Throughout the series so far, we’ve taken you behind the scenes of some of the top art programs in the country. Each programs’ particular preferences and characteristics will shape their admissions process and inform you about what they are looking for in a prospective student. As a result, while there are some overlaps, such as the submission of a portfolio and letters of recommendation, there are often subtle differences to be aware of. Understanding these nuances can set you apart from other applicants.
Yale, for example, doesn’t offer a BFA, but chooses instead to offer a BA in Art. This indicates that in addition to art, the university’s core curriculum requires students to pursue subjects ranging from liberal arts to mathematics and science thereby placing an emphasis on academics more than, say, an art school like RISD, with its laser-like focus on artistic technique and conceptual art-making. You apply to Yale’s art program through the general undergraduate admissions office and indicate that you want to major in art. You have the option to submit a portfolio, but only do so if you are already very technically skilled as a visual artist. A poor portfolio, in this case, can hurt your chances more than submitting no portfolio. These are the kinds of nuances that go into each school’s admissions process and we’re here to help you sort through them.
Pro Tip #1: Attend an admissions event at the universities you’re interested in. Not only will it answer a lot of your questions and provide you with contacts to reach out to as you compile your application, but it will give you a sense of the personality of the program and whether or not you think you’d fit in there. Equally as important, it will get your face in front of the very same people who will be reviewing your application, who will remember you as a result of your attendance. Admissions events are unique opportunities to make personal connections that will inform your application for reviewers and could make or break an admissions decision.
Admissions Factors
The challenging decision of which students will be admitted each year comes down to a handful of factors in several key areas, from academics to a strong portfolio. Be sure to read carefully as we detail each of these key areas below so you can set yourself up to successfully research the schools you’re most interested in and put your very best foot forward.
Academics
GPA
GPA is a universally important aspect of all college applications. The art programs we’ve highlighted in this series are among the most successful in the country and therefore require prospective students to be at the top of their class (with the exception of CalArts which places more emphasis on the artistic talent of the prospective student). GPA requirements for a top art program generally range from 3.4 – 4.0.
Testing: SAT/ACT
Many universities such as UCLA and Columbia, as well as almost all art schools from RISD to CalArts, are test-optional, meaning they don’t require standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT. But beginning in 2025, Yale and a handful of other universities will resume their pre-COVID policy of requiring test scores, so be sure to confirm this requirement with your program of choice.
Rigor of Curriculum
Like all top universities in the country, the top art programs will favor prospective students whose transcripts reflect success in Honors and AP courses. This will matter especially for university art programs, whereas art schools’ admissions will focus more on your portfolio and artistic talent.
Arts Courses
For the country’s top art programs, it’s often recommended – though not required – that you have completed a college preparatory program that includes studio art and art history prior to applying. Being able to show a basic knowledge of art history and techniques will give you a competitive edge over those students without comparable experience and shows dedication and interest to the practice of art.
Art Classes Outside of School
If you didn’t enroll in art courses as part of your high school coursework, don’t despair! You can sign up for a summer arts course or a weeknight introduction to studio art course at a local community center or college and discuss it in your application. Taking art courses in your medium of interest will help you speak to it in your application, even if you will be submitting your application before the class even begins.
Art Portfolio
The portfolio is almost always the most important aspect of your application to an art program. A common misconception of prospective undergraduate art students is that the portfolio review is all about technique–is your portrait realistic enough? Did you nail the rule of thirds in your composition? Is your sculpture perfectly balanced, or perfectly imbalanced for that matter?
What portfolio reviewers are searching for in a prospective student is not simply a mastery or basic knowledge of technique, but more importantly a well-conceived message. What you are trying to say with your art is one of the most important aspects of a portfolio. Does your work reveal a unique and compelling perspective? How does the subject you choose to paint, sculpt or photograph align with an opinion you have about yourself or the world around you? Still lifes, for example, are not generally the best selection for a portfolio unless there is a very clear statement being made or something visually dynamic that sets it apart from the vast majority of introductory still life paintings. A successful portfolio is not simply technically savvy, but also reflects your voice as an artist.
