<p>I have just recently started completing my Interlochen application, but there is still one thing that I am extremely nervous about filling out: my major. I definitely want to focus on photography at Interlochen so that would qualify me for visual arts, but would I need to do the painting, drawing, etc. if I chose to major in that? Another major that I'm considering in comparative arts. Can anybody tell me about that?</p>
<p>If there is anybody reading this, anybody at all, who thinks that they could help me out, could you please reply? I am so desperately nervous and want to submit my app ASAP.</p>
<p>Our daughter is in her second year at Interlochen. She is a senior theatre major.</p>
<p>What year are you applying for? The majority of students seem to enter Interlochen as juniors and seniors, when they have developed a very strong passion for a particular artistic area. Out of a total enrollment of around 500 students, more than 350 of them are juniors, seniors and postgrads.</p>
<p>At Interlochen, they follow a block schedule, with a total of 8 class blocks. A minimum of 3 class blocks are for your artistic major, with the ratio of academic to artistic classes changing the older you are. For example, this year, our daughter is taking 2 academic classes (english and science) and 6 artistic classes in her major (theatre) - classes like Directing, Stage Movement, Audition Technique, Acting Shakespeare, etc. Last year, as a junior, she took 3 academic classes (math, history, and english) and 5 artistic classes. She was able to get most of her academic requirements completed at our home high school during her freshman and sophomore years, which gave her the ability to focus on artistic classes during her two years at Interlochen.</p>
<p>Choosing your major is a very big deal, and if you are not sure, you should definitely talk to the admissions office, and ask them to put you in touch with the department heads for visual arts and comparative arts. The way the class schedule works, the morning hours are generally for academic classes (as well as some arts classes), and the afternoon hours from 2pm to 6 pm are dedicated to required classes within the various majors (with the dance majors having their arts block from 1pm to 6pm). Our daughter takes her required acting technique class from 2pm-3pm daily, and then is in Theatre Company from 3pm to 6pm every day, where they do scene work, rehearse for productions, and other theatre major requirements. Visual artists are in studio, music majors are in lessons and ensemble rehearsals, creative writing majors are in workshops and in writing sessions, etc.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the resources for new students; scroll down to the pdf link for the Student Handbook - look through it, and it might help answer some of your questions. Good luck!</p>
<p>[Incoming/Current</a> Students and Parents | Interlochen Arts Academy High School](<a href=“http://academy.interlochen.org/incoming-and-current]Incoming/Current”>Academy Students & Families | Interlochen Arts Academy | Academy Boarding School)</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your detailed reply! I am interested in entering as a freshman next year. I had no idea that most applicants were looking to be juniors and seniors-that worries me…</p>
<p>Don’t be worried - students do enter as freshmen (there are usually around 40 seniors who graduate as 4-years seniors, meaning they spent all of their high school years at Interlochen).</p>
<p>BUT - these are usually students who know at a young age that they are totally passionate about their chosen art (violin, voice, theatre, painting, writing, piano, harp, dance, etc) and want to begin high-level study of their art form during high school, since they believe they want to pursue their art as their life’s work. From your comment in your first post (unsure of what major to pursue) I’m not sure this describes you. A visual arts major at Interlochen studies in all areas of visual arts (painting, drawing, and sculpture, as well as photography, for example) and the goal is to create a well-trained artist. Yes, you can put more and more emphasis on a particular area of visual arts as you get older, but you would not be able to “concentrate” on photography until much later in your high school career.</p>
<p>There are a much smaller number of students in the Comparative Arts major - probably less than 10 - and they are students who have great passion in two or more (generally complimentary) areas. During Interlochen’s Collage during Parents Weekend last October (a showcase of student work from all disciplines at Interlochen) I saw an amazing performance by a senior Comparative Arts major who wrote, choreographed, composed, and staged a piece in which she also danced, acted, played piano and sang. </p>
<p>As a visual arts major at Interlochen, part of the application requires you to submit a portfolio of work, and I expect they would be looking for a portfolio that included more than just examples of photography. As always, the best advice is to “ask the school.” The staff and faculty at Interlochen are truly great - they would be glad to talk with you and answer any questions you might have about whether or not this would be a great fit for you.</p>
<p>Another thought for you - have you looked into the Interlochen Arts Camp? Our daughter attended the IAC for two summers, and that is what convinced her that she wanted to attend school there. </p>
<p>Here is a link:
[Intermediate</a> Visual Arts Summer Program | Interlochen Summer Arts Camp](<a href=“http://camp.interlochen.org/program/visual-arts/int/visual-arts]Intermediate”>http://camp.interlochen.org/program/visual-arts/int/visual-arts)</p>
<p>+1 mountainhiker comment about the Interlochen Arts Camp!
Everyone I know who has attended the school spent a summer at the camp first and was either recruited or so blown away by the experience that they decided to apply to the school. Truly an amazing place.</p>
<p>My D is a senior at Interlochen. She is a voice major but both her roommates are VA. They do all art different kinds of art (paint, pencil, photography) so I think you will be able to explore different things. The staff is very willing to talk to prospective students. Just get in touch with admissions. PM if you need info.</p>