Located in New Brunswick, Mason Gross is the arts conservatory of Rutgers University, offering a rigorous, studio-based BFA program within a large research university environment. They look for students with a strong foundational practice and a clear artistic voice.
Number of Pieces: 15-20 examples of your artwork produced within the last two years.
Media: A variety of media is strongly encouraged. Your portfolio should show a range of your skills and ideas and may include painting, observational drawing, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.
If your main interest is in a specific medium like video or photography, you must still include work in other media.
Key Focus: The faculty wants to see work that demonstrates your creativity, dedication, and potential for growth. They are interested in both your technical skills and your conceptual ideas.
Sketchbook: Including at least one page from a sketchbook is a required component, as it provides insight into your creative process and thinking.
Originality: They advise applicants to show personal work made outside of class assignments and to avoid clichés like anime, cartoon characters, graffiti art, or portraits drawn from photographs. The goal is to show them your unique vision.