Hi all. I’m 18 years old and I was in special education for the 3 years I was in high school for depression and very severe social anxiety, though I am currently in the process of getting a formal autism diagnosis as my therapists generally agree that’s what’s going on. So sorry if I sound weird or anything! I graduated a year early btw because sped kids couldn’t take study halls. I also couldn’t take art classes. I had a pretty good gpa (Like 3.7 I don’t remember exactly, I’m pretty sure skipping a year messes with it too so idk.)
I’m looking at SVA in nyc…which is unfortunately not a test-optional school. I was treated like an idiot my entire time in highschool and basically got no education. They put me in online classes or just played board games (No joke here, this happened every day) instead of teaching when it was calm. Most of the time it just got violent though–other kids barricading the door, throwing desks. It was inexcusable and I would do anything to reverse time and go to a magnet school or something. I need to take the SATs or ACTs but I’m an uneducated idiot. I keep trying to do stuff like Khan academy but…I don’t know if I can do it without guidance. I can’t retain the information at all. I finish one thing and move onto the next, only to forget what I learned. I tried taking notes on paper and digitally and it didn’t help. I tried pacing myself slowly and it was worse. I probably am just an idiot.
I just wanna draw, man. I hate that this isn’t a test optional school because the Cartooning program looks like an absolute dream for me.
Does anyone have advice for people outside of highschool with SATs or ACTs??? I can imagine this is a problem even for people who took normal classes, as that stuff fades over time. Despite the way I casually type I’m decent with reading and writing so I’m way more worried about the math section, which I’m completely terrible at.
Will art schools accept students with bad test scores for one thing? I can’t imagine they care too much about my math scores. I know I can do okay on the English part. On the other hand, I’m not capable of even basic math. I wish I could afford classes to fix my dumb brain.
Do you live near a decent community college? They will test your math and reading and put in you in classes to catch up, and you can take art classes to build your portfolio for art school. If you don’t already live in NYC, then being able to start at a local school near the therapists you are already seeing is probably a good way to ease into college life as well. Many states have transition services for kids getting out of special ed, so your tuition may even be covered.
If you don’t have money for classes to catch up on academic skills, how would you pay for art school in the highest cost of living city there is?
Thanks for the response! I do, but I can’t drive because of medical reasons unfortunately. I can walk okay, but definitely no colleges that close. I will look into the transition services thing though because that sounds really optimal.
I can take out loans for that, but not for small classes is the issue. My dad is also covering anything extra the loans don’t but doesn’t believe I need the academic classes.
If you cannot drive for medical reasons, and you live in a decent sized metro area, you can look into getting accessibility transportation from your public transit system.
Have you talked at all with your therapists about your life plans and your struggles with academics? There may be a neuro-psych or edu-psych evaluation as part of your special ed records or done as part of getting the autism diagnosis. You might have learning disabilities, which could qualify you for extra time on the SAT or ACT and assistance from the Disability Services Center (sometimes it’s called different things) at your community college or art school. Understanding how your brain works would also help you identify the best ways for you to learn.
If you want to make a living as an artist and just draw, there are the art ateliers around the world. They are not college. They are based on the old renaissance method of teaching drawing and painting. So there are no SATS or grades. You are only judged on your ability to draw.
Art schools - any school actually - wants students that have the highest probability of completing degree programs because they want 4 years of your money. Students that drop out after a year or two = lost income. The most dependable predictor of “success” is GPA because GPA typically reflects a student’s commitment to education. Talent and/or skill is also important, but if a talented art student lacks self discipline, they will flunk out anyway. I don’t think SAT and ACT mean much to art schools.
SVA is in the middle of Manhattan and does not offer housing for all four years or any sort of campus. Classes are held in several locations across the city. I don’t think they have a meal plan and they have limited housing. So essentially it would be very much like having an apartment on your own in Manhattan and taking classes that would require transportation. I can’t imagine they are strong with student support either. The model is for very independent students. We live in a nearby suburb and have an apartment in the city and we still did not have D apply there for art. I felt it would be too isolating for her at 18 years of age and she does not have any disabilities that require support. Instead she went to NYU, which still requires the ability to live in the city, but is much more supportive and offers 4 years of housing and meals.
So unless you are a NYer with an apartment, family and support in Manhattan I would re-think this option.
In general, if I was in your position, I would take baby steps.
I would not try to go from special ed to 4 year school.
First I would investigate into my state’s disabilty resources department. Google Disability Resources.
At some point you will find scholarships for people with disabilities or programs.
Next i would start at my local community college. Get tested for where you are in math. Take remedial math if necessary. Even go to a Kumon or Mathnasium center if necessary. Watch Khan academy videos.
Your math brain might not be dumb…it just might not have been trained.
This will help you prepare for ACT/SAT as well as seeing how you do in a college situation.
Some people do okay when the school or their parents are telling them what to do, but don’t do well when they have to make sure to go to classes and do homework and read and study on their own.
Take advantage of the study skills classes they might have, and the wrinting or math center, professor’s office hours.
Often CC’s have art programs too that will prepare you for a transfer to a 4 year program.