<p>Too keep short and simple. I have a 2.3 GPA, I had a terrible time in highschool (I'm a senior currently). Alot of traumatic events occurred during my sophomore year (death of a family). From there on my grades really went down and I tried to get help but no use. I felt like a failure. I recently took my SATs back in March and I got 1200... I took some sat classes and got 1500 on my pre-sat this summer. Just took my SAT today. I really have a passion for art. I'm in LOVE with it. My problem is that I feel like no one will take me. My dream school is Parsons. But.. like I said I have no hope. Will my portfolio even worth it or will my grades just tell them No thanks to me.</p>
<p>It is hard to tell what kind of art you want to do at Parsons, fashion? graphic? or do you want to come to, or stay in NYC?
Art schools are different. good GPA do you great favor but bad one won’t kill you. I don’t call 2.3 terrible.
There are schools don’t ask for SAT.
PNCA, MIAD, SFAI, I am sure there are many more either don’t require or optional.
I don’t know what kind of HS you are going, but if you have 2.3 you are not exactly failing, are you? I am talking this from my kid’s experience.
He was accepted some of the schools “conditionally” due to low grades but those are the ones also gave him merit aids. I don’t know what to make of this, it is different from school to school. Less selective art schools may or may not know rigor of course load you took, or where you’d place in national level. This is why it helps if you can bump SAT to submit it even it is optional, to make a point that your 2.3 could be someone else’s 3.7 depends on what kind of environment you had to be in.
you or GC can explain your hardships in application as long as you don’t go too whiny about it.
I should warn you, thou one student here had bad experience at NPD that reviewer said insensitive thing when the kid mentioned about recent loss of a parent.
Art people could be tad self centered or eccentric and normal college app game plan would not always work.
What I am trying to say is
No
you are not failure. never if you love what you are doing.
Parsons in particular, getting in shouldn’t be that hard assuming your portfolio is OK and if you are not going after top merit $$. I am saying this from few kids I know and I am sure it is different depending on intended major.
For planB, C, D, research more schools that have open admission, less well known in general but have major you want and in the area you could be happy living.
And talk to your folks to count money, this is often deciding factor for many families.
Gotten in, can’t afford is the worst case scenario for kids worked so hard for it.</p>
<p>I’m not to worried about the cost of the school. I’m just worried that the Schools I want to go too won’t accept me because of lousy GPA and SAT. Makes me feel miserable. I just hope and dream of going to the place I want too but instead I’m left with options that I do not want to take but are the only choices I can take…</p>
<p>Well, then it’s simple. You have to be good. If your really that good, I dont think the school will pass you up. For example, I think if you wanted to go for something like fashion design or photography but had strong tradition skills in observational drawing, painting etc they wouldnt pass you up, it’s pretty common for fashion/phtography people to have art skills in only their intended major. However, if you were that guy with a low gpa and only photography or sewing skills then I would be worried. And if you are actually that guy then you not only have to be good but exceptional at what you do.</p>
<p>Goodfornothin, first, I find that your screen name is very telling. You are NOT good for nothing! Many people have a low GPA and/or SATs due to many reasons. Many successful people didn’t necessarily do well in high school or their SATs. I had just ok grades in high school yet I did very well in college. Don’t let it get you down. </p>
<p>As far as art schools, some are more academic oriented for admission than others. These schools are generally RISD, MICA, USC, UCLA , RIT and to some extent Pratt, although a bad GPA can be overcome at Pratt with a sterling portfolio.</p>
<p>Most other art and design schools are more portfolio oriented and less GPA and SAT oriented. Obviously, if your SATs and GPA are below their medians, you need a very strong portfolio to be considered.</p>
<p>It would also help to know what is your artistic interest?</p>
<p>Finally, most schools want to see drawings from observation using a variety of media. Don’t just do photographs or portraits. You should have varied work using a variety of media.</p>
<p>GFN, we have had kids from our high school accepted at MICA with less than a B average and not so hot scores. They had wonderful portfolios and are doing fine at MICA. Also, look at SCAD or Cleveland Institute of Art, I don’t think they are as grade rigorous either. My dd loved Cleveland. They were a very vibrant school and they sit basically on Case Western’s campus, so there is some ability to be involved in CW’s classes and extra curriculars. Good luck.</p>
