OVERVIEW

APPLICATION DEADLINES

*If you are unable to finish your application by the date above, please call the admissions office to discuss your options.

Watkins does not accept applications to the summer semesters, however, if an applicant is accepted to the fall semester there is an option for them to get a head start on their foundation courses and take classes in the summer semester before they enroll in their first fall semester.

ROLLING ADMISSION

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film operates on rolling admission- meaning your application will be reviewed once it is complete with all necessary components. It is a good idea to submit your application as early as possible in order to be considered for a scholarship award.

REVIEW PROCESS

Once an application is complete with all of the necessary components, (including all official transcripts and test scores, exercises, essays and reference letters) it will go before the review committee. The committee evaluates an application based on academic ability as well as creative potential. Since both of these components are indicators of success at Watkins, they are both a very large part of the decision making process and one does not hold a higher priority over the other. Decision letters are sent to the applicant from the Admissions Office 2-3 weeks after an application goes into review.

SCHOLARSHIP CONSIDERATION

There is no separate application process for scholarship awards. Scholarship awards are based on faculty recommendations after reviewing completed applications and portfolio submissions. Applications must be postmarked by the scholarship consideration deadline to be eligible. Applicants will be notified about scholarship awards in their letter of acceptance from the Admissions Office.

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Application Requirements

Transfer Students

International Students

Special Status Students

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS

• Application Form: Online version or Paper version
• Program Application Portfolio or Exercises: Each program requires either a portfolio or specific exercises and one essay that need to be submitted  as part of the application process. Applications are considered incomplete without these items. 
• Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $50 must accompany the application form. If using the online application you will use a credit or debit card. If submitting a paper application payment can be made by check (payable to Watkins College of Art, Design & Film) or by credit or debit card. If you wish to use a card, please call the Admissions Office. Cash is only acceptable in person.
• Transcripts: Official copies of transcripts of all previous education must be sent by the issuing institution directly to the Admissions Office at Watkins. Copies or faxes accompanying applications are not acceptable.
• Advanced placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLE).  Please refer to the AP page for specific information on receiving credit for these tests
• GED Applicants: Applicants who complete the GED must have an official verification of their score sent directly to the Admission Office by the issuing organization.
• Home-Schooled Graduates: Home-schooled graduates must submit an official transcript showing credits and date of graduation from an affiliated organization as defined by state law (T.C.A. 49-50-801) or the application must be accompanied by a certification of registration with the superintendent of the local education agency which the student would otherwise attend. Applicants who cannot provide a satisfactory secondary school credential may substitute an acceptable score on the GED examination.
• Test Scores: Official ACT or SAT scores current within the last five years are required from all applicants who have not earned at least 12 hours of college credit, excluding remedial work. Scores should be sent directly from the issuing organization to Watkins. Watkins College of Art, Design & Film’s ACT code is 4027; the SAT code is 4927.  High school graduates who have not taken either the ACT or SAT must schedule a critical thinking entrance exam with the Admissions Office.  A good resource for information on the ACT and SAT, dates of tests, practice tests etc. can be found at http://www.testdatescentral.com/sat-test-dates.htmlhttp://www.testdatescentral.com/sat-test-dates.htmll (for the SAT) and http://www.testdatescentral.com/act-test-dates.html (for the ACT).
• Letter of Reference: The Reference Form must be completed by a person (e.g. a teacher, employer, art instructor, or counselor; not a friend or a family member) who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for success at the college level. The reference form is included in the online application. For applicants using the paper application, the completed form should be returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope to accompany the application or can be mailed directly to the Admissions Office.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Same as above with these adjustments:

• Transcripts: Official copies of transcripts of all previous education must be sent by the issuing institution directly to the Admissions Office at Watkins. Copies accompanying applications are not acceptable. High school transcripts are required for all applicants who have completed twelve or less credits of college work, excluding remedial or developmental work. Transcripts from any college where the applicant has attended are required.
• Transfer Portfolio:  If you are seeking to transfer studio classes, you will be required to supply a portfolio of examples of work from each of these classes.  Please refer to the individual programs above for details.  Please label each submission is the course number as it appears on your transcript.
• Test Scores: See above. Applicants who have not earned 12 or more hours of college credit and have not taken the ACT or SAT within the last five years must schedule a critical thinking entrance exam with the Admissions Office.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film welcomes applications from international students, however specific requirements must be met concerning their application. Students who wish to be admitted into the U.S. on a student (F-1) visa to attend Watkins must complete the following:

