Undergraduate FAQs:
How does PAFA compare in price to other schools of art and design?
What scholarships are available?
What should a student do to prepare or improve their portfolio?
What housing options are available?
What dining options are available?
Does PAFA have “study abroad” opportunities?
What career opportunities are available to art students?
Does PAFA offer teaching opportunities or assistantships? What about opportunities through PAFA’s museum?
What academic opportunities does PAFA offer?
What are the academic requirements to enroll at PAFA? Do you require SAT/ACT scores? What are your GPA requirements?
Does PAFA have any prerequisite courses?
Will my student need a car in Philadelphia? What parking options are available?
How safe is PAFA’s campus?
What is the student life like?
Will my student need a laptop computer to study at PAFA?
Does PAFA accept transfer credit?
Graduate FAQs:
What is PAFA’s tuition?
How should I prepare my portfolio?
What scholarships are available?
What housing options are available?
What work opportunities are available?
What are the academic requirements for acceptance to the Graduate program?
What is Philadelphia like?
What is the PAFA campus like?
What is the Graduate program faculty like?
For Undergraduates:
1. How does PAFA compare in price to other schools of art and design?
Applicants should compare costs equally: while other institutions may offer larger scholarships, their tuition rates can also be substiantially higher. Prospective students should consider each program’s value, and the return on investment. As an elite artistic institution, we think that no other school can match PAFA in these regards. Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
2. What scholarships are available?
PAFA offers both academic and artistic merit scholarships. All students are considered for these awards during the application process. Larger scholarships, ranging up to full tuition, are awarded on an selective basis. For students living outside of the U.S., international student scholarships are available.
3. What should a student do to prepare or improve their portfolio?
The Office of Admissions encourages students to speak with an Admissions representative to arrange a portfolio review. PAFA also offers a pre-college portfolio preparation program as a four-week summer intensive for high school students. Students should also consider Continuing Education courses, which are offered year-round. Both may be taken for college credit.
4. What housing options are available?
PAFA offers student housing at Stiles Hall, located a few blocks from our school campus at 325 North Broad St. Students live on a dedicated PAFA floor. Apartments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and include:
- Private bedroom for each student
- Standard kitchen with full-sized refrigerator, stove, oven, and sink
- Washer and dryer access on each floor
- Utilities and wifi
- 24/7 security with building card-access
- First floor social lounge
PAFA also maintains a Housing Board where students can post housing and roommate opportunities.
5. What dining options are available?
Students can purchase meals through PAFA's onsite café, Tableau, which offers soups, sandwiches, light snacks and baked goods. Most students do prefer the variety of dining options within walking distance of the school, including Reading Terminal Market (home to dozens of food vendors), the bustling Chinatown neighborhood, and the many stellar restaurants downtown.
6. Does PAFA have “study abroad” opportunities?
Yes. Students at PAFA, a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, may transfer studies for one semester at any AICAD-affiliated institution. Students may also research and pursue opportunities to study abroad independently, under the guidance of the Student Services Office.
7. What career opportunities are available to art students?
While the primary goal is to train students as professional, working artists, PAFA graduates regularly pursue careers in teaching, gallery operation, arts administration, museum studies, conservation and preparation, design, illustration and art fabrication. Additionally, because PAFA emphasizes both technical skill and mature conceptual expression, students are exceptionally well-prepared for graduate-level programs.
8. Does PAFA offer teaching opportunities or assistantships? What about opportunities through PAFA’s museum?
PAFA does not offer teaching assistantships; the school believes every course should be taught by professional, practicing artists. However, the Department of Museum Education creates teaching opportunities through summer programming and weekend workshops. Classroom monitor and work-study positions are also available.
9. What academic opportunities does PAFA offer?
PAFA’s various academic programs are designed to emphasize choice. Students can take their academic courses in-house through the PAFA BFA, or earn their degree from an Ivy League institution through the Coordinated BFA with the University of Pennsylvania. Visit the Degree Programs page to learn more.
10. What are the academic requirements to enroll? Do you require SAT/ACT scores? What are your GPA requirements?
Students applying to either of PAFA’s BFA programs (the PAFA BFA or the Coordinated BFA with the University of Pennsylvania) are expected to exhibit a 3.0 academic GPA. Students with insufficient academic grades may be admitted on a conditional basis, or encouraged to pursue PAFA’s Certificate program. Additionally, writing samples are required for each BFA program: PAFA BFA applicants must submit a personal statement, and Coordinated BFA applicants are required to submit a series of essays. SAT/ACT scores are not required for either program, though students may choose to submit them for academic scholarship consideration.
11. Does PAFA have any prerequisite courses?
No. However, incoming students will undertake a rigorous foundations program in their first year. Many foundation courses will emphasize observational drawing and incorporate the nude model. This emphasis on technical ability distinguishes our program, and prepares students to create strong work and develop a distinct voice.
