To summarize, I study computer animation at a pretty decent State University. Our program is one of the only ones offered where i’m from besides for a handful of art schools near by. By this summer I will have completed 6 internships, and relevant volunteering experience, towards my major and will certainly have some pretty good letters of recommendations. I have also managed to get a great freelance job that’ll supply me a great piece for my portfolio.In terms of my program I have an above average portfolio.
Here is where it gets tricky. I really messed up my first year and a half in college , although I was still interning and working than, and am now looking at a 3.3 gpa. Too much time has been invested in my own personal projects and work/interning during this time (I got my first internship as a freshmen). I’m considering holding back on extra work/internships this senior year though to focus on raising my gpa. If all goes well I’ll hopefully graduate with at least a 3.5.
Can I still be a competitive candidate for Grad school? Employment isn’t necessarily a huge worry for me as I have put tremendous effort in networking and already have a few job offers. However, I would like the option to, later in life, branch off my current field to another design related one. If I graduated with a 3.5 gpa, have a great portfolio and unique work experience during and after college, can I be considered for a top design school? I’m pretty stressed about this…I feel dumb and irresponsible for my low gpa :(… I know students with very low quality portfolios/little to no experience with higher gpas than I, yet, I’m considered very qualified for the design field by many of the employers I have interned for. Advice???