Going from an art high school to HYPS

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm currently entering my sophomore year at an art/design/architecture high school in Miami, where they place a HUGE emphasis on college selection starting from freshman year.</p>

<p>I'm pretty set on the idea that I'd like to go to an art college (Cooper is my first choice at the moment), but what if by my senior year I decide that I'd like to go to HYPS, or even just a regular college? Or will my large amount of art credits hold me back? My classes are already set for all 4 years</p>

<p>These are my classes, I got straight A's in them all.</p>

<p>Pre-Freshman Summer:
Introduction to 2D
Introduction to 3D</p>

<p>Freshman:
Geometry Honors
English 1 Honors
Chemistry Honors
World History Honors
Spanish for Native Speakers 1
Computers (Half year)
Team Sports (Half year)
Drawing and Painting 1
Sculpture</p>

<p>Pre-sophomore summer:
Health
Personal fitness</p>

<p>My classes for this coming year:
Algebra 2 Honors
Biology Honors
English 2 Honors
Spanish for native speakers 3 Honors
Art History AP
Drawing and Painting 2
Graphic Design 1
Painting (Dual Enrollment)</p>

<p>My classes for junior year:
Pre Calculus Honors
English 3 Honors
American History AP
2D Studio Art AP
Graphic Design 2
Web Design
2D Design AP
Oil Painting (Dual Enrollment)</p>

<p>My classes for senior year:
Calculus AP
English 4 AP
Government AP/ Economics AP
Physics Honors
Graphic Design 3
Graphic Design 4
3D Studio Art AP
Internship</p>

<p>I haven't taken the SAT yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll do well on them.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
National Honors Society, 9th grade and I plan on continuing through senior year
Fashion Club, 9th grade, I plan on staying through senior year
Environmental Club, 9th grade, I plan on staying through senior year. I'm vice-president this year (10th grade)
Class President, 9th grade</p>

<p>I have about 100 service hours so far, I'd like to hit 500?</p>

<p>And as for sports, I've competed on an out-of-school jump rope team since 6th grade, and I've competed at the Junior Olympics.</p>

<p>I don't know if it helps, but my cousin is currently at Princeton (her dad, who is my uncle, went there as well). My grandfather went to Stanford, and my mom went to Wellesley.</p>

<p>Would the fact that I'm taking so many art classes keep me out of HYPS?</p>

<p>And is there any information that I left out? This is my first post.</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch!
Walter</p>

2

<p>I'm pretty sure you'll be one science class short of their (HYPS) requirements. There are a lot of "regular" colleges that those classes will get you in to, though.</p>

<p>edit: Nevermind, didn't see biology. Disreguard what I said, I have no idea other than that. It LOOKS like you have everything there, but check collegeboard.com to be sure.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
Would the fact that I'm taking so many art classes keep me out of HYPS?

[/quote]

Valter, there's nothing in your educational profile that would keep you out of HYPS. Artistic ability is an attractive extracurricular for most colleges, including the most selective. Colleges need artists just as they need football players or oboe players.</p>

<p>Having said that, HYPS are insanely selective, so there is no guarantee. You should be sure that you have a balanced list of matches and safeties. </p>

<p>You should prepare a portfolio following the individual college's guidelines (which you can find on the internet) and consider putting together an arts package. This would include the portfolio, a list of art related courses and grades, awards and accomplishments, a BRIEF artist's statement, a supplementary recommendation from an art instructor or mentor and possibly one or two (maximum) newspaper or magazine articles about your work.</p>

<p>Among HYPS, I would say that Y has the best art department. Brown is also excellent (and you have access to RISD) as is Carnegie Melon. Tufts has an association with the Boston Museum School. </p>

<p>For smaller schools that are still academically rigorous you should look at Williams, Wesleyan, Hamilton, Skidmore, Conn College, Vassar, Bard, Kenyon, Oberlin. All of these are good for art and good for academics. I would note, however, that none, including the ivy league, is especially strong in design or any new media.</p>

4

<p>Thank you very much momrath! I've heard about Yale and Carnegie-Mellon having pretty strong art departments as well, although I'm sure they're not quite as strong as an art school. I'll go talk to my college adviser and see what she has to say once the school year starts up again :)</p>

5

<p>You should really look into Tufts' dual-degree program with the SMFA (School of the Museum of Fine Arts) -- you get both the art and academics you can't get from just one school!</p>

6

<p>valter, I think the choice between an art school per se and a liberal arts education at a university or college is purely personal. It really depends on whether you want to be surrounded by fellow students and instructors who live, breathe, art 24/7 or if you'd rather be in an environment where people are pursuing all kinds of academic disciplines -- the arts, literature, social sciences, science/math.</p>

<p>When my husband was in art school decades ago several of his best friends all ready had BA's in fields as diverse as Classical Studies and International Relations. My son on the other hand chose to study art studio and art history at a liberal arts college and will most likely get a degree in architecture later in life. There are lots of paths to success in the arts and you should investigate your choices carefully.</p>

<p>Cooper is a WONDERFUL school but is also highly selective, so do widen your options.</p>