Undergraduate

• Apply online - US$35 if submitted online
• Apply by mail - US$70 if submitted in paper form
  
  

• Apply online - US$35 if submitted online
• Apply by mail - US$70 if submitted in paper form
  

Applicants must submit an official transcript/mark sheet from last high school/secondary school attended, showing all years of the student's grades. Home-schooled applicants may provide an accredited correspondence school or other accredited private home school transcript or an academic portfolio. Prior to enrollment, SCAD must receive proof of completion of the high school/secondary school or equivalent program. All transcripts/mark sheets must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.

* A certificate of General Educational Development from the American Council of Education is considered equivalent to a diploma from a U.S. high school. For applicants from countries other than the United States, SCAD generally uses the standards established by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers to determine the equivalent academic achievement. For home-schooled applicants, an academic portfolio is also acceptable and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

 

• Verification that the home school has been recognized by the state of residence of the applicant.
• Detailed outline of the home-school curriculum, including subject areas studied, time spent on each discipline, and, if applicable, grades awarded. A home-school transcript may fulfill this requirement.
• Writing sample that is academic in nature, but not necessarily a graded assignment or one used for coursework.
• Résumé of classes taken outside the home. If classes have been taken at a college or university, official transcripts are required.

Effective for enrollment through Summer 2012, first-year applicants who attended a secondary school in the Hong Kong education system must have successfully completed at least six years in the secondary school and have satisfactory HKCEE results. First-year applicants who did not attend the Hong Kong secondary school system must have attained a U.S. high school diploma or its equivalent.

Effective for Fall 2012 enrollment and beyond, first-year applicants who attended the Hong Kong secondary school system must complete six years of study in the secondary school system and have satisfactory HKDSE scores. Applicants must score at least at level three in English; and at level two in Mathematics, Liberal Studies, and three other subjects. Of these three other subjects: at least two subjects must be from Category A and one subject may be from an appropriate Category B field or from Category C. Only one non-English language subject score may be used.

Official report of SAT or ACT scores** for citizens and permanent residents of the United States. To have these scores sent directly to SCAD, applicants should use SAT code 5631 or ACT code 0855 on the test forms.

**Architecture applicants: Students applying to the professional architecture program must attain a minimum SAT math score of 540 or ACT math score of 23 in order to be granted regular acceptance. Otherwise qualified applicants to the professional architecture program who have not attained these scores or who are unable to demonstrate an aptitude for the study of mathematics and science may be admitted to the professional architecture program on a provisional basis. One condition stipulates that the student must complete MATH 101 with a grade of 2.0 or higher and complete MATH 201 and PHYS 201 with a grade of 2.0 or higher in order to pursue the professional architecture degree. The credit hours earned in MATH 101 may be applied as an elective toward credit hours required for the professional architecture degree.

English is the language of instruction for all classes at SCAD. In addition to meeting or exceeding all other SCAD admission criteria, applicants who wish to be admitted with no further English proficiency requirements must demonstrate their current level of proficiency by providing official minimum scores on one of the following:

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum scores (SCAD code 5631):
   a. 550 on the paper-based test
   b. 85 on the Internet-based test with minimum score of 20 on each section.*
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) composite score of at least 6.5 with a score of at least 6.5 in both speaking and writing.
3. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) score of at least "high advanced" on the writing proficiency portion of the test.
4. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of at least 500 on the critical reading portion, or 22 on both the reading and writing sections of the ACT.
5. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) score of at least 5 on English Language.

Otherwise qualified applicants who do not meet the minimum scores listed above may be considered for admission to SCAD if they meet the following composite score minimum requirements: 50 on the Internet-based TOEFL, 4.5 on the IELTS, or "intermediate low" on the ACTFL, or 4 on HKDSE English Language. These students must take a SCAD English language proficiency test to be placed in the appropriate level of ESL upon enrollment. Students must satisfactorily complete ESL coursework through Level IV prior to advancing into any academic course of study at SCAD and must continue taking ESL through satisfactory completion of Level VI.

*Students who meet the minimum required composite score but do not meet the minimum section scores are evaluated on a case-by-case basis for possible exemption. No exceptions are made if the minimum composite score is not met. All decisions are final.

For applicants whose native language is English, no additional proof of English proficiency is required. For applicants whose transcripts show extensive study at an institution in which English is the language of instruction, no additional proof of English proficiency is required for admission evaluation, but applicants may be asked to take an English proficiency test upon enrollment at the university.

Official certification of sources and funds. Copy of the first page of the applicant's passport (requested, but not required). A copy of the first page of the passport for any dependent accompanying the student also is requested. These documents are used to verify correct spelling of names, correct birth dates, and other information vital to student registration.

All applicants may submit supplementary materials to enhance their admission files and to be considered for artistic scholarships. Applicants whose high school or secondary school grade point average is below 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or who did not score at least 1000 on the SAT (math and reading only) or at least 21 on the ACT are strongly encouraged to submit supplementary materials:

1. Portfolio, audition or writing submission. The portfolio, audition, riding or writing submission is scored according to a rubric relevant to the type of submission. See undergraduate portfolio guidelines.
2. Recommendations. One to three recommendations may be submitted by a teacher, counselor or community leader with whom the applicant has had immediate contact. Recommendations should address the applicant's level of commitment, as well as attributes such as creativity, initiative, motivation, character and academic achievement, to aid in assessing the applicant's reasonable potential for success as a student at SCAD. Recommendations may not come from friends or family members except in the case of a teacher-parent.
   
3. Statement of purpose. The statement should be no more than 500 words in length and should give an overview of the applicant's academic and personal experience, describing preparation for and commitment to further study at SCAD, as well as educational and professional goals and aspirations.
   
4. Résumé/list of achievements and awards.
5. Personal or telephone interview. May be scheduled by contacting the admission department.