QUICK ANSWER
The most useful split for parents is simple: the student owns the work; the parents can own the paperwork calendar. Schools set firm rules on the first part. Pratt does not permit AI writing tools for its essay, RISD asks applicants to describe any AI use, and every school judges the applicant’s own portfolio. The second part, from deadlines and test dates to translations and visa documents, is where a parent’s organisation helps most.
Below is that calendar for the main 2026–27 deadlines, and the documents parents can track without touching the work itself.
BACKSTAGE · 1
The Deadline Calendar
| School | Deadline (for fall 2027 entry) |
|---|---|
| RISD | Early Decision November 1; Regular Decision January 20 |
| CalArts | Preferred December 1, 2026; regular January 5, 2027 |
| Pratt | Early Action November 15; priority January 15; rolling after |
| FIT | SUNY application January 1; portfolio and documents February 1 |
| MICA | Preferred date February 1, 2027 |
From each school’s admissions pages, checked October 2026.
BACKSTAGE · 2
Documents Parents Can Track
| Document | What to know |
|---|---|
| English test | Pratt and FIT, for example, want scores within two years of entry; TOEFL moved to a new 1–6 score scale in January 2026, so check each school’s new minimum |
| School records | RISD requires translations by an approved translator; FIT requires a NACES credential evaluation of foreign records |
| Financial documents | Needed after admission for the I-20; FIT, for example, accepts only its own financial statement form |
| Visa timing | An F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days before the programme start; entry is allowed up to 30 days before |
From RISD, FIT and other school pages and U.S. Department of State guidance, checked October 2026.
BACKSTAGE · 3
What Not to Do
- Do not edit the essay into your words. The essay must be the applicant’s own; Pratt does not even permit AI writing tools.
- Do not choose the work. Ask the student to explain choices instead; it is practice for interviews and critiques.
- Do not compare with other children’s portfolios. Compare with each school’s written requirements.
- Do not leave money questions to the last week. Award letters arrive with deposit deadlines; plan the four-year total in advance.
FOR KOREAN FAMILIES
About half of our students are Korean students at U.S. schools who come to Seoul in school breaks, so the calendar often spans two school systems and two time zones. Put every deadline in Korean time on one shared calendar. See five expectations to recalibrate and creative freedom at U.S. schools.
BACKSTAGE · 4
Frequently Asked Questions
How can parents help without doing the work?
Own the calendar, documents and budget; leave the portfolio, essays and choices of work to the student.
Can a parent edit the application essay?
Feedback on clarity is fine; rewriting is not. Pratt does not permit AI writing tools, and the essay must be the applicant’s own.
When should we start the visa process?
After admission and the I-20. An F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days before the start date.
Do school records need translation?
Often. RISD requires approved translations, and FIT requires a NACES credential evaluation.
Which deadline comes first?
RISD Early Decision on November 1 is the earliest among the schools listed here.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul, and we plan each student’s calendar with the family. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Deadlines and document rules from RISD, CalArts, Pratt, FIT and MICA admissions pages; visa timing from the U.S. Department of State. Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Five Expectations · Creative Freedom · TOEFL Guide 2026 · 8 Admissions Mistakes · Royal Blue Results