3 answers
Sidney
Student
Austell, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
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How do i prepare for college and know when to apply?
How do i prepare for college, and how will i know when to start applying? I need to know what colleges are good for me, i want to major in art and design i have considered SCAD but i have heard it is a toxic learning community.
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3 answers
Julie Smith, MBA
data science, personalization, marketing, automation, digital transformation, analytics & strategy
2
Answers
Belleville
Updated
Julie’s Answer
Hi Sidney-
Prepping for Art School has several things to consider:
1. Academic stuff (GPA, SATs, transcripts)- all colleges will look for this, but the minimum requirements will vary from school to school.
2. Portfolio: pretty much a centralized location to show the art you've created.
Do label each image with its title & medium.
Do consider how the viewer will experience your art (what angles would they look from? how would light hit the art? what digital sizes? etc)
Do document and discuss your process (what did you think about? what inspired you? how did you go about creating the art?)
Don't be afraid to experiment with style, process, medium, concepts, etc.
3. Personal statement: this is what the art school uses to get to know you.
Do talk about your style, your concepts, your research behind your art.
Do talk about the materials & processes you use.
Do talk about why you chose to experiment in the styles, mediums, materials, processes, etc (you could also include how the experimentation
impacts the way you approach art)
Do include extracurriculars and any experiences that contributes to your story and your art.
Don't be generic or broad.
How will you know when to apply?
This depends on school. Once you've decided on a school, their website will show application timelines and you'll be able to reach out to an admissions counselor at that school for more information.
If you're not sure which school(s) you want to apply for yet, you can help narrow down the choices with:
1. how far do you want to be from home?
2. do you have anyone in your current social network already in art schools (willing to share their experience)?
3. what materials/mediums interest you most?
4. where do you want to see your art when you're working (after art school)
5. what types of learning environments do you like?
Between google, art school events, social networks (lots of schools, industry networking groups/sites, & content creators are sharing their experiences and tips), you may be able to narrow down your list of art schools to a number where you can build a relationship with that school to decide which one really is the one you want to attend.
Prepping for Art School has several things to consider:
1. Academic stuff (GPA, SATs, transcripts)- all colleges will look for this, but the minimum requirements will vary from school to school.
2. Portfolio: pretty much a centralized location to show the art you've created.
Do label each image with its title & medium.
Do consider how the viewer will experience your art (what angles would they look from? how would light hit the art? what digital sizes? etc)
Do document and discuss your process (what did you think about? what inspired you? how did you go about creating the art?)
Don't be afraid to experiment with style, process, medium, concepts, etc.
3. Personal statement: this is what the art school uses to get to know you.
Do talk about your style, your concepts, your research behind your art.
Do talk about the materials & processes you use.
Do talk about why you chose to experiment in the styles, mediums, materials, processes, etc (you could also include how the experimentation
impacts the way you approach art)
Do include extracurriculars and any experiences that contributes to your story and your art.
Don't be generic or broad.
How will you know when to apply?
This depends on school. Once you've decided on a school, their website will show application timelines and you'll be able to reach out to an admissions counselor at that school for more information.
If you're not sure which school(s) you want to apply for yet, you can help narrow down the choices with:
1. how far do you want to be from home?
2. do you have anyone in your current social network already in art schools (willing to share their experience)?
3. what materials/mediums interest you most?
4. where do you want to see your art when you're working (after art school)
5. what types of learning environments do you like?
Between google, art school events, social networks (lots of schools, industry networking groups/sites, & content creators are sharing their experiences and tips), you may be able to narrow down your list of art schools to a number where you can build a relationship with that school to decide which one really is the one you want to attend.
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Sidney,
Every university would have a page called "Admission" or "Applications" or something similar somewhere prominent on their landing page. You need to look under "freshman" or "new students".
It will give you the dates and what application materials are needed. Here is an example for the University of Florida:
https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/freshman/
You usually need your high-school transcript, some test scores (e.g. ACT or SAT), an essay, some reference letters, and maybe a personal statement in addition to the essay. For art a portfolio might be required.
Check out the schools that you are interested in and start getting your application materials together. Also look for opportunities for scholarships and when their deadlines are.
Good luck!
KP
Every university would have a page called "Admission" or "Applications" or something similar somewhere prominent on their landing page. You need to look under "freshman" or "new students".
It will give you the dates and what application materials are needed. Here is an example for the University of Florida:
https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/freshman/
You usually need your high-school transcript, some test scores (e.g. ACT or SAT), an essay, some reference letters, and maybe a personal statement in addition to the essay. For art a portfolio might be required.
Check out the schools that you are interested in and start getting your application materials together. Also look for opportunities for scholarships and when their deadlines are.
Good luck!
KP
Rudy Padre
Corporate Business Sales of AT&T Services
5
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Rudy’s Answer
If you're gearing up to dive headfirst into college right after waving goodbye to high school, it's a good idea to kick-start your applications as early as Spring in your Junior year, or perhaps in the Fall of your Senior year. Do make it a point to schedule a meeting with your high school guidance counselor or a specialist in that office who has a knack for all things universities and colleges. This counselor will be your compass, helping you navigate through various school options, and perhaps even curating a list that aligns perfectly with your passion for art and design. While I'm not in a position to comment on SCAD, your counselor will undoubtedly equip you with all the essential facts.
Create your "dream list" of schools, then go to each school's admissions website to read all about the school and the timelines for applying.
Whether your parent(s) went to college or not, you'll want to keep them updated on your college plans. This can be a source of great pride for your family, but also gives them time to understand the financial outlook, as well.
Research scholarships, grants and student loans. There are so many funding options that you'll want to apply for whatever money you may be qualified for
Share your plans with friends, family, teachers and neighbors. You never know if someone has valuable advice because they attended a school that interests you, or have an art and design degree themselves.
Rudy recommends the following next steps: