior to the start of the program. Student waivers may be signed at check-in.

Join the Rising Star Facebook group.

Email: admission@scad.edu
Phone: 912.525.5100 or 800.869.7223