• Application Form: Online version or Paper version. Please submit to only one of the Degree programs. All application requirements and deadlines must be met as stated in the regular procedures for admission above.
• Application Fee: A fee of $50 must accompany the application.
• Program Application Requirements: Each program requires different exercises and essays that need to be completed as part of the application process. Applications are considered incomplete without these items. These requirements can be found on the application.
• Applicant must provide official verification of current scores for either ACT or SAT test AND official verification of current scores from TOEFL test.  Minimum scores accepted for the TOEFL are:  Internet-based test:  60; Computer-based test: 170; Paper-based test: 500.
• Applicant must verify sponsorship by providing a statement of support which shows that all expenses will be provided including tuition, fees, textbooks, other school related expenses and living expenses. An example of a statement of support would be a bank statement.
• If accepted in admission, an enrollment deposit of $2,000 must be paid, which is applied to the student’s first semester’s tuition. If the student in unable to enroll, this money is refundable; however, a $100 administrative fee is excluded from the refund.

• Once a student if accepted to the college and the enrollment deposit is received, a form I-20AB is completed by the college and sent to the student so that she may apply for an F-1 Visa.

Note: Students admitted under F-1 status must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours per Fall and Spring term) and may not be employed off campus.

SPECIAL STATUS STUDENTS

Application may be made to the college for entry as a Special Status Student, either credit or non-credit. All Special Status students are limited to a total of 12 credit hours.

There are four Special Status categories:

Special Status/Credit
Special Status/Credit students receive academic credit for classes satisfactorily completed. These credits are available for transfer or may be used toward the requirements for any of the degree programs at Watkins, provided the student applies and is accepted as a degree-seeking student into the program. Students are required to complete the same attendance and class work requirements as degree-seeking students and will receive a grade.

Special Status/Non-Credit (audit)
Students wishing to take non-credit courses must apply under the Special Status/Non-Credit category. Non-credit students are required to complete the same attendance and class work requirements as credit students to receive a grade of P. Students not meeting these requirements will receive a grade of F.

Special Status/Transient
Students who are currently enrolled at another college or university and who wish to take a course at Watkins College for transfer credit may apply for admission as a Special Status/Transient student. Students should contact the Admissions Office to request this application. Applicants in this category are required to provide an official transcript or letter of good standing from their college or university as well as proof of prerequisite fulfillment. Transfer credit evaluation remains with the institution where the student is enrolled. Students are advised to contact their home institution prior to pursuing this status.

Special Status/Dual Enrollment
Watkins will offer for credit certain fundamental college-level courses to secondary school (high school) students in excellent academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or better). Secondary school students who have not yet received their high school diploma must complete a special admissions form, pay an application fee, provide their high school transcript, and have the recommendation of at least two of their high school teachers who have taught classes they have completed. Secondary school students who enroll in credit courses at Watkins College with the intention of transferring those course credits to other institutions must understand before they enroll at Watkins that each institution determines on its own what credits it will accept from other institutions. Officials at Watkins College, when requested, will assist students in determining in advance if Watkins credits will be accepted at other specific colleges and universities. Secondary school students who enroll in courses for credit at Watkins will be governed by the same academic rules and regulations that apply to regular undergraduate students at Watkins. They will be charged the same tuition and fees as regular undergraduate students. Additional information concerning Dual Enrollment, including a list of courses available under this program, may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

All Special Status Applicants must:

• Complete the Special Status Application.
• Submit an official transcript directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office showing any prerequisites necessary have been fulfilled.
• If the Special Status application is for transient credit, students must provide an official transcript or letter of good standing from their current institution.
• Submit a brief statement of purpose explaining their goal in taking the class(es) - not necessary for audit/non-credit applications.
• Once the complete application has been received, it will be submitted to the chair of the department involved for final approval.

Important: Special status students register on a space available basis only and are not eligible to receive financial aid.

Download Special Status Application