Ohio State Design Undergraduate Admission Process

Q. I’m confused by the major options on the Common App. What should I select?

When applying through the Common App, look for our majors listed under “Design”:

• Design - Experiential Media (Pre)
• Design - Industrial Design (Pre)
• Design - Interior Design (Pre)
• Design - Visual Communication Design (Pre)

You might see other options like Art or Arts, Innovation, and Design Exploration listed earlier in the dropdown—don’t select those. They belong to different departments and won’t place you in the Design Foundations selection process. We’ve listed our majors under “D” to make them easier to find—just scroll a little further!

Q. Can I start at Ohio State in the Spring or Summer instead of Autumn?

You’re welcome to begin your Ohio State experience in any term, but the Department of Design only admits students into the Foundations program for Autumn semesters.

Design courses are offered once per year and follow a strict sequence. Starting in Spring or Summer may delay your path to a design degree. If you're considering this route, we recommend speaking with an academic advisor to see if it fits your goals.

Q. What can I do to be competitive for admission to the Columbus campus?

Admission to Ohio State’s Columbus campus is handled by Undergraduate Admissions, not the Department of Design. That said, we value many of the same qualities: academic readiness, creativity, leadership, and a desire to make an impact.

To learn more about what Ohio State looks for in applicants, visit Who Gets In – Ohio State Admissions.

Q. I’m planning to start at an Ohio State regional campus. Is that okay?

Ohio State’s regional campuses—like Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark—offer a great way to begin your college journey with smaller class sizes and a more personal experience. You can complete General Education and minor requirements there while preparing to transition to the Columbus campus.

However, Design Foundations courses are only offered on the Columbus and Newark campuses, and students must be eligible to take courses at one of these locations starting in the Autumn semester of their Foundations year.

Starting at a regional campus other than Newark may delay your progress toward a design degree. If you're considering this path, we recommend speaking with an academic advisor to plan your transition effectively.

Q. How many students are typically considered for Design Foundations?

Each year, around 200–300 students who are eligible to attend the Columbus or Newark campus and have expressed interest in one of our four design majors are considered for the Design Foundations program.

From that group, we select approximately 120 students, with a roughly even distribution across Experiential Media Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, or Visual Communication Design. Selections are based on the same holistic review used by Undergraduate Admissions—we value the same qualities: creativity, curiosity, academic readiness, and a desire to make an impact through design.

Q. I have a portfolio I’d like to submit. Where can I send it?

We love that you’ve already started exploring design! That experience will absolutely be valuable—but the Department of Design does not review portfolios as part of the Design Foundations selection process.

In fact, nearly half of our graduates had little or no formal design experience before applying. Some came from STEM-focused schools or schools with little support for the arts, others discovered design later in their academic journey. Great designers come from all kinds of backgrounds—and that’s exactly what the Design Foundations program is built for.

During your Foundations year, you’ll develop a strong portfolio through your coursework. And when it’s time to apply to your major, you’ll even have the option to include a few pieces from high school or personal projects if you’d like.

Q. I got an email saying I have a declared “area of interest” in design. Does that mean I’ve been accepted into the Design Foundations program?

Not quite—but you’re on the right track!

That email confirms you’ve been admitted to Ohio State and the College of Arts and Sciences, and that you’ve indicated an interest in design. That’s great news—but it’s not the same as being selected for the Design Foundations program.

If you’re selected for Design Foundations, you’ll receive a separate email directly from the Department of Design. It will clearly welcome you to the program and outline your next steps. We know waiting is tough, but we take our time with this process because we know how important it is—and we want to get it right.

Q. What happens if I’m not selected for the Design Foundations program?

While we wish we could offer a spot to every student interested in design, the Design Foundations program has limited capacity. If you’re not selected, it doesn’t affect your admission to Ohio State or the College of Arts and Sciences—you’re still a Buckeye with access to over 200 other majors to explore.

You’ll receive an email from Undergraduate Admissions with instructions on how to declare a new major. In the meantime, your major will be listed as Arts and Sciences Undecided, giving you access to additional support during orientation as you explore your options.

Still passionate about design? Consider the Design Thinking minor—a 15-credit program open to all Ohio State students, with no competitive application. It’s a great way to build a foundation in design principles, processes, and creative problem-solving across disciplines.

Q. If I’m not selected for Design Foundations but still enroll at Ohio State, can I try again?

Yes! If you weren’t selected for Design Foundations as an incoming student but still enroll at Ohio State, you can petition for consideration in a future autumn semester. This applies whether you started in another major, began at a regional campus, or transferred from another institution.

Q. What if I’m already a college student and want to switch to a Design major?

If you're currently enrolled at Ohio State in a different major—or attending a regional campus other than Newark—and are now eligible to take courses on the Columbus campus, you can submit a Design Foundations Petition to be considered for the next Foundations cohort.

This also applies to students transferring from another college or university who have not completed 18 or more semester credit hours in Art, Design, or Architecture-specific coursework.

Keep in mind: All design majors follow a four-year course sequence. If you enter the Foundations program after your first year, you’ll still need four additional years to complete the major.

The Design Foundations Petition is accepted annually from March 1 to April 30.

Submit Design Foundations Petition

Q. I’ve already completed a year or more in an Art, Architecture, or Design major. Can I skip Design Foundations?

Possibly—but it’s competitive.

If you’re transferring from a peer institution and have completed 18 or more semester credit hours in Art, Design, or Architecture-specific coursework (not including general education or art history), you may request to be considered for direct entry into a design major, bypassing Foundations.

That said, you’ll be submitting your portfolio alongside students who just spent a year in our Foundations program—learning our expectations, working with our faculty, and building work tailored to our majors. If you’re confident your portfolio can compete, you’re welcome to apply directly to Step 3.

If your portfolio isn’t quite ready, we may recommend you submit a Design Foundations Petition instead.

Q. Do students ever change their mind about design during the first year?

Yes—and that’s completely normal.

In fact, about 20–30% of students who begin the year in Design Foundations choose not to apply to a design major. Sometimes they realize design is more of an interest than a passion. Other times, they discover a new path they hadn’t considered before—understandable at a university with over 200 majors to explore!

Whether students make this decision mid-year or after completing Foundations, our academic advisor is here to help them reflect, explore new options, and plan their next steps.

Q. If I change my major or am not accepted into a design major, did I just waste a year?

Absolutely not.

Students who complete both semesters of Design Foundations with a C– or higher in all six required courses earn the Design Foundations Minor—a unique credential only available to students selected into the program. We’re proud to be one of the only design programs in the country with this built-in recognition.

Plus, throughout the year, you’ll make progress on General Education requirements that apply to most other majors at Ohio State. You’ll also work closely with our academic advisor to explore backup plans and new opportunities—just in case.

Q. Is the decision based only on my portfolio?

Your portfolio is a big part of the process—but it’s not the whole story.

We’re not just looking at final outcomes. We care about your process, your ideas, and your growth. We pay attention to how you reflect on your work, how you give and receive feedback, and how you contribute to the studio community. We’ve spent a year getting to know you—and all of that matters.

Q. If I’m not accepted into a design major, can I apply again?

Technically, yes—you can reapply the following year. But we don’t typically recommend it.

Design Foundations courses can’t be retaken, so your portfolio won’t change much unless you’ve done significant additional work. If you’re seriously considering reapplying, we strongly encourage you to have honest conversations with your Design Foundations instructors, the Foundations Coordinator, your academic advisor, and even mentors outside Ohio State. They can help you reflect on your goals and decide what’s best for your future.