If you are a parent of a young artist you know firsthand how much time goes into your child’s craft. You are sure of your child’s talents, but you may not be sure if they should major in the arts or think more broadly about majors in college. Should your child apply to BFA programs, BA programs, conservatories, or universities?
As part of my radio show, I interviewed arts admissions professionals from CalArts, UCLA and the LA County High School for the Arts and got the inside scoop on how artsy students should navigate the college admissions process. You can listen to “The ‘Art’ of Admissions” Access College radio broadcast by clicking HERE.
The truth is, in today’s marketplace and in college settings, there is a great need for creative, innovative minds – students with artistic backgrounds who can think outside of the box, collaborate with others and generate new ideas and solutions to complex problems. So whether your child is planning to major in the arts in college or merely pursuing their arts interests on the side, showcasing an artistic talent can pay off in admissions.
When I worked as a recruiter for UCLA’s Arts programs, some of the most interesting students I met were academically strong as well as brilliant young artists. In the visual arts programs, we looked for students who had both technical abilities in their mediums such as painting or drawing, as well as strong conceptual ideas communicated through their work. In the performing arts programs we sought out artistic leaders, those who saw themselves as more than just actors, musicians, and dancers.
For students who may not want to major in an arts area, it is still valuable to showcase artistic talents. Many colleges value artistically inclined students and even offer artistic scholarships to such students.
Take my Scripps College admissions office experience for example. I reviewed applications of students who may have had an interest in an arts area but may not have been planning to major in art, dance, or music. These students were always compelling to me because of their multi-dimensionality. A history major who weaves native looms, or a biologist who dances and teaches young people classical ballet would offer the Scripps community a unique point of view. As an admissions officer, I felt these multi-dimensional artistic experiences would bring a different perspective to the campus.
At Colledge, we understand the demanding nature of artists and the rigor in their extracurricular activities. We coach them on how to showcase these unique talents, with portfolio review and audition selections so they will stand out.
Robin and Nick presented their artistic talents masterfully.
Robin was an incredibly talented musical theatre performer. She was driven, focused and knew what she wanted. She had an outstanding transcript with a few AP classes, with all A’s and B’s. In her application essays, she wrote about how profound it was for her to be a performer. We helped her find her true writing “voice” (no pun intended) with our writing exercises. She wrote about the sense of security she experiences on stage and the depth of joy she feels with every song she sings. Her writing came from the heart and was intensely moving.
Robin was accepted to Ithaca College with a generous scholarship, and is now completing her second year. She has performed at numerous well-known theaters already and is a shooting star.
Nick was a technical theatre artistic kid who was passionate about his work. He was a perfectionist at heart and would stay as long as it took to hang lights or adjust the soundboard for theatrical productions at his arts-focused high school. We helped Nick identify universities that would offer him the best technical theatre opportunities while he pursued a BA degree. Nick was accepted to Carnegie Mellon and is now a graduating senior.
Whether your child is a composer, dancer, illustrator, violinist, filmmaker, or playwright, or just a kid who loves to draw or make YouTube videos, we can help. For more information about our services for artsy students and to schedule a free initial consultation, click HERE.
Listen to The ‘Art’ of Admission KPFK Access College radio archive by clicking HERE.
