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Interview

A portfolio interview is strongly recommended but not required to apply to the Department of Art. It offers the opportunity to show your work and discuss it with a faculty member in the art department or an alumni of the BFA program. Interviews with faculty are offered only on campus on Mondays and Fridays. Most are scheduled in the fall, with external transfer applicants able to schedule interviews in February as well. Alumni interviews are coordinated between the applicant and the alumni, at the convenience of both parties. Once you are certain that you will be applying to Cornell’s fine arts program, you can request an interview by using the Interview Request form.

Interview Request Form

The deadlines for fine arts portfolio interviews are:

November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)

January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)

October 1 (spring transfer applicants)

March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

What can I expect in an admissions interview?

You will share your work with an art faculty member. The interview is also a time to discuss art and your interests.

How can I prepare for my interview?

1. Visit an art museum, galleries, studios, or artists in the area in which you live or in places you travel.

2. Read art history. What is your favorite period in art history that informs some of the work that is in your portfolio.

3. Visit contemporary artist's studios, read contemporary art journals, art criticism, and reviews.