Application Requirements and Fees
The application and decision process at FIDM is highly personalized, and the Office of Admissions is here to help you reach your goals and make sure you have a great application experience. Each applicant is assigned an Advisor who will work one-on-one with you to guide you through the process. To get started, visit our How to Apply page.
Undergraduate Application Requirements
Please submit high school and all college transcripts by mail or email directly to your Admissions Advisor. FIDM recognizes transcripts from schools that are either regionally accredited or found under the National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov/ website.
Please submit SAT/ACT test scores if available. Although FIDM does not require ACT or SAT scores to apply to the college, in some cases, one of these nationally recognized tests may be required in order for us to determine academic readiness for acceptance to FIDM.
Home school applicants not meeting the transcript criteria above are considered with at least one of the following: SAT or ACT scores, Proficiency or GED test results.
Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or employers are required. You will submit the names and email addresses of your recommenders via your student account or you may request letters directly from your references and submit them to your Admissions Advisor. Be sure you have communicated with your Admissions Advisor by this point as your Advisor will also be providing their recommendation to your file.
Formats supported: Word (.doc or docx) and Adobe (.pdf)
Write an essay containing answers to the following questions:
- What are your expectations, goals, hobbies, and special interests?
- What are your reasons for choosing FIDM?
- What appeals to you about the major you are considering?
- What are your goals and aspirations upon graduation from FIDM?
Submit the essay via your Student Account or mail/email to your Admissions Advisor. (2 pages maximum)
Show us how you think!
Your entrance project is your response to the following prompt with an essay (minimum 2 pages) OR a link to your work in another medium, for example, a two-minute video, six graphic images, an Instagram page, or a podcast episode.
Prompt: Select an existing product, brand, or design that shows innovation in form, function, and purpose or is a benefit to culture/society. What is the cultural relevance of your concept in today’s society and how does it compare to similar products, brands, or designs that already exist? Tell or show us what makes this work great in your own opinion.
No entrance project will ever be compared to another when assessing admission eligibility.
Steps:
- Speak with your advisor for advice on what to include in your entrance project. Existing work is encouraged.
- Put together your Entrance Project.
- Save it as a PDF document.
- Submit your entrance project into the Application Portal.
If your program isn't listed above, please contact your Admissions Advisor to find out about entrance project requirements.
Please submit high school and all college transcripts by mail or email directly to your Admissions Advisor. FIDM recognizes transcripts from schools that are either regionally accredited or found under the National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov/ website.
Please submit SAT/ACT test scores if available. Although FIDM does not require ACT or SAT scores to apply to the college, in some cases, one of these nationally recognized tests may be required in order for us to determine academic readiness for acceptance to FIDM.
Home school applicants not meeting the transcript criteria above are considered with at least one of the following: SAT or ACT scores, Proficiency or GED test results.
Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or employers are required. You will submit the names and email addresses of your recommenders via your student account or you may request letters directly from your references and submit them to your Admissions Advisor. Be sure you have communicated with your Admissions Advisor by this point as your Advisor will also be providing their recommendation to your file.
Formats supported: Word (.doc or docx) and Adobe (.pdf)
Write an essay containing answers to the following questions:
- What are your expectations, goals, hobbies, and special interests?
- What are your reasons for choosing FIDM?
- What appeals to you about the major you are considering?
- What are your goals and aspirations upon graduation from FIDM?
Submit the essay via your Student Account or mail/email to your Admissions Advisor. (2 pages maximum)
Show us how you think!
Your entrance project is your response to the following prompt with an essay (minimum 2 pages) OR a link to your work in another medium, for example, a two-minute video, six graphic images, an Instagram page, or a podcast episode.
Prompt: Select an existing product, brand, or design that shows innovation in form, function, and purpose or is a benefit to culture/society. What is the cultural relevance of your concept in today’s society and how does it compare to similar products, brands, or designs that already exist? Tell or show us what makes this work great in your own opinion.
No entrance project will ever be compared to another when assessing admission eligibility.
Steps:
- Speak with your advisor for advice on what to include in your entrance project. Existing work is encouraged.
- Put together your Entrance Project.
- Save it as a PDF document.
- Submit your entrance project into the Application Portal.
If your program isn't listed above, please contact your Admissions Advisor to find out about entrance project requirements.
International Student Financial Statement
The US government requires all international students to provide proof of the ability to pay tuition and living expenses for the first academic year. Visit the I-134 Affidavit of Support page, download the PDF, and submit via email to your Admissions Advisor.
Provide a copy of your Passport via email to your Admissions Advisor. Your passport must be valid for at least six months into the future.
Students whose first language is not English and who have not taken AND passed a regular (not ESL) English class at a U.S. accredited college or a U.S. high school must submit, via email to their Admissions Advisor, a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score - or a TOEFL equivalent - prior to acceptance. Students who have TOEFL scores of 207 computer-based / or 76 Internet-based and above are exempt from FIDM's Development Writing (ESL) classes.
The minimum TOEFL score or a TOEFL equivalent for acceptance to FIDM is a computer-based score of 183 or an Internet-based score of 65.
FIDM offers Developmental Writing (ESL), an advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) course, for students whose scores range from 183-203 computer-based, 65-75 internet-based. FIDM students take the Developmental Writing (ESL) classes in conjunction with courses in their major. The Developmental Writing (ESL) class is charged at the prevailing per unit cost of a student's program and is due at the time of class registration.
Transfer Request Form (if required)
This form is required for students transferring from U.S. high schools, language institutes, colleges, or universities. Download the PDF and submit via email to your Admissions Advisor.
Graduate Application Requirements
Initial and Final Application Fee Schedules for All First-Time FIDM Students
*These fees are in addition to the above sub-total and are non-refundable. Refer to appropriate Application Fee Schedule below.
| In-State Student | Out-of-State Student | International Student | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee (non-refundable) | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Final Application Fee (non-refundable, due upon acceptance) | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Additional Out-of-State Fee (refundable, due prior to registration) | — | $150 | — |
| Additional International Fee (refundable, due prior to registration) | — | — | $400 |
| Total | $250 | $400 | $650 |
Explanation of Fees
- The student agrees to pay the non-refundable Initial Application Fee of $50 along with the Application form. This application does not obligate the student or FIDM in any way. Enrollment and financial arrangements will be completed upon acceptance.
- At the time of a student's acceptance, a $200 non-refundable Final Application Fee is due and paid through the Student Portal.