<p>Hi, I'm new to CC so please excuse me if I'm posting in the wrong place.
Anyway, I've been wondering if my current art accomplishments will be a good enough EC or hook for those highly selective colleges? Also do colleges like Yale and Columbia care more about winning in art competitions or service/school involvement that shows your passion? Because I really am passionate about art, I just don't know how to show it :(. I tried joining NAHS at my school but I don't have enough credits and they don't do anything serious, mostly making cards for soldiers and fixing murals around school. I've tried starting a casual arts club with some friends but couldn't find a sponsor anywhere...</p>
<p>I entered the Scholastic competition and received a Gold Key for a painting and am also published in a student art book but is that enough?</p>
<p>Do the admins care if you have accomplishments in your resume, or is having exceptional talent shown in your portfolio fine?</p>
<p>The best way to demonstrate your passion for art is to make art. How to communicate that in your application is more complex than traditional ECs like sports or student government, but there are ways to convey your commitment.</p>
<p>First, you will want to put together a visual art portfolio. The individual websites have instructions on how to do this, but in general you want to exhibit creativity and comfort level with various media. If you like, you can expand the portfolio into an arts package that would also include a resume listing your classes, awards and accomplishments, art-focused travel opportunities, plus a supplemental recommendation from an instructor or mentor, one or two media clippings if available. You should also align your essays to feature (indirectly) your art involvement.</p>
<p>I believe that Yale will take your art ability quite seriously, even if you don’t intend to major in art. I’m not so sure about Columbia. Some other selective and academically rigorous colleges that have very good art departments are Brown, Williams, Hamilton, Wesleyan, Haverford. Smith if you are female. </p>
<p>Yale is very specific about supplemental materials, so you should make sure that your art skills are substantial and well-developed, as your art portfolio will be compared to all other high school students that have also submitted an art portfolio, including those students that have won numerous awards. See: <a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary”>http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary</a></p>
<p>I second momrath’s list. When you’re doing your college tours, make SURE you go inside the art studios at Wesleyan. They are absolutely phenomenal.</p>
<p>I also agree that an extremely high level of work in your portfolio is the best, but there are other things you can do, too.</p>
<p>What year are you? Enter the Scholastic competition every year. Google other art competitions or better yet, ask your art teacher to help you find some. See if there are any residency-type programs in your area for high school artists (here in Maine we have the Haystack School program for select high school artists in May.) Make art, and get some local shows… coffeeshops or cafes are a good place to start. Sell some pieces. If your art is mailable, open an etsy store. Take art classes outside of your high school (any local colleges?) </p>
<p>Thank you for all the advice everyone @staceyneil I’ve been wondering how high school students get into shows? Or even how do you find them? Because I’ve been on google for hours trying to find one and they all have age restrictions(I’m a sophomore) or my type of art doesn’t fit the bill.</p>
<p>Well, it’s unlikely you’ll get into a proper gallery show until you have more experience, but you can ask at your local coffee shops and cafes if you can put up some of your work. In our town there are dozens of places like that where local artists show and sell off the walls.</p>
