Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Otis College of Art and Design admits about 8 in 10 applicants (82%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 41% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$50 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 76%, women at 84%.
Yield
10% of admitted students enroll, on the lower end nationally.
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Dec 1; decisions by Dec 18
Where you stand
How Otis College of Art and Design reads a record
GPA is very important; and class rank are both considered. 25% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 4% of first-years sent an SAT and 0% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 27% whose high school reported a rank, 16% were in the top tenth.
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Considered | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Not considered | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Important | ||||
| First generation | Important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record considered; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
88% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 82% of first-year applicants
462 applied · 405 admitted · 144 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 24 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.5
Minimum high school GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: priority date July 16, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis.
- $250 housing deposit, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2024 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.28
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.04%
- 3.75–3.9922%
- 3.50–3.7417%
- 3.25–3.4918%
- 3.00–3.2416%
- below 3.024%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.00–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 3.7% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 21.7% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 17.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 17.5% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 15.7% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 11.5% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 9.7% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 3.2% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
16% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 43% in the top quarter, of the 27% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:Otis College of Art and Design Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2024About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1330 on the SAT, 160 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Otis College of Art and Design Common Data Set 2024–25, 2024–25;Otis College of Art and Design Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2024;Otis College of Art and Design Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2025 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)