based on my stats, am i just being stupid? (apply to only these selective schools?)

[rex-craft7]

HS GPA: 3.5 (5 AP classes, 4 honors)
freshman college GPA: 3.3 (currently on deans list, if that even means anything)
SAT: 2030

volunteer/jobs/awards:
henry art gallery
seattle humane society
mercer island thrift shop
seattle giving tree (a wood workshop)
stage manager for UW music department
special recognition seattle students art competition

- just since a couple minutes ago, i wondered if i should only apply to the schools i REALLY wanted to go to, and would, in the instant im accepted.

my original list was: RIT, syracuse U., pratt, CCA, MICA, SVA (for fall), SAVANNAH, MCAD

i know art schools applications are mainly weighted in portfolio, and i have no idea exactly how strong my portfolio is (still working on it), but even if i do get accepted into any of the other schools other than SVA, MICA, CCA, tyler, pratt, CMU, im not sure if i would even attend. so im contemplating whether i should do ONLY the apps for these 6 schools for spring transfer + early action for fall (im assuming transfer students can also do early action? i have to check). now im wondering, based on my grades, and my nonexistant portfolio, is this a stupid idea? my main reasoning behind this is, if im going to go through all the trouble of transferring, i wonder if i should...

[rex-craft7]

on second thought, i think my wording is a little misleading... my portfolio is on the way to being done - i just cant show it online

[MCM]

I don't really think GPA has hold a lot of clout unless you plan on going to Yale. It's all about portfolio and how interesting your intent letter is. You letters of recommendation also hold some validity so make sure you choose professors that are fans of your artistic ability to write for you.

[Elwell]

Six schools is more than enough! Why would you apply anyplace you have no intention of going?

[ClassyLadyCanDraw]

I actually applied to one school which was SAIC. Yeah I was also highly interested in Pratt, RISD, and MICA. However SAIC was my first choice and I knew it would be the best school for me as an artist.

I would only apply to the schools that you really truly want to go to above all others. I would even declare a first choice among the ones you pick because it might help. I wouldnt bother with any schools your not really interested in. If your unsure I would definitely pay the extra cash to visit a couple schools. I did the early colege program at my school and I knew I couldnt go anywhere else after I experienced the school first hand.

Your gpa and test scores will help but from my experience mostly with getting a scholarship. However I think it will be a big plus for admissions to accept you. Your portfolio in the end is whats going to get you into school and the most money. I got accepted to SAIC and I'm going in two weeks. They also gave me merit scholarships based off of my portfolio. They didnt care about my gpa, but I think having good grades and test scores can still play a big part in your acceptance.

At least thats what its been like from my experience. I've also had my Portfolio accepted by Pratt and MICA at potfolio days. I would make your Portfolio a priority, find out what the schools like that you are interested in, and go to National Portfolio Day when it's close by.

[Storyboard Dave]

Obviously you have to narrow down your choices but even before you begun the selection process, what were the criteria for these schools? And wouldn't you think a personal visit to each of these schools been a part of that all important selection process?

Or are you just relying on word of mouth, catalogs, hearsay and websites?

[rex-craft7]

storyboard dave-

narrow down? anyways, at the current school im in, i cant really relate to anyone when 90% of the people in art class only signed up for the class "for an easy A".

the school im currently going to is a science/medical school, and as such, the only people i run into most of the time are prospective engineers, doctors, CSE people. i want to be surrounded by peers with a (i know its corny) kind of passion for art. so theres the main criteria, i want to go to a stand alone art school.

the school im currently going to has a student body of 40000. i want to be in a more nurturing, smaller environment, so theres another criteria.

the uni im currently attending does not have a very strong art program - another main reason im looking at the schools that i have listed - again, im at a science oriented school. its also a liberal arts school, which i view as unnecessary -

- ill get more more connections within the industry by transferring out into one of the schools i have listed, rather than stay where i am.

- a more minor reason, but i have been living here in WA - i believe it will help my growth if i attend school somewhere other than the place i have been living for my whole life

- the graphic design programs at the schools im planning on applying to are much stronger than the current school im in. SVA, for example, with 100 + faculty members in the graphic design/advertising department compared with my 2, amazing location (NYC) for internship/job experience, full studio space specifically for the design department with rotating equipment every six months, private studio space, and my now favorite japanese restaurant that is a block away from the main school office = diverse experience with a range of instructors (which i believe will give me a better educational experience), more connections, better equipment, quality of faculty, growth from fellow peers, and good $7 japanese meals

- i have gone on many school visits/tours and met with faculty to discuss about how the whole transfer process would work. i will be completely honest though - tyler and CMU are on my list merely based on their ranking for their design programs from catalogs and hearsay and such

- sorry for such a long message, but somehow i just felt like writing all of this out to answer your post. i feel like i have made a mistake on that first time applying for schools, and i dont want it happening again.

