Application Deadline - June 23, 2023
Applications for the Fall of 2023 are now open! Given the huge amount of applications we received for our current freshmen class, we recommend applying early to secure a spot as seats are limited in each craft specialization. Make sure you complete all of the requirements for admissions below.
Traditionally Un-Traditional
The American College of the Building Arts is unlike any other college in the world. ACBA is the only college in the country to offer an Associate and Bachelor of Applied Science degree in the Building Arts.
Classes in the traditional liberal arts are integrated with architecture, design, historic preservation, drawing and drafting, architectural history, material science, management and construction.
To truly understand what a unique college ACBA is, we strongly urge you to come for a visit. Whether you are graduating high school, college, or changing careers, being able to observe what students are learning on any given day will give you a better idea as to whether ACBA is the college for you.
More Than Just Books
In addition to the traditional liberal arts classes that any traditional college has, ACBA's students spends two-and-a-half days each week in the apprentice labs learning the artistry and hand skills in one of six areas of craft specialization.
Being Unique
ACBA is not for everyone. But for those visionaries who can imagine creating additions to the built environment that will last for generations, saving historic structures for the future, and connecting to our past to bring a new way of thinking into the next century, we welcome you!
The College is designed to have a maximum size of 200 students because we value the apprentice/master relationship. We believe that this centuries old method of education provides the best practice in the formation of educated artisans. Our small class sizes (6:1) and intimate learning environments compel us to keep our freshmen cohort capacity to 48.
The American College of the Building Arts offers rolling admissions. We do not accept students mid-year. We accept applications and make class formation decisions beginning September 1st for the following year.
Requirements for Admission
Required - Personal Essay
Required - Transcript(s) from all schools attended
Required - SAT, ACT, or CLT scores
Required - Personal Interview
Required - Portfolio (digital or print)
Recommended - Letters of Recommendation
Transcript(s) from all schools attended
What transcripts are required depends upon your educational background. If you're a student straight out of high school with either a diploma or GED then you're all set. If you've tried college before (whether completing a degree or not), please submit those transcripts so we can see what classes might transfer over to ACBA. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to ACBA.
For students still enrolled in High School:High school transcripts should be the most recent or current record and if accepted the final transcript must be sent to ACBA with your final GPA and graduation date.
Home School Applicants: ACBA has had terrific success with students who have completed their education via homeschooling. You should have a transcript showing successful completion of your requirements (which change depending upon what state you're from and which home school organization you used to establish the curriculum). Families that buck the trend of the normal K-12 path will certainly find a kinship at ACBA where we've bucked the trends that every other college follows.
Personal Essay
The personal essay should explain your desire toward attending ACBA. Suggestions are: what you will gain from ACBA and/or what you can bring to our community. Recommended: 250 - 750 words.
SAT, ACT, or CLT scores
There is no required minimum score to apply. The reason we have so many admissions requirements is that allows our Admissions Committee to put together a complete picture of the applicant. Many students stress out over their test scores while having a great GPA, or vice versa. We are only interested in making sure you will succeed at ACBA. Low scores can be overcome by a good GPA, portfolio, interview, essay, etc. So put together a great packet and tell us why one simple test doesn't define you!
Test scores must be sent directly to ACBA from the official board.
Recommended Application Items
Portfolio: We are interested in seeing a part of your artistic side. Students seeking admissions to ACBA should submit a portfolio of their artisan/craft experience and completed work. This allows you, the applicant, to show your artistic/creative skills and/or experience in the crafts. Experience in your desired craft specialization is not a pre‐requisite for the admission to the College. Students with no prior experience may submit a portfolio of artistic work from past projects. If you do not have material with which to submit a portfolio, members of the Admissions Committee may interview the student relative to the craft specialization.
The portfolio should demonstrate work or artistic ability related to your desired specialization/trade. Please indicate which is your own "work" on projects that you may have collaborated on. The portfolio can be a representation of you through photos of work, video, drawings, sculpture, photography, written works, miniature models, or guild/club participation.
The portfolios become a permanent part of your admission file and will not be returned.
Letters of Recommendation: Choose up to 3 people (not related to you) who know you well and are willing to recommend you as a candidate for admission. Have
them submit the letter directly to the Office of Admissions and Educational Services via mail or email.
Visit Our Campus
To understand the unique education that the American College of the Building Arts offers, your first step is to visit our campus. Come meet our remarkable faculty and students at an Open House!