<p>I want to apply for illustration here. Does anyone have any experience/alternatives/horror stories/wonderstories to share?</p>
<p>I'm dropping out of high school and getting a GED to prepare my portfolio the rest of this year to go to an art school thats fitting for me, so just so anyone knows, I am VERY serious about art. But...anyone have opinions on this?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<p>Applying to Art Center College with just a GED is just about the most difficult path you could have chosen, since that particular school is quite upfront about preferring applicants who already have some college background. Being a high school drop out certainly will not give them any confidence in your ability to complete your coursework and do well in college.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, unless you have artistic talent along the lines of Picasso, I think you would be better served staying in and graduating from high school before applying to Art Center College. Or you should consider some other art schools that are less selective and/or place less emphasis on prior preparation.</p>
<p>Hey Smily, </p>
<p>I go to art center for graphic design and my roommate goes for illustration. I am coming straight out of high school and to be honest its really all about skill level. I don't know your financial situation or where you live but try and get to the campus for a portfolio review. Thats the best measure to see if your work is up to snuff. The people in the admissions department are extremely nice and helpful, but they are honest and are not afraid to tell you if you need more time or if you should take art center at night or take other classes. Don't listen to worried mom(no offense) there is no one path students take. EVERYONE has and EXTREMELY different background and skill set. Make a great portfolio and everything else will fall into place. </p>
<p>best of luck.</p>
<p>yeah i agree with slang, i doubt art center would reject you just because you have a ged instead of a high school diploma. however art center will reject you if your portfolio isn't up to par with their standards.
and that goes with any schools whose admissions standards are based on criteria(other than just grades/high school record) of art portfolio.</p>
<p>if you were a 1.9 high school graduate and your portfolio was that of say a michaelangelo, art center would not reject you. just be realistic though. take community college art schoo classes before you apply to raise your skill level.</p>
<p>if you honestly dont have a valid excuse to finish your high school diploma, just finish it.</p>
<p>Im sorry I didnt mention before, but I am going to a college (FIU) prior to going to Arts Center so I can prepare my portfolio. I'm not dropping out because of low grades (I got 2110 on SAT and am in all AP's) nor because I just 'feel' like it, but because I know that I want to prepare an awesome portfolio and school simply gets in the way, even my art class to an extent</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement; appreciate it :). Read my most recent post and it'll clear things up a bit. What are some things you do and do not enjoy at Arts Center?</p>
<p>the only bad thing so far is making your schedule, theres always one problem or another because the departments dont work together. for example there was one academic class i needed but there were only four classes offered which were 2 classes back to back on only wednesday or thursday from 12-3 and 3-6 and because studio classes are 5 hours each and either go from 8am to 1 or 2-7 if you have any studio classes on either of those days you couldnt take that class. though as long as youre vocal you usually get what you want. art center really isnt for everyone, youre usually in 5 studio classes that are five hours long and you should expect about 10 hrs of homework for each studio class and then theres academics on top of that.</p>
<p>I'm prepared for the worst; but thanks for the heads up. Are there lots of things to do around there (besides six flags)?</p>
<p>if you like to eat there is. its been rumored there are more restaurants per square feet than anywhere else in the country. youre also super close to LA and for 1.25 you can take the goldline down into china town. theres also "old town" which has a ton of shops and stuff. though what youll probably be doing the most is work.</p>