Chances of Getting into Carnegie Mellon- Art/Design Student

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

I was wondering if I had any chance of getting into the Art or Design school, (I’m applying to both).

Female/White/Catholic
From a small Jesuit high school

SAT Scores
Math: 670
English: 670
Writing: 23/24
Overall: 1340

ACT Scores
English: 35
Reading: 33
Math: 28
Science: 26
Overall: 31

GPA:
Unweighted Cumulative: 3.872
Weighted Cumulative: 4.31
Rank: My school doesn’t release their ranking, but I assume in the top 10%, maybe higher
I have taken almost every AP/Honors class that my school offers/that I can fit within my schedule

AP Scores:
AP Studio Art (2D): 5
AP Lang: 4
AP US History: 4
AP Biology: 3
AP Euro: 3
Currently taking AP Studio Art (Drawing), AP Environmental Science, AP Government, and AP Lit

Extra Curriculars:

  1. Internship as a Graphic Designer at my school for 3 years
  2. Worked as Special Event Staff at Bighorn Golf Club for 6+ years
  3. Internship as a Graphic Designer at Blackbird Interiors, (an interior design company) for 1 year
  4. Volunteered at local soup kitchen/homeless shelter for 3 years (about 75-100 hours in all)
  5. Have participated as an actor, director, marketing director, set designer, costume designer (etc.) in my schools drama department for the past 3 years.
  6. Club Volleyball Player for 4 years
  7. JV Volleyball Player for 2 years
  8. Retreat Leader for 3 years
  9. Editor-and-Chief of School Newspaper for 1 year
  10. Member and Current President of National Art Honors Society
    I’m also the Secretary of JSA, a member of National Honors Society, and a member of National Thesbians Society.

Portfolio:
I had multiple portfolio reviews, and everyone says that my portfolio is pretty strong. I focus on digital art and animation, but also have traditional painting, drawing, mixed media, ect. Of the 8 pieces in my portfolio that I’ve submitted to the Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition, I’ve recieved 1 Gold Key, 3 Silver Keys, and 3 Honorable Mentions.

Letters of Rec: I got two solid letters of rec from teachers who really like me, (though I obviously haven’t read them) and a letter from a former dean of the school (who is my grandfather, I know nepotism)

Essays: I’d say my essays are pretty strong, but you know, who knows.

Thanks, marosma

2

I think it all really just comes down to the quality of the portfolio, so its a good sign that others are saying your portfolio is strong :slight_smile: could i ask if you scholastic awards are regional or national level?

3

The Silver Keys and Honorable Mentions were at a Regional level amongst the whole of Southern California. My Gold Key was sent to Nationals, but I forgot to check up on it, so I don’t know how it placed. I also received another Silver Key this year and received a Silver Medal at a local advertisement competition.