Admissions

Although they are important for your future, your actual grades from previous educational experiences are of less interest to us than what you are capable of achieving once you get here. For that reason, we do not require SATs. We do, however, require a high school/home school diploma or a G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate. (See Notes of Interest, below).

Admissions Requirements

  • Your compatibility with the objectives and philosophies of the Hallmark program, as evidenced by the written statement on your application and in your personal interview.
  • Your willingness to abide by Hallmark’s regulations and procedures and to accept the demands of program schedules.
  • Passion, commitment to excellence, the desire to pursue a career (not a hobby) in photography, and the motivation to work hard.
  • Two letters of recommendation (not from family).
  • $25.00 application fee
  • An interview with a Career Training Coordinator.

How to Apply

  1. Contact a Career Training Coordinator to make arrangements for an interview. The number to call is 413.863.2478, or you can email us at info@hallmark.edu.
  2. If you are recommended to apply, you should submit a completed application for admission. Be sure to sign and date the form.
  3. Submit two letters of recommendation from people who are not related to you. (Teachers, employers, counselors, clergy, photographers, and Hallmark graduates are good prospects).
  4. Prepare a check, cash, or money order to cover the $25.00 application fee.
  5. Get an official, final copy of your high school/home school transcript or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate. (See Notes of Interest).
  6. Mail all of this to:
    Admissions Office
    Hallmark Institute of Photography
    At the Airport, P.O. Box 308
    241 Millers Falls Road
    Turners Falls, MA 01376

You can learn more about our 10-month unique educational training system, our admissions requirements, or our admissions process by calling our Admissions Office at 413.863.2478 or by emailing us at info@hallmark.edu.

How to Get Accepted

You would be notified of your acceptance within fourteen days of our receipt of the materials and completion of your interview.

If your application is denied, you will be notified within fourteen days of completing the application process. The most avoidable reason for denial at Hallmark is submitting incomplete or late application information. Other grounds for rejection are incompatibility between a student’s objectives and the goals of the Hallmark program, emotional or health issues that would interfere with a student’s ability to succeed, and the student is not or will not be a high school/home school graduate or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate holder by the start of classes. (See Notes of Interest)

Notes of Interest

If you're a high school/home school senior or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate candidate (as a US Citizen in the US), it's OK to apply for admission to Hallmark prior to receipt of scholastic documentation. But, your successful graduation or equivalency certification will have to be verified before you will be able to start classes with us.

A college student (as a US Citizen in the US), can apply for admission at any time, but must also submit an official, final copy of his/her high school/home school transcript or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate before class attendance will be allowed, regardless of further education.

An applicant that is not a US Citizen or a US Citizen that has obtained his/her educational background in a country other than the US will be required to submit all educational documentation for translation (if necessary) and evaluation to show proof that his/her academic achievements equal that of a US high school graduate or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate holder. Contact the Director of Admissions for further information and an application for this process. G.E.D. test centers can be located by contacting the Director of Admissions at Hallmark.

Home school transcripts will be accepted provided that the education obtained is equivalent to high school level and the home school is recognized by the student's home state.

Hallmark admits students regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. We are also authorized by Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

English language requirements may be met by completing an ELS Language Center proficiency program or by any other recognized test of English proficiency. Hallmark would be happy to provide a list of ELS Language Center locations.

Refund Policy

All proprietary schools in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts have uniform tuition refund policies which are mandated by legislative act.

In the event of enrollment termination, initiated by either the school or the student, a tuition refund may be due to the student. Refunds are calculated from the last day of class attended and refunds are made within 30 days from that date. Applicants who have not visited the school prior to enrollment will have the opportunity to withdraw without penalty within three business days following either attendance at our three day Orientation, held prior to the first day of scheduled classes, or following a tour of the school facilities and inspection of equipment. Any monies due the applicant shall be refunded within 30 days after cancellation or failure to appear on or before the first day of class.

Students attending Hallmark Institute of Photography for the first time using Title IV funds (Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS, Federal Pell, Federal SEOG) who withdraw or otherwise fail to complete the period of enrollment will receive refunds calculated in accordance with the “Return of Title IV Funds” as prescribed in Section 484B of the HEA Amendments, which determines the amount of Title IV aid a student has earned at the time of withdrawal or termination. The amount of the Title IV aid a student has not earned is then returned to the Title IV programs. It is a proportional calculation based on the date of withdrawal through 60% of the payment period.