Undergraduate Admissions

DigiPen Institute of Technology works on a rolling admissions basis, and only enrolls new degree seeking students in the fall semester. We encourage new applicants to apply by February 1st of each year, but we will continue to accept qualified applicants after that date until we have reached the maximum enrollment.

All undergraduate applicants must submit the following for consideration:

• DigiPen Institute of Technology Application for Admission

• Application Fee of US $75.00
  • If an applicant is denied admission to the program, DigiPen will refund the application fee.

• Official High School Transcripts or GED test scores, if applicable
  • Applicants may submit their most recent high school transcripts at the time of application; however, final transcripts will be required from all high school seniors prior to enrollment.
  • DigiPen requires all applicants to have completed grade 12 or the equivalent with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Applicants who have earned their GED should submit sealed transcripts for the time that they attended high school, along with their GED test scores to prove high school equivalence.
  • Home-schooled applicants who have completed an accredited curriculum may submit official transcripts. Home-schooled applicants who have not completed an accredited curriculum should submit official GED test scores as proof of having earned high-school equivalence.
  • Bachelor of Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering applicants must also have completed grade 12 or the equivalent with a "B" average or 3.0 GPA in mathematics. We highly recommend taking Algebra, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus at a minimum, but we encourage applicants to take through Calculus/AP Calculus and other relevant courses in Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science if possible.
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Animation applicants are strongly encouraged to take Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry at a minimum.

• Official College Transcripts (if applicable)
  • This includes transcripts for high school concurrent enrollment programs. Transcripts must be sent by the issuing school directly to DigiPen Institute Of Technology or may be sent by the applicant if SEALED in an envelope and stamped over the seal by the registrar, showing that they have not been opened.

• Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
  • DigiPen requires completion of the SAT OR ACT test and submission of these scores from all undergraduate applicants applying directly from high school regardless of whether or not he or she has taken some college courses. However, DigiPen does not require animation applicants who have already graduated from high school and have at least one year of college experience to submit SAT/ACT scores. The writing portion is not required but may be taken into consideration if sent. There is no minimum score requirement for either test. SAT or ACT test scores must be sent directly to DigiPen by the issuing organization. DigiPen also accepts them on high school transcripts. SAT code: 4138; ACT code: 6659.

• Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Letters of recommendation MUST be from individuals familiar with your academic background and/or work ethic, i.e. an instructor, guidance counselor, or employer. Recommendation letters from family members will not be considered. Each letter MUST be sealed, signed, and dated by the author and must contain a contact phone number. References should explain how long they have known the applicant and in what capacity. Templates can be found here at
    • http://management.digipen.edu/srs-app/AdmissionForms.aspx.

• Personal Statement
  • Your personal statement is an important part of your application for admission to DigiPen Institute Of Technology. What you write will help us find out information about you that is not apparent from your application or transcripts.

Please follow the guidelines listed below to complete the personal statement:

• Your name and the program to which you are applying should be printed at the top of each page.
• Each page should be typed and double-spaced.
• Spelling, grammar, and content will be considered.
• Each question should be answered in no less than 150 words and no more than 300 words. You may answer each question individually or all together in full essay form.
• Your completed statement should be signed and dated on the last page.
• Please answer the following in your personal statement:
  1. Please discuss your reasons for applying to DigiPen and how those reasons relate to your future personal, education, and professional goals.
  2. Teachers can inspire us to do great things. Tell us about a great teacher and what you learned through his or her example or inspiration. It may be a schoolteacher, a coach, a mentor, or someone who taught you something without even realizing it.
  3. Please discuss one class you have taken that you did NOT enjoy, why, and what you would change to make it better.

• Other Official Documentation (if applicable)
  • Copy of your permanent residency card
  • Financial Responsibility Form for international students
  • Proficiency in the English language: non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency in one of the following ways:
    1. A minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper exam) or 213 (computer exam). TOEFL code: 4138.
    2. Completion of four years of high school in the United States at an English-speaking school.
    3. Attendance for one year at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and completion of English 101 and 102 (or the equivalents) with grades "B" or better.
    4. Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher at an English-speaking institution.
    5. Other English proficiency exams, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may also be accepted.

• Art Portfolio - only for BFA applicants

The art portfolio should contain between 10-20 samples of original artwork by the applicant for review. Fifty percent of the portfolio must be drawings from direct observation; they may not be from photos or other 2D reference or from the student's imagination. The other fifty percent of the portfolio should demonstrate an applicant's artistic range and skill. Samples of animation, figure/animal studies, character designs, architectural renderings, landscape studies, sculpture, and painting are preferred for this second half.
• Color copies, photocopies, slides, photographs, or work contained on CDs will be accepted, since portfolios WILL NOT BE RETURNED. Applicants should label portfolios clearly with their name on the front. All artwork should be labeled with the date of completion and medium used. Applicants who submit hard copies of artwork should contain their portfolios in 8.5x11-inch binders.
• DigiPen's admission portfolio review is not a competitive process. Our intent in reviewing applicants' portfolios is to insure that a student has appropriate foundational skills rather than culling for the best available class. DigiPen continuously reviews portfolios as they are received. Applicants should consider them a benchmark demonstration of foundations rather than an audition.
Applicants compete for a limited number of seats. In general, DigiPen is more likely to accept those who exceed the minimum admission requirements.

• Art Portfolio Evaluation

DigiPen is looking for two things when reviewing portfolios:
• Does the applicant's work demonstrate that the applicant is a serious amateur artist? To this end, DigiPen expects to see 5-10 samples of the applicant's best work regardless of subject matter or medium. This work should be selected with an eye toward quality, design, composition, and a dedication to craft.
• Does the applicant have strong enough foundational drawing skills to handle the rigors of our curriculum? 5-10 pieces of the application portfolio must be drawings directly from observation, preferably of people and animals. Do not draw from your imagination or from two-dimensional reference such as a photograph or another artist's work. Your drawings should clearly communicate the structure and three-dimensional form of the subject. The emphasis should be on representational accuracy rather than cartooning or heavy stylization.