Daap

japplerod · 08-19-2007, 05:45 PM

Hi. I have two questions. First of all, I want to know what everyone thinks my chances are of getting in.

GPA: 3.4 UW/ 3.8 W
SAT: 1450
Class rank: School doesn't do it, but at least top third.

Also, I've been on a swim team since I was 7 and I'm an eagle scout, so my extra curriculars are pretty good. Secondly, I've been wondering, since there's no portfolio requirement, do a lot of people realize that their drawing skills aren't up to par and drop out? If you work hard enough will you be able to keep up with the people who have been drawing throughout high school? I'm reasonably talented at drawing, but I'm out of practice. I figure it doesn't matter if I get in if I'm forced to drop out. Thanks to anyone who responds.

taxguy · 09-18-2007, 09:19 PM

Unfortunately, DAAP doesn't require portfolios. Thus, your solid drawing talent won't impact admission. You need solid GPA and SATs.

Is your 1450 SAT a sum of all three parts or only Math and Critical Reading? If it is only math and CR, I would say you have a very fine shot. UC is very numbers oriented. If, however, it consists of all three parts, you have little chance.

japplerod · 11-28-2007, 09:48 PM

