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Applying to Watkins

The application process consists of the completion of a number of different elements, some which apply to all applicants and some that are specific to the type of applicant – first-time college, transfer, etc.  Use the tabs above to view how to apply based on your personal status.  Please note that if you have college credit earned while in high school (for instance, dual enrollment), you are still considered a first-time college student.

All applicants, with the exception of special status are required to:

• Fill out the basic application online
• Request at least one reference letter (optional)
• Request required transcripts to be sent directly to Watkins, including a final transcript if you are currently in the middle of a semester
• Complete the portfolio requirements (BFA)
• Complete the essay requirement
• Pay a $50 application fee

Please use the tabs above to see additional application information for first-time college, transfer, international, and special status entry.

Scholarship Consideration

There is no separate application process for scholarship awards. Scholarship awards are based on the review of your complete application materials.  Applications submitted by the priority scholarship deadline will get first consideration for scholarships. After the priority scholarship deadline, applications will be reviewed for scholarships on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize your potential for scholarship awards. Applicants will be notified about scholarship awards in their letter of acceptance from the Admissions Office. For more information about Watkins’ scholarships, please go to /admissions/scholarships/.

Financial Aid

Watkins offers financial assistance from various aid programs comprised of federal, state and institutional funds. Students interested in applying for federal assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), online at www.fafsa.gov , and list our school code 031276. For Tennessee residents, the FAFSA is required in order to be considered for the TN HOPE Scholarships and the TN State Grant programs.  Upon acceptance to the College and receipt of a valid processed FAFSA, the financial aid office will generate a Financial Aid Award Letter that will provide you with student aid options, including any scholarships you may have received from the College, that you are eligible to use towards funding your educational goals. For more information about student financial aid, go to /admissions/financial-aid.

Rolling Admissions

Watkins operates on rolling admissions, meaning that your application will be reviewed once it is complete.   However, it is a good idea to submit your application as early as possible to maximize your potential for a scholarship award.

Admissions Deadlines

Fall Entry

• March 1st  – Priority application and scholarship deadline
• After March 1 – Rolling Admissions through June 30

Spring Entry

• October 1st – Scholarship consideration deadline
• November 5th – Application deadline (applications received after this date will be reviewed on a case by case basis.)

Enrollment deposit

Applicants who are accepted for admission must pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $100 to hold their place in the incoming class.  This deposit will be applied towards the first semester’s tuition at the time of registration.  International students are required to deposit $2,000, which will be applied to tuition upon registration.  If an international student cancels their enrollment, this deposit will be refunded, minus a $100 non-refundable administrative fee.

Deferring enrollment

Applicants who have been accepted and wish to defer their enrollment must first pay the $100 enrollment deposit and then can delay entry for one semester.  If a scholarship has been awarded, the award will be honored when the student registers for the following semester.  Applicants who do not enroll for the following semester are required to reapply for admission and will forfeit the paid enrollment fee and scholarship offer.

Questions?  Email admissions@watkins.edu

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First – Time Freshman Applicants

Application:  Apply online using the above link.

Application components:

• Application information
• Application fee of $50
• At least one letter of reference (optional but suggested) completed by someone who can speak to your potential as a student at Watkins; up to three references may be submitted.  The reference may not be a friend or relative but should know you through school, work or in a professional capacity.
• Portfolio (required for BFA applicants)

• Essay: Statement of Intent
  The statement of intent should be seen as a written extension of your portfolio. This is an exercise demonstrating your written communication skills, critical thinking ability, as well as your personal views as an artist. This is a formal essay in which proper grammar and punctuation are expected. In approximately 500 words, describe who you are as an artist. This is a platform for you to discuss your interests, influences, goals, and answer the questions: why art school? And why Watkins?

• Transcripts sent directly to Watkins Admissions from high school.  Students holding college-credit through dual enrollment or pre-college programs must have transcripts sent from the participating college.

  • Home-schooled applicants only:  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 an accepted score on the GED* examination .
  • GED* Applicants only:  Submit an official verification sent from the issuing organization.
• Standardized Test Scores:  Official ACT or SAT scores current within the last five years, sent directly to Watkins’ Admissions.   Watkins ACT code:  4027; SAT code 4927.  There is no minimum score required but the results are used to fully evaluate you as an applicant.  Please note:  If you did not take the test or if it has been over five years since taking it, contact the Admissions Office.
• AP/IB scores:  Certain AP or IB scores will qualify for college credit.  Click “here” for more information. Official scores are to be sent directly to Watkins Admissions from the issuing agency.

