MFA Admissions

Apply by December 9th in order to be considered for the maximum range of support including College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Fellowship funding and departmental support. CAS Fellowships include the prestigious Arthur A. Schomburg and Presidential Fellowship Programs.

Apply by January 15 in order to be considered for departmental support.

Applications received after this date will be considered for admission on a rolling basis as space allows.

MFA applications are reviewed each year after the January 15th deadline, admission offers are sent in the Spring, and admittance to the program only occurs for Fall semester start.

When preparing the application and supporting documents, such as your statement of intent and portfolio, keep in mind that we are looking for students who we feel would be a good match for our program. There is no one measure that applies to all – we are looking for devoted makers and conceptual artists a like.

1. Complete the online application. Select Fine Arts (MFA) from the list. 
2. Electronic transcripts should be uploaded with your application. You must supply transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended (unofficial copies are accepted). Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted and choose to matriculate at the University at Buffalo.
3. Three (3) confidential letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic or professional work. The references you select should be able to assess your level of maturity, intellectual capability, preparedness and motivation for graduate study.
4. Statement of intent: This should reveal the motivation for graduate study and provide insights about your work to date and where you feel it is going. This statement may discuss areas you are interested in researching further. Ideally your statement should communicate curiosity, intelligence, commitment, and demonstrate historical awareness of your field and your relationship to it. Feel free to include insights into your interdisciplinary interests, motivations, strengths and weaknesses, reasons for choosing our MFA program over others, as well as past accomplishments.
5. Resume/CV
6. Application Fee of $75
7. Writing sample (optional)

All applicants should submit a URL (web link) to a personal website that includes your portfolio materials with a checklist of your works.

Overall, the portfolio should visually communicate a serious work ethic, compelling ideas, and the ability to chart and complete a course of personal development within the time frame of a 2-year program. We are looking for those who are prepared to hit the ground running.

For time-based works, short previews (1-2 minutes) for initial viewing are recommended. If you already have a website or blog, you may want to consider making a separate website for the portfolio to make sure our faculty see the work you want them to see. A website with too much going on can be a detriment to an application.

As an international student, in order to be eligible for an I-20 or DS-2019 you will need to provide the following items in addition to the academic documents. These should be uploaded electronically along with your other application materials:

• Proof of English proficiency that is less than two (2) years old at the time of admission. Please visit the Graduate Admissions website for accepted tests, score minimums and exemption guidelines. 
• A copy of the biographical page of your passport. Scan a copy of the page from your passport that includes your name, citizenship and date of birth.
• Financial form: Download the Standard Graduate financial form and follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to include supporting bank statements.