Hello! I’m a high school senior planning to apply to SCAD, SVA, and Ringling for a major in Animation, but SVA is my top choice that I hope to get into. I have below average GPA due to struggling in HS for awhile, but I’ve been working to get it up. I did above average/average on my ACT except for math which resulted in an average/slightly above average composite score. Despite both of these my portfolio is so far strongish for my major and I have confidence in what I have so far. Along with this I have a letter of recommendation.
Even though my actual grade stuff isn’t great, is it possible my portfolio and a letter of recommendation will make up for this and get me accepted into SVA? I’ve tried to look into other accepted students and seeing how their grades held up along with their portfolio to get an idea of my chances.
If you post specific stats (GPA, ACT) you may get more helpful feedback.
According to the latest published CDS (entering fall 2017), average high school GPA of first time entrants was about a 3.4. Eyeballing the percentages, looks like 3.0 - 3.74 is around the middle 50th. Unfortunately I couldn’t post a link but you can google SVA Common Data Set to find it. Section C.11. Mid range for composite ACT that year looks like 21-27 (Section C.9). However, they reported 23-29 for the fall 2018 midrange on College Navigator the following year: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=School+of+visual+arts&s=all&id=197151#admsns so perhaps students are submitting stronger ACT’s.
Hope that helps! Grades and test scores are important because they point to college-readiness. However, SVA is a school of art so your portfolio will very likely carry the most weight. Others who have applied will hopefully chime in on that.
Also, if they require an essay, don’t underestimate that in terms of importance. It will be a great opportunity to let them know who you are and why SVA and you are a great match.
Good luck!
Thank you for this information! SVA does require an essay and I have made sure to explain my below average GPA and that I will work hard and give the school my 100% and such. Plus my ACT score falls in the range you provided from College Navigator, so that helps ease my worries a bit