<p>A great portfolio will make an admissions department drool. However, a concern will be whether the applicant has the maturity to handle the academic rigors of living on their own, attending classes, completing assignments, etc. Grades are indicative of whether a student will make it through a 4-year program. Then again, many H.S. students may be distracted from traditional studies and are fully committed toward artistic pursuits.</p>
<p>How would your D do if she were to take arts only courses at a local state college?</p>
<p>In arts only courses I believe, based on her high school art grades, she would do very well. </p>
<p>Not being an art person, it is tough for me to see what in a portfolio makes the admissions people drool. I will say that her photography teacher has said that she has seen kids with portfolios that are not as good as what my daughter's is currently walk away with scholarships. My daughter is only a sophomore and her portfolio has a long time to improve. It's also possible that the teacher didnt have all the information on those scholarships (could have been academic), although probably not need as it is a private school.</p>
<p>And, I would say she is fully committed. Ever since she got her first digital camera - going back to when she was 10, she has spent hours in front of the computer screen recoloring pixel by pixel, entering online graphic design contests, started her own graphic design website, etc. She is now just as involved in the intricacies of different lenses, online photography sites and making connections within the industry. This is something she truly sees as her destiny.</p>
<p>Also, it's kind of ironic. I came on here because my son will be applying to colleges next year. He's more the typical CC kid - his SATs are 2310, he's looking at saluditorian, he's working as a Senate Page this Spring, etc, etc. And, yet he really has only a vague idea of where he sees himself, other than with a PhD from some really great school, in history one day, Classics the next, philosophy the 3rd - but when he tries to project out to what he plans to do with the education things get fuzzier. They really couldn't be more different. Their futures both look really bright and I'm incredibly proud of both, but sometimes I worry less about my daughter than my son. Sometimes, just having a clear goal/plan feeling of destiny trumps 2310 SATs. On other days, the 2310 SATs feel like a manifest destiny. It's interesting being a parent, for sure.</p>
<p>Your daughter certainly sounds passionate about her artistic interests, which is a very good thing. She needs though to not 'ignore' the academic areas she's not particularly interested in. If she is only a sohpomore, she has plenty of time to redeem herself. She doesn't need to be a stright A student, but she does need to improve on those lower grades.</p>
<p>College Admissions will 'forgive' a bad year, if it isn't repeated and there is consistent and steady improvement. I know kids who have had those bad years, and had to redo classes over the summer. They did what they had to do and had many college options by their senior year.</p>
<p>One other thing you have to realize, most art programs do start with a foundation year, and a foundation year may have few if any classes in her specific area of interest. There are few art electives in many foundation year programs. There is usually a drawing class, art history, form study type class, possibly a non-art humanities type class, and maybe 1 or 2 art electives.</p>
<p>I suggest you look into Otis College of Art and Design--it's a very progressive and rigorous school with great instruction, but knows how to admit with more depth than scores, grades, or portfolio. They do a lot to support new students and recognize multiple intelligences. Check it out!</p>
<p>Thanks RLavendar! She's actually at this moment at Ringling's Precollege Program having a ball. I've been amazed at what she's producing so far - art school is definitely where she needs to end up. </p>
<p>Handemom, honestly she doesn't ignore the areas she's not interested in - I'll sit and go over every study packet with her and she'll still go in and do poorly. She has brought her grades up though to end with B's and C's this last semester - an incredible accomplishment. She was also diagnosed ADD. And, her IQ is still testing above 130 - but heavy on the spatial side as you'd expect. She'll do great once she can shake those pesky academic classes...</p>