Maine College of Art & Design

Apply for first-year Apply for transfer

Maine College of Art & Design

Apply for first-year Apply for transfer

Located in the heart of the Portland Arts District, Maine College of Art & Design provides 24/7 access to its vibrant studios, classrooms, and state-of-the-art facilities to let students experiment with their work when passion strikes. With a 10:1 student to faculty ratio and deeply-rooted community partnerships, the College is dedicated to supporting every student’s ability to grow in their craft. This is the right-sized school in the right-sized city for students to truly make their mark.

Our Artists at Work program is here to help translate your passions into a variety of career options. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D based in our Porteous Building serves a critical regional role in its commitment to presenting contemporary, provocative work by living artists from Maine and around the globe. MECA&D's Joanne Waxman Library is one of the largest independent libraries in Northern New England, and it offers the first and only materials collection in Maine.

Virtual Tour

Academic Programs

Art & Design
Design
Music
Visual Arts

Student experience

Co-op/Internship Opportunities
Disability Services
Distance/online learning
Exhibition opportunities
LGBTQIA Services
Military/Veteran Services
On-Campus Housing
Study Abroad

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

First-year

Deadlines
Early Action: December 1, 2023
Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition: February 1, 2024
Priority Application: March 1, 2024
Rolling admissions as space is available after March 1, 2024.

Application Requirements
+ Complete Common App
+ Application Fee of $70 (or waiver)
+ Personal Essay
+ One (1) Letters of Recommendation
+ High School Transcripts (or equivalent)
+ Portfolio of 12–20 pieces of artwork

International students should also submit demonstration of English proficiency via IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.

Transfer

Deadlines
Early Action: December 1, 2023
Priority Application: March 1, 2024
Rolling admissions as space is available after March 1, 2024.

Application Requirements
+ Complete Common App
+ Application Fee of $70 (or waiver)
+ Personal Essay
+ One (1) Letters of Recommendation
+ High School Transcripts (or equivalent)
+ Unofficial College Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
+ Portfolio of 12–20 pieces of artwork

International students should also submit demonstration of English proficiency via IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.

Additional Information

At Maine College of Art & Design 100% of our BFA degree students receive some type of financial assistance. Students at MECA&D receive more than $16.7 million annually in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and job opportunities. The College provides over $7.6 million directly to support the aid programs available to students.

Merit-based scholarships range from $10,000–$22,000 per year and are renewable each year you are at MECA&D.

Visit us

Schedule a visit to Maine College of Art & Design at meca.edu/visit!

Open Houses
MECA&D offers Open Houses throughout the Fall and Spring, typically on Saturdays. They are a great way to meet students, faculty, and staff and see the campus. Register for our events here.

Tours
Join us for a tour to explore all six floors of our main building which includes studio departments, major spaces, the MECA&D Cafe, Joanne Waxman Library, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D, and our residence halls.