Materials can be sent to:

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
Attn:  Admissions
2298 Rosa L Parks Blvd.
Nashville, TN  37228

*Watkins also accepts the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test). Use Watkins code TN1001007 when submitting.

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Transfer Applicants

Application:  Apply online using the above link.

General application components:

• Application information
• Application fee of $50
• At least one letter of reference completed by someone who can speak to your potential as a student at Watkins; up to three references may be submitted.  The reference may not be a friend or relative but should know you through school, work or in a professional capacity.
• Portfolio (required for BFA applicants)

• Essay: Statement of Intent

  The statement of intent should be seen as a written extension of your portfolio. This is an exercise demonstrating your written communication skills, critical thinking ability, as well as your personal views as an artist. This is a formal essay in which proper grammar and punctuation are expected. In approximately 500 words, describe who you are as an artist. This is a platform for you to discuss your interests, influences, goals, and answer the questions: why art school? And why Watkins?

• Transcripts:  If you are transferring less than 12 college credits, you must have both your high school and college transcripts sent to Watkins.  If you are transferring 12 or  more credits, you only need to have your college transcripts submitted.  Pleased note:  If you have attended more than one college, we must receive transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Standardized Test Scores:  You need to submit scores only if transferring less than 12 credits.
• AP/IB scores:  Scores need to be submitted from the issuing organization in order to receive college credit.  Because many colleges evaluate these scores differently notation of AP/IB on your current or previous college transcripts is not accepted.  More information on Watkins’ AP/IB policy is available here.
• Transfer portfolio:  students seeking to transfer art and/or design studio classes must submit 2-3 pieces of work from each college course taken to be evaluated for transfer, labeled with your name and the course number as it appears on your transcript.

Materials can be sent to:

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
Attn:  Admissions
2298 Rosa L Parks Blvd.
Nashville, TN  37228

admissions@watkins.edu

The Transfer Evaluation Process

Once an application is complete and accepted, the faculty chair of the program to which you are applying will evaluate any course work that will apply to the major and decide how the completed work will be transferred to the program requirements at Watkins.  Any general education classes will be evaluated by the Registrar.  Once both the chair and the Registrar have completed the evaluation, the accepted applicant will receive a letter from the Registrar detailing how many credits and what classes have been applied to the program.  The process usually takes approximately 3 weeks.  Only completed class work will be evaluated.  If a submitted transcript has class work “In Progress”, those classes will not be added to the evaluation until a final transcript showing completion is received.  Only classes in which the applicant has received a final grade of C or better will be considered for transfer.  Remedial and/or developmental classes do not transfer.

Transfer credit limits and residency requirements

The BFA and BA degree programs require that a minimum of 36 credit hours of course work must be completed at Watkins, including at least 18 hours completed in the major.  The last 24 credits of any degree must be completed at Watkins.

 Tennessee Transfer Pathways

Students transferring to Watkins on the Tennessee Transfer Pathways will have met all General Education Core Requirements, 9 hours of the Visual Arts Core Requirements, have two additional transferable Visual Arts Electives, and have 9 hours of transferable General Education Electives.

* Students who attend community colleges that do not offer ARTH 2010 and/or ARTH 2020 will complete these courses upon transfer to Watkins. These students will instead complete requirements in the Humanities/Fine Arts as prescribed at the community college where they are enrolled. In this case, the Humanities/Fine Arts classes will transfer to Watkins as electives. ART 1030 Art Appreciation does not transfer to Watkins and should not be taken at the community college to meet Humanities/Fine Arts requirements.

• TN Transfer Pathway to BA in Art
• TN Transfer Pathway to BFA in Film
• TN Transfer Pathway to BFA in Fine Art
• TN Transfer Pathway to BFA in Graphic Design
• TN Transfer Pathway to BFA in Interior Design
• TN Transfer Pathway to BFA in Photography

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International Applicants

Application:  Apply online using the above link.

