So, I’m applying to a couple of boarding schools this fall, and to be completely honest, my grades aren’t spectacular (they’re all A’s but that’s pretty common in prep school applicants). I’m really into art and I’m trying to use that as a “hook”, but I’m not even sure if boarding schools are interested in artists. I’ve won a Scholastic gold key, had my art displayed at school shows, taught art classes at a local preschool, and I’m gonna take advanced art at school. I’m also working on a portfolio to submit. Can art be used as a hook? And is it effective? Btw, some schools I’m looking into are: Exeter, Hotchkiss, Tabor, Emma Willard’s, and maybe St. Paul’s.
Are they interested in artists? Yes. Is it a hook? No. Will outstanding artistic ability compensate for substandard grades/test scores? Unlikely.