The BXA Intercollege Degree Programs allow students who demonstrate interest in the fine arts, as well as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences or computer science, to integrate more than one field of study across disciplines. The BXA is not a double-major or dual degree, but an inter-college degree, merging the academic programs of the College of Fine Arts with another college.
Students may enter the BHA, BSA or BCSA program as either an incoming freshman or an internal transfer student. Over 50% of BXA students enter the programs as internal transfer candidates. Internal transfer students have the same admission requirements as incoming freshmen.
Click here to schedule an informal 30-minute portfolio advice session or info session before you apply.
First: Choose a deadline: November 1 or January 3
Second: Start your CMU Admissions Application
Third: Register on SlideRoom to submit your art portfolio
To be considered for the BXA programs, select the School of Art. You’ll then be asked if you’d like to be considered for a BXA program and note your interest in either the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA), Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA) or Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA). Applicants will be considered for both the School of Art as well as the specific BXA program indicated as part of the admission process. Students selected for the BXA programs will receive notification in their admission decision letter.
November 1 – Early Decision: CMU Application & SlideRoom Portfolio Submission
Notified by: December 15
Enroll by: February 1
January 3 – Regular Decision: CMU Undergraduate Application
January 15 – Regular Decision: SlideRoom Portfolio Submission
Notified: No later than April 1
Enroll by: May 2
Please note: The School of Art is not participating in Early Decision 2. All applicants are considered for Fall semester admission only.
About Slideroom All portfolios must be submitted through SlideRoom. SlideRoom is an online service will allow you to upload, label, arrange and submit your portfolio electronically. allows digital images, videos, PDF files, audio files and links to external sites like YouTube.
Please note: SlideRoom charges $15.00 to manage your portfolio for the School of Art. SlideRoom is a private company contracted by Carnegie Mellon to manage applicant portfolios; this money does not go to Carnegie Mellon. Portfolios are reviewed by multiple full-time faculty members from the School of Art. We’re just as interested in your imagination and creative thinking skills as your technical skills. We particularly love to see what you make for yourself, so we ask that your portfolio include as much work as possible done independently and outside of the classroom.
Evaluation: Admission decisions are based on a holistic consideration of each applicant’s portfolio, alongside their academic and other achievements. Applicants are considered for fall semester admission only.
Application Materials:
- Art portfolio review
- High school grades
- CMU is SAT/ACT test optional for Fall 2022 applications
- Extracurricular activities
- Recommendations
- Personal statements
Guidelines: The BXA Programs only accept Internal Transfers (current CMU students). If interested in transferring to a BXA program from another college or university, please contact the BXA Office at 412.268.8326.
In addition to the required SlideRoom portfolio submission, applicants may also sign up for an optional interview with a professor from the School of Art. This is an excellent opportunity to meet a member of our faculty for a conversation about your work and your plans for study. It is also a good opportunity to ask any questions you might have that are specifically about the School of Art. The interview is not a formal portfolio evaluation, but you should come prepared to show and discuss some examples of your work; these pieces will serve as a starting point for an interview between you and the faculty members.
Interviews schedules will be released shortly.
Preparing to Share Portfolio Materials During the Interview:
You will show your work by using the screen share function in Zoom.
There will not be time to look at every work in your portfolio, so plan to share a small selection of work that you consider your best work.
One easy way to show your work will be to simply login to your SlideRoom account (login before the start of the interview) and share the portfolio you are submitting to CMU. If you plan to share time-based work such as video or game design, keep in mind that time will be very limited, and plan to show only a short representative sample. Video playback may also not appear over Zoom.
School of Art Faculty are also interested in seeing your sketchbooks, website, side projects that you may not have included in your portfolio, etc., so we recommend that you have some of those items at the ready to share as well.