<p>My main passion and EC is art (fine arts, to be exact). Though outside of that I have leadership positions and dedication as well as interests and commitments (I want to dual major in art & sociology if possible), adcoms should be able to tell art is my #1. I am not considering art school because I love academics as well. I will definitely be sending in an art supplement, possibly a supplemental art teacher rec as well; in addition one of my essays will probably be about art, if not the main commonapp one.</p>
<p>For schools like the ivies (particularly Yale/Princeton) and other top tiers (particularly Pomona, Stanford) can this be a hook, especially one is exceptionally talented and committed? Are colleges actively seeking out people to succeed and make use of the art department? I know Princeton got a $100 million donation to the art department. Can it be a boost over academics that aren't through the roof (~3.8 at very rigorous un-ranking private and high 2200s)?</p>
<p>If you would like I can send you a few pieces in my portfolio if you PM me, just for you to get an idea of the skill level. Some feedback then would be absolutely wonderful too. But for purposes now, assume my portfolio gets sent to the art department for review and comes back with an amazing recommendation for acceptance.</p>
<p>I just got through the college admission process and am a fellow artist. I don’t know if exceptional art is itself a HOOK (though I think your grades/SATs make you a viable shot for the ivies), but it will only help you if you send in your portfolio, get in touch with the art professors and email them your art and ask for feedback. </p>
<p>Though talent in a particular area is great for college admission, I think what adcoms are looking for is how talented artists, musicians, photographers, etc. are using their artistic gift to contribute to the community. Colleges don’t want students who are going to be locked up in the studio all day painting; they want people who are going to paint murals at elementary school, teach painting to under-priviledged students, etc. (These are just random examples of using one’s skills not only to help oneself, but others as well).</p>
<p>So, I would suggest founding a NAHS chapter at your school (or getting a cabinet position and leading the members, if there already is a chapter), starting a literary arts magazine (what I did), tutoring kids at an arts center, the like. </p>
<p>I really think you should apply to Yale for sure, because it’s a top-notch school with a spectacular art program. Also, you may want to look into the joint art degree program between RISD and Brown. </p>
<p>I would really like to see your portfolio! I’m curious. </p>
<p>I was thinking of starting an art charity club (helping community through art as you described, possibly through selling work/community projects) at my school, which I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I was recently in a gallery and had many offers for my work so I think it could be a good idea. Would starting that club seem like a last-ditch effort to get into college? It wouldn’t be that intention at all, but I’m afraid it could come off across as that.</p>
<p>Also, what do you mean getting in touch with art professors-- as in, should I email art professors at Yale and try to establish some sort of connection? Any experience you have would be super helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>it may seem like a last-ditch effort. but, if you are going to have your art teacher at school write your recs, maybe he/she could comment how you are truly passionate about art and it’s your life and the jazz, maybe the college admission people will see it as a culmination of your years of passion for art and your maturity, as a senior, to jumpstart that club. </p>
<p>i have no experience of emailing professors at a prospective college, but i have read of people who have done so in Visual Arts Forum. hopefully, the professors you seek out will be polite to offer feedback and advice for your portfolio! </p>
<p>also, i am wondering…are you applying as an art major?</p>
<p>I’m on my phone right now, so I’ll get you that link soon.</p>
<p>Ideally, I’d like to major in art and a science/liberal science, like sociology. If I went to a place where double majoring is allowed, like at Yale, then I’d list my intended major as art, but even there, you don’t apply as an art major until after sophomore year.</p>
<p>In other cases where double majors are not allowed, the science major would me my first choice, and art as a minor or certificate.</p>
<p>Did you list art as your major? Does that have some sort of effect?</p>
<p>A hook is something that colleges have to have - - such as good football players for colleges that have varsity sports teams. </p>
<p>Being a good artist wouldn’t qualify as a hook as many people who apply to top colleges also are good artists. Being an exceptional artist or doing something exceptional with your art interest could, though, make you a more appealing applicant to the colleges.</p>
