Hello, this is my first time posting here so excuse me if I make any mistakes. I’d love to attend an art college ( currently with the School of Visual Arts / SVA in mind ), but lately I’ve grown to have anxiety on whether I’ll have a chance despite my portfolio due to my poor academic record. Would I even have the opportunity to explain the grades or would I get rejected right away?
To give some background information, I suffered from severe depression and suicidal tendencies in High School. I used to take and pass plenty of honors and AP courses, but towards the end my grades took a considerable dip. In the end, I ended up having to graduate late and take an extra semester due to failing classes because of my lack of attendance. Community College wasn’t any better. My depression still continued and I ended up dropping A LOT of classes because of it. Especially with my grandmother’s passing this year and having to take a job for financial reasons.
Recently, my parents told me that I could pursue a career that I want rather than one pushed onto me so I chose art. However, they’re giving me a lot of pressure saying if I don’t get accepted to an art school this year then I’ll have to give up on it and go back to the original plan.
I know my High School stats are at least somewhat in the average range for incoming freshmen, but I’m VERY worried about my recent college grades that I won’t get in because of it.
For clarifications, my mental health is a lot better after the discussion as a main source of my depression was being pushed into a path I did not want. And my motivation + drive has been at a high as I’m attending an art preparatory school six days a week for at least six hours a day-- not including the extra hours I put into on my own time.
HIGH SCHOOL GPA: Weighted: 3.0 / Unweighted: 2.9
SAT SCORE: 1,810/2,400
COMMUNITY COLLEGE GPA: 1.1. 1 A / 1 C and 3 F’s ( stopped attending classes and did not drop it in time ) / 11 W’s.
To Re-Cap:
Are my chances to Art School screwed because of my low GPA?
Is there a chance for me to write a letter of appeal to explain my poor college grades? And if yes, is my reasoning too 'pathetic' to be considered?
Which schools in particular don't have a high standard for academics?
Hi birbjeans!
Sounds like it’s been a long haul for you and congrats on coming out on the other side!
So did you choose art or did it choose you?
Are you an artist at heart? Love it? Is that what you really want to do?
Art should not be a “last chance” option. It should be what you really love to do.
Most “art” schools are more focused on portfolio than grades. Their bread and butter is only artists so a great portfolio of your work is what will gain you admission. They also love good grades because it shows an ability to perform to a certain level but in my experience the portfolio is the winner. I really do believe they are more attuned to the “blips” in life and more forgiving. The fact that you did honors and AP courses is a plus.
Regular colleges may focus more on grades and tests. That’s where their strength lies. They may have more “required courses” than the art college. If that’s your choice then go talk with them directly and see what your chances are.
Or if needed, a way to shore up your grades for acceptance. Talk to the professors directly if possible. Have some work to show.
Focus on your portfolio. Search for a National Portfolio Day near you.
@birbjeans you shouldn’t worry much about your GPA. I can tell you that your GPA is not as big an issue as your portfolio will be when applying to art schools. In fact, I have a friend who had a really low GPA but was a talented artist and was accepted to SVA. A high GPA will often get you some merit aid, but it won’t get you into an art school—the portfolio is what matters. So work on your portfolio and if possible visit the school or at least attend a National Portfolio Day event in your area. It is a great way to have your work looked at by admissions people who can give you some helpful feedback
Good luck to you! SVA is a great school in a great city!
I got my undergraduate degree with a 1.9 something GPA. It was 20 years but I did not apply for grad school due to my low gpa. I was thinking of applying to a small local school for my mfa. I went to National Portfolio day just for some feedback. I was encouraged to apply at schools that I had considered far beyond my reach. I applied and now have acceptances from SVA, SAIC, MassArt, Univ of the Arts and MICA.
Fortune favors the bold! Good luck on your journey.