Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive and is based on the submission of a formal application package. The applicant's prior academic records as well as references are examined for evidence of singular ability to meet the graduate standards and degree requirements of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Applicants must have an M.A., M.M., M.S., or an M.F.A. to be admitted to the program. Evaluation for admission to the program includes not only artistic merit, but also evidence of a creative orientation that is research-based and appropriate for the type of in-depth interdisciplinary scholarly study the Ph.D. program will provide. Thus, the portfolio should be a representative sampling of work that best demonstrates creative practice as research-based and appropriate for an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. Acceptable submissions include but are not limited to urls, DVDs, slides, artist books, CD-ROMs, video and audio recordings, music scores, etc. Candidates should anticipate the portfolio review to be completed in approximately 30 minutes and submit appropriately.