QUICK ANSWER
An academy’s years of experience matter for two concrete reasons, and both can be checked. First, a long record shows patterns a single year cannot: in our 1,099 acceptances over 2009–2026, award rates at the schools we report most range from 82% at Otis to 6% at RISD. Second, experience should include the rule changes: the end of the Parsons Challenge, the new TOEFL 1–6 scale, written AI rules and CCA’s closure.
Experience that cannot show either a checkable record or current rules is only a number of years. Ask for both.
EIGHTEEN CYCLES · 1
What a Long Record Shows
| School | Admits in our record | With an award |
|---|---|---|
| Otis | 38 | 31 (82%) |
| MICA | 64 | 51 (80%) |
| Parsons | 63 | 38 (60%) |
| Pratt | 102 | 40 (39%) |
| SVA | 140 | 41 (29%) |
| RISD | 68 | 4 (6%) |
Royal Blue results record, 2009–2026, confirmed directly with each student.
One year’s results cannot reveal that pattern. Over eighteen admission cycles it becomes clear enough to shape a school list and a budget before applications are sent.
EIGHTEEN CYCLES · 2
What Current Experience Should Know
| Change | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parsons | No Parsons Challenge; 8–12 pieces and two essays of 300–400 words |
| TOEFL | New 1–6 scale from January 2026; RISD minimum 5 |
| AI | Pratt bans AI writing tools in its essay; SVA rejects AI-generated work; RISD requires disclosure |
| CCA | Winding down after 2026–27 |
| RISD | No Hometest in current first-year requirements |
From the official pages of Parsons, RISD, Pratt, SVA and CCA, checked October 2026.
FOR KOREAN FAMILIES
Ask any academy two things: show me your record by school and year, and tell me what changed in this year’s rules. See five tests for acceptance claims and questions about teaching.
EIGHTEEN CYCLES · 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a longer-running academy always prepare students better?
Not automatically. Experience helps when it comes with a checkable record and current knowledge of the rules.
What can a long record show?
Patterns such as award rates by school: in our record, 82% at Otis against 6% at RISD.
Which rules changed recently?
The Parsons Challenge ended, TOEFL moved to a 1–6 scale, schools wrote AI rules, and CCA is closing.
How long has Royal Blue been preparing students?
19 years, with 1,099 acceptances at 95 schools recorded for 2009–2026.
How do you confirm acceptances?
Each one was confirmed directly with the student.
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.
Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026); rule changes from the official pages of Parsons, RISD, Pratt, SVA and CCA. Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Checking Acceptance Claims · Questions About Teaching · The 2027 Cycle · Claims and Contract · Royal Blue Results