Applying to CCS is a two-step process. You must apply both to UCSB and to CCS. The CCS application is separate from and in addition to the UCSB application.
Step 1: Apply to UCSB
If you're not already enrolled at UCSB, you will need the UC Undergraduate Application, the standard form used to apply to any UC campus, available on the web at: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/. Follow the instructions and the dates indicated so that you meet the deadlines.
You may also contact:
Office of Admissions
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2014
phone: 805 - 893 -2881
fax: 805 - 893 - 2676
email:
www.admissions.ucsb.edu
Step 2: Apply to CCS
NOTE: These instructions have been updated effective June 3, 2011
Although CCS applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, priority for Fall 2013 admission is given to applications completed by:
- JANUARY 14, 2013 for Art, Biology, Computer Science, Literature, and Music Composition majors.
- February 5, 2013 for Mathematics majors.
- February 21, 2013 for Physics majors.
- February 5, 2013 for Chemistry & Biochemistry majors.
Students already enrolled at UCSB and subsequently applying to CCS may submit an application at any time, noting the CCS regulation requiring six quarters of residency for graduation from CCS. The deadline for completing an application for a given quarter is the start of that quarter, but, if you need a response before the start of the quarter for which you are applying, we recommend that you complete and submit your application by the middle of the quarter preceding the quarter for which you are applying.
Your application to CCS must include the following items (see below for further explanation of these required materials):
- CCS application form
- letter of intent
- high school transcript
- college transcripts, if any
- work in evidence of talent
- required for art, literature and music composition
- optional for other majors
- letters of recommendation
- required for biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, music, and physics
- optional for other majors
If you have questions about your CCS application, and particularly if your circumstances do not seem to fit the standard application process, please contact us for advice what to do. We want to help.
- email: This is the preferred form of contact.
- fax: 805 - 893 - 4003
Send your CCS application to this address:
College of Creative Studies
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6110
Note: if you try sending something to us by Express Mail, delivery will probably be delayed by at least one day.
How to Fill out the Application Form
To apply to CCS, download the application form as a PDF file (the link appears after these instructions.)
This file can be filled out on your computer using Adobe Reader software (which is a free download). Once you fill it out, you need to both:
- email a copy to us (to get you into our system immediately) and
- print a paper copy, sign it, attach it to the rest of your materials (leter of intent, work in evidence of talent (if applicable), etc.) and mail it to us through the postal system.
| NOTE: Please read all of the instructions below before downloading and completing the form. The link to download the form appears further down the page, after the instructions. |
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Overview of what you'll need to do
- Download Adobe Reader (version 7+ or later) if you don't already have it (see "Getting Adobe Reader" below.)
- Download the CCS Application Form using the link below, and save it to the hard drive of your computer.
- On Windows, and choose"save link as" (Firefox) or "save target as" (Internet Explorer)
- On Mac, hold down the Control button while clicking, and choose "Save Link as" (Firefox) or "Download Linked File as" (Safari)
- Open the form in Adobe Reader and fill out the fields (there are no fields for signature, social security number and date: we don't need these things e-mailed to us).
- Save the file to your hard drive again.
- Print a paper copy to mail in with your application (you'll sign and date this one).
- Send the completed PDF file as an email attachment to .
Note: PLEASE do not use any non-Adobe software to fill out the form, as other kinds of software can damage the form.
Getting Adobe Reader
You only need Adobe Reader (7+ or later) in order to use this form. Adobe Reader is available for free download at www.adobe.com
- There is a section labeled "Download" with a link for Adobe Reader.
- Versions of Adobe Reader earlier than 7 can't save the form with the data.
- This form was created with Adobe Acrobat 8; It should also work with Adobe Acrobat 7, but might not work with earlier versions of Adobe Acrobat.
Help with filling out the form
To Enter your data use the "Tab" key to go from box to box.
If anything that the form asks for doesn't apply to you (e.g., you don't have a middle name), please just leave that box blank.
Most of the form boxes hold 100 characters, so don't worry if the box looks too small; some exceptions follow.
- The "Perm Number" box only holds 8 characters.
- The state boxes only hold 2 characters (use the USPS abbreviation).
- The zip code boxes only hold 10 characters.
- The phone number boxes only hold 8 characters after the area code boxes, which only hold 3 characters.
Troubleshooting for Macintosh Users
We have had one complaint of Adobe Reader 7 not working on a Mac, so if the form isn't working as it should, and you're using Adobe reader 7, try getting a later version (the latest version is 10).
The "Preview" software that comes with Mac OS may damage the form, so please don't use it. When you first download the form onto your computer, it will ask you whether you want to open it with Preview or save it; you want to choose the "save it..." option, then open it with Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
If you don't have Adobe reader, and don't want to get it, you can try using Preview to fill out the form as in the instructions, but you might get a response that it didn't work (we tested the form with the Preview software on our own Macs, and it worked fine, but we don't know about older Macs). If you do get such a response, you will have to either get Adobe software, or use a different computer.
