Juniors: Students with Talent in the Arts

For students with talent and accomplishments in the arts, strength in music, fine arts, design, film, dance, or other disciplines may play a role in your application process. For some, the arts may be the focus of your studies and you may pursue either an arts degree as part of a liberal arts program or admission to a specialized program such as a conservatory of music or film school. For others, the arts may be a distinguishing interest and you may simply want colleges to consider your arts experience as part of the overall admission decision.

For both groups of students, as you research schools, keep in mind that the process of applying could begin earlier and be more extensive in two important ways:

1. Submission of supplementary materials may be required to demonstrate your talent, such as submission of an art portfolio, a film, DVD, or CD, will require thought and planning.

2. Additional requirements for auditions, portfolio review, and interviews can necessitate significant additional preparation and attention to scheduling and deadlines.

You will need to check the websites of each school on your list to understand their process and requirements.

 

For more information on applying as a student with talent or interest in the arts, including questions to ask as you visit the colleges, advice on submission of arts materials,  and input from deans of admission such as Lawrence University's Steve Syverson and Carmina Cianciulli of Temple University's Tyler School of Art, see  Chapter 18, "Students with Special Talents", in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.

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