Applying to CADA
UIC College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts (CADA) is made up of the School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Design, School of Theatre and Music, and the Department of Art History and Museum and Exhibition Studies.
Head to the admissions site for more information about applying.
Portfolios and auditions
Portfolios are not required for admission in the areas of Architecture, Design, Art, Art Education, IDEAS or Art History.
There is an audition required for any degree program in the areas of Theatre and Music, and there is a portfolio and interview required for any area in Theatre Design, Production, and Technology. Students applying to one of these areas must complete an application and will receive emailed instructions for how to schedule an in-person audition/interview or submit recorded materials.
For questions regarding the degree requirements or application processes for the School of Architecture, School of Art, and School of Design, please email cadainfo@uic.edu.
For all inquiries for the School of Theatre and Music, please email music@uic.edu or theatre@uic.edu, depending on your area of interest.
Visiting CADA
You are always welcome to request an appointment to discuss a degree program or area further and/or visit our studio classrooms. Options to engage with CADA are also available both in person and online through Discover UIC.
Visiting CADA graduate programs
School of Design
School of Design Tour: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/kHCMaQm2tR
Thursday, November 5 at 5:30pm
Virtual Info Sessions: https://applygrad.uic.edu/register/design_rfi
Friday, November 20 at 12:00 PM
Thursday, December 10 at 12:00 PM
School of Architecture
Virtual Graduate Info Sessions: https://forms.gle/gTFVznWyxN7rzhU99
Friday, October 30, 2026, 12:00-1:30pm Central (Chicago) Time
Monday, December 14, 2026, 6:00-7:30pm Central (Chicago) Time
Virtual Admission Portfolio Workshop: https://forms.gle/5T3tyYfvnFTfafR3A
Tuesday, November 3, 6:00–8:00pm Central (Chicago) Time
TryArch Workshop: https://appserv7.admin.uillinois.edu/FormBuilderSurvey/Survey/uic_architecture/architecture_programs/2026_tryarch_workshop/
Saturday, November 7, 10:00am–6:00pm
Virtual Director + Grad Student Panel: https://forms.gle/9NeWv7MmpPs8CT4N6
Tuesday, November 17, 6:00–7:30pm