<p>I think it could make you stand out, but unless you do something like win multiple art competitions and have lots of recognition, it won’t really “hook” you (whatever that means).</p>
<p>I’m looking at similar schools but I haven’t yet done anything “community-based” with my art. Honestly, although art is one of my #1 priorities and passions, I have a hard time finding ways to incorporate art into my community because I also juggle a bunch of other passions and such. </p>
<p>Do you really have to have lots of recognition and awards? I’m positive I could win some but I haven’t really entered, nor do I do art just to win prizes and money. I’ve done a few student shows, but that’s it.</p>
<p>I’ve been PMing a CC parent whose child (art-focused) got into Yale w/o any major awards/shows. A personal friend of mine (also a huge artist) got into Harvard w/o any major awards.</p>
<p>Of course, there are artist students who will get into top schools without major awards in art. There are plenty of students who get into top schools without major awards. One doesn’t need top awards to get into top schools, but having such awards may make the odds of getting in a little better.</p>
<p>I don’t want this to come across as too challenging or argumentative, but that is pretty much the opposite of what I’ve been reading. Could you cite where you read or heard that, or elaborate a little bit?</p>
<p>BTW, I’m not saying that adcoms dislike community service, but that they look at artistic talent the same way they look at any other talent, e.g. if you are a math whiz you don’t have to tutor poor kids in order to get some credit for your talents.</p>
<p>The math wiz is not just going to spend his Saturdays doing math problems; he’s probably involved with the school’s math team.</p>
<p>The artist isn’t just spending her time visiting art museums and painting all day long; she probably is involved in National Art Honor Society or some other art community on and off-campus.</p>
<p>The photographer isn’t just taking pictures; he is involved with the photography department in Yearbook or Newspaper.</p>
<p>What I am saying is that colleges will acknowledge if you’re passionate about something --anything – but I think they would like to see you do something more with your interest than for your own, personal satisfaction.</p>
<p>Based on my observations on my classmates, I have noticed that those who were REALLY passionate about something --whether it was music, photography, art, math, or rubiks cube (things that people pursue outside of school)-- got involved with their interests at school, even those who care little about what college admission.</p>
<p>A few years ago Princeton got a huge donation from an alum to build a new art center. The alum wanted Princeton to attract more “artsy” people. When my daughter visited Princeton, she auditioned for their ballet. She received a very nice write up from the instructor. She didn’t get in, but her friend (also a ballet dancer) got in. I wouldn’t be surprised if Princeton is still trying to attract artsy people. Google it.</p>
<p>While it the thread is music oriented, much can be applied to the potential (or lack) of any high level performance or creative talent.</p>
<p>Realize also there are different parameters and what may constitute a “plus” as a supplemental submission may often be the norm or lower than the typical experiences of those applying within discipline as a major.</p>
<p>Going off of getting involved, would you say something like being an editor for the school’s yearbook publication (heavily involved in designing) would count as something art-related?</p>
<p>Also, would it be okay to group them under one activity in the common app? I’ve already maxed out at seven, and I’d like to mesh some together. It asks you to say the general activity (which I specified as Art), but then under it it asks you to “Please list the specific activity here.” Could I list more than one? i.e. I’m planning on writing something like: private instruction, involvement in city’s art guild, yearbook (editor), professional shows, etc. Would that work?</p>
<p>In answer to someone else’s post and your question–yes! go ahead and email professors at the schools that interest you! My D even was able to arrange meetings w/bio profs when she went on campus visits. Even if it doesn’t help you get in (and I couldn’t tell one way or another with my D), it definitely gives you a good sense of where the department is. As a former art major, I can tell you that it would be INVALUABLE to talk to people in the department–find out what they offer in the mediums that you want to pursue, how they view “art as a profession” and what they do to prepare you, is it possible to be a double major (remember, artists have all that studio time–much like science majors with labs), what are they offering for studio space, etc. etc.–and besides, it’s totally fun to talk with passionate professionals!</p>