Admissions

Decisions


 

Students are usually notified of the Admissions Committee decision within three weeks after receipt of all required materials. When notified of acceptance, students receive an Intention to Register form and a request for the tuition deposit.

The non-refundable $250 tuition deposit is required to confirm attendance and to reserve a place in the entering class. The Intention to Register form and tuition deposit are due within two weeks of notification of acceptance by Admissions or by December 1st, whichever is later. The deposit applies as a credit toward first-semester tuition charges.

After the deposit is received, students will receive registration, orientation and housing information, a tuition payment plan, and a required materials list. Students must submit current high school or college final transcripts prior to enrolling. Acceptance is final only upon receipt of these documents.
 
Eligibility Requirements

Admission to Otis as a BFA student is contingent on one of the following:

  • Graduation from a recognized high school
  • An appropriate equivalent (Such as a GED or HIgh School Proficiency)
  • Completion of at least six (6) units of transferable work from a recognized community college
 
Conditional Acceptance
In rare cases, the Admissions Committee admits a student on a conditional acceptance status, details of which are outlined in the conditional acceptance letter. Incoming students must satisfy all conditions prior to starting their first term.
 
Choosing a Major
Some departments have a limited number of spaces available in any given year, and may require a portfolio review in the second term of the Foundation Year. Also, the grade point average from the first term of the Foundation Year will be reviewed. Because their first-choice major is not guaranteed, students are encouraged to identify more than one possible major.
 
Early Admission for High School Juniors
Occasionally, Otis admits a select group of advanced students who choose to forego their senior year in high school to study at Otis. The credits earned during the Otis Foundation Year are accepted by the student's high school for completion of the high school diploma. A student applying for early admission must obtain approval from his/her high school to substitute the Otis Foundation Year for the senior year. (This should not be confused with admission for those students who officially graduate after their junior year, for whom regular application procedures apply.) The final high school diploma (or GED) must be submitted to the Office of Registration and Records before the student is granted entry into the sophomore year at Otis.
 
Credit for Advanced Placement Exams

Admitted students may submit scores from Advanced Placement Examinations for credit. A score of 3, 4, or 5 is required in History, Math and Science, and a score of 4 or 5 is required in Art History or English. With these required scores, AP credit will count for up to three semester credits each toward the first-semester requirements in these areas. Because of the specialized nature of Otis' studio programs, AP credit for studio art is not accepted.
International Baccalaureate
Students who have completed the IB Upper Level exams with a score of 5 or more in any of the following subject areas are eligible to receive credit toward the College's graduation requirements: Language (English), Individuals and Societies (Social Sciences), Experimental Sciences (Natural Science), and Mathematics. No credit will be given for Standard Level exams regardless of the score. Final acceptance of IB exams for credit will be made by the Admissions Office in conjunction with the Liberal Studies Faculty and the Registrar.
 
Re-Activation
Admission is valid only for the term of entry when it is offered. If a student chooses not to enroll that term, he/she may request that the application be "re-activated" for a future term. Applications and supporting materials are held for one year after submittal. New materials may be required if the student requests re-activation after one year. In all cases, if a student has attended another college since being offered admission to Otis, current transcripts must be submitted. Re-activation of an application does not assure admission. Decisions on re-activated files are subject to the same criteria as other applications, and are based on any new application materials. Contact admissions@otis.edu for further information.
 
Re-Admission
Former Otis students who officially withdrew in good standing before completing the BFA may apply for re-admission. Contact the Office of Registration and Records at (310) 665 6950, otisreg@otis.edu.