HOW TO APPLY
To begin the process, submit a DCAD Application. Download a copy of the DCAD application (PDF) to mail in or apply to DCAD online.

WHY DCAD?

Unique program: DCAD, near Philadelphia, offers a dynamic 2 + 2 art and design program where you complete your first two years of art school at DCAD. Upon successful completion, you receive an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree and then, as a student in good academic standing, you may transfer as a junior to one of our affiliate programs: Pratt Institute (New York), one of the leading art schools in the country, or the prestigious Corcoran College of Art + Design (Washington DC), through a seamless transfer process, as well as other distinguished art and design colleges, close by in Philadelphia, PA and across the country.

Faculty: DCAD’s art and design curricula parallel that which you would find at both Pratt or the Corcoran. Practicing-professional artists make up our faculty, and all are passionate about preparing students through emphasis of artistic foundation skills. After their two years at DCAD, many students opt to transfer to Pratt and the Corcoran as well as other top-tier art and design colleges. 

Location: DCAD is an art and design college located in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, midway between New York City and Washington, DC. This central location places it less than two hours away from more cultural attractions than any other spot in the United States. Known as the gateway to the historic Brandywine Valley, Wilmington is home to several major corporations and museums, is rich in artistic, recreational and historic resources, and provides quick mass-transit to Philadelphia, PA.
 
Personal Attention: At DCAD, we look at each applicant independently, not in comparison to other students, on the basis of an academic record, and more importantly, on the potential we see in a portfolio. We know that students learn best when they are given caring, personal attention. For this reason, our classes are kept small and interactive. At all levels, we get to know each of our students personally.
 
Reasonable Tuition: Importantly, DCAD offers all of this at a reasonable price. DCAD’s tuition is nearly half that of other private art and design colleges. Merit-based scholarships are available to eligible applicants. But make no mistake, tuition savings does not diminish the quality of the education our students receive.

See for Yourself: We invite you to visit our state-of-the-art campus and learn more about the personalized education available at the Delaware College of Art and Design.  DCAD is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.  For a viewbook, please complete a request for information.

Get a student's perspective
Check out the DCAD Student Blog for a first-person account by some of our current students.

Application
DCAD is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 semesters. Applicants are considered through a rolling admission policy, on a space-available basis.

Students who decide to attend DCAD must submit a tuition deposit by the universal deposit deadline of May 1. Deposits are refundable prior to May 1. Students requesting housing must also submit a deposit to secure a space in DCAD housing. In most cases, admissions decisions are delivered by mail within a two- to three-week time frame from the date of application completion.

HOW TO APPLY
To begin the process, submit a DCAD Application. Download a copy of the DCAD application (PDF) to mail in or apply to DCAD online.