How to Get Into a Great Art College

Choosing a college is an important decision in any student's life. You need to take into consideration the location, affordability, and any financial aid, but also the programs offered and the rates of job placement. Look for colleges that offer a well-rounded education and that has an excellent program in your area of interest.

Preparation

Getting into college requires some preparation. You want to make sure that your grades are good and your test scores are adequate. You can also increase your chances by writing a great admissions essay for the application. Showcase your academic achievements through volunteer work and your chosen extracurricular activities.

You may choose to look for assistance in getting into college. Some places offer college admissions assistence which can help you make the necessary choices and build the experiences that you need to have a good chance of getting into your chosen school.

Requirements

Now, if you're looking to attend an art school, in particular, there are slightly different means for achieving admittance. There are plenty of four-year colleges that offer good art programs. For these, you will still need the standard admissions requirements of the grades, extracurriculars and good test scores. But, in addition to this, you will most likely need a portfolio showcasing your artwork.

The requirements of the portfolio vary depending on the school. Some places will have you submit slides of your work. This means you can take good quality pictures of your pieces while making sure you have proper lighting and background. Choose your best pieces that showcase your talents and the different mediums that you work. Make sure you thoroughly read the instructions for the portfolio. They will usually ask for a variety of mediums and a certain number of pieces.

Other times, you are required to bring your pieces to the school for an evaluation in person. While slides allow you to take pictures of any and all of your work, this will be a little more challenging. For an in-person evaluation, you'll need to bring pieces that are easily transported and that won't be damaged during transport. Choose pieces that won't be too awkward or heavy to move. Also, make sure that you bring pieces that are easy to set up and display. You don't want to risk not having enough time to assemble a difficult piece.

It's best to apply to several different schools for the best chance of getting in. When choosing which schools to apply to, consider the job opportunities most likely for your school's programs.

Advantages

An education in art can be highly rewarding. There are many ways that show how college art classes can improve your artistic skills. In college-level courses, the instructors are knowledgeable and the classes are normally much longer. This allows you to go more in-depth with your project and really concentrate on the details. Some projects can even last the entire semester. While this helps you create a beautiful finished project, it also means that the standards of quality are quite high.

There are so many different careers to consider in the arts. Certain areas such as graphic design and animation are high paying and continuously growing.

Completing an art education will boost your creativity and encourage individual thinking and exploring new avenues of expressing yourself. The professors will teach you techniques that you can utilize or use as a basis for forming your own way to do things. This is a great foundation to build upon and there is unlimited potential you can reach. An art school will give you the tools that you need to start creating the life that you want.

Applying and getting into school is a scary thought for many and has its challenges. However, it is worth the effort and the time it takes to get into a quality school. A good education and the experiences you gain in college have no equal. They can set you on the path for greatness, and a stable, yet exciting, future.