Pro Tip #2: Many schools offer detailed instructions for applying (often called “Application Checklists”). These will tell you everything from the basics of what essays and academic information to submit, to what they’re looking for in a prospective student. Here are checklists from RISD, UCLA, and SAIC that show what a strong portfolio looks like, specifically for them. If you can’t locate this checklist for your prospective school on their website, don’t be shy about reaching out to their admissions office. That’s what they’re there for, and they’ll be more than happy to help you better understand what they’re looking for.
Pro Tip #3: At least one year ahead of the date you’d like to apply, decide whether you will be applying to the early decision or regular deadline and then reach out to the admissions office at each of your wish-list schools to inquire about a portfolio review. Some schools, like RISD and SAIC, offer prospective students an early portfolio review to help guide them in submitting their strongest portfolio possible. You’ll want to do that first thing, so you have plenty of time to create new work that implements their advice and rounds out your portfolio. Also, be sure to register for National Portfolio Day, where you can attend events across the country to have your portfolio reviewed by art admissions officers from programs throughout the country. The key to a successful portfolio submission is preparation.
Extracurricular Activities (In-school or Out-of-school)
Extracurriculars matter whether you’re applying to an art school or a university art program. With enough lead time, you can design an extracurricular strategy that aligns with your artistic message. For example, are you an artist and an activist? Does the art you create center around messages of social justice? Perhaps volunteering at a racial equity non-profit or an affordable housing advocacy organization might speak to the themes in your work and show the reviewers how life informs your art. Using extracurriculars to support and even amplify the preoccupations of your art is a key part of a successful application.
Internships and Employment
Internships and employment, like extracurricular activities, can act as the glue of your application – anchoring and supporting your various interests and the themes of your art. But they can be more than that. Consider that when an art program accepts you, it is an investment they are making in you as an artist. An investment that they hope will be paid back one day when they can claim you, the Successful Artist, as one of their alumni and take credit for having helped you get there, thus elevating the reputation of their program. When admissions officers see internships or employment on your resume and application – particularly art-related internships and employment – it tells them you are dedicated and reliable; that you will likely be as committed to your practice as an artist as you are to the jobs and internships you hold.
Application Components
Now that we’ve reviewed the admissions factors that will impact your candidacy to art programs, let’s take a look at the application itself! There are many different components to an application and each school’s requirements vary. Here, we’ve pulled together some of the most common components and broken them down to give you an idea of what success looks like in each category.
Application Type
When applying to undergraduate art programs you will quickly realize that while most of the top schools, such as the Ivies, SAIC and RISD, accept what is known as The Common Application – one application that is accepted by over 1,000 participating institutions – others, like UCLA and CalArts, require you to use their own college-specific application. No matter which type of application you use, the following components will often be included.
Essays
Essays provide a unique opportunity to give the admissions officers and faculty an idea of the person behind the numbers and, in this case, the art. We recommend submitting any optional essays allowed to give programs a more comprehensive portrait of who you are, but only do so if you can take your time and present writing you are proud of.
Personal Essay
The personal essay is the place for you to share your personality, values, and significant experiences. It’s where you can let your dreams and your desires shine. The Common App requires a personal essay of up to 650 words and offers six different prompts to choose from as well as a seventh option of an essay of your choice. It’s important that your personal essay reflects your core values and personality in a way that aligns with your portfolio. There should be a sense of cohesion and a flow from one to the other. In other words, those reviewing your application should think: it makes sense that this person created this art. Note that schools that use their own applications vary in whether they require a personal essay.
Be yourself! RISD encourages its prospective students to take liberties with their essay: “While we encourage you to adhere to the rules of good writing, we look for applicants who are not afraid to take risks in their expression. Please don’t hesitate to use a writing style or method that may be outside the mainstream as you express a distinctive personal position in your essay.” Ultimately, this is the one place where you can bring all the fun, interesting and disparate parts of yourself together to paint a genuine picture of who you are.
Pro Tip #4: Be sure to divide your essay into paragraphs! This forces you to organize your thoughts; each paragraph should have a clear, cohesive idea that underlies the content. In addition, shorter paragraphs, of between 3-5 sentences each, help your reviewer stay engaged.
