I can be considered as someone who draws beyond average as an artist for a person my age, on a traditional aspect. (Disclaimer: I am not bragging, this is just what others have said, including many art teachers. To be honest, personally, I don’t even think my drawings are that good, or maybe I’m not good enough to see the “talent” in my art.) As for digital art, I am trying to figure things out by myself first, and I can’t say I’m doing extremely poorly, but with the level I am in traditional art, it is more than a tiny bit of disappointment. I am wondering if an art portfolio would help my chances of getting into the college/university I want, specifically into a major along the lines of UX, UI, web design, and such. I want to be able to incorporate my creativity into technology. Also, are there any particularly well-known universities that are well ranked with these majors? Maybe one of the “better” UC schools? Thanks for the advice -a 15 year old high school student (going on to junior year).
You describe your art skills as more nice than talented. If you feel inadequate to do an art portfolio, why do you expect the admissions people to like it. I would not submit a folio until I was really, really sure it would fulfill a requirement.
What are you doing for your essay? Might talking about something and art, might you use art to illustrate you ideas, if permissible. I think that has the potential to be totally cool and require fewer pieces than the folio which may not have adequate commentary. The essay should be strong enough to stand alone, but your artwork may elevate your pieces to something special when combined with the essay.
Thanks! I appreciate the insight.
UC’s do not have art submission. As such you have 3 options for art at a UC:
- Write an essay about it/put it in your application so it is an extra edge for your application. This will put your art in the "nice" category, but it will not necessarily describe talent unless a majority of your essays are about art.
- Apply as an art-related major, then switch. Because there is no supplement, they cannot actually judge your work and so as long as you have the essays/items in your application that SAY you do art at a high level, you have a chance at getting into UCB/UCLA. Granted this is gaming the system, but whatever these days. Plus you can go into UX/UI or web design with art degree, as long as you take CS classes.
- Don't Mention Art/make it a hobby instead of your main thing. This can work as long as you have another subject that was equally prevalent in your application. You can apply as that major, and so it will be easier to get accepted as that rather then a straight up art major if you think you are not good enough
In general art submissions would not be helpful unless they are of an extremely high quality.
@ANormalSeniorGuy so you’re saying that for example I apply as an art major and I switch to computer science later on? is this an easy/simple process involving a few forms or do they weigh my abilities and check my other grades and past experiences? what are the chances that it will work out? also, am i allowed to do that before i attend the school or they won’t let me until i start the classes? thanks!
@tserenism its not simple. First, it will bar you from anything engineering/CS in the engineering department (hard-core, more respectable CS). You have to apply for that day one. Second, CS is often capped, and as such has a high GPA requirement before you can declare, and that is is specific classes that you will not get if you have to switch colleges. Thirdly, art would put you in Letters and Science (if not an art college within a UC), and so there are only certain majors related to CS you can actually do within those colleges. If you were trying for econ, then it would work, but its hard for CS. I dont recommend it, especially if you say your art cannot stand on its own feet. They are looking for a lot of accolades with your art (art competition medals, gallery appearances, etc) in absence of actually seeing it.