Is Precollege mandatory?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>I am a highschool junior and I am planning on going to an art college and pursuing a career in art. I looked at many college websites and I have noticed that many of them recommend HS students to take a precollege course. However, the prices are so high!! I live in Maryland, so the closest art school that had caught my eye is MICA, but the price is almost $5000... my parents would never allow me to go haha. </p>

<p>So anyways, is precollege mandatory? Is it even necessary? Will going to precollege give you a better chance of being accepted to a good college?</p>

2

<p>Have you looked into community colleges? Better price.</p>

3

<p>Hi mteaddiction, I don’t think precollege is necessary. Are you taking art classes in school and building your portfolio? I think a consistent, demonstrated interest is more important than precollege, which is so expensive and precludes a lot of students! If you want to take more classes, try a local art league or a museum. Those tend to be very affordable and can offer you a challenge. Also, if there is an atelier in your area that’s another good choice. My kiddo is attending her #1 choice college and never attended precollege, although she did take classes outside of school. Her college offers precollege but no one in admissions ever even mentioned it when we were touring, so I really don’t think it’s necessary! Good luck to you!</p>

4

<p>No…not necessary. But if your parents can’t afford the tuition there is help for students. Talk to MICA. If your parents can afford it but think it is a waste of money, how do they feel about you pursuing an art degree? If your parents think the prec0llege is a waste of money but are ok about the art degree–they may be right…that is a lot of money for an elaborate summer camp. However, there are art programs that are cheaper–VCU has a very strong one and is much cheaper even for out of state students. Utrechts art supply company has a student self-portrait contest–winner gets free summer program at Savannah College of art and design. What about your local arts council or private art academy–quite a few offer portfolio prep for high schoolers during the year and in the summer. If you are in Maryland near DC the corcoran offers these throughout the school year on weekends and intensive programs in the summer. Cheaper than MICA and my S had a very good experience with these programs. Good luck!</p>

5

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<p>No, it is never the mandatory.
Even could do more harm than good sometimes, such as

  1. don’t want to go to art school anymore if it’s filled with all those brats
  2. I don’t think I am not that into the “art” anymore if that’s what I have to do
  3. There were no air conditioning and they treated us like little kids!
  4. I am one of the best/worst artist at my HS but they are like so much better/worse than me!
    You have absolutely no need to spend 5K and up.
    There are other that cost far less if not free, but meaningful way to enhance your vision/portfolio, as other^ people suggested.</p>

<p>I had this rosy picture and sent my kid here and there.
Everything except #3 happened.
one of the good thing that came out of was the credits he earned did transfer to non-art school he is going to attend. It is like twice more $ value than I shelled out for the program after need/merit scholarship.
I did not even consider it when looking at programs.
I guess you do get what you paid for? Some people do pay 10K and up for one summer.
You never know.</p>

6

<p>Look into New Hampshire Institute of Art’s summer program. D went there and came out with some nice portfolio pieces. She got a $500 scholarship to go based on her art teachers recommendation. I can’t remember how much it was off hand, but I know it was cheaper than some of the other schools. Afterwards, she got a scholarship to go to the school, but chose MCAD instead.</p>

7

<p>No, pre-college is not mandatory. In addition to residential programs, many colleges also have commuter programs, which cost less to attend. Pre-college, and many others in summertime, programs are offered because they’re a revenue source between academic years. Also, if you’re lucky, your high school will offer a rich array of art courses, but if they only have the basics, these programs are an excellent way to augment your portfolio, meet like-minded students, and see from the inside what it’s like to be a college art student, critiques and all. Check local arts organizations for other options, too. Good luck!</p>