So, here are my stats:
GPA is 3.53, my school doesn’t weigh them.
Old SAT: reading 670, math 690, writing 670
New SAT: reading and writing 690, math 680 (I don’t think they super score between old and new)
AP Calc AB: 5
AP Spanish Language and Culture: 3
I am currently taking AP Studio Art, AP Physics Level C, AP Statistics. I’m also taking an advanced spanish literature class, which is either the same level as AP or harder.
White, female, high income family
I’m applying to the art schools at most of these places, and my art teacher is an AP reader for studio art who said my portfolio would probably be a 5 on the AP scale.
I got a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Not sure if that helps.
I go to one of the best private schools in DC. I’ve played violin since four years old and have played at The White House twice. I started playing guitar when I was 14. I was a program assistant at a computer camp, teaching kids how to code. I have 168 hours of community service, most from an animal shelter and 20-something from a thrift shop. I also did pre-college at RISD. I did JV cross country freshman and sophomore year. Here are my schools I am…
definitely applying to:
Boston University-probably school of fine arts, and I wanna dual degree with the engineering school
Northeastern University-already sent application to their art school
Drexel University-college counselor told me I’d probably get in, I’m going for a product design major
Syracuse University-my aunt went here, and I think I’m applying to the art school
University of Pennsylvania-I just did ED here, because my parents and brother went here too
Wentworth Institute of Technology-another “safety”
might apply to:
Carnegie Mellon-if I did apply, I’d go for the art school
Bard College-I don’t know why but my counselor says it’s a safety
Swarthmore College-I doubt I would get in and their art school only lets you submit five pieces
Wash U-I want to apply to the art school, but i don’t know how hard it is to get in to there, ideally any art school I apply to should judge 50/50 portfolio and academics
Is this a good list? Should I have more safety schools? Are there certain schools I should apply to instead?
I would say with that list and your stats that Swarthmore probably doesn’t belong. Check out Bard for sure – your artistic talents will have wonderful outlets there. I’d say it’s more of a match than a safety and a very interesting place. CMU could also be interesting for math/art. I’very known a couple kids who were gifted at both and found it to be a good place for them.
Overall, your list looks well matched to your interests and stats. Good luck!
@gardenstategal thank you! that’s good to hear about bard, cause when a school is ranked high for fine arts i’m sometimes not sure if it’s for visual or performing.
your grades and ec look decent but when you say “art school” you need to specify what you think you want to study
and why. I say this as there are true art schools and there are liberal arts schools with art programs. There is a vast difference . Schools like MICA, VCUARTS, PRATT, UCLA, RISD among others are the top fine arts schools in the country . So you should maybe review these and decide what discipline in art you think you want to pursue(ie, graphic arts, industrial design, ceramics, sculptor and so on). For most of these schools it is primarily the strength of your portfolio that matters and your grades. Personally, I would steer clear of Cooper Union for art. Some programs also offer more # aid than others and tuition also varies from school to school.
@stones3 i’m interested in doing industrial design. if i get into a school that doesn’t have that as a major, i want to study general fine arts and take classes in engineering (cause i feel like that would help if i wanted to do industrial design but didn’t have that class specifically)
also @stones3 aid isn’t a factor for me. and i actually am a semi-finalist in some merit competition anyway and might earn a lot in scholarship money. my parents would still pay even if i didn’t get that though.
Check out RIT . They are noted for industrial design and engineering specifically . Plus they offer good aid.
Obviously others who specialize in industrial design like Pratt, CMU should be on your list as well. good luck