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.
First: Choose a deadline: November 1 or January 1
Second: Start your CMU Admissions Application
Third: Register on SlideRoom to submit your art portfolio
Please Note: BHA, BSA and BCSA applicants must select to apply to the School of Art, then indicate they’d like to be considered for their BXA option.
Bachelor of Humanities & Arts (BHA) program applicants must apply and be admitted to both the College of Fine Arts and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Bachelor of Science & Arts (BSA) program applicants must apply and be admitted to both the College of Fine Arts and the Mellon College of Science.
Bachelor of Computer Science & Arts (BCSA) program applicants must apply and be admitted to both the College of Fine Arts and the School of Computer Science.
Please Note: BHA, BSA and BCSA applicants must select to apply to the School of Art, then indicate they’d like to be considered for their BXA option.
- Nov. 1 – Early Decision: CMU Application & SlideRoom Portfolio Submission
- Jan. 1 – Regular Decision: CMU Undergraduate Application
- Jan. 15 – Regular Decision SlideRoom Portfolio Submission
Please note: 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
- Standardized (SAT) test scores
- 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.
Guidelines: In addition to the required SlideRoom portfolio submission, applicants are encouraged to visit campus for an optional interview with professors from the School of Art. This is an excellent opportunity to meet faculty and tour Carnegie Mellon University’s campus. Bring a selection of work that you consider the best work in your portfolio. These pieces will serve as a starting point for an interview between you and the faculty members.
On-campus interviews for early decision applicants are held in early November. Interviews for regular decision applicants are held in late January through February.
Portfolio Guidelines: 6 to 10 artworks comprised of any of the following:
- Sketchbooks or illustrated journals
- Actual two-dimensional work such as drawings, paintings, photographs, prints, etc. (Matting and mounting of works isn’t necessary. Do apply fixative to works that might smudge.)
- Small and non-fragile three-dimensional work such as sculpture, ceramics, glass, textiles, etc.
- Another sketchbook, illustrated journal, etc. (Each of these is considered one item.)
- Digital images, animation, videos or interactive work. These may be presented from a disc you bring or from your own laptop computer or tablet.
Please Note: For works stored on disc media, please ensure that your disc or thumb drive performs correctly on Mac OS X 10.9+