how important are recommendation letters for art school?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>heres where i am: i decided i wanted to transfer to an art school as a spring applicant, right before summer started. this whole summer so far, ive been trying to build a portfolio from scratch, and ive been doing nothing else - (priority deadline for some of the schools are Oct.1st). </p>

<p>but im not as worried about that as i am with letters of recommendation. i have complete control over my portfolio. letters of recommendation, i dont really have anyone in "position" to ask. i cant ask any of my college professors because at the time i never thought i was really going to go through with this, and i have none of their contact information (and it is pretty late). at the moment, i asked some instructors at a local art studio if they could write a rec letter for me, and thankfully they agreed. </p>

<p>im worried because i thought rec letters would help applicants better depending on the position/job of the person writing the letter. even the instructor himself said that due to him being just a teacher at a small art studio, his letter probably wont help much, but he would gladly write one if i needed it.</p>

<p>now im wondering (even though i dont have any other options), to put it simply, am i in a bad spot right now? how much weight do rec letters have on art school applications?</p>

2

<p>Perhaps when the Fall semester starts you can find out if your old professors are teaching any classes and stop by to talk to them about rec letters?</p>

<p>I always see old students come in the first week of classes to ask the teacher for a letter of recommendation.</p>

<p>Some schools require them, so I think they are important, but as we all know the portfolio is the strongest part of the application. </p>

<p>Recommendation letters should be written by people who have seen you work hard - even if not in art. (A former employer perhaps) who can write about how dedicated you are and how you go the extra mile or what not. I need to find someone else to write a letter as I have 2 professors I plan on asking but need a third as CCA requires 3 letters. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>