Finding the right college for you Finding a college can be overwhelming. It helps to consider a...
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Transcript of Finding the right college for you Finding a college can be overwhelming. It helps to consider a...
finding the right college for you
Finding a college can be overwhelming. It helps to consider a range of criteria to narrow your choices
• Location• Size• Academic degrees & programs• Cost• Culture• Enrollment requirements:
Portfolio
Academic• Your chances of success
finding the right college for you LOCATION
• Do you want to live near home, or move far away?
• Do you prefer urban, suburban, or rural areas?
• Consider the entire United States, even the world
finding the right college for you SIZE
• Do you think you’d be more comfortable at a big school or at a small school?
finding the right college for you ACADEMIC DEGREES
What degree are you seeking?
Three main undergraduate degrees:
• Bachelor of Science BS• Bachelor of Arts BA• Bachelor of Fine Arts BFA
finding the right college for you ACADEMIC DEGREES
Bachelor of Fine Arts BFA degree
• Standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in visual or performing arts
• Majority of studio-oriented courses• In other countries it’s sometimes called Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA.
Bachelor of Arts BA degree
• Standard undergraduate “liberal arts” degree• greater number of non art/studio courses required
• Typical BFA program = 2/3 required arts courses + 1/3 general studies/liberal arts• Typical BA program = 1/3 required arts courses + 2/3 general studies/liberal arts
finding the right college for you ACADEMIC DEGREES
• BFA degrees tend to require more art courses: studio + history & theory
• BA degrees tend to require a broader range of courses
• SUNY Purchase BFA degree
• 88 Studio Arts credits
• 28 Liberal Arts credits
• SUNY Oneonta BA degree
• 60 Studio Arts credits
• 90 Liberal Arts credits
• A broader Liberal Arts education might be more useful if you change direction later in life
finding the right college for you ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
What area do you want to major in?
• After two years of visual arts study, colleges will expect that you have developed enough focus to declare a major
• If in doubt, choose studio art
finding the right college for you ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Does the college offer a program or concentration in the area of your interest?
• Visit the college’s website• Look for “Academic Programs” or
“Concentration Areas”• Read through the required courses
for various majors
finding the right college for you COST
• Art schools are expensive
• Can you afford the school of your dreams?• Will you be able to pay off student loans?
finding the right college for you CULTURE
• Does the school’s overall culture seem like a fit for you?
• Look up student work – are students doing work that you like and aspire to?
• Look up faculty members – do you feel a connection with their art, their writing, their career paths?
• Is the school more oriented to part-time or full-time students?
• Do you feel comfortable with the student body?
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS PORTFOLIO
The most important element of any application – galleries, grants, residencies, or academic transfer – is your artwork
• Research the college’s portfolio requirements
• Read them carefully!
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS PORTFOLIO
15-20 pieces of recent work
Work from “direct observation”
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS PORTFOLIO
Drawing from photographs is discouraged
Fantasy work is discouraged
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS PORTFOLIO
Be careful about comics & cartoons
Your digital work will be judged for its visual & artistic merit
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC
LOOK UP• General education requirements • Transfer requirements• CHECK YOUR TRANSCRIPT • See which courses you’ve taken
match with the college’s requirements
Visit the school• Attend a college Open House• Meet with one of the college’s
admissions counselors
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC
Artist Statement + Admissions Essay
A good essay will be the difference in many applications.
Like the portfolio, read the directions!
Do some serious thinking and jot down notes.
Be honest with yourself.
Keep your audience in mind – art professors, admissions officers.
Convince your readers that you’re serious about art and your education.
Address weaknesses and present them in terms of how you’ve grown.
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC
Artist Statement + Admissions Essay
WRITE DEEP• Your essay should reflect the intellectual
maturity and depth of an advanced college student.
WRITE WELL• Spelling, grammar, English usage must be
correct.• Have other people read your essay to see if
it makes sense.• Get help at the Academic Support Center
Library Room G 13
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC
Artist Statement
Your goals as an artist• Why do you like to make art? • How is your work different from others? • What are your plans for the next five years?
The next ten years? • Who or what inspires you?
finding the right college for you ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC
Admissions Essay
Why are you applying to this particular college?• What specific aspects of the college do you
feel are particularly applicable to your achieving your goals?
• What qualities would you bring to the college?