How to Get Into Art School

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If you are passionate about art, you should be able to get into art school. If you have a great portfolio already then you are off to an excellent start, but even if you don't you can make it. Art schools realize that the experience level of their students varies, so it's most important to show that you are making an effort, while showcasing your strongest points.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

High school transcripts
SAT or other test scores
Letters of recommendation
Samples of your best art

Step1

Take advantage of all art-related opportunities. Choose art electives at school, read about art, visit galleries, consider pre-college programs and practice as much as possible. Regardless of your current skill level, practice will only help your chances.

Step2

Work on your portfolio. Almost all art schools require samples of your best work. Make sure to include some pieces that showcase your technical ability, like realistic still-lifes or portraits. Flesh it out with anything you particularly like or think is very creative or representative of your personal style. Make sure that everything is clean and professionally presented in a portfolio book, slides or digital images. If you have trouble with the technical aspects of building a portfolio, ask your art teacher for help.

Step3

Do well in all your classes, participate in extracurricular activities and develop relationships with teachers who can give you good letters of recommendation. Even though this is art school, your academic performance is still a factor. Especially if your portfolio is mediocre, a good academic record can really help.

Step4

Research different art schools. Common types include technical art schools (which are not really colleges but can provide excellent training for certain art careers), universities with art departments (which vary in quality but can provide a first-rate art education with the option to take academic electives or switch programs), and arts-only colleges. Look at art programs and also design programs, to make sure that you understand the full range of art-related study options.

Step5

Pick the schools you want to apply to, and order their application packets. Like any type of college, you should apply to several different schools, including both your top choices and some that seem convenient or easy to get into. Carefully complete all the application requirements exactly as specified.