<p>Ok. The low down is I have discovered this summer that I love art. Its something I want to do in college. I spent the summer at the Rhode Island School of Design pre-college program and found this love for art. I just loved the environment and the type of kids. So far, I have been on a quest to find schools with this artsy/liberal/be yourself attitude and environment. Basically Im looking for the best academic and artistic experience I can find. Ive taken a serious interest in Wesleyan the last few months anyway, and can really see myself there. Right now Im reading The Gatekeepers trying to get a better understanding of it. The only /minor/ obstacle, is my grades, lol. I go to a catholic private prep school in Boston and its definitely challenging. These are my (bad) grades so far</p>
<p>Freshman-
English - B
Writing - B
Biology honors B+
Geometry - B
Latin 2 honors C+ (ouch)</p>
<p>Sophmore -
English honors B+
Algebra 2 honors C+ (ok I really suck at math)
Chemistry honors B-
European History honors B+
Latin 3 B</p>
<p>Junior current lineup
Physics honors
English honors
Latin 4 honors
US History AP
Trig/Stats
Studio Art (invited to AP, couldnt fit in sched)</p>
<p>I realize these are extremely low for Wesleyan. Since I go to a Catholic school, I also take Morality and Ethics classes, scripture, theology, every year. I didnt include them but I do well in them because its all writing and debating. I want to be a studio art major or double major. So for art here are my ECs:</p>
<p>Rhode Island School of Design-
- Pre-College Program summer 06 (7 week overnight college intense program)
- Figure Drawing class, fall 05 (Saturday classes)
- Exhibition in RISD gallery while in pre-college</p>
<p>School
- Private exhibition in school gallery
- Freshman Voices (writing magazine) cover design 04
- Literary magazine cover design 04
- Literary magazine art editor, art contributor 05
- Literary magazine 06 I should be taking over as editor this year, and I will be doing all of the publishing design and layout work for it.
- Art club all four years</p>
<p>Mass College of Art
- Advanced Studios for Juniors and Seniors</p>
<p>Other random ECs:
Newspaper 11
Lacrosse 9,10, 11
Students Against Destructive Decisions 10,11
National Honor Society
Jazz Band - Trombone (playing for 7 years)
Pop/rock school band Bass guitar (playing for 4 years)
Church CCD teaching 9</p>
<p>Since I got into art basically this summer (intensely), Im going to be submitting my stuff to a lot of contests and hopefully getting some Scholastic art awards. Ive also been talking to my college counselor and he is trying to get me a meeting with a Wesleyan art professor or portfolio reviewer. Basically I know I have low grades. Im trying to get A-s this year really bad. Im taking the PSATs tomorrow and havent done the SATs. At the end of the day I dont know where I can get in with these grades and a good portfolio. Can I hope that a really good portfolio can carry me somewhat, or make up for relative academic underachievement? Im going to have a recommendation from a well respected artist who was one of my professors at RISD. I would like some input on what I should really do to get in; my strengths, my weaknesses, and perhaps where else I should think of applying. Thanks for any help you can offer. (please dont make me feel THAT bad about my grades :( :( )</p>