QUICK ANSWER
Our other guides cover checking an academy’s results. This one covers questions about how the academy teaches, because schools now set rules that an academy’s methods can break: Pratt bans AI writing tools in its essay, SVA does not accept AI-generated work, PNCA rejects fan art and master copies, and Pratt counts only work from the last 18 months.
Ask how the academy keeps a student’s work within those rules, who touches the work, and what the contract says. The answers show more than a list of schools.
STUDIO VISIT · 1
Eight Questions About Teaching
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Who teaches, and what did they study? | You are paying for an instructor’s judgement |
| Does an instructor ever work on the student’s piece? | The portfolio must be the applicant’s own work |
| How do you handle AI? | Pratt bans AI writing tools; SVA rejects AI-generated work; RISD and USC require disclosure |
| How do you track each school’s count and date rules? | Pratt: 10–20 works from the last 18 months; Parsons 8–12; RISD 12–20 |
| How much of the portfolio comes from set exercises? | RISD discourages drawing from photos; CalArts BFA Art discourages routine life drawing |
| Who writes the essay? | The applicant; PNCA requires it to be written entirely by the student |
| What happens in the last two months? | Selection, writing and uploads need their own time |
| What is the refund clause? | Compare it with the Academies Act minimum refund rules |
From the official requirements of Pratt, SVA, RISD, USC, Parsons, CalArts and PNCA, and Korea’s Academies Act refund rules, checked October 2026.
STUDIO VISIT · 2
Answers That Should Worry You
- “We finish the difficult parts for students.” The work must be the applicant’s.
- “We have a standard portfolio set.” Schools’ counts and content rules differ.
- “We use AI to polish essays.” Pratt does not permit AI writing tools.
- “Our refund policy is no refunds.” Registered academies follow legal refund minimums.
FOR KOREAN FAMILIES
Pair these teaching questions with the claims questions in five tests for acceptance claims and the contract check in claims and contract.
STUDIO VISIT · 3
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask an art academy before enrolling?
Ask who teaches, whether instructors touch student work, how AI is handled, how school rules are tracked, and what the refund clause says.
Can an instructor help finish my portfolio?
Feedback, yes; doing the work, no. Schools judge the applicant’s own work.
Should an academy use AI on my essay?
No. Pratt does not permit AI writing tools, and PNCA requires the statement to be written entirely by the applicant.
Why ask about set exercises?
RISD discourages drawing from photographs and CalArts BFA Art discourages routine life drawing and still lifes.
What refund terms are normal?
Compare with the Academies Act minimum: full refund before classes, then set fractions during the course.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
From the official requirements of Pratt, SVA, RISD, USC Cinematic Arts, Parsons, CalArts and PNCA, and Korea’s Academies Act refund rules. Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Checking Acceptance Claims · Claims and Contract · Red Flags · How Long to Study · Royal Blue Results