If all else fails
If you have any difficulty with the form, or with the instructions, please contact Frank Bauman at CCS. He can be reached by email at , or by phone at (805) 893 - 8974. E-mail is the preferred form of contact.
| Download the CCS Application Form |
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Instructions for Work in Evidence of Talent
Art
There are two ways to submit your portfolio to the College of Creative Studies Art major: you can upload your work online with Slideroom, or mail it directly to the College. Work submitted should emphasize your ability in painting, sculpture, or book arts. You may wish to ask assistance from a teacher, counselor, or another individual with an objective and well-trained eye, to help you to select your best work.
If you are submitting your portfolio physically, please include the following; 15-20 images on CD, at least 10 of which are also printed on quality paper and included in the portfolio. The printed images need to be at least 5" x 7". All images should be labeled with your name, title of the piece (or "untitled"), date and dimensions of the work, and medium. If you are denied admission to CCS (or you are offered admission to CCS, but decide not to come), and you want your portfolio returned to you, you must include an appropriate self-addressed stamped envelope with your application.
If you are submitting your portfolio online, please submit 15-20 images with the title, date, medium and dimensions. The optimal size for good image quality and fast upload is 1280x1280 pixels @72 dpi, no more than 5MB each, and saved as jpg, gif, or png. Scalable thumbnails will automatically be generated from image uploads. Be certain to upload your portfolio to "CCS ART PROGRAM". You can also upload your Letter of Intent and optional letters of recommendation (You must still submit your Letter of Intent in hard copy, but submitting it electronically too may expedite the review of your application). If you are adding letters of recommendation, the online form in Slideroom will send a prompt to your recommender.
You will need a credit card to pay the submission fee of $10.00. The fee goes directly to the Slideroom licensing program; the school does not receive any money.
You will need Adobe Flash Player to use Slideroom, the on-line application web site. Download it for free here: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
If you want to submit any letters, you will need to be able to make a PDF document, which is easily done on Apple computers by saving Word or Text Edit documents as a ‘PDF’. If you are using a Windows computer and do not have Adobe Acrobat, you can download a free PDF Windows utility here: http://media.arts.ucsb.edu/tools/PDFCreator-1_2_0_setup.exe. After installation, the utility creates a PDF printer- you simply print to that and it creates a PDF document.
Literature
Submit a minimum of 15 total pages of original work, including at least one essay about a work (or body of work) of literature, such as you have written or would expect to write for a class. You must also submit samples of creative writing, which may be poetry or prose, or samples of each. The quality of your work is more important than the quantity. Faculty need enough of a sampling in order to get a significant idea of your talents, but cannot read ‘volumes.’ If you are working on a novel for example, or a book of poetry or stories, you should submit samples and not the entire work. You may wish to ask assistance from a teacher, counselor, or another individual with an objective and well-trained eye, to help you to select your best work.
Music
Submit written scores of original compositions, preferably a long piece (3 to 6 minutes) and some shorter ones. If possible, also submit audio tape recordings.
Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics
Although work in evidence of talent is not required for these majors, it helps to give us a more complete idea of your skills and interests. If possible, submit examples of independent research, scientific reports or projects, or any other work that shows your ability and interests.
Letter of Intent
Write a letter to the attention of the faculty in the CCS major to which you are applying, stating your academic interests, your reasons for wanting to study at CCS, and your background in your intended major. This letter is separate from the essay required in the UC application. Letters should be typed.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are required for applications in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, music, and physics. Submit at least two letters from persons well acquainted with your academic background and your ability in the area you wish to enter. Please list your recommenders as part of your application so that we know when we have all of their letters.
You may gather your recommendations and include them when you mail in your signed application form, or you may ask your recommenders to send their letters directly to CCS at the postal address listed above. In the latter case, it is a nice courtesy to provide your recommenders with a stamped pre-addressed envelope.
As an alternative, your recommenders may fax their letters to (805) 893 - 4003. Please send the fax to the attention of Frank Bauman.
DO NOT tell your recommenders that it is alright to e-mail their letters to us.
Transcripts
In addition to the copies you send to the UCSB Office of Admissions, you must also send copies of your transcripts from every high school and college you have attended directly to CCS. Transcripts sent to the College of Creative Studies do not need to be official. If you are currently enrolled at UCSB you may submit an unofficial transcript available from the Office of the Registrar (www.registrar.ucsb.edu) as a record of work completed at UCSB.
Apply for Financial Aid
Aid is granted according to your financial need and the monies available for state and Federal grants, long-term loans, scholarships, or work-study opportunities. Recorded information from the UCSB Financial Aid office is available at 805 - 893 - 2432, or on their website at: www.finaid.ucsb.edu
Decision by the College
When the college has received all items required for your CCS application, an individual application file is created and circulated to faculty members in your chosen CCS major. For fall UCSB applicants, the College of Creative Studies cannot inform applicants of decisions on their CCS applications until the University of California Santa Barbara has mailed the campus’s admission/deferral letters in March. CCS decision letters follow immediately thereafter. A denial from CCS does not negatively affect your admission to one of the other colleges at UCSB. If you are already a registered UCSB student applying to Creative Studies, you will be informed of the decision on your CCS application as soon as possible after all required items are received and your file is circulated for faculty review. This process normally takes three to four weeks during the fall, winter, or spring quarters while instruction is in session. If you are a registered UCSB student, you may also take Creative Studies classes even if you are not enrolled in CCS, on a space-available basis.