<p>so i'm a dual applicant - LSA and A&D. i was deferred in december under early action from LSA, but i was wondering if anyone could help me out with the following...</p>
<ol>
<li>anyone have an idea of A&D's acceptance rate? </li>
<li>do you think strong grades/test scores/ecs can outweigh an above average, but not stellar portfolio?</li>
<li>any other A&D applicants?! my review's next sunday, i'm crazy nervous!</li>
</ol>
<p>have you not heard back yet from a&d?</p>
<p>no, not yet. i think a decision for a&d will come in mid-march, after i’ve done my portfolio review.</p>
<p>21 views and only 1 reply? :(</p>
<p>i don’t think people know a lot about art and design</p>
<p>I applied early action as a dual applicant for LSA and A&D, but I never had a portfolio review I just sent in a CD. I got into both already though… if you applied EA through common app you probably should have heard back.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how difficult it is to be admitted as a BFA student to A&D? And are acceptances rolling? There is a review by the main university, but for BFA it seems that the portfolio review would be very important. Anyone?</p>
<p>^Sorry, look for a poster named Fredmar – her daughter was accepted to the program so maybe she knows more.</p>
<p>I am more familiar with the School of Music. In that case, there first had to be academic pre-clearance, and in that case as a dual app it was possible to be accepted to the school of music but not LSA. But you also had to have academic clearance (different than acceptance) in order to audition/submit a portfolio.</p>
<p>I suspect AD, being its own school, will operate in a similar way for its program, in which case the portfolio will be most important, but the academics will have to be UMich standard. Then, among best portfolios, the strongest academic students would be selected. I believe it is also possible to be accepted to A&D but not LSA or vice versa as a dual applicant. </p>
<p>With respect to the odds, obviously it would depend on the number of applicants. Even at SOM it varies widely by program – 3% chance for example, at the music theater program, and up to 10-20 percent other programs. Those interested should write AD and ask how many applicants and spots there are to the program. It’s the only way to know.</p>
<p>There have been so many changes to the admissions process since two years ago when my daughter was admitted, that I hesitate to answer. However, since no one else has come forward to help you, I’ll give it a go. Generally speaking, the A&D admissions decision-making process is independent of the larger university process. They use the same forms etc, but they get the data forwarded to their own admissions people. The portfolio review is the big deciding factor. We went to an in person review. There was a presentation from the admissions people and a tour, then a member of the faculty reviewed my daughter’s work. During the presentation there was an opportunity to ask questions, and they were seemingly very candid about the process. The professor gave her some feedback at the time. We were told that the decision would be made officially as soon as all the file information was updated. About two weeks later she got her acceptance. </p>
<p>Again, based on two years ago, the ACT or SAT scores and GPA criteria for A&D are not as stringent as for LS&A. The portfolio and artistic talent demonstrated by the student is the big deciding factor. Of course, if the student has grades/scores that are that much lower than the norm, they won’t get in, because the Art School will think they won’t be able to cut it in the academic cousework that is required even for the BFA. </p>
<p>A&D is a very small school within the larger University. The admissions people at A&D are really nice, and they want students who are creative and will be a credit to the school. We found them to be much more open and helpful than the other side of admissions that I knew from my older daughter. I think you will have a pretty good idea of where you stand after the portfolio review if it is done in person. If it is sent in digitally, I guess you miss the information that is given at the review, but one can always call and inquire.</p>
<p>on the a&d website, they say that the average GPA and ACT is 3.5 and a 26. i have a 3.7 uw and 31 act, but i’m worried that my portfolio isn’t strong enough. i have an in-person interview.</p>
<p>fredmar, do you think if i show a lot of demonstrated interest + my strong credentials (for a&d standards) will help out my less-than-perfect portfolio? thanks for your input :)</p>
<p>Ariana – I can’t really know that. I don’t think they will accept someone without artistic merit, just because they have better than the norm (for A&D) grades. But you are probably not judging your portfolio the way they will. There is a wide variety of work that is considered good enough to be accepted. Michigan’s program is not really based on fundamentals like drawing and painting, it is about concepts and creative thinking. Be prepared to give the reviewer a coherent explanation of what your IDEAs were behind your work. That will impress them as much as the perfectly drawn figure. Be confident and enthusiastic in you portfolio review and you’ll be halfway there.</p>
<p>Ariana, where do you see average GPA/scores on the A&D site? I have searched for this info and have not been able to find it in the Prospective Student/Undergraduate Admissions/BFA or BA section. Wonder where you found it.</p>
<p>sunshine - it’s under the FAQ section, under the heading about the admissions process.</p>
<p>and fredmar - i do think i have artistic merit (not trying to sound cocky). i just don’t think i have a portfolio that will WOW them away :/</p>
<p>today, i was deferred from umich LSA rolling, but i also applied to a&d and it is unclear to me whether i’ll be hearing back from them soon or in april.</p>
<p>Hey emmalivesforever - they’re two completely separate applications with separate decisions. I was deferred by LSA in December, then accepted today. I had my portfolio review this past weekend and I was told I’d hear back by mid-March. When was your review?</p>
<p>ariana2011, thanks for clearing that up. i actually sent them the link to my website, awhile ago, in the middle of december.</p>
<p>Anyone know the timing for for a BFA - where, I think, there’s a quick review by main university and then the application is sent to A&D for final decision? I submitted application in mid november and met with A&D rep at nat’l portfolio review day in december. Any idea when BFA applicants to A&D might hear?</p>
<p>sunshine1663 - I think you should be getting a decision soon, as long as your application is complete. I had my portfolio review last weekend (I’m also applying for a BFA) and since my application is complete, I was told I’d hear back in about a month. I have a few friends who did portfolio day in November and heard back. Maybe you might wanna call A&D and check to see if everything’s in? (I forgot about an art teacher recommendation until the last minute…not a good idea)</p>
<p>Sorry I can’t be more helpful :/</p>
<p>Can anyone give me any information about how easy or hard the art and design minor would be if I’m not the best at technical drawing… I can do it, it just takes me a while.</p>
<p>When I went for my portfolio review (and I had toured it before last summer) the faculty seemed like they care more about the creative process and concepts rather than technical skills. But I completely believe that art can be learned, so you would definitely improve a LOT - and probably a lot faster than you think.</p>
<p>thanks for the encouragement. The things I want to do (anything from IKEA product design/research to set design to full on interior design) make the A&D minor paired with an LS&A Major very intriguing.</p>