12. Will my student need a car in Philadelphia? What parking options are available?
No. Public transportation is abundant: Buses, trolleys, and subways connect most areas of the city, and a Regional Rail train system stretches into the surrounding suburbs. Biking and walking are also popular methods of transportation. The city is pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly and many of the major streets have bike lanes.
For those who choose to have a car, neighborhoods outside of the downtown area (South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Fairmount, Northern Liberties) offer some non-metered parking. A city-issued parking permit is required in many areas.
13. How safe is PAFA’s campus?
PAFA is located in downtown Philadelphia, one block from City Hall and minutes from the city’s public transportation hubs. Facilities offer 24-hour security, and ID cards are required for general entry and access to each floor. PAFA also offers a van service for students commuting late at night.
14. What is the student life like?
Students spend a significant amount of time on campus and often continue working in their studios after class is over. Numerous after-school activities are offered throughout the week and the Office of Student Services offers student events including a Draw-a-thon, Winter Bash, Open Studio Nights, Halloween Hayrides, Cupcake Socials, and regular coffee hours. Off-campus, students regularly visit galleries and exhibitions of alumni and the city's many local artists.
15. Will my student need a laptop computer to study at PAFA?
No. Computers in the library are available for student use, as well as the digital lab. Students in the BFA program have regular writing and research assignments, however, and may wish to have a personal computer. For students with a laptop, the Hamilton Building is equipped with wi-fi on all floors and Internet connections in all private studios.
16. Does PAFA accept transfer credit?
Yes. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information on PAFA's transfer credit policy.
For Graduates:
17. What is PAFA’s tuition?
For current Post-Baccalaureate and MFA tuition rates, visit the Tuition and Fees page. Graduate students have access to an outstanding faculty, an array of visiting artists, 24-hour studio usage, and remarkable facilities.
18. How should I prepare my portfolio?
MFA and Post-Baccalaureate candidates may present a portfolio that is a cohesive body of work and shows potential toward the completion of a thesis. A portfolio guide can be found here.
19. What scholarships are available?
Completed applications received by the deadlines are automatically considered for Merit Scholarships based on the strength of the portfolio. Please visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships page for more information.
20. What housing options are available?
Graduate students are expected to find housing independently. The Office of Student Services runs H.O.M.E. Day (Housing Off-Campus Made Easier) each summer for newly accepted graduate students. They also maintain a directory of students looking for roommates.
21. What work opportunities are available at PAFA?
Numerous opportunities for gaining experience are available:
- High School Program: MFA students are hired to teach classes offered at PAFA to Philadelphia high school students.
- Summer FUNdamentals Art Camp: Graduate students are hired by the Museum Education Department to teach summer camp classes to children and teens.
- Weekend Workshops: Graduate students are hired by the Museum Education Department to teach daylong public workshops in various media.
- Graduate Assistantships: MFA students in the first year (second semester) and second year of the program may apply to assist undergraduate faculty in classes. The positions are unpaid but provide experience and networking opportunities.
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships Second year MFA students that have completed one semester as a Graduate Assistant, may apply for this position. Students awarded Graduate Teaching Assistantships will receive additional training in teaching skills by the undergraduate instructor in charge, and will be expected to play an active instructional role in the classroom. There are six Graduate Teaching Assistantships per year, and each is granted a $1000 stipend.
- Visiting Artists Program: This program is completely student-run and offers valuable networking opportunities. Positions can be work-study or volunteer.
- Monitors: Some classes require monitors to assist in setting up and breaking down of equipment, coordinating models, etc.
- Work Study: Eligible students can be considered for various positions available within the school's administrative and academic offices as well as the museum and Gallery 128, the student gallery.
22. What are the academic requirements for acceptance to the Graduate program?
MFA and Post-Baccalaureate candidates must have a BFA degree from an accredited college or university, a bachelor’s degree with approximately 60 credits in studio art, or the equivalent for consideration.
23. What is Philadelphia like?
The second-largest city on the east coast and fifth largest in the nation, Philadelphia has a thriving arts community with museums, galleries, co-ops, and cultural institutions all over the city. The city is less than two hours from New York and less than three hours from Washington, D.C., allowing for convenient day trips.
24. What is the PAFA campus like?
PAFA is an urban campus and is easily accessible via subway, trolley, regional rail, and air. Amenities include a foundry, metal shop, wood shop, frame shop, digital lab, print shop, large and well-lit studio classrooms, and spacious private student studios with 24-hour access.
25. What is the Graduate program faculty like?
From artists working in traditional modes to those working in new media, the faculty is world renowned and collected by major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Israel Museum, and Museum Moderner Kunst, Vienna, to name a few. Visit the Graduate Faculty Work gallery for details.