<p>I am a Chinese art student and I am going to apply for Williams, Smith, Bard, and Vassar etc. I thought my art talents were a big plus on my application. However, today someone told me that I was totally wrong. He said I was almost without hope because I didn't have any awards of art or high SATs. To compound the problem, I need at least half of the financial aid. Investing money on an art student is a risky thing to do, not many schools will do that. After hearing all these, I am feeling really upset. I don't whether his words are true. I don't know whether I should give up being an artist and do something else. I just know that I really love art. I can't live without it. But the reality seems too cruel to bear.
Reflecting much about it, I am not going to give up my dream. I am going to continue working on the application for those school mentioned above. I really need experienced people here to help me view my art portfolio, read my essays and give me some suggestions! Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>alice, do not believe something just because one person has said it. You need to look carefully at the requirements for each of those schools to which you are applying and whether or not those schools allow you to submit additional materials, such as artwork. I have no special knowledge about these schools because my own kid is auditioning for drama schools (and that's a whole different thing!), but I have heard that Bard, in particular, looks for individuals with individual talents which the admissions committee think will contribute to the Bard community. At schools such as Williams (and again, I am talking off the cuff here, as I have no special knowledge), test scores and grades may be much more important. Can a counselor at your high school help you shape a college list?</p>
<p>Those schools are all difficult to get into. Your art portfolio may give you a little boost at some schools if it's really good, but Bard, for example, told us that the portfolio will not influence their decision in any way. Without knowing what your GPA and testing scores are, it's hard to know what your chances are at those schools. But it does seem to me, based on this and on your Yale post, that you are focusing on some very top level schools just because they are top level schools and have art departments. I'm pretty sure that you just have to have what it takes to get in, then the art may help you over some other applicants. In other words, you need some safety schools, or match schools. Depending on your numbers, these may all be reaches. Don't give up your dream, but be realistic also about your chances, and have some safeties. Good luck!</p>
<p>Williams does look at supplemental materials, including art portfolios. I don't know about Smith or Vassar. The best way to find out is to call and ask, or look on their websites. I was surprised by what we were told by Bard, given their community. YOu might want to call them and ask; we may have been given wrong info.</p>
<p>Heron, is Bard really, really competitive to get into? I know a few kids who are strong students who are applying and who have not been led to believe that it's a highjump to get in.</p>
<p>Awards don't mean much - someone could win awards, but if your portfolio is flat out better than theirs, who cares? It's the work that matters.</p>
<p>SATs, on the other hand, will hurt you at the schools you listed. I was told by a competitive school that many places actually look to accept talented artists, and a good GPA and SATs is only going to help you. If your art will add something to the community, which it undoubtedly will, submitting a portfolio will help you (unless its Bard, which, according to this thread, apparently doesn't review portfolios). </p>
<p>If you're really curious, e-mail the school's admissions office or go right to their art department. On another note: if a school like Bard doesn't review portfolios, how much do you think they care about their art program? Especially if you want to be an art major, be sure you research your schools well and aren't just applying to random places. Art programs vary from extremely strong to extremely crappy, and are pretty unpredictable without thoroughly researching student and faculty work.</p>
<p>Bard doesn't look at art portfolios for non-Art majors very much, because they want students who excell in their fields, and an art portfolios doesn't tell them how a Bio major will do. They obviously consider your talent alot, but have a portfolio just to prove you really do art isn't going to do much unless it is amazing.</p>
<p>MLevine, can you address how competitive Bard is, admissions-wise? How would a student who has been very involved, say, in theater show his interest to Bard and demonstrate his talent if there is no audition?</p>
<p>This comes off the Princeton Review site, which I highly recommend. I think the SAT score range is kind of low, and the GPA also, for a 30% acceptance rate. </p>
<p>They didn't ask about her intended major. They just said that she could send it but that it wouldn't have any effect on their decision.</p>
<p>BTW, Williams takes 19%. Vassar 30%. </p>
<p>SAT - Math Middle 50%: 640-690
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 680-740
Average High School GPA: 3.50
Students in top 10% of HS class: 59%
Students in top 50% of HS class: 99%
Students from Public School: 64% </p>
<p>Total applicants who are accepted: 29%
Total of accepted students who enroll: 36%</p>
<p>Thank you all!! My SAT1 score will be released tomorrow. Hope it will be good....
I put Bennington as one of my safety schools, but it seems that only one safety is not enough...anyone knows non-top schools that have good art department???</p>
<p>alice,
In my opinion a strong portfolio is a plus at most LACs, including many of the ones you mention. Colleges need artists just as they need violinists and football players and they are interested in admitting artists even those who will eventually major in other disciplines.</p>
<p>The portfolio will be evaluated by the art department who will give their opinion to the admissions committee. The final decision -- admit or not -- comes from the admissions committee, so the portfolio is just one aspect.</p>
<p>Grades, rank and scores are the MOST important factors, but you don't always need to excel in all three. In the case of international applicants for whom English isn't the first language, some accomodation may be made for relatively lower scores. </p>
<p>Essays, recommendations and life experience and other hooks can often compensate for weak statistics.</p>
<p>Some other academically excellent LACs with good art departments are Skidmore, Hamilton, Wesleyan, Conn College and Kenyon. Considering that you are international and need money it's difficult to judge which would be safeties and which matches, so you may need a wider list.</p>
<p>I always recommend that artists submit a total art package along with their slide portfolio. This would include
1. Slides
2. A resume that lists art courses and grades, achievements and awards, plus any relevant travel experience
3. A supplemental recommendation from an art teacher or mentor
4. One or two (maximum) articles about your work
5. A personal statement
6. If required by the college the short essay on your favorite EC which, of course, is art!</p>
<p>look at skidmore! It's not a super competitive LAC and they have a GREAT art department!</p>