NOTE: All application materials must be submitted online. See our admissions page for application steps.
APPLICATION PROMPTS
Applicants may only apply to one of our five programs of study. Applicants must complete the prompts required of all applicants and ALL of the concentration-specific prompts for their chosen area. This component of the application is to be completed via the online application portal.
- As you were applying to the Brandcenter, which concentration/s stood out to you? What excites you most about the concentration you chose? (300 words or less)
- Choose something in the world that a brand has created that made you wish you could have done it. This could be a branded experience, a user interface, an ad campaign, a product innovation, a PR stunt, branded content, a social post, or anything else that a brand has been behind that you admire. Show us the example, explain why you admire it, and explain why it was a compelling business decision for the brand. (250 words or less)
- Provide an example of a visual artist you admire and why. (250 words or less)
- Provide a visually driven campaign for one of the following brands. Create three distinct pieces of communication that visually demonstrate the desired message of that product or brand. Choose from one of the four brands below:
- Magic Eraser: Creatively communicate how Magic Eraser can erase any unwanted stain. Create three distinct executions.
- Kiehl's Anti-Aging Cream: Creatively communicate how Kiehl's helps fight aging. Create three distinct executions.
- Crazy Glue: Creatively convey in a surprising way how Crazy Glue has the power to glue any two things together. Create three distinct executions.
- Scott’s EZ Seed: Creatively communicate that Scott's EZ Seed can grow grass anywhere. Create three distinct executions.
Other AD Mandatories: Please attach 5 creative samples of your creative work either in the form of a pdf or google doc. If you have a website that showcases your creative work, please provide the URL.
- Take a character from a movie, show, or novel and have them take a side on a current cultural topic. Tell us which character you’ve chosen, and then write (500 words or less) in that character’s voice to take a position on any one of the following subjects:
- Cancel Culture
- Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
- The Will Smith Slap
- Elon Musk vs. Twitter
- Artificial Intelligence
- Write five possible captions for the cartoon below.

- Share something that you created and that you are proud of. Show us what it is and tell us what makes you proud. Limit your response to 250 words and an image, if available.
- The world is changing fast. What is a significant “force for change” that you think will have an impact, and discuss how you might capitalize on this phenomenon if you were the owner of a business or brand. Select any brand and any phenomenon that inspires you. (e.g. How will Augmented Reality (AR) impact the Target shopping experience? How might Nike sell shoes in the Metaverse? How can Fitbit help the at-home caregiver provide better patient care? etc.). (Limit your response to 5 presentation slides)
Optional for XD: Please attach additional samples of your creative work either in the form of an online portfolio, a pdf, or google doc. If you have a website that showcases your creative work, please provide the URL.
- What character from a novel would have the best TikTok account? What would it be like and why would it be good?
- Select a brand that you are familiar with. You are now the new Brand Manager on that brand. What would you change, what would you keep the same, and what would you add to the brand’s marketing efforts?
- What character from a novel would have the best TikTok account? What would it be like and why would it be good?
- Congratulations! You’ve just been assigned to help lead a new business pitch for the Jack Links Jerky account. The client wants to understand how they might increase sales among women 25-45. You need to do some research to get smart fast. Who would you want to “learn” from and what are you hoping to find out? (Hint: Don’t just think about folks who might buy jerky. Who might other “experts” be?) Please provide more than a list of thoughts; provide some rationale.
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