Every college requires an application in order to be accepted into its interior design program. Larger colleges and universities often require potential students to pay application fees, but many smaller schools or schools that focus solely on design do not.
Applications include your personal information, including full name and address, education, specific areas of interests and often your grade point average. Some applications also require an essay.
You will be required to have a certified copy of your high school diploma or equivalent General Education Development (GED) certificate sent directly to the school. Each school you apply to requires its own certified copy. Generally, the school district that granted the diploma or GED certificate must send the copy directly to the schools to which you are applying.
For students who are still in high school or finishing their GED, the college requires proof that the diploma or GED will be granted before the student expects to enter the college program.
Before an interior design program will accept a student, the student must show an aptitude for interior design. Generally, the college will ask for photographs of rooms you have designed or drawings of rooms you would design. These photographs or drawings will be reviewed by the college's faculty. The faculty will then determine whether this limited portfolio of design shows that the prospective student has enough aptitude to be accepted into the school's program. Be very careful about presenting your best work only in your portfolio. Making a striking visual impression is very important in this educational program choice.