This requirement is listed on the UCLA website for freshman admissions. Is this really necessary? Seems strange to me. My D is thinking of applying, but has never taken this type of class. She could add one for senior year if it’s really needed.
It is a requirement for all the UC’s. There are different ways to fulfill the VPA requirement. My son’s took Computer Graphics but any type of Art course, Band, Choir will meet the requirement. When you are competing with applicants that have met the requirement along with stellar grades, test scores and EC’s, you want her to be as competitive as possible. Yes, have her take a VPA class Senior year or her application may not be considered.
http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/f-visual-performing-arts/index.html
It is an absolute requirement to be eligible for admission. The way you asked this question makes me think she is an out-of-state student. If so, be aware there is absolutely no financial aid available for out-of-state students at UC schools.
This is very helpful thanks! @Gumbymom and @mikemac We are out of state and are aware of the financial aid rules.
Remember that the UC’s are California public schools and, as such, hope to have well-rounded candidates.
California high school students are well aware of this requirement.
^Absolutely! It’s built in to CA HS graduation requirements. I won’t say “all” CA HS grad requirements because I don’t know, but it’s kind of a no-brainer for a majority of the state.
Its been awhile but S who is a CA resident satisfied UC VPA req one summer by taking a film course at a CC. Basically he watched movies for 6 weeks. As OOS you’d have to make any such course is transferable
Do they ever make exceptions for out of state kids who may not be aware of the requirement? They wouldn’t want a “lopsided” full pay smart girl from Virginia?
@jugulator20 that sounds great! I’ll look into that option around here. Thank you!
As @Gumbymom posted here, the requirements are required. Why wold they make an exception for one student who won’t read the requirements. The UC’s can be picky; they have thousands of outstanding California students to choose and select.
Open the link:
http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/f-visual-performing-arts/index.html
@auntbea I get it. I opened the link. Just trying to have a little discussion about the topic.
In Virginia we welcome our out of staters. I was unfamiliar with the CA perspective towards OOS students.
I am more educated now and that will help a lot with our decision.
Thanks all!
There were 119k applications to UCLA this year; it’s the most applied-to 4-year public university in the country. The UC’s are very welcoming to OOS students, but there’s really no need for them to waive their requirements unless there’s truly exceptional circumstances.
I’m not sure about other states, but in Ohio, having 1 or 2 semesters of VPA is required in most schools to even graduate. I would imagine that it’s similar in many other schools. Don’t worry about it though, as the visual arts classes are generally very easy. Most are, just like jugulator said, just watching movies for a few weeks, or are simple “make a lump of clay into another lump of clay” type classes. The bigger annoyance would be having to spend one period a day on it, or maybe a summer down at the community college.