Undergraduate Admissions

bright colorful doodle of art and design images

> Admissions > Undergraduate Admissions

Submitting your application for admission is the first step to becoming part of one of the best art and design schools in the world. Our admissions team is looking forward to helping you through the process and answering any questions you might have. Let’s get started.

Prospective students must demonstrate commitment, maturity and a readiness to work and grow in an educationally creative environment.

Request an Appointment

If you need help with the admissions process or are unsure of where you stand with your portfolio, our friendly Admissions team can help! On-campus and virtual appointments are available.

Need Help with Your Portfolio?

Don’t stress about your portfolio! Show us your work at anytime for a No Pressure Portfolio Review. We’ll give you constructive feedback to help you create and build a portfolio for admission.

Get Assistance

Experience CCS for Yourself

One of the best ways to learn about CCS is to see campus for yourself. Whether in a virtual or in-person format, students have opportunities to check out our facilities, hear from faculty and students and view our inclusive and supportive campus.

Visit CCS

Transfer Credit Resources

Have questions about how your Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment Coursework or other forms of credit can apply toward your CCS degree?

Transfer Credit Resources

Home Schooled Students

Home Schooled Student Information

Submit Home-school transcripts including a list of courses taken, grades received or level of proficiency attained.
A high school diploma also must be submitted (based on the student’s home state requirements). For Michigan residents, the parent providing the home-schooling will issue the diploma.
All other admissions requirements, criteria and guidelines apply equally to home-schooled students.

CCS seeks to enroll students who

Can see and think through challenges through a multi-faceted lens
Approach academic or creative problems with curiosity, tenacity, and effort
Enjoy making things that communicate messages using visual, tactile, and/or experiential methods, tools and materials
Are interested in self-expression, story telling, experimentation and creation
Commit to the creative process and are willing to challenge themselves
Are open to feedback from others, and who can consider and incorporate different perspectives and feedback to refine their ideas and solutions
May or may not have had formal art/design experience

The College for Creative Studies admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Deadlines

Fall Semester Start

December 1: Early Action Deadline for First-Years and Transfers, all majors

February 1: Priority Application Deadline for First-Years and Transfers, all majors and final deadline for Entertainment Arts: Concept Design

April 1: Regular Application Deadline for First-Years and Transfers, all majors

Fall Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2025, or as soon as you decide to attend CCS.

Winter Semester Start

November 1: Application Deadline

Winter Deposit Deadline
Pay your enrollment deposit as soon as you decide to attend CCS, or by November 30.

Applicants impacted by recent hurricanes and other natural disasters

CCS has extended the December 1 Early Action Deadline to February 1 for those impacted by recent hurricanes or other natural disasters. This extension guarantees that you will still be considered for our highest scholarships originally available with the December 1 deadline, while providing you the additional time you need to prioritize what matters most right now—your safety and well-being.

Applicants dealing with delays in obtaining their high school or college transcript are welcome to submit unofficial versions of their most recent grades. Details on submitting your transcripts are available by clicking the High School and College Transcripts box.

Whether you need assistance with the application process, require extra time, or wish to discuss your concerns with your admissions counselor, we are dedicated to ensuring that these challenges do not obstruct your path to college

*No changes have been made to the April 1 Regular Application Deadline.

High School or College Transcripts

We accept unofficial or official transcripts for application. Documents must include student’s first and last name, the name of the school/college.

Email transcripts to [email protected]
or
Request official transcripts digitally through Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.

Official GED results may be accepted in place of a high school transcript.

International Student Information

Submit a certified English translation of your transcript(s). The documents should include the translation of your courses along with the school’s official grading scale, so that we can convert your grades and/or cumulative Grade Point Average for all years attended in your high school, secondary or college program(s).

Home Schooled Student Information

Submit Home-school transcripts including a list of courses taken, grades received or level of proficiency attained.
A high school diploma also must be submitted (based on the student’s home state requirements). For Michigan residents, the parent providing the home-schooling will issue the diploma.
All other admissions requirements, criteria and guidelines apply equally to home-schooled students.

Test Blind for Domestic Applicants

CCS does not require a standardized test (ACT or SAT) score. If a Test Score is submitted it will not be used to influence admission or scholarship. While CCS is committed to admitting students who have proven potential to succeed in our programs, our historical data indicates that Test Scores do not consistently identify that potential.

English Language Test Score

International applicants whose primary and/or native language is not English must submit one of the following English language test scores:

TOEFL
IELTS
Duolingo
English Test
SAT
ACT

The test requirement may be waived for international applicants if the primary language of instruction at their secondary school/college is English.

Please contact Christopher Corporandy, International Admissions Counselor, at [email protected] with questions about submitting a test score.