<p>High school senior here, in the midst of college applications.</p>
<p>I am currently planning on attending school going for a major in Biology or Biological Sciences, but I am very interested in taking art classes.</p>
<p>Basically, I stopped taking high school art classes after 9th grade, but as of last year, my interest in it was sparked again and I am absolutely not on the level of those students applying to schools for art majors, etc. While I don't really want to change my major, I was wondering if it's common for schools to offer more "beginner friendly" art courses, and maybe even a minor if I decide to pursue it enough?</p>
<p>It sort of depends on where you go to college. At many (most?) schools Bio is a really demanding major and it is sometimes difficult to double major because of time constraints. Not impossible but just really difficult. Many colleges offer intro art classes for non-majors and certainly there are many that offer minors in art. But be careful, freshmen year in Bio is a weeding out process at many colleges.</p>
<p>I’d probably go full speed at Bio and maybe weave an art class or 2 in there as you get comfortable with the load. You’ll know exactly what you can handle by say the winter of your Soph year which will give you plenty of time to pursue a double or a minor in art if you want.</p>
<p>When we visited University of Pittsburgh, we were very impressed by the amount of support the university gave to double majoring in unrelated subjects. When we visited the art department, there were a number of seniors in the senior show that were in sciences and art. It was great to see that support from a university. Also, at Pitt, no portfolio is needed to get into art, as it is a BA program not a BFA (at least that is how it was explained)–the major is open for anyone to try. I do agree with Wheaty that the double major would be tough and it might even require a fifth year of school, but it would not be impossible at certain schools.</p>
<p>Biology and Art can’t be so different that they’re considered “unrelated” right?</p>
<p>After all, there are things like scientific illustrations. And, nowadays, there are artists like Damien Hirst who float animal bodies in formaldehyde as contemporary art pieces. Either a chemistry or biology person must be helping keep that maintained…</p>
<p>On topic, most colleges should allow classes that are more ‘beginner friendly’. Be sure to look out for colleges that have very competitive art programs though, because those may be locked for majors-only. </p>
<p>If all else fails, there are usually arts clubs or classes available outside college. Also, colleges sometimes hold summer/afterschool/weekend art classes in studios and these are priced low for college and high school students.</p>
<p>Try applying to some schools that are great in both science and art.</p>
<p>I’d suggest Yale, the RISD/Brown dual degree, Carnegie Mellon, and Washington U at St. Louis if your stats are good enough. All of these schools actually encourage double-majoring.</p>