Discover how to apply to Maine College of Art & Design’s Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. Find application requirements, expectations, and important dates and deadlines.
Application Deadlines & Key Dates
Consider submitting your application by the earliest deadline. We cannot guarantee decision extensions, deferral requests, or graduate housing if you apply in the rolling admissions period.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We aim to provide an admission decision within a month of completing your application.
Fall 2026 Early Application Deadline: Sunday, March 8, 2026
We encourage international applicants and those studying abroad from their home institution to apply by this deadline.
Fall 2026 Application Deadline: Sunday, May 3, 2026
We encourage applicants who want graduate housing to apply by this deadline.
Fall 2026 Rolling Admission
After the Application Deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space permits.
Fall 2026 Projected Program Start Date: Monday, August 31, 2026
The program begins with a student orientation, and classes begin on the same day.
Application Requirements
Applications are reviewed based on the strength of the portfolio, personal essay, and academic achievement, as well as cohesion across application materials. The admission process and criteria are identical across tracks.
The Salt Institute does not expect distribution-ready works from applicants. Achieving that level of success is one reason people join Salt. We are interested in your potential and creative vision. As long as you have hands-on experience with telling stories through audio, video, or writing, we welcome your application.
Application
Submit the Salt Graduate Certificate application and pay the $70 application fee. Eligible students may request a fee waiver by emailing graduateadmissions@meca.edu.
You can use the Applicant Portal to track your admission progress and make an enrollment decision. We require all materials to be submitted before we begin to review your application.
Portfolio
Please submit two (2) narrative nonfiction work samples in video, audio, or writing. Below are the requirements for video, audio, and written work samples:
- Short Film: 3–5 minutes in length.
- Radio & Podcasting: 3–5 minutes in length.
- Writing: 1,000–1,500 words.
At least one sample should be produced in the medium of your track of interest. We recommend submitting both samples in the medium of your track of interest to demonstrate program readiness. We encourage you to submit your most recent work to demonstrate your skills and interests at the time of application.
Excerpts
You may edit an excerpt from a longer work sample for the purpose of the application.
Translations
If your work is not in English, please embed English subtitles or include a transcript.
Collaborative Work
If the work was produced collaboratively, please state your role and level of involvement in the description box of the application.
Personal Essay
The Personal Essay is an opportunity to convey your interest in the Salt Graduate Certificate program. All prompts are required to complete your submission:
- In 500 words, describe your interest in the Salt Graduate Certificate program. Give us an overview of your relationship with storytelling, documentary studies, or narrative nonfiction; how your life experiences have shaped your voice in storytelling; and your purpose in pursuing graduate studies at Salt.
- In 250 words, pitch a story in relation to your own journey. How have your life experiences, personal interests, and academic background shaped you as a storyteller? What is a story that interests you personally? Please identify a subject matter, a potential narrative, and at least one person of interest to interview.
- In 250 words, pitch a story in relation to Maine. As a professional documentarian, you will be tasked with working in an unfamiliar environment. Show us your research skills and pitch a story about Maine. Please identify a subject matter, a potential narrative, and at least one person of interest to interview.
A strong essay demonstrates an understanding of the relationship among your personal journey, your creative vision, and your goals for graduate study.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
Please use your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to highlight your experiences and achievements beyond your essay and your portfolio. Upload your document as a PDF in the application portal.
College Transcripts & Academic Prerequisites
All applicants should have earned a minimum of 72 undergraduate credits and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above from previous and current degrees.
You can upload unofficial transcripts after submitting your application or request official transcripts to be delivered electronically to GraduateAdmissions@meca.edu. Official transcripts are only required at the time of enrollment.
Maine College of Art & Design alumni can request a transcript transfer via email to registrar@meca.edu.
International Applicants
International applicants are asked to submit additional materials in order to be offered admission. See Requirements for International Salt Applicants.
Admitted Students
Admitted students should plan to reply to their offer of admission at least one month before the program start date. International students should enroll as soon as possible to complete additional legal requirements. Visit the Academic Calendar for more information.
Next Steps
Contact & Support
Admissions
- Email: joel.tsui-staff@meca.edu or graduateadmissions@meca.edu
- Phone: 207.699.5023
- Office: 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
Financial Aid
- Email: finaid@meca.edu
- Phone: 207.699.5074
International
- Email: ebrighi@meca.edu
Admitted Students
- Email: rkatz@meca.edu