DigiPen Institute of Technology works on a rolling admissions basis and enrolls new students in the fall semester that begins each September. DigiPen begins accepting applications for the following fall as early as September, and the Institute will evaluate applications as they are completed and submitted.
DigiPen encourages new applicants to apply by February 1 of each year, but the Institute will continue to accept qualified applicants after that date until all programs have reached maximum enrollment. Applicants should submit all application materials within four weeks of their initial application submission. Applicants who need additional time should request an extension, after submitting their initial application, by contacting the Office of Admissions at admissions@digipen.edu. Applicants normally receive a decision within two to four weeks after their application with all required materials has been submitted.
Applicants choose their preferred major at the time of application, however during the review process, DigiPen may determine that an applicant fits more appropriately into another degree program and may admit an applicant into another program. Additionally, DigiPen may sometimes determine that an applicant qualifies for admission to several programs and notes this on the acceptance letter.
Except where noted, all undergraduate applicants must submit the following for consideration:
- DigiPen Institute of Technology’s Online Application for Admission. This application form is available at: digipen.edu/admissions/how-to-apply
- $60.00 application fee.
- Official high school transcripts or official GED test scores, if applicable. International students should submit attested copies or certified-true copies of all academic records. See more about this requirement in the International (Non-U.S. Resident) Applicants section if an applicant has transcripts and other official documentation in languages other than English.
DigiPen requires all applicants to have completed grade 12 or the equivalent with a recommended minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA; for international students, DigiPen will determine the minimum academic performance standards based on the educational system of the individual applicant. Students in their final year may submit current transcripts for evaluation purposes and must submit final transcripts showing completion of grade 12, or equivalent, prior to beginning classes.- Applicants who have earned their GED should submit sealed transcripts for the time that they attended high school, in addition to their GED test scores.
- For home-schooled applicants, please see the Home-Schooled Applicant Admission Requirements section below.
- Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution are not required to submit high school transcripts, but final transcripts from their college or university will be required along with official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutes attended.
- Official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutes attended, if applicable. International students should submit attested copies or certified-true copies of all academic records. Again, see more about this requirement in the International (Non-U.S. Resident) Applicants section if an applicant has transcripts and other official documentation in languages other than English. This includes transcripts for high school concurrent enrollment programs. Transcripts must be sent by the issuing school directly to DigiPen. Alternatively, they may be sent by the applicant if they are SEALED in an envelope prepared by the issuing school and stamped over the seal by the Office of the Registrar, showing that they have not been opened.
- Official SAT or ACT exam scores (Optional). Submitting SAT or ACT scores alongside your application is optional. Applicants will not be disadvantaged if they are unable to submit a test score. We evaluate applicants holistically and consider all qualifications and circumstances in our admission decisions. Applications will be reviewed once all required materials have been received, regardless of whether SAT or ACT scores are included.
There is no minimum score requirement for either test, and we do not prefer one test over the other. SAT II Subject Tests are not required for admission but may be considered during the evaluation process if included with your application. If you would like your scores to be considered for your application, they must be sent directly to DigiPen by the issuing organization or included on your official high school transcripts. You can order your ACT scores at act.org and your SAT scores at collegeboard.org. To have your official SAT or ACT scores sent to DigiPen, include the college program code 4138 on your SAT form or 6659 on your ACT form. - Personal Statement. Please review the requirements and recommendations about completing this important component of the application online at digipen.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/undergraduate-admissions-requirements/bachelor-of-science-degrees#personal-statement.
- Letters of recommendation (optional). Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic background and/or work ethic, e. g. an instructor, school counselor, or employer. Recommendation letters from family members will not be considered. Applicants should notify the authors of their recommendation letters prior to entering names. Applicants may choose to enter the contact information for their reference in the online application. The form will email the reference a link to an electronic recommendation form. If your references do not receive an electronic recommendation form, they may send their letter of recommendation to admissions@digipen,edu. For hard copy submissions, each letter MUST be signed and dated by the author, and each must contain a contact phone number. Please note that these letters are NOT REQUIRED for applicants to DigiPen’s undergraduate degree programs.
- Other official documentation, if applicable. This includes, but is not limited to, official proof of proficiency in the English language (see more about this requirement in the Proof of Proficiency in the English Language section), copy of Permanent Resident card, and a financial responsibility form for international students.
- Art Portfolio. This is only required for applicants to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation degree program. Guidelines for the Art Portfolio are available online at digipen.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/undergraduate-admissions-requirements/bfa-in-digital-art-and-animation#art-portfolio.
- Performance Portfolio. This is only required for applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound Design degree program. Guidelines for the Performance Portfolio are available online at digipen.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/undergraduate-admissions-requirements/ba-in-music-and-sound-design#performance-portfolio.
- Design Portfolio. This is only required for applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Game Design degree program. Guidelines for the Design Portfolio are available online at digipen.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/undergraduate-admissions-requirements/ba-in-game-design#design-portfolio.
Homeschooled Applicant Admission Requirements
DigiPen welcomes applicants from all types of educational backgrounds and encourages homeschooled students to apply. DigiPen evaluates all applicants on an individual basis and considers all aspects of their application materials.
Homeschooled Applicants Who Are Washington Residents
In addition to the standard admission requirements, homeschooled applicants who are from Washington state should submit as much information as possible about their homeschooled experience, including a detailed homeschool transcript that provides course titles, a brief description of each course’s content, a grade or performance assessment for each course, details about the duration of study, and their graduation date or expected graduation date.
Homeschooled Applicants from States Other than Washington
Due to the diverse nature of home-schooled requirements from one state to the next, DigiPen would prefer:
- Transcripts from a nationally accredited home-school program, OR;
- Detailed homeschool transcripts, as described AND passing GED test scores as proof of high school graduation.
Other forms of proof of high school equivalence will be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, these alternative forms of proof should be approved in advance by contacting the Office of Admissions at admissions@digipen.edu.
Math and Science Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
In addition to the requirements listed for all undergraduate applicants, those applying to any of the Bachelor of Science programs must demonstrate sufficient academic background in mathematics by having completes subjects at least through precalculus, with a recommended “B” or better average in mathematics.
Applicants to Bachelor of Science programs for which precalculus is not required are encouraged to complete at least through precalculus, with a recommended “B” average (3.0 GPA) or better in all math classes.
Precalculus required
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Digital Audio
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Machine Learning
Precalculus Optional
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Game Design