"New York Art Studio's mentorship transformed my portfolio and my perspective, leading to my acceptance into Yale's MFA program."
Jordan, accepted to MFA Fine Arts at Yale School of Art
Art Portfolio Development
Graduate School Prep
Art Portfolio Development / Graduate School Prep
Art Portfolio Development
Graduate School Prep
Our Graduate School Admission Prep is ideal for anyone who needs to develop a portfolio to apply to art/design graduate programs for a Master’s degree.
No prior art experience is necessary to join our class!
In fact, most of our students in the course come from non-art majors/backgrounds with little art training. Our one-to-one, personalized guidance helps you build a portfolio that represents your artistic strengths as a strong candidate.
We guide our students from conceptualizing to translating the concepts into their unique body of work. Through our Graduate School Admission Prep, students get admitted to Master’s programs at highly competitive and renowned schools like Harvard, Yale, UPenn, NYU, SAIC, and RISD.
Our enrollment is rolling and open all-year-round. Join anytime you want!
Personalized & Targeted Guidelines
We recognize and nurture each student’s strengths, potential, and talent, empowering them to reach their artistic aspirations. Build a strong foundation in art and creative thinking, and develop a standout portfolio for the admissions process.
Flexible scheduling
Our course options are structured by the number of sessions, allowing students to schedule classes according to their availability.
Choose an online, on-site, or hybrid option that fits best for you.
Experienced Team
Our instructors are seasoned artists and designers with years of knowledge and experience in portfolio development and preparation, who offer pinpoint guidelines catered to your interest and intended schools.
Course Structure
Course Duration
Typically, our course is 12 weeks long, and each class is 4 hours long. However, you can customize your course duration and schedule based on your availability.
We offer the following course packages:
- 12 classes within 12 weeks
- 24 classes within 12 weeks
- 36 classes within 12 weeks
- Combo option 1:
24 classes + 12 private lesson hours within 12 weeks - Combo option2:
36 classes + 24 private lesson hours within 12 weeks
Class Format
Classes can be in-person, online, or hybrid.
Throughout the class, the instructor makes rounds to give personalized guidance to each student on their individual projects.
We maintain small class sizes with an average student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1 to optimize the learning experience and portfolio development process.
Student Work
Schedule & Tuition
| Session A (Eastern Time) | Session B (Eastern Time) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 2 PM | 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
* There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $35 for all packages.
| Package Type | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 12 classes within 12 weeks | $1,920 |
| 24 classes within 12 weeks | $3,745 |
| 36 classes within 12 weeks | $5,570 |
| Bundle option 1: 24 classes + 12 private lesson hours within 12 weeks | $5,500 |
| Bundle option 2: 36 classes + 24 private lesson hours within 12 weeks | $9,100 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
➔ What should I include in my graduate portfolio?
Include a variety of works—typically 12–20 pieces—that show advanced technical skill, originality, and a strong personal direction. Graduate programs look for cohesive, thoughtful work that reflects a clear point of view and artistic maturity. Your portfolio should demonstrate both skill and the ability to think critically and conceptually.
➔ How should I approach the artist statement or statement of purpose?
Your artist statement should explain your artistic interests, conceptual focus, influences, and goals. For graduate applications, also include why you’re applying to this specific program, how your work has evolved, and what you hope to research or pursue further. Be personal, reflective, and professional.
➔ Can I include interdisciplinary or experimental work?
Absolutely, as long as it supports your artistic direction and aligns with the program you’re applying to. Many graduate programs value interdisciplinary work, especially when it’s intentional and conceptually grounded. Be sure to include media information, dimensions, and context when submitting.
➔ When should I begin preparing my graduate portfolio?
Ideally, begin at least 6–12 months before your application deadline. This gives you enough time to revise or create new work that reflects your current thinking and aligns with graduate-level expectations. Starting early also allows time to research programs, write your statement, and get feedback.
