QUICK ANSWER
Over the last ten years, what art schools look for has changed less than how they check it. They still want students who can see, think and make. What has changed is the evidence: drawing from direct observation is now often requested explicitly, AI use must be disclosed, school-set drawing tests have largely disappeared, tests are mostly optional, and English tests use new scales.
Around the application, the conditions have changed more sharply: some art schools have closed, and U.S. rules for international students have tightened. Korean families now need to plan the whole path — admission, four years of study and what follows — not only the portfolio.
Comparing 2016 with 2026 is useful because it separates passing trends from lasting shifts. This guide sets out the main changes, with sources, and what they mean for students preparing now.
2016 → 2026 · 01
The Application Itself: Then and Now
| Area | Around 2016 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| School-set drawing tasks | RISD applicants completed required drawing prompts set by the school (often called the “Hometest” by Korean applicants) | RISD’s first-year application asks for the Common App essay and a 12–20 piece portfolio; no set assignment is listed |
| Observational drawing | Expected but often implicit | Stated directly: Pratt and SVA ask for work from direct observation; RISD strongly recommends it |
| Standardized tests | SAT/ACT commonly required or expected | Most art schools are test-optional; RISD lets applicants apply without SAT or ACT |
| English tests | TOEFL on a 0–120 scale; fewer test options | TOEFL moved to a new 1–6 scale in January 2026 (RISD now lists a minimum of 5, previously 93); Duolingo widely accepted |
| Portfolio submission | Mostly digital, some schools still accepted physical work | Digital uploads through platforms such as SlideRoom are standard |
| AI | Not addressed | Parsons asks applicants to disclose AI use and discourages fully AI-generated work |
2026 details from official school pages. Requirements change each year; check current pages before applying.
The direction is consistent: fewer generic hurdles, more direct evidence of the applicant’s own observation, process and voice. A school no longer needs to set a drawing test when it can ask for observational work and examine sketchbooks.
2016 → 2026 · 02
Conditions Around the Application
| Area | What changed |
|---|---|
| Art school closures | University of the Arts (Philadelphia) closed in 2024; San Francisco Art Institute in 2022; California College of the Arts announced in 2026 that it will close after 2026–27 |
| Student immigration | A 2026 U.S. rule ended “duration of status”: F-1 students are admitted for their program length, up to four years, with extensions by application |
| Post-graduation work | A fee on OPT work authorization was proposed in October 2026; it is not final |
| Cost | Published prices have risen; scholarships vary widely by school, so net cost differs greatly from sticker price |
Sources: public announcements, DHS and news reporting, verified October 2026.
Our overview of where admissions are heading covers these forces in more detail.
2016 → 2026 · 03
What Has Not Changed
- The portfolio decides most admissions. At art and design schools it remains the central document.
- Observation is the foundation. It has simply moved from an unspoken expectation to a stated one.
- Ideas matter as much as finish. Technically polished but generic portfolios were weak in 2016 and are weak now.
- Writing reveals thinking. The Common App personal essay is still limited to 650 words; what matters is that it sounds like the student.
2016 → 2026 · 04
What This Means for Preparation Now
| If you are… | Focus on |
|---|---|
| Starting early (two or more years out) | Daily observational drawing and a sketchbook habit; begin one sustained project |
| One year out | Build a portfolio of 12–20 pieces with visible process; draft essays in your own voice |
| Applying to several schools | Check each school’s current requirements; adapt the selection, not just the order |
| Using AI tools | Decide what you will use them for and keep records so you can disclose honestly |
| Planning finances | Compare net cost after scholarships and plan for four years of study within the I-20 period |
Common errors that were true ten years ago still hold; see our list of portfolio mistakes Korean students make. For English test changes, see our TOEFL guide.
2016 → 2026 · 05
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RISD still have the Hometest or The Assignment?
RISD’s current first-year application page lists the Common App essay and a 12–20 piece portfolio, with observational work strongly recommended. It does not list a set drawing assignment. Always check the current page.
Are standardized tests irrelevant now?
At most art schools, SAT and ACT are optional. English tests remain important for international students, and the TOEFL scale changed in 2026.
Has admission become harder?
It depends on the school. Some programs have become more selective; others, facing fewer applicants, offer more scholarships. Look at each school’s data rather than a general trend.
Do schools still value technical skill?
Yes, especially observational drawing. But technical skill without ideas or process is not enough, and that was already true ten years ago.
What should families watch most closely now?
Each school’s current requirements, its financial stability, and U.S. immigration rules for students. All three can change within a single application cycle.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art school admission from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul, and we have watched these changes from inside the application cycle each year. We update our preparation as requirements change. Consultations are available in person or by video.
Requirements from official school pages; closures and immigration items from public announcements, DHS and news reporting, verified October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Future of Admissions · AI and Admissions Research · Portfolio Mistakes · The Most Important Lesson