MIDAS Admissions

STEP 1: Apply to the University of Florida

Deadline for UF Graduate Application: March 1, 2026

The application contains 5 vital sections that you must complete:

1. Describe why you are interested in this degree, and what your career goals are. This 1-2-page statement should contain examples of your capabilities as a problem solver and ability and intent to complete an intensive graduate program in digital arts and sciences. The statement of purpose requested here may be the same as the one submitted with the online application. 
2. A section to electronically request  THREE (3) required letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who can speak to your ability to be successful in a graduate program. You will need to allow time for the recommender to receive and respond to the University request, so complete and submit your entire application as quickly as possible. More information and directions are provided as you complete the online application. You may also view the status of your application to check if your letters and transcripts have arrived.
3. A section to upload your most recent resume.
4. A GPA calculator that requires you to enter the grades earned in the upper-division courses (junior/senior years); read the directions carefully to complete this section.
5. A section to upload unofficial transcripts. Please do so to expedite faculty review.

NOTE: When completing the university admissions application, you must select the Fall term. Once your application is submitted, kindly email graduate@arts.ufl.edu to let us know it’s completed.

STEP 2: Request Official Transcripts

Deadline to Submit Transcripts: March 1, 2026

In addition to uploading unofficial transcripts, at this time, request an OFFICIAL transcript(s) from all institutions attended.

Transcripts should be sent directly from your previous institution to the University of Florida Office of Admissions:

Office of Admissions
S201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 11400
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

STEP 3: Portfolio Application

Your MiDAS Portfolio refers to a body of original creative or technical work authored, documented, and presented in a digital format. The submitted portfolio should contain examples of the best original work you have done prior to seeking admittance to the MiDAS program. This could be work completed as part of your previous education, or original work completed outside of the classroom, demonstrating passion, talent, and skill in one or more areas of the digital arts and sciences.

While most applicants may not have equal proficiencies in all areas of computer programming and digital arts, your portfolio submission demonstrates the range and strengths of your current skills and creativity to the faculty admissions committee.

STEP 4: Submitting the Portfolio

Deadline to Submit Portfolio: March 1, 2026

Digital Worlds applicants submit a web-based portfolio to UF’s SlideRoom portal. This includes:

• There is a $10 submission fee that you pay online after you set up and review your portfolio.
• Images and videos can be labeled and ordered after they are uploaded. Include the title of the work, medium, size, and date. You may also include the URL for your website.

Maximum file sizes:

images: .jpg, .png or .gif – 2 MB each. For good image quality and fast upload, your image files should be sized no larger than 1280 x 1280 px @ 72 dpi.

video: .mov, .wmv, .flv – up to 20 MB;

PDF: 10 MB per document.

Please see SlideRoom for additional instructions for submitting work. For technical assistance, contact support@slideroom.com.

Additional Admissions Information for our Applicants with International Bachelor’s Degrees

Submit certified English translations of the transcript and degree statement. Consideration of an application cannot be given until the Office of Admissions receives ALL required credentials. There is no need to pay and have your document evaluated by an outside credentialing agency, as that task is completed at the University of Florida.

Submit certified academic transcripts, including degree statements for all university-level work.

The University of Florida requires proficiency in spoken and written English. This helps ensure that students who speak English as a second language are able to participate fully in university life, both in and out of class. Students from non-English speaking nations, who have not recently studied at least one year at a U.S. college or university, are required to submit satisfactory scores on one of the following assessment exams:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6
• MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): 77
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based): 80
  Successful Teaching Assistants must demonstrate proficiency in English speaking. A 28 or higher score on the Speaking section demonstrates this level. Applicants with Speak scores between 23-27, though adequate for admission, may be required to complete an extra course before receiving a teaching assignment. The minimum Writing score for a successful graduate student experience is 24.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Paper-Based): 550

If you have completed one academic year of college course work at a university or college in a country where English is the official language, excluding intensive English language programs, within the year before you begin studies at UF, you could be exempt from this requirement. We’ll evaluate the transcript to advise you.

The UF Academic Spoken English Program provides courses designed to improve your English-language speaking and comprehension skills. You may choose to take one of its courses if you do not feel confident about your skills in these areas. You also may be required to take one of its courses if the UF Graduate School or the department you are majoring in does not feel your skills are strong enough for competitive performance in the classroom or research arena. This program also monitors non-US students’ SPEAK or TSE scores, which are required and must meet a certain minimum if they are going to be awarded a graduate teaching assistantship.

The UF English Language Institute (ELI) offers non-degree-credit intensive programs for non-US students and professionals who want to improve their ability to speak, read and write English and become more familiar with American life and culture, so they can become more comfortable and successful in real-life settings in education and business. It also provides housing assistance, academic advisement and other services.

UF Office of the Registrar International Admissions Webpage
(includes information you will need before applying, after you’ve applied, and after you’ve been accepted)

UF International Student Services and Overview of the I-20 process