California Institute of the Arts (January 29, 2025)

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California Institute of the Arts

1.29.25 Campus Visit Report

Lindsay Woodard - San Marcos High School














ADMISSIONS

  • ~1,000 undergrads

  • Not on the Common App

  • All majors have a portfolio or audition requirement

  • 2 letters of recommendation required

    • 1 should be from someone in the student’s art form

  • An artist’s statement is required

    • Used both for admission and for matching the student to a mentor

  • They look for strong technicians, but they really want strong creators

  • 5-6% acceptance rate for animation

    • They want unique individuals with a vision

  • They want smart people who make smart artistic choices

  • Advice to potential students: document everything you create throughout high school

    • Should be just school assignments; can be some but should be own pieces, too

  • GPA does matter, but there’s no minimum GPA



ACADEMIC

  • #1 animation school in the world

  • Top 5 best film schools in the world

  • Founded by Walt Disney

  • Extremely collaborative

  • Students produce their own shows

  • First-year theatre students can only be backstage for shows

  • Students can take classes to learn to sew and do ceramics

  • 6 schools under one roof

  • Some classes where students from different areas collaborate

  • There may be some 3-year bachelor’s programs in the future

  • Mentorship program (everyone participates)

  • Faculty are currently working professionals in their fields

  • Dance

    • Ballet

    • Contemporary

    • Emphasis on choreography

  • Annual showcase on campus and in other cities

    • Industry professionals are invited

  • Individualized career support

  • Grant-writing courses

  • Undergrads can minor in pedagogy

  • “Institute” classes allow students to take courses in an area outside their own























SOCIAL

  • Cultural/identity organizations

  • HUGE Halloween party

  • Annual drag ball



CAMPUS

  • Tons of gallery spaces

  • Pet-friendly campus

    • Must be emotional-support animals to be in the residence halls

  • Coffee house

  • All residence halls are suites or apartments (no community-style residence halls)

  • Library is open until 10:45pm on weekdays

    • Bookable collaborative spaces

  • Cinema in main building

  • A113 is where Pixar was founded, and that number is included in every Pixar production

  • Modular theatre

  • Dance studio

    • Marley sprung floors

    • Lots of natural light

    • Live music accompanist















FINANCIAL

  • Direct cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing,

and meal plan was $77,885 in 2025-2025

  • All admitted students are considered for merit

scholarships based on the admissions portfolio or 

audition

  • These scholarships are limited and very

competitive, going only to the top 30%

of the incoming class

  • CalArts merit scholarships are awarded in the

amount of $10,000 per year

  • Students who receive merit scholarships in

their first year of enrollment retain the annual scholarship each year of their degree program


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