Undergraduate Admissions

As one of the most comprehensive schools of art and design in the United States, DAAP is a dynamic and exciting environment in which to study. Students work closely with engaged faculty members and collaborate with professionals and other students involved in a variety of disciplines. The cooperative education (co-op) program, required in many of our disciplines, offers students paid, professional-level, real-world experience that supplements a rigorous educational curriculum.

Download this helpful infographic on our undergraduate programs that includes the types of classes taken, what to expect in terms of a career, and an overview of co-ops. 

Explore the DAAP website to learn more about our bachelors, certificate, and minor undergraduate programs.

• Communication Design
• Fashion Design
• Industrial Design*
• Architecture
• Interior Design
• Art History
• Fine Arts
• Games and Animation
• Horticulture
• Urban Planning
• Urban Studies

* The curriculum in these disciplines are designated STEM programs

Download our DAAP Overview Brochure that highlights college facts, distinct benefits to attending DAAP, plus how to apply.

Visit us! Our “College Close-Up” visits are designed to answer your questions about DAAP. Close-Ups are held in conjunction with the university’s Preview UC and available dates can be found on the Admissions website. The College Close-Up includes an information session and tour of our facilities. Register at admissions.uc.edu/visit.

Admission guidelines for DAAP vary by program, but all applicants are considered holistically based on the relative strength of their application materials, including GPA, test scores, class rank, course work, involvement in extracurricular activities, essay, personal statement, letter(s) of recommendation, and/or portfolio.

It is not possible to predict or guarantee what credentials a student will need to be admitted, because the credentials and size of the applicant pool seeking admission vary each year. Our studio-based, co-op programs have a limited number of spaces available, so admission is competitive. Please visit the Admissions website for more information on how to apply, checklists, and timelines.

Architecture and Interior Design require four years of math (including pre-calculus or calculus) and one year of physics. Students lacking these requirements may be offered conditional admission.

Effective for Fall 2025, first year students (i.e., those applying from high school) are no longer able to submit an optional portfolio as part of the undergraduate admissions process. Note: Transfer and transition applicants who include Architecture or Interior Design will be invited to submit an optional portfolio for admission consideration.

• High school students - December 1 for the following academic year
• Transfer students - March 1 for the following academic year

Late applications will be reviewed on a space available basis.