<p>It sounds like you are strong candidate for SCAD admission. Upward trends in grades are always a good thing, as is taking challanging classes like Honors and AP. You might want to do some SAT prep to bring those scores up. Check out the Xiggi method (search this site in the Parent Forum) for efficiently studying in the areas you need help. The Level 1 scholarship at SCAD kicks in with a score of 1450 or higher, so it is totally doable for you -- that one is up to $10K per year.</p>
<p>Honestly I don't htink SCAD looks at SATs all that seriously. My daughter had very mediocre SATs (all parts in the 500s). She came from a small progressive high school that did not rank and did not offer AP classes. She was a solid student and had great recommendations and a good portfolio. SHe was offered a combined honors scholarships for $15k/year. SCAD was her safety and she really wasn't thrilled about leaving the northeast for college so she is going elsewhere.</p>
<p>I got in to SCAD for Fall 2008 a few days back... waiting for scholarship review...
After reading this long 10 page thread and most of that website with all those -emails about how horrible SCAD is... it scares me....if so many people can have such horrific opinions something has to be wrong, this sort of stuff doesn't happen at other schools, is what worries me. (there aren't anti-Parsons or RISD websites for examples with long threads of controversy like this)</p>
<p>Definitely have to do some more research and get in touch with some students there. Being an international student I have to be extremely cautious picking my univ... and I don't think I'll want to take a risk with SCAD (even though I have heared lots of great things about their Photography department, my major. Plus they have an Indian community, and the admissions team is really nice) since other places seem to have much cleaner reputations.</p>
<p>RainingAgain is fighting a long battle here....</p>
<p>I piad close attention to one mail in particular "understand from a fellow student, you will only take from SCAD as much as you put into it." and I'd like to believe it if some people here can back that up, that the ones that complain are simply lazy and it's their fault?</p>
<p>Why didn't you consider RIT for photography,which is widely considered to be the top photography school in the nation and not that difficult to get into?</p>
<p>When I was researching RIT never came to mind as tops for photography... I had never heard about them till a week back. I've never heard a mention of it here, and my councilor didn't know of it and it wasn't in the top art schools list in her book. So. Unfortunate, yes, and I can't apply now because my school only allows 12 applications, and I've used up all 12, with some really great schools, but now there's that little part inside of me wishing I applied to RIT.... sigh.</p>
<p>axharc, congratulations on getting into SCAD, and good luck with your scholarship review! Plese keep us posted on that -- I didn't realize that the scholarship info came later.</p>
<p>As for "getting out of it what you put in", that is really true anywhere. The finest, smallest, most perfect class in photography (or anything) will put the tools in your hands and tell you how to use them, but it is up to you after that. Critiques are only as good as the ears that listen to them and the hands and eyes that implement them.</p>
<p>Where else have you applied? What is your dream school?</p>
<p>Azharc, I'm not a scad student, but my friend's sister goes there, and my mom's friend is a professor there, so I know something about the school. I think scad is one those schools that varies widely depending on your major and the teachers you happen to get. People say "you get what you put into it" about every school, but it's just not true. Some people will succeed in terrible environments... most won't.</p>
<p>Thanks Moominmama =)
Even I thought I would get the scholarship with my decision but it seems its gone to a scholarship committee to decide that.</p>
<p>Linzoy, I get your point, and as I said the mixed bag of reviews means I am taking a chance/risk if I decide on SCAD. However I "hear" (we all seem to hear but now know =P) that the Photography dept. has excellent faculty and equip. Also I liked the portfolio of the students. So. But I won't make any assumptions until I get in touch with a few students there (if you could get me an e-mail of someone in there so I could hook up with a Photo major that'd be great).</p>
<p>Moominmama my list is long, I've applied to 12 as aid is extremely important for me so here it goes : (not in order of pref. cause I've researched more on some than others)
Ringling
Calif. Coll. of Arts
NYU (Tisch)
Yale (the Art School is awesome but, if I do get in, will really have to think about it since I'll be doing a year of liberal arts. But, Yale is Yale)
RISD
SVA
Pratt
SCAD
Univ Of Arts
Parsons
Kansas City Art. Instit.
Art Center College Of Design</p>
<p>I would love to go to any college on my list, as it wouldnt be there if I didn't want to. BUT, I'm a bit put off by the fact that at some of my schools (like SCAD) I'll be DRAWING for the first year. It won't be that bad and will be fun but I think places like Parsons and SVA are smarter by making it Photography from day 1.</p>
<p>My top choice would be Parsons hands down. Its called 'direct entry photography' which only takes 200 students where its Photography from Day 1. I met the Parsons rep. who came to my school and I really liked what I learnt about the school. The school has a great rep. which I think can get me places. Plus they like giving out aid.</p>
<p>Second choice is NYU, which (I read in another thread) takes 32 photographers a year. I don't think I'll get in (because I do have Cs in my grade transcript) but if I do I still might not go because of aid, which they don't dish out generously. </p>
<p>Then in order sort of undecided, pref. would be : SVA, RISD, Ringling, Pratt, ACCD, Yale, KCAI, SCAD, UARTS, CCA (they don't give out aid, but its a great school so I applied to see if maybe a loan could suffice instead). </p>
<p>So. As I said before, missed out on some nice schools like RIT and Academy of Art, but its fine, I think I'd push all of those aside for Parsons, and I like whats on my list.</p>
<p>Moominmama, (not quite sure judging by your nickname) are you a parent or student? If so where are you or your son/daughter applying to?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I would love to go to any college on my list, as it wouldnt be there if I didn't want to. BUT, I'm a bit put off by the fact that at some of my schools (like SCAD) I'll be DRAWING for the first year. It won't be that bad and will be fun but I think places like Parsons and SVA are smarter by making it Photography from day 1.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>you'll start taking your major courses by second or third quarter at SCAD...not such a big deal. either way you'll spend lots of time on foundation courses your first year, regardless of where you attend.</p>
<p>azharc, I'm a parent. My daughter is applying to SCAD for next fall -- she needs to finalize her essay and get her portfolio together. She wants to study sequential art (comics) and contemporary writing.</p>
<p>You certainly have an ambitious list! I hope that you have many acceptances to chose from come April. </p>
<p>There is a lot to be said for a year of drawing. You will really learn to see and analyze what is in front of you, and it will ultimately help your photography. And with digital cameras and the ease of printing these days, there's no reason to not be taking some photos even if you are not in a photography class.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>toxic_waste, WRONG =D
As I said, at places like Parsons and SVA, theres either only 1-2 foundation classes or at Parsons its completely elective.
