Otis College of Art and Design

ABOUT OTIS COLLEGE:

Founded in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles was the first art and design school in Southern California. Students receive an international education in an international city full of opportunities. As a college solely devoted to creative studies, students benefit from being able to choose from 7 BFA majors, 8 areas of emphasis and 19 minors in a variety of areas of art and design from Fine Arts, Fashion Design, Animation, Toy Design, Product Design, and everything in between.  Otis College is ranked in the top 1% for student diversity and international students make up 24% of the student body. Scholarships are awarded to international students based on their academic record and strength of the creative work in their portfolio. Our top merit scholarships cover up to 50% the cost of tuition.

PREPARATION FOR A CREATIVE CAREER:

California is the 5th largest economy in the world, and Los Angeles has one of the largest creative communities in the world. There are over 797,000 creative jobs in the LA region according to The Otis Report on the Creative Economy. 

Otis students are a part of this community, which creates opportunities for learning in and out of the classroom, internship experiences, and job opportunities. 1 in 7 jobs in the LA Region are Creative Industry jobs. Otis hires the best faculty from a vast array of working professionals. 

Our Career Services department collaborates with faculty from each major to ensure that Otis students are prepared for internship and job opportunities. Career Services offers unlimited one-on-one career counseling appointments, specialized career workshops year-round, employer recruiting and information sessions, an online job & internship board with over 3,300 new opportunities posted in the last year, as well as special career events, panel discussions, and industry workshops. The College fosters strategic partnerships with companies and organizations to support scholarships, mentoring programs, and internship funding. Graduates of Otis College have access to Career Services for life!

Of the Class of 2019, 93.5% were employed or in graduate school within 1 year of graduation, and 94% of graduates are working in art and design fields. This speaks to how well-prepared Otis graduates are to enter the working world!

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Online Application – Freshman applicants should submit the Common App, and Transfers can submit the Otis Online App.
2. $50 application fee – The fee is nonrefundable and can be paid online when you submit your application.
3. Portfolio – Otis has two options for the portfolio requirement. Go to otis.edu/portfolio to see the options. The portfolio costs $10 to submit on SlideRoom.
4. Personal Statement – In 500 words, describe your background and interest in studying art and design. Help us understand who you are as a creative person!
5. Transcripts:
   • Official transcripts are required showing all completed work to date. Please note, admitted high school students must also submit a final official high school transcript after graduation. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted to review your application for admission.
   • Transfer students are required to submit final official high school transcripts (with the graduation date) and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial college transcripts will be accepted to review your application for admission.
   • International students are required to submit official translations for transcripts not in English. Please submit both the translation and the official transcript. International transfer applicants should submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org). Otis awards transfer credit for many AP, IB, and A-Level subjects.
6. SAT/ACT Test Scores: SAT or ACT test scores are not required. Submitting test scores is optional.
7. English Proficiency Exam:
   • International applicants whose primary/native language is not English should take one of the four tests recognized by Otis College: TOEFL, IELTS, the Pearson Test of English, or the Duolingo English Test (SAT/ACT scores not required). The minimum scores required for BFA admission are a 79 on the TOEFL ibt, 6.5 on the IELTS, 58 on the Pearson Test of English or 105 on the Duolingo English Test. Our TOEFL institution code is 4394.
   • If you have attended an accredited high school or college where English is the primary language of instruction, you may be considered proficient if you submit a transcript documenting completion of non-ESL coursework in English or Literature. Contact the Admissions office at admissions@otis.edu or 310.665.6820 for additional information.