Congratulations! You've been fully accepted. We have received your confirmation fee and supporting documents. You will be able to register for your courses on the appropriate date.
Applicants who receive a letter of provisional acceptance must submit a confirmation fee by the deadline indicated in the letter as well as any documents that are specified in order to finalize their acceptance to ACAD. If no documents are specified in the letter, applicants will only be required to submit the confirmation fee.
If you have been accepted to ACAD but have outstanding transcripts or English proficiency documents we must receive them by the correct deadline before we can fully accept you into ACAD. Our provisional acceptance offer will be withdrawn if the documents do not arrive by the appropriate deadline:
- First Year Studies applicants' official transcripts and supporting document deadline is August 1.
- Advanced Standing applicants' official transcripts and supporting document deadline is May 31).
Upon receiving your documents that meet our academic requirements, by the appropriate deadline, we will send you a letter of full acceptance. After your acceptance has been finalized, follow the steps outlined for accepted students.
If your application becomes cancelled because you have missed the deadline you must then reapply to the college at a later date. To check the status of your documents, please access the online application system.
If you are on a prioritized admissions waitlist, we will contact you regarding your admission immediately should a position become available. Please be advised that spaces may become available up until the first week of classes. If all positions remain full we hope you will apply for admission to ACAD at a later date!
Due to the large amount of applications we receive, we cannot guarantee admission to all qualified applicants. If your application was declined because of your portfolio score, consider booking a portfolio review at our Open House in fall or winter, or attend an NPDA event in your area. At ACAD Open Houses and NPDA events, you can have your portfolio reviewed by faculty or Admissions staff, who will offer some constructive criticism in a one-on-one session. You could also take an Extended Studies portfolio preparation or drawing course (credit OR credit free - it's up to you) to develop your portfolio and become more familiar with the college. We also suggest that you try daily observational drawings on your own - carry a sketchbook, draw what you see - the milk carton, people on the train, anything! Experiment!
If your application was declined because of academic or English proficiency requirements, you might consider upgrading, or entering entering Artstream. Artstream is a collaborative program of the Alberta College of Art + Design and Bow Valley College, designed specifically for applicants who have demonstrated artistic achievement but do not meet ACAD's academic and/or English proficiency requirements. Upon completion of the Artstream program, ACAD will waive the academic and/or English proficiency requirements for admission.
You may apply to register in courses on a nondegree basis. To register, you will need to submit a portfolio and have your transcripts reviewed. Nondegree registration requires a Nondegree registration form (PDF). Courses in Visual Communications Design and Photography are restricted to degree students only.