I was just wondering how much an Art Supplement could impact an admissions decision. I’m looking to apply to pretty selective schools (like ivy selectivity) but my grades are like pretty low for those colleges(3.68 uw, 4.3 w with huge upward trend), but everything else is like on par with their standards (in my opinion). I’ve played violin since I was 4, and I’ve won several notable awards at the state level (concerto competitions, concertmaster positions, etc…)
This is an exaggeration but pretend my art supplement is like REALLY fkin good, like national competition level good. Would that be able to get me accepted?
The key word is “supplement” For those sorts of schools (with admit rates <20%), your academics is first and foremost save for the singular situation that marvin100 describes
I’ve learned throughout this entire process that colleges are still a school, and that academics are THE most important part. The only reason we hear so much about ECs and essays is that those are what determine who gets in because there are too many academically qualified applicants applying, so this is a way for them to determine which academically qualified students get in. Any youtube interview with AdComs will say that the academic rigor and performance are priority.
However this isn’t to say that your GPA and curriculum is going to get you denied. It’s not a bad score, and with great test scores you’re qualified for plenty of schools.
An outlier example–a kid I actually know, taught, and helped with apps:
SAT: 1920 (590 CR)
GPA: 4.0 unweighted. Straight A’s at a third- or fourth-tier boarding school
Art major
SUPERB portfolio
Terrific essays and recs. Beloved by her school.
Got into NYU, CMU, Mich, and WUStL regular. Got waitlisted at Cornell, then accepted.
Clearly her portfolio was seen by members of the art department and they wanted her.
@marvin100 How inclined are Adcoms towards abstract art? (think Mark Rothko, Franz Kline, etc) What is the school most excited about receiving applicants with these sorts of portfolios?
@okon2122 - the students I’ve known who I believe have benefited from excellent portfolios have featured much more figurative work. The best portfolios I’ve seen strike a balance between media, style, and subject matter, and demonstrate advanced technical skill in addition to advanced (for high school at least) conceptual engagement and consideration.
@marvin100 hm. Alright… not good to hear… What about UPenn? Many of the prevalent avant garde movements and media databases are strongly affiliated with the university.
The students I know who have attended Penn for art have had a firm grounding in figure drawing, figurative painting, and realistic sculpture. This is not to say other approaches aren’t successful there–I simply can’t make that assessment–but rather to share what I have experienced first-hand.
@marvin100 Alright. Thank you for the feedback. I’ve heard Tufts and Brown are very much interested and excited by these sorts of portfolios, however I am not sure.
Yeah, just to further clarify, @okon2122 - my comments are not to be taken as reflecting any colleges’ actual policies or preferences; they just reflect what I’ve personally experienced.
Having an art supplement that is top-notch can absolutely help you in admissions. Most really competitive colleges want that extra hook. It seems you have it.
Unless you are applying to an art school or conservatory etc. an art/ music supplement will likely only help if you are academically qualified for the school
@marvin100 WAIT. WHAT. YOU CAN SEND IN A MUSIC SUPPLEMENT TO CORNELL? I assumed that Cornell didn’t allow art supplements for non-music majors because there was no portfolio option on the CA… I researched about it a bit more and found out that Cornell had a different way of sending music supplements… Also, since you worked with other students on their portfolios, in general, will they adcoms still send our supplements to the specific art/music department to review whether or not we have “notable” awards and such? I’ve heard people going back and forth about this, and I only have local awards.
And also, I’m still quite confused after surfing through the web about this. Does Cornell allow non-music majors to send in a supplement or only music majors?
The student I wrote about sent a VISUAL arts portfolio and applied as a visual arts major.
SOME colleges share arts portfolios with department members as a matter of course, but many schools only do so if the applicant is applying to major in that art form.