At SCAD, its what you said.
At places like Pratt, you take one Photography class in the first year.</p>
<p>--</p>
<p>Thats awesome Moominmama, I saw the sequential art portfolio in the SCAD Mag and it looks really interesting. Hey if you/she need any help (or have any Qs) just ask. I don't think either of you should worry too much about getting in if her portfolio is strong and her grades are fine.
For me, my grades were great till Std. 12. In 12 I got tons of Cs and Bs, and only one A, which really killed my grade transcript. I had my councilor explain why in the transcript, but for some schools that might not be enough.</p>
<p>Actually since my univs received my apps a month ago, I should be getting a few decisions this month. All mine are rolling except NYU, Yale and RISD. </p>
<p>The thing is, I CAN'T draw. I just can't. I've NEVER taken an art class in school or externally. Completely self taught in photography and design. (you can check out my photography work <a href="http://www.thedailysunrise.com)%5B/url%5D">www.thedailysunrise.com)</a>.
The RISD bicycle will kill my RISD application and my Univ of Arts app. The fact that I'll be so horribly below the standard of the class makes places like SVA and Parsons a big plus sign for me.</p>
<p>Where else is your daughter applying?</p>
<p>At RISD they put up everyone's bike for us to look at, and a couple of them where horrible drawings.</p>
<p>Gosh, azharc, your photos are amazing! Strong composition, nice use of color as well as black and white. Of course, having the visual bounty of India right outside your door doesn't hurt :)</p>
<p>As for drawing, it is a learned skill. A certain number of pencil strokes need to pass through your fingers and onto the paper, and taking a class will hurry that process along by teaching you some tricks and techniques for getting the effects you want, like shading. But if you were to draw for 15 minutes a day, every day, you'd find at the end of a couple of months that you had improved.</p>
<p>My daughter hopes to not have to apply anywhere else. SCAD seems to be the perfect fit for her. There should be no trouble with her getting an admission offer, and she is eligible (because of SAT scores) for a very nice scholarship, although the final amount isn't determined until they review all her materials. If she were to apply somewhere else, it would likely be SVA, which also has a very strong sequential art department. She doesn't like that they don't allow minors, though, as the writing is a strong part of her goal.</p>
<p>Stumbled across this.
<a href="http://www.scadshorts.com/index.php?/%5B/url%5D">http://www.scadshorts.com/index.php?/</a></p>
<p>Linzoy, At RISD, some drawings are quite bad, agreed, but most are much better than anything I could ever do. Well I have to practice before I can submit anything. </p>
<p>Moominmama, hey you visited my blog! =) thanks for the compliments. As you could have figured, I'm going to miss India hell of a lot if/once I leave. Its just such an amazing place.... so much packed into so little.</p>
<p>Even I want to take a minor, but its not that important to me. Its good that your daughter has chosen and plans to stick to one univ. Being international, I'm going to have a pain choosing if I get in to several. I can't visit the univs so =P have to rely on what I can find out. Best of luck to her, from your description of her focused-ness (not a word, I know) she'll get in with a nice schol. no worries.</p>
<p>Eck I have to get back to drawing now... once this is over with all 12 of my apps will be complete...</p>
<p>Hey O I got in to Art Center College of Design! Scholarship decision pending.</p>
<p>azharc, congratulations! I see a pattern here, on this "scholarship decision pending" thing.</p>
<p>Thanks Moominmama...</p>
<p>Yes its strange. I wonder why they can't just send the decisions together =</p>
<p>Well, maybe this is why: Perhaps the scholarship committee doesn't begin to review the students until they have been accepted by the admissions committee. So they are nice enough to tell you as soon as you are accepted, but that is just the beginning of the process for the scholarsship folks. If they waited until both commitees were done, then you would have to wait longer to find out you were accepted.</p>
<p>Think of it s a positive sign. The Admissions department - after reviewing your qualifications including portfolio - came to the conclusion that you met their standards AND put a sticky on your application that your portfolio was deserving of scholarship merit - which is evaluated outside of the admissions dept., perhaps by the Chair or faculty of a department. So, Admissions may want you to know of their decision, but do not yet know of scholarship status.</p>
<p>Plus, they don't want to wait on letting you know, because you might commit to another school,</p>
<p>I guess I am repeating what Moominmma said, but I came to the same conclusion. - only I don't think it is only a case of being nice - not that they may not be nice people as well.</p>