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Undergraduate Admissions

Admissions Information

Link to Application Portal for MDD undergraduate applicants can be found here.

Students may apply to the Bachelor of Science in Multi-Diciplinary Design (BSMD) after completing the pre-design requirements University of Utah.

  • DES 2615 Introduction to Design Thinking
  • DES 2630 Design Contexts
  • ARCH 2630 Design Foundations Workshop
  • CMP 2010 Design Ecologies

Transfer students may apply for advanced placement in the BSMD program after completing their pre-design requirements or Associates Degree at Salt Lake Community College. Students interested in transferring from other institutions should first reach out to the advisor, Emi Ataata, at [email protected]. See the section on Transfer Students below for additional information. 

Questions about the application process may be sent by email ([email protected]).

Please note the following requirements for admission for ALL applicants:

  • Application Form
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Essay of Motivation
  • Resume

Your application and all supporting documents help us get to know your work, your goals, and your abilities as a future designer.

All application materials are due by 6pm Friday, May 1st.
Applicants will be notified by the dates listed below regarding the outcomes of the admissions process.

Admissions Timeline

Multi-Disciplinary Design Admissions Timeline - (Applying after completing the Design Foundations program)
May 1st, 6 PM: All application materials due, including portfolios
Week of May 22nd: Letters sent to students via university email
June 5th: Deadline to accept or decline admission
June 8th: Acceptance letters for waitlisted students begin
August 12th: Remaining letters for waitlisted students sent
August 24th: Fall classes begin

Multi-Disciplinary Design Admissions Timeline - (Applying as transfer students into junior year of program)

May 1st, 6 PM: All application materials due, including portfolios
May 15th: Deadline for transfer students to submit unofficial transcripts via email to [email protected]
Week of June 1st: Letters sent to students via university email
June 12th: Deadline to accept or decline admission
June 15th: Acceptance letters for waitlisted students begin
August 12th: Remaining letters for waitlisted students sent
August 24th: Fall classes begin

 

  • Portfolio Requirements:

    Admission to the BSMD program requires submission of a portfolio. The portfolio is a demonstration of your skills, ability, and aptitude for the study of design. The digital portfolio will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as partial evidence for your potential success in the program. It should emphasize work that demonstrates your conceptual and visual design abilities, with an emphasis on process. Portfolios will be evaluated with a focus on Communication & Articulation, Process Documentation, Iterative Development, Conceptual Thinking, Analytical Depth, Problem-Solving Approach, Physical & Technical Skills, Imagination & Speculation.

    You are encouraged to include the best work from your pre-design courses, drawing, visual or other classes as well as extracurricular creative projects.

    If you include work done in a professional office or studio, please identify the professional’s name, your specific contribution to the project and your level of involvement.

    Plagiarized work automatically disqualifies your application.

    Portfolio Development Support:

    In addition to the portfolio development workshops we offer during the spring semester, we also recommend the following resources:

    • Adobe Creative Commons
    • First floor of Kahlert Village
    • Help with Adobe software
    • Feedback on design of portfolio
      - [email protected] | M-F: 11 AM - 8:30 PM
    Constructing the Persuasive Portfolio : The Only Primer You'll Ever Need.
    Fletcher, Margaret. 2016
    Written by an architecture professor for students on the development of portfolios. A physical copy is available at the Marriott Library and the full text is available to University of Utah students through the university library website via >> linked here
    Portfolio Format:
    The portfolio should be approximately 10–25 pages (single page layout or spreads) and include a title page with your name, UNID, and contact information. An optional template is provided for your convenience. There is no advantage or disadvantage to using this file; it is meant to provide a basic structure for you to format the presentation of your work. Your file must be clearly named: lastname_firstname_portfolio.pdf. Please submit high-resolution reproductions of your work (e.g., use high quality black and white or color print photography, computer images or photo-reproductions).

    Portfolio Contents:

     

    Portfolio Templates (optional):
    InDesign template - VIEW LINK HERE
    PowerPoint template - VIEW LINK HERE

  • In 500 words or less, describe how design has influenced who you are. Consider how your experiences have prepared you and what your ambitions are for your studies and eventually your practice. How do you want to be a designer? Finally, please explain how all of this connects to your creative process, and the work you’ve done in your portfolio. Your file must be clearly named: lastname_firstname_essay.pdf.

    Essay of Motivation Support:
    U of U Writing Center, MLIB 2701 (2nd level of Marriott Library), help with writing or review of essay, [email protected] // 801-587-9122, https://utah.mywconline.com/, M–Th: 9 AM - 7 PM; Fri: 9 AM - 3 PM.

    U Career Success Coaches:
    Schedule an appointment with Nyman Brooks >> view schedule here

    Schedule an appointment with Jana Loftin >> view schedule here

  • Resume Requirements:
    Provide a one-page resume that shows us your general background and your educational and employment activities. Your resume should also inform us about your volunteer activities, services to the community and others, and more. Your file must be clearly named: lastname_firstname_resume.pdf. Example Resumes >> Linked Here

    Resume Development Support:
    In addition to the portfolio development workshops we offer during the spring semester, we also recommend the following resources for support when developing your resume:

    Adobe Creative Commons

    • First floor of Kahlert Village
    • Help with Adobe software
    • Feedback on design of resume
    • [email protected]
    • M-F: 11 AM - 8:30 PM

    U of U Writing Center

    U Career Success Coaches:
    Schedule an appointment with Nyman Brooks >> view schedule here

    Schedule an appointment with Jana Loftin >> view schedule here

Transfer Students

If you are not presently attending the University of Utah, you must first apply to the University of Utah. As part of the process, you will submit a complete transcript including the current spring semester grades from your current school to the University Admissions Office. An unofficial completed transcript should be uploaded to the application portal, no later than May 12.

Students from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC)

  1.   Apply to UU (UU Admissions recommends applying by March 15th to ensure a response is received by the program admissions deadline, you must be admitted to UU to apply to the BAAS/BSAS programs).
  2.   Have completed all Associate Degree in Architecture classes

a. ARCH 1010 Design Context
b. ARCH 2010 Design Ecologies
c. ARCH 2630 Design Foundations Workshop

3. Additional optional courses to consider:

a. ART 1110 Foundation 1 Drawing

b. ART 1280 Photoshop Software

Click here for Articulation Agreement

Students from other schools:

  1.   Reach out to undergraduate advisor Emi Ataata (email) BEFORE applying to the UU to explore options and discuss the possibility of transfer
  2.   Contact Advisor, Emi Ataata by Wednesday, April 1st to discuss submitting coursework for transfer evaluation. All submissions must be in to Emi by 5 pm on Wednesday, April 8th to be reviewed by the admissions deadline. If you do not contact or submit materials by the listed deadlines, we cannot guarantee we can complete a transfer evaluation before the major application deadline.
  3.   Submit a google drive link with a folder for each class you want evaluated. Each folder should include a complete syllabus and course work, assignments, projects, and tests.
  4.   Coursework is evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in conversation with department faculty to determine if the materials and outcomes align adequately with our courses.
  5.   Meet with Design advisor to discuss what courses are transferable and what requirements are outstanding.
  6.   Students apply to the U
  7.   Students apply to BSMD
  8.   Meet with Design undergraduate advisor after receiving BSMD notification letter.