Since graduate school is another major step toward your career aspirations, choosing the right graduate art program is important. Since there are many art programs domestically and internationally, using online college directories, databases and reports can help narrow down your search. Look at factors such as your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, location, tuition costs, school size and faculty-to-student ratio. CollegeBoard.com, College Art Association's online directory and "U.S. News and World Report" are a few more notable databases and reports to begin your search. Each graduate school should have a website where you can find out more information regarding application and portfolio submissions.
Most art school graduate programs require you to put together a collection of your best work. You must submit the artwork for review along with your application. The portfolio should express your diverse talent and skills as an artist. If you are a painter, display work from different mediums, such as watercolors, pastels and oils. If you are into photography, submit samples of different lighting techniques, subject framing and depth of field. Make sure your work is protected and packaged correctly before submitting. Check with the school's website for more precise details about your portfolio submissions, such as maximum artwork dimension, how to label each piece of work, and how to display the artwork.
Check with the graduate school website to find out if it has an online application. Not only are online applications more convenient and will save you the hassle of sending the application through the mail, you will receive a quicker response from the application committee. Once you submit the application, write down the reference number. Most art programs will require you to label each artwork with your name and application reference number if your artwork were to be misplaced.
Most schools will contact you to schedule an interview in front of the selection committee. Like you would for a job interview, you want to dress properly and prepare answers to the possible questions. For men, wear a nice button-down, collared shirt with black slacks and tie. For women, wear business-casual dress pants or a dress. Brush up on your art history and terminology, as well as educate yourself about the artwork you have submitted. In an attempt to find out more about you, the selection committee may ask you to explain what materials were used and what inspired you to create the work.