The Basics
Where is SCI-Arc located?
960 East 3rd Street, Arts District of LA. In a old freight depot.
How many students attend SCI-Arc?
Around 500
How do I apply? (High School Student)
Common App, port optional, high school transcripts, 1 letter of recommendation, SCI-Arc supplemental questions, SAT/ACT Optional, English Proficiency Exam*
How much is tuition?
It's around $24,000 a semester, $48,000 a year.
When do applications open and when is the application deadline?
Mid-August and January 15 of the current academic year. E.g. for the 2022-2023 Cycle, applications would open mid-August 2021 and the Priority Deadline would be January 15, 2022.
What majors do you offer?
Architecture!
What is the student to faculty ratio?
15 to 1. Right now, 6 to 1.
How do I apply? (Transfer Applicant)
Common App, port required if seeking AP, 1 letter of rec, SCI-Arc supplemental question, official transcripts from all colleges attended, sometimes also HS, English Proficiency Exam*
How much is the application fee and can the application fee be waived?
$85.00. We do not charge for SlideRoom submission. B.Arch applicants can request through the Common App to waive the application fee. For all other program applicants, the applicant would need to reach out to the respective admissions counselor to request a waiver due to financial need.
Are internships required as part of the curriculum?
No. However, it is common to have students participate in internships during their long summer breaks. The Academic Calendar is deliberately organized in a way to maximize the summer vacation.
What degrees are offered?
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
Master of Architecture 1
Master of Architecture 2
Master of Science in Architectural Technologies, Design of Cities, Design Theory and Pedagogy, Fiction and Entertainment, and Synthetic Landscapes
What is the acceptance rate?
Around 51-53% across all programs.
How do I apply? (M.Arch 1)
Online app, portfolio, personal statement, 2 letters of rec, resume/CV, transcript, GRE optional, English Proficiency Exam*
Does SCI-Arc award any scholarships?
Admissions Scholarship, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship, SoCalNOMA Scholarship
Does SCI-Arc help connect students to internships?
Not directly. However, there is an event called Open Season that happens in the spring semester plus faculty members are great resources as most are practicing architects; all design faculty are practicing architects.
Do you offer on-campus housing?
Housing is independent of SCI-Arc. There are two avenues we offer to connect with housing opportunities: Incoming student Facebook group and Housing Board
What percentage of SCI-Arc students get a job upon graduation?
While we do not require our graduates to share that information, SCI-Arc ranks third in most desirable graduates within the DesignIntelligence Survey.
How do I apply? (M.Arch 2)
Online app, portfolio, personal statement, 2 letters of rec, resume/CV, transcript, GRE optional, English Proficiency Exam*
How do I apply for a scholarship?
For the Admissions Scholarship, as long as all required materials are submitted by the Priority Deadline, an applicant will automatically be considered. For the E&I and SoCalNOMA Scholarships, there is an option to supplement their submitted application materials with an additional statement. There is a separate deadline to opt in and indicate interest to be considered.
What kind of student is successful at SCI-Arc?
Independent, curious, experimental, dedicated, and disciplined.
Are you accredited?
We are dually-accredited by WASC and NAAB.
What are the minimum scores for English Proficiency Exams?
TOEFL: 92
IELTS: 7.0 Overall Band Score
Duolingo: 115
How do I apply? (EDGE)
Online app, portfolio, personal statement, 2 letters of rec, resume/CV, transcript, English Proficiency Exam*
What will improve my chances of receiving a scholarship?
The Admissions Scholarship is merit-based. This means we are looking at the overall strength of the application amongst the pool of applicants that year. We are looking for strong portfolios, grades, personal statements, recommendations, etc.
I have never taken art or design classes before. How do I build a portfolio or what can I include in my admissions portfolio?
Consider summer portfolio prep courses like M+M. We accept all projects that explore visual culture such as fine art (paintings, drawings), photography, ceramics/pottery, etc.