international students

Admissions decisions are individualized and take into account all aspects of the applicant's background. After your application is received, an admissions counselor will contact you about your remaining requirements and to schedule a visit. 

1. Application

International students are encouraged to apply for admission as early as possible in order to have enough time to process the admissions requirements. You initiate the admissions process by submitting a completed application form with a $40, nonrefundable application fee.

2. Statement of Interest Essay

As a prospective student, you are required to submit a one- or two-page essay that describes what excites you about art and design, your goals and why attending CVA will help you achieve them. Please mail to the College of Visual Arts Admissions Office at 344 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102 or email to admissions@cva.edu. Online applicants have the option to upload it to their application.

3. Academic Transcripts

Original or certified transcripts from all postsecondary and secondary institutions attended. Certified English translations must be provied for transcripts. International applicants must also show proof of english language proficiency. Unless English is a prospective student’s first language, the student must achieve a minimum score for the following tests

TOEFL Paper: 500
TOEFL Computer: 213
TOEFL iBT: 79 - 80
IELTS: 6.0

Students that fall below the minimum score are required to participate in the completion of the English and academic preparation instruction program through the Global Language Institute. A solid command of oral and written English is necessary for success in CVA’s programs. The College’s TOEFL code number is 6108.

5. Letter of Recommendation 

Applicants wanting to be considered for scholarship must include a letter of recommendation The recommendation can be mailed to the Admissions Office or emailed from the teacher to the admissions@cva.edu email.

6. Portfolio Review

What you show us in your portfolio is entirely up to you. You can choose to submit a variety of media or concentrate on just one. Remember your portfolio is all about you and your artwork. It should be as original as you are! A portfolio for admission into CVA may include (but is not limited to) drawing, painting, graphic design work, digital work, photography, printmaking, sculpture, websites, video and documentation of installation. You may either submit a variety of media or concentrate on one. Your portfolio should include 12 – 20 examples of artwork. The portfolio does not need to be complete before applying but we encourage you to submit it before March 1.

Your portfolio can be reviewed on campus, sent through the mail or reviewed online.

• In person: If you would like to submit your portfolio in person, contact us to schedule an appointment.
• By mail: If you want to mail your portfolio to the admissions office you must mail a Macintosh - compatible CD of your work with an inventory list that details the title, size, materials, and date of completion for each piece on the disc. Do not send the originals! Your work could be damaged and your portfolio will not be mailed back to you.
• Online Portfolio: CVA accepts online portfolios through our Slideroom portal at https://cva.slideroom.com. The Admissions Office will not accept portfolios sent by email. There is $10 processing fee from Slideroom.

Our portfolio reviews are not critiques.  They provide an opportunity for the admissions team to see your work up close and to hear more about your interests and your creative process.

Accepted International Student Checklist

• Certification of Finances: Is required in order to recive an I-20 an must indicate that the student has adequate funds to cover one academic year.
• Tuition Deposit