From California College of the Arts to Otis College: The Transfer Process Detailed

Otis has streamlined the transfer process for CCA students, including waived fees, a teachout option, scholarships, and expedited applications. 

Otis College has a demonstrated track record of welcoming transfer students from all over the country, including local institutions like El Camino College and Santa Monica College. If a transfer applicant’s portfolio demonstrates creative talent and they’ve taken the appropriate number of studio art courses in community college, they could be admitted at the sophomore or junior level. Students can also be admitted during the second/spring semester of the Foundation/first year.

Otis College’s commitment to transfer students was in full effect when the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suddenly closed in 2024. Thanks to Otis College’s streamlined transfer process, several UArts students are completing their studies at Otis College, where they have received dedicated support and resources to make their transition as seamless as possible.

"When my old college closed its doors, Otis opened theirs. My fellow UArts students and I were able to continue our education with no disruption to our graduation year,” says Dani Pagan (’27 Animation). “Otis was compassionate and flexible while I navigated my transition, and is invested in my education, career path, and creative endeavors.” 

Assistance for California College of the Arts Transfers 

Otis College is now offering similar transfer assistance to current students and applicants to California College of the Arts (CCA), which recently announced its pending closure in 2027.  

Additional information about transferring to Otis College from CCA and our teachout options can be found on our dedicated webpage. A virtual information session was held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 5:00 pm. All registrants were sent a recording of the session for later viewing. 

To ease CCA students’ stress at this sudden news, Otis College is offering maximum transfer credits—even accepting juniors and seniors—and competitive financial aid and scholarship offers. The Otis Admissions team is also waiving application fees, not requiring essays or letters of recommendation, and negating portfolio requirements for students who maintain a cumulative GPA above 2.0.*

California residents will also get assistance for transferring their Cal Grants; international students will receive PDSO support to transfer their student visas to Otis; and all transfer applicants will get special consideration for campus housing, including relocation grants for students with financial need. 

CCA transfer applicants will be fast-tracked so that they can make a quick but informed decision on where to continue their studies, and the Otis admissions team is available for one-on-one counseling. Efforts will be made so that even current CCA seniors can have their credits accepted to stay on track to graduate on time. 

Priority will be given for transfer students who apply for Fall 2026 admission by February 15 and Spring 2027 admission by October 1. Admission is on a rolling basis thereafter. Applications from students completing the 2026-2027 school year at CCA will also be considered for Fall 2027.

Majors offered at CCA and Otis College are evenly matched (see chart below). If a student is looking to apply for a new major, a portfolio would be required, and Otis admissions officers would use a student’s CCA and prior school GPAs to evaluate for merit scholarships.

More information about transferring to Otis College from CCA.  

Information about Transfer Day on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

*A portfolio is required for any CCA student who wants to change majors at Otis.

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