Application components:

• Application information
• Application fee of $50 – unless waived by date of submission or through portfolio review – payable by check, card, or electronically at www.watkins.edu/payments.
• At least one letter of reference (optional but suggested) completed by someone who can speak to your potential as a student at Watkins; up to three references may be submitted.  The reference may not be a friend or relative but should know you through school, work or in a professional capacity.
• Portfolio (required for BFA applicants)

• Essay: Statement of Intent
  The statement of intent should be seen as a written extension of your portfolio. This is an exercise demonstrating your written communication skills, critical thinking ability, as well as your personal views as an artist. This is a formal essay in which proper grammar and punctuation are expected. In approximately 500 words, describe who you are as an artist. This is a platform for you to discuss your interests, influences, goals, and/or answer questions like: why art school? And why Watkins?

• Transcripts sent directly to Watkins Admissions from high school or country-equivalent school and any college attended.
• International applicants should provide official verification of current scores for either ACT or SAT test.  If the applicant is unable to comply with this requirement, please contact the Admissions Office.
• Official verification of current scores from the TOEFL test, unless residing in a country where English is the official language. Minimum scores accepted for the TOEFL are: Internet-based test: 60; Computer-based test: 170; Paper-based test: 500. Free practice tests are available at http://www.testpreppractice.net/toefl/
• 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 for at least one academic year.   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 is accepted to the college and the enrollment deposit is received, a form I-20 is completed by the college and sent to the student so that he or she may apply for an F-1 Visa at the U.S. Embassy.

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 Application

Special Status Applicants

Application may be made to the college for entry as a Special Status Student (non-degree seeking), either for 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.

Costs for Special Status Credit students– $725 per credit hour,plus $65 per credit  hour student fees. Each class is 3 credit hours.

Special Status/Non-Credit (audit)
Students wishing to audit a class 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.

Costs for Special Status Non-Credit (Audit) – $330 per credit hour, plus $65 per credit hour student fees. Each class is 3 credit hours.

Special Status/Transient
Students who are currently enrolled at another college or university and who wish to take a course at Watkins College and transfer back the credits to their primary institution may apply for admission as a Special Status/Transient student.  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 primary college prior to pursuing this status as acceptance of credit is at the will of the receiving institution.

Costs for Special Status Credit students– $725 per credit hour,plus $65 per credit  hour student fees. Each class is 3 credit hours.

Special Status/Dual Enrollment
Watkins offers  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 provide their high school transcript and have the recommendation from their high school counselor. 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. 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.  Please note that currently the State of Tennessee does provide some monetary assistance for dual-credit enrollment.  For more information please contact www.TN.gov/CollegePays.

Costs for Special Status Credit students– $725 per credit hour,plus $65 per credit  hour student fees. Each class is 3 credit hours.

All Special Status Applicants must:

• Complete the Special Status Application available for download below.
• If the requested class(es) have prerequisites, submit an official transcript from a college showing the required class has been completed.
• 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).

Once the application has been completed it will be submitted to the chair of the program in which the class resides.  If approved, the applicant will register for the class on a space-available basis once all degree seeking students have completed registration.  No payment for the class will be required until registration.

Important: Special status are not eligible to receive financial aid.

Special Status Application

Admission to the graduate program requires a formal application consisting of the following:

• Application form and $50 fee.
• Transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Any previous graduate study should meet a minimum of 3.25 GPA.
• A portfolio of film work, which demonstrates skills in one or more of five areas: producing, directing, writing, cinematography,
  and editing. While recognizing the collaborative nature of filmmaking, applicants must have been the lead person in one of these areas. Screenwriters may submit a screenplay in lieu of a produced film for which they are the author. Film projects should be a minimum of 15 minutes in length (multiple examples may be used) and a maximum of 30 minutes (longer projects should be excerpted). Scripts should be a minimum of 30 pages and a maximum of 120 pages.
• A written essay defining the aesthetic approach and artistic influences of the portfolio submission. This essay should also include an explanation of the reason for application and detail post graduate goals.
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Personal Interview

Application materials will be reviewed by a committee comprised of full-time faculty. A review of the applicant’s portfolio will evaluate the ability of the student to progress successfully through the curriculum. Technical skills, aesthetic sensibilities, critical thinking, and writing skills will be assessed.

A prospective student in the MFA in Film Production program must have completed an undergraduate degree in filmmaking. Applicants found to have deficiencies must take additional courses at Watkins College of Art, Design and Film to prepare them for graduate studies in film production before being fully admitted to the graduate program. Course requirements will be determined based on transcript and portfolio review.

Finalists will be interviewed in person or via an online portal.

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