<p>Hello everyone! I am a high school student and soon to be junior. I have always dreamed of going to an Ivy League, Columbia University being on the top of my list. I am an A honor roll student, my GPA always a 4.0 or better, and I have been enrolled in AP and honors classes. I have not taken my SATs or ACTs yet, but I will be doing so in the spring. I plan on studying biology in college. This being said, I constantly worry whether or not my extracurriculars are up to par. I have heard time and time again that colleges (especially Ivy Leagues) like to see that you are dedicated to a specific activity. My hobby has always been art, however I am not sure if this is a solid enough extracurricular. I am very committed to it, since majority of my free time is spent drawing and painting. I am a member of the National Art Honor Society, and have entered art contests here and there. It is difficult for me to stay in specific art clubs since my father is in the Air Force and we have had to move 3 times since I started high school. Basically the question I am asking is, is art a good extracurricular to put on a college application? And if so,what are ways to show that I am committed? </p>
<p>Not to worry – art is a wonderful extracurricular activity. During your junior year you should start thinking about what pieces of your art work that you would like to feature in a supplemental art portfolio to submit to colleges when you apply. You will show your commitment through your EC list, which will highlight the free time you have spent drawing and painting, AP Art classes at your high school, any additional art classes you have taken in addition to those at your school, and through your portfolio which you can present as an on-line website or through the Common Application Slideroom: <a href=“http://www.slideroom.com”>http://www.slideroom.com</a>. You could even write an essay about some aspect of art. Be sure to check with each individual college to see what instructions they have for supplemental materials, such as art. For example, here’s Columbia’s instructions.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation as you!!! </p>
<p>@gibby would there ever be a time when I would submit my portfolio in college apps even if I’m applying for ME? </p>
<p>I think you only want to submit a portfolio if you are fairly accomplished. Maybe you have a current art teacher in or out of school to consult about that.</p>
<p>Yes you can submit art supplements if you are majoring in something else, no problem, but I wouldn’t submit it unless it is going to compare well with other submissions. Don’t submit if it is a casual hobby. Just mention it.</p>
<p>There are many reasons to submit an art portfolio. Colleges are interested in your talents, whatever they may be. Some students, like Frank Netter, are multi-talented and colleges are on the look out for those students: <a href=“Frank H. Netter - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_H._Netter</a></p>
<p>Thank you so much @BrownParent. I have been working on a portfolio, but didn’t know if it would be acceptable to submit if I plan to be majoring in biology.</p>
<p>@gibby Thank you for replying and thanks for the link. This is has been a problem of mine for a long time. I love science, play sports, and am very passionate about the arts, and didn’t know which one of these I should use. It is great to know that I can put all of them on my application.</p>