[Rogue_A]

Oh, UDub...silly research med/science school. I remember they tried to lure me over to their school my senior year of HS. But had I been like the rest of people here and just "escaped to the west side" to UW or WSU, or stayed at home and gone to EWU, Whitworth, or Gonzaga I think I would have been very, very bored. On the other hand, I'm sure I would have been a lot more sane there than I am at a crazy art school. *smirk*

BUT, It's not necessarily a bad thing to start out at a state school and transfer to another school- you might be ahead of the pack in liberal arts classes,which is good, cuz at art schools (or at least my school), the liberal arts classes are IN THE WAY of all the other good stuff....like, oh, studio classes! I wish I could blast them away and never take another one again because my school's lib arts department sucks. I'm takin a break this semester from them for that reason.

But concerning the "should I apply" thing: It does seem though that you are willing to go up and leave from the other posts you made, so I think if you want it THAT badly, and can afford the app fees, just go for what you want. The worst thing that could happen, would be that they all say no, and you'll still be at UW, right?. Which wouldn't be so bad...I mean...from my view, it's firkin Seattle, it's the largest city/metro area in the Northwest, there's always the opportunity to make friends with perhaps, AI of Seattle or DigiPen students..or local established artists/animators/etc...they'll know their art and you can hang and learn from them instead of the 90% of your school who thinks art is "an easy A" . The school you go to matters, eh, at least in my experiences, only maybe in certain little moments of any given conversation. If you can walk the walk, talk the talk of the artist, and in the end, deliver a decent portfolio of work, they the people hiring you, and they the audience viewing your art, won't care too much whether you went to SVA, Ringling, MICA, an AI, or some state school.

[Storyboard Dave]

narrow down?

Yes, you've already chosen RIT, syracuse U., pratt, CCA, MICA, SVA (for fall), SAVANNAH, MCAD to apply to. So why not whittle down that list to what you would seriously want to attend. Am I missing something about why you're just applying without any intent of going?

i have gone on many school visits/tours and met with faculty to discuss about how the whole transfer process would work. i will be completely honest though - tyler and CMU are on my list merely based on their ranking for their design programs from catalogs and hearsay and such

So what were your thoughts upon visiting some of these campuses? Did any them strike you as being a nurturing place for you? Did they have faculty that are still working professionals? Did they have adequate facilities? What about their placement of recent grads? And more importantly- do you feel as though you'd be challenged there and can you fit in?

- sorry for such a long message, but somehow i just felt like writing all of this out to answer your post. i feel like i have made a mistake on that first time applying for schools, and i dont want it happening again.

No need to apologize. You had some serious concerns and those of us who respond want to give you candid & honest answers. I do think you have applied at far too many schools without seriously considering the merits of how you'd fit into their program and what it is each program can offer you. The process can be daunting and there probably isn't a perfect school that would fulfill all of your needs, but good luck in choosing a place that can best serve your needs.

Best of luck to ya!

[Meloncov]

GPA, work expierence, and the like, while not unimportant, are secondary to your portfolio, so it's hard to say where you'd be accepted.


There is no need to apply to schools that your sure you won't go to, but I'd apply to at least one school your sure will accept you.

[Mirana]

"SAVANNAH" as in SCAD? (Not as in, y'know... Savannah State....) When I transferred in (about 2003) portfolios had nothing to do with acceptance, but everything to do with scholarship. To get in you only needed acceptable GPA (2.0+), good SAT/ACT score, recommendations and essay.

Looking at the requirements now (http://www.scad.edu/admission/undergraduate/undergradtransfer.cfm), looks like you just need the GPA/prior transcripts and everything else is just bonus. I will say your SAT score should automatically give you a decent scholarship. Add a portfolio to that and you can get into the Merit bracket with larger numbers.

[UrsusArctos]

Your post is confusing- in some ways you seem to say, "why bother". Well... if you are serious about your art career you should CERTAINLY care! Apply to those six schools and see what happens- your decisions now will effect the rest of your life- I sure wish I had the nerve to pursue my academic goals when I was in college!

[rex-craft7]

i sound like im saying "why bother"?? wow. i must really be terrible at wording things - anyways, ive decided to stick to those 6 schools, and see how it goes. and yea, i meant SAVANNAH as in SCAD. anyways, thanks for all the feedback so far