International Admission at MICA

International Admission Campaign

China, Singapore, Turkey, Korea, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Iceland. These are just a few of the places that MICA students call home.

A message from Kenneth Yee, Associate Director of International Admission

Wherever you're from, MICA is an inclusive and friendly community that helps all of our students feel safe, comfortable, and “at home”. Our international counselors and students can help you navigate the admissions process and make MICA your home away from home.

Schedule a conversation with an international admission counselor to ask questions, have a portfolio review, or request more information. You can also explore our virtual tours and register for a virtual event through our Events Portal. We look forward to connecting with you!

Jump to a topic:

Meet our People

Meet our international counselors and hear from our international students. Get answers to common questions.

Only-at-MICA Education

Take a look at our rankings, some stats about MICA and videos showing our Maker Spaces

Getting to Know Baltimore

Learn more about our vibrant city

Reputational Excellence

See examples of our International Alumni Success

Culture & Community

Explore our Student Organizations and Co-curricular Activities

Application Tips

Steps to make the application process easier

Meet Our People

MICA’s undergraduate international admission counselors are available every week for one-on-one conversations. Whether you'd like to ask questions or have a portfolio review, we're here to help! Schedule a time today.

Yam Chew Oh

International Admission Counselor
Meet with Yam Chew virtually

Jenny Lee Robinson

International Admission Representative
Meet with Jenny virtually

Ezra Zhang

International Admission Representative
Meet with Ezra virtually

At MICA, you’ll be part of our vibrant community of creators and innovators — which means you’ll be surrounded by peers and mentors who are committed to your success.

Elisa Leiva

Hear what inspired Elisa, an Illustration major from Costa Rica, to choose MICA.

Ian Ong

Hear how Ian, an Interdisciplinary Sculpture major from Singapore, is taking advantage of only-at-MICA opportunities — like a hands-on blacksmithing internship — to develop his practice.

Beril Bayrakdar

Hear why Beril, an Interdisciplinary Sculpture and Architectural Design major from Turkey, instantly felt at home at MICA.

Anahita Arun

Hear how Anahita, a Graphic Design, Humanistic Studies, and Interactive Arts major from India, built connections at MICA.

You have questions, and we have answers. Take some time to review the information on this page. If you have a question that is not addressed here, schedule a time to talk with an admission counselor.
Keep Reading

Only-at-MICA Education

At MICA, we combine a legendary fine arts foundation with technical skill and mastery, plus the breadth and depth of the liberal arts and in-the-field experience. It’s an only-at-MICA combination for creative impact that will make you sought after by employers now and able to adapt and pivot throughout your career.

Top 10 Art School in the World

– U.S. News & World Report

#15, 2024 Global Creative Rankings

– The One Club for Creativity

#33, Global Art & Design institutions

– QS World University Rankings

1826

Founded in 1826, MICA is the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art in the nation

95%

The percentage of MICA alumni who are employed within one year of graduation

96%

The percentage of MICA undergraduate alumni working in a field related to their program of study

U.S. states represented in the student body

Countries represented in the student body

3000+

enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and Open Studies students

9:1

student-faculty ratio

600+

Faculty mentors — professional artists, designers, art historians, poets, and writers

120

visiting artists, critics, designers, poets, writers, and art historians from across the U.S. and around the world each year

≈20

study abroad programs — more than any other art college in the United States

$50m

annually in undergraduate financial aid from all sources

1000+

courses each year providing programmatic depth and career options not found at other colleges and universities

In an age where the fundamentals—wood, canvas, paper, film, and metal—are being met with 3D printing, laser cutting, augmented reality, and more, artists require a wider array of tools than ever before. From wood shops to its digital fabrication studio to biolab to sound stage, MICA provides you with the room and tools you need to design and make whatever you can imagine.

Digital Fabrication Lab (DFab)

See MICA's digital fabrication lab (DFab) and the awesome projects our students make there.

Fiber

From woven cotton to carbon fiber and everything in between, MICA's fiber labs give students the opportunity to research and reimagine fiber-based products.

Interdisciplinary Sculpture

At the intersection of craft, tradition, and modern technology, MICA’s interdisciplinary sculpture maker spaces provide an environment to nurture all three.

Film & Video

Combing the talent of MICA and Johns Hopkins, our Film and Video studios give students access to state-of-the-art equipment and unparalleled instruction.

Getting to know Baltimore

Not only is Baltimore ranked one of the top five best places to go to college in the U.S., our home city is fittingly nicknamed B’More. And that’s what you can do here — be more and do more. A cultural leader and shaper of Baltimore for two centuries, MICA makes you an immediate insider. But this is also a place open to change and new ideas. You have access to projects and networks that allow you to get involved and contribute your creativity in meaningful ways — right away.