Pro Tip #5: Many schools offer webinars about essay writing or digital guides to their applications, or even (as we mentioned above) free portfolio reviews. All of these resources will help you understand what they’re looking for, specifically, and how to give it to them! If you can’t find it on their website – like these tips at the bottom of UCLA’s undergraduate art program webpage – all you have to do is contact the school’s admissions office and inquire.
Artistic Statement
Not all art programs require an artistic statement (or even offer the option of submitting one), but if you come across it then take advantage of this significant opportunity to show what kind of artist you are. You’ll speak to things like your artistic process, the themes of your work, and your own personal style. Depending on the program you’re applying to, you might not be required to submit a portfolio (for example, as we mentioned above, portfolios are optional at Yale and should not be submitted unless they are very strong), so the Artistic Statement is where you can help the faculty and admissions officers visualize your work. What palette do you typically use in your work? What styles do you incorporate – impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, pointillism, etc.? What subjects do you obsess over or retreat from? Why? As you tell them about your art – both visually and conceptually – you’re also telling them about yourself.
Additional Supplemental Essays
Many programs will either require a supplemental essay or give you the option of submitting one. In addition to the Artistic Statement, you may be asked why you want to attend that program. Be as specific as possible! Research the academics, including required courses and electives, as well as extracurricular clubs and organizations you could join. You can even mention particular faculty you would like to study with and why.
Letters of Recommendation, Including Letter from Arts Teacher
Letters of recommendation are required by all universities and art schools. They are integral in an art programs’ understanding of your artistic and academic abilities, as well as other personal characteristics, such as your integrity, dedication, and collaborative skills. Each college has its own policy of how many teachers are required and allowed, including whether an art teacher in particular is required; and how many “other” recommendations can be submitted from people outside of academics, such as internship supervisors or club advisors. These recommenders can address questions such as: Are you a team player? Someone who leads and mentors others? An individual with the capacity to engage in activities?
If you are submitting an art portfolio, you might want to include an additional recommendation letter from an art teacher. In addition, colleges require that your school’s college counselor submit a letter as part of the Secondary School Report, which also includes your transcript and school profile.
Pro Tip #6: Be sure to select recommenders who can speak to different parts of your life (employment, academic, artistic) to give the programs a well-rounded idea of your commitment in all areas.
Interview
While none of the programs we’ve discussed in this series formally require interviews for admission, some of them may arrange one if they desire to learn more about a candidate. Above all else, an interview is an opportunity to make a personal connection with someone involved with the program you wish to be part of. Whether the program offers an interview or not, you can always reach out to faculty you are interested in studying with and ask a question, ask to meet, or have a phone call. Any meaningful conversation could give you a leg up when the program is deciding whether or not to offer you a spot. Express interest in the work of the person you’re speaking with. Being yourself and being inquisitive is your best bet for getting a positive recommendation to the program.
Conclusion
Ultimately, an application is where schools will get to know you as a prospective student, but also as a person, or, in your case, an artist. To present yourself as an artist, you must know yourself as an artist. So, take some time with each of the components we’ve mentioned above as well as the questions we posed in Post 2. Learn about yourself, so that you can share yourself with others. And don’t be afraid to express your curiosity or speak to a desire to learn and grow in certain areas. Revealing an awareness of the areas you hope to excel in will reflect maturity and show your application reviewers that you are ready for a collegiate setting and a serious artistic undertaking.
But knowing yourself isn’t the only integral part of a successful application. You must know the program, too. Posts 3-8 of our series are designed to help you familiarize yourself with the top art programs in the country. Spend time thinking about which features matter to you and why – this will help you create your list of best-fit programs. Thoroughly research each of the programs you are applying to so that you can identify the unique features that differentiate each program and draw you to it. You will then be able to knowledgeably use the essays to show each program why you’re interested in them, specifically. This is the key to submitting successful applications!
The college admissions process can be overwhelming, and it may feel difficult to know where to start. At Collegiate Gateway, we are eager to share our expertise and guide you on your admissions strategy and the path to your “best fit” college. Please feel free to contact us! As always, we’re happy to help!