<p>:') Sign of relief to be honest. But still again. My self esteem is very low because of my GPA and such. As I look at my portfolio as well I don’t feel too good about it beucase I think “Oh that guy has a better chance of me and bleh bleh bleh”…</p>
<p>But Yea I’m trying really hard to improve my portfolio and be out there</p>
<p>Like taxguy…I’m not going to call you that screen name…change it as a gesture of defiance. Someone gave me good advice yesterday. She told me I was stuck in a pattern of perception and that I was always looking for evidence to support those beliefs. That my senses weren’t picking up the truth that things are not so negative. Start looking for evidence that you are good for something. Notice when someone says something nice about you. Notice when you get a good grade on something. Notice when you improve. Notice when you get a compliment. Say YES to yourself. No one is good for nothing.</p>
<p>I just want to go to Parsons. That’s all I want right now. So much pressure because of my grade and SAT as said. Also developing the portfolio frustrates me because I’m not taking AP studio art because I missed the deadline so I’m all on my own. So I’m not really getting any projects to do with people around me. It’s all me.</p>
<p>It’s great you know what you want! Keep posting here. We will keep you company. There’s a lot of knowledge and support here. </p>
<p>Do you have projects you are working on now? </p>
<p>In addition to a portfolio (8 to 12 pieces of work) Parson’s asks you to complete the Parson’s Challenge [Parsons</a> :: Admission :: How to Apply :: Undergraduate :: Parsons Challenge Instructions](<a href=“Parsons School of Design | The New School”>Parsons School of Design | The New School)
and write an artist’s statement. This could work to your advantage. If you dig into that challenge and write a statement that conveys your interest and passion it will help strengthen your application. </p>
<p>What major are you interested in? </p>
<p>If you want feedback or advice on what to include in your portfolio you could post a link to it here. If that’s too public feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Just a little food for thought:</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind is that no matter who you are you may not be able to get into the school of your dreams. When I was applying to college I had my sights set on two schools and didn’t get in to either. I ended up being extremely happy with where I did go, and having known people who attended both of my dream schools I realize I was probably better off there than I would have been at those I thought were my perfect match.</p>
<p>Keep shooting for what you want. Try to bring up your grades/scores, develop a good portfolio, figure out how to really sell yourself to Parsons. But if it doesn’t work out, there are so many other great art schools out there that you may not even know about.</p>
<p>dear honey
by now, we parents want/need to know your life story
please reply. you don’t have to if you don’t want to
- where did you grow up
- who taught you art first
- what was your childhood dream
- who were/have been/ are your fav artists
- where did you do UG
- where you aiming masters/phD
- have you ever had second thought gone to artschool
- what do you do for fun if you aren’t art-ing
- what do you like to eat
- how’s your folks
a. supportive
b. somewhat supportive
c. you made your bed now lie in it</p>
<ol>
<li>what do you think of your folks
a. love and respect them no matter what
b. wish I was adapted
c. just about tolerable if nothing more</li>
</ol>
<p>Hey kiddo –
Are there any local art centers in your area? Perhaps they have a mentor program or a portfolio development program that you can latch on to. My daughter did this the summer and Fall when she was working on her portfolio and she got a couple of good pieces out of it that she ended up using in her portfolio. They did different things like plein aire painting and self portraits and such. It might be an option for you since you missed the deadline.
good luck</p>
<p>UArts in Philly? Looks like an interesting, creative, dynamic place…</p>
<p>Hi OP,
I’m not going to call you by that screen name either, but I wanted to share a quote from Albert Einstein, which I’ve pasted below. Work on your portfolio. Work on improving in areas that you’re good at and enjoy. Your worth as a human being and as an artist has no connection to your high school GPA. None. When I think of the great artists I admire, their GPA is the last thing that would cross my mind. I think of their work. Get your work to the point that it is competitive for art schools you’d enjoy. Move forward. High school is temporary; you life in art is your life.</p>
<p>Here’s the quote:</p>
<p>Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.</p>
<p>I love all of you espcially you Nester <3
Food for thought right there…</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>