A safe environment is essential to learning and creating. MICA is committed to working with all members of the campus community to make our campus a safe and secure environment.
Keep Reading about Campus Safety

Best U.S. city for college graduates

– ADP Research Institute (Based on the health of the job market, salary vs. cost of living, and likelihood of finding a job)

In public support of the arts and #5 most arts-vibrant state (Maryland)

– SMU Data Arts

#14

Best places to travel in the world

– The New York Times

#15

Best cities to start a business

– Business Insider

Happiest city in the U.S.

– Institute for Quality of Life

Most affordable large city

– Business Facilities

Culture & Community

During your First-Year Student Orientation, international students will meet their Orientation Leaders and MICA staff to learn about transitioning to MICA.

From academic and professional interests to hobbies and recreation, MICA's 40+ student organizations provide you with the opportunity to get involved in a way that matters to you.

Join A Club

These co-curricular experiences not only contribute to a more satisfied overall college experience but also provide many opportunities to meet new people and make friends.

Lunar New Year Potluck

The Asian Student Alliance hosted a potluck to celebrate the Lunar New Year and share their cultures and backgrounds with others in the MICA Community.

Reputational Excellence

Entering our third century, we have built one of the most influential art and design hubs in the United States — a proving ground for generations of idea and culture makers.

MICA alumni and faculty use their vision and skills across industries and are powering the creative economy throughout the Baltimore region - and around the world. They are exhibiting artists, creative entrepreneurs, Google animators, filmmakers, comic artists, graphic designers, educators, mobile app developers, architects and so much more.
Meet MICA's Creatives at Work

From Baltimore to Beijing

In an extraordinary collaboration, the Tree Art Museum in Beijing welcomed the unveiling of The Nostalgic Collection, spearheaded and curated exclusively by 16 diverse alumni from the College. It offers a rare glimpse into the shared experiences and creative journeys of these international Chinese art students.

Isabel Tay ’23

Originally from Singapore, Isabel Tay is now a visual artist and filmmaker based in Portland, Oregon. After graduating with a BFA in Film & Video, Tay began doing camera work for LAIKA, the world-renowed studio behind Kubo and the Two Strings and Coraline.

Avani Dwivedi ’19

Avani Dwivedi is an author and illustrator who grew up in Mumbai, India, and is now living in Jersey City, NJ. Her debut author/illustrated picture book, My Bollywood Dream was published in Spring 2023, and she worked as the illustrator for several books to be published through 2025.

Yona Kohen ’19

Kohen, an international student from Turkey, returned to her hometown of Istanbul after graduating with a General Fine Arts BFA, and began learning and experimenting with traditional Turkish beading techniques. Ottoman prison-work is the inspiration behind here celebrated jewelry brand, recently featured in The New York Times.

Application Tips

Here are the steps to apply to MICA as an international student.

MICA’s undergraduate international admission counselors are available every week for one-on-one conversations.

We are here to help support you throughout your college search and application process. Whether you'd like to ask questions or have a portfolio review, we want to make sure you get exactly what you need from our conversation. Schedule a meeting today!

You can apply to MICA through our dedicated MICA Application, or using the Common Application. There is no application fee for the dedicated MICA App. The application fee for the Common Application is $60.

Make sure to provide copies of your transcripts for all secondary academic work. Your high school guidance counselor may submit your transcript through the Common App (if applying via Common App), Parchment, mail, or email to records@mica.edu (We also accept unofficial transcripts).

All transcripts must be translated into English by an approved translator. World Education Services (WES) is recommended, but not required.

If English is not your first language you must submit a valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo score with your application. MICA requires a minimum TOEFL score of 75 (MyBest scores are accepted), an IELTS score of 6.0, a PTE score of 58, or a Duolingo score of 105. MICA’s institution code is 5399 for TOEFL and IELTS.

MICA does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores if you have a minimum SAT score of 470 or ACT score of 18 in the English section, or official transcripts that demonstrate at least two full years of academic success at a high school or college/university in which English is the language of instruction.

The portfolio should be a selection of recent artwork that represents your artistic interests and demonstrates your technical skills and ability. You should include examples of artwork that reflect the full range of your ideas, interests, experience, and abilities in the arts to date. Applicants must submit a portfolio of 10-15 pieces of artwork. After your application is submitted, you will receive instructions on how to upload your portfolio through your Applicant Portal.

Schedule a virtual portfolio review with an admission counselor to receive feedback on your work and guidance on how to prepare your portfolio submission.

Before an I-20 form can be issued, please submit the following materials:

Indicate your current immigration status and your intentions regarding immigration by completing the Immigration Information Form. Please complete this form even if you do not plan to study under an F-1 student visa.

Submit the Certificate of Finance form, as well as a bank statement certifying that sufficient funds are available to support your study at the College and a copy of your current passport.

These materials may be submitted later once you receive your admission decision.

Apply to MICA by using the Common App or by using MICA's own application.

International Admission