The Massachusetts College of Art and Design is located in Boston and it initially opened its doors in 1873. Mass Art offers four different undergraduate degrees in various fields of design. Applicants to Mass Art's undergraduate programs face a very thorough application and review process. First, is the application itself, which you must submit with an application fee (the fee is lower if you're a resident of Massachusetts). You must submit a portfolio that includes 15 to 20 pieces of work. You must submit an essay that states your goals and what you intend to do with your degree from Mass Art. Along with all of your official transcripts from high school and any secondary school you've attended, you also need three letters of recommendation.
The School of Fashion Design in Boston, Massachusetts was established in 1934 and has the distinction of being the only institute of higher learning in the state of Massachusetts that is dedicated solely to fashion design. Students at the School of Fashion Design take a set curriculum that will educate them in diverse types of fashion design. These courses range from pattern making to French draping. An individual course at the School of Fashion Design cost $1,125 while full-time tuition for two semesters is $11,250, as of 2011.
The Boston Architectural College offers degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, design studies and interior design. The BAC was founded in 1889. As of 2011, there are 1,300 students enrolled in the BAC's bachelor or master programs. It has a faculty of 350 instructors, many of which have had real world experience in their educational fields. Applicants to the BAC are not required to submit a portfolio, but they do have to complete a designated exercise based on their chosen major. Applicants must also submit all of their high school transcripts and a resume. The BAC uses a rolling admissions process, which means that there is never a deadline for your application.
The New England School of Art and Design is located in Boston on the Suffolk University campus. New England offers bachelor's and master's degrees in graphic design and interior design. In addition to an application and transcripts, applicants to New England's design programs are required to submit a portfolio of their work. The portfolio should display the applicant's ability to handle a large number of diverse ideas in one succinct design. According to the school's office of admission, versatility in the portfolio is one of the key factors considered when admitting freshman.