<p>so im currently a junior and just recently became very interested in pursuing an education in art. ive always been somewhat artsy but have never deeply pursued it. I guess what I'm wondering is it too late for me to have a chance at getting into a good art school ( i.e. pratt or parsons)?</p>
<p>any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>See if you can start taking art classes at your school and/or in your community to start building a portfolio now. Do a summer program where you add to your portfolio. Then next fall go to national portfolio day for feedback on your portfolio. You can also do portfolio reviews at individual colleges. Maybe do some at some local schools that offer art just for the feedback even if you're not that interested in the schools. You can start doing this now if you have some portfolio pieces. From there you can get a feel for what you may need to still do. In the meantime, keep a sketchbook as well.</p>
<p>Portfolio requirements vary from school to school but you generally need about 12-15 portfolio worthy pieces, and a sketchbook is a plus. It's more quality than quantity. Check the Parson's and Pratt websites for specific requirements. Some schools do ask for very specific types of drawings, etc.</p>
<p>It's definitely not too late.</p>
<p>Definitely not too late. </p>
<p>Depending on your school, I would skip taking an art class there altogether. Usually you have to take an "explorations in art" to be able to take the upper level classes, which is a class where you explore all the different media. Not worthless, but you won't go in depth or learn much technique. I'd opt for taking a study hall, getting some sketchbooks, and just drawing everyday instead. </p>
<p>If you aren't ready in time, go to community college for year and take some the basic art classes (like drawing 1/2, design 1/2) and some general education classes. Then apply as a transfer student. </p>
<p>A LOT of students do this because it's so much cheaper at community college and gives you time to build up a great portfolio so you get a nice scholarship.</p>
<p>Don't be discouraged; it's not too late and you still have time to put together a portfolio.</p>
<p>My son waited until the summer between his junior and senior years of high school to figure out that he didn't want to be an engineer after all. Without any art background whatsoever (other than the "Intro to Fine Arts" class his school required him to take as a freshman), he took the pre-college program at RISD that summer -- which turned him on to Industrial Design as a potential career. He is now a senior at RISD!</p>
<p>It's definitely not too late. Like worried_mom's son, my daughter waited until the summer between junior and senior year to really delve into art. She took the pre-college program at RISD and loved it, and is now applying to various universities with good art programs (as well as RISD). </p>
<p>Some summer art programs require portfolios, but many don't. And some program require portfolios only from those students who want to be considered for scholarships. This is last year's data, but the summer programs that DON'T require portfolios are Cal Arts (4 weeks) , Carnegie Mellon (6 weeks), Kansas City Art Institute (1 week), Maine College of Arts (4 weeks), Otis (4 weeks), Parsons (4 weeks), Pratt (4 weeks), RISD (6 weeks), SCIA (2-3 weeks), UArts (4 weeks), Wash U (5 weeks). </p>
<p>The ones that DO require a portfolio for their summer programs are BU, MICA, SCAD, SF Art Inst. Again, this info is based on last year's data, or at least what I had gathered by late February. </p>
<p>If you'd rather stay local, do look into what your community college or a local university has to offer you this summer or even this spring.</p>
<p>The best thing about immersing yourself in some art classes is that you will discover if it is what you really want to do. Finding a program that is a good fit takes quite a bit of time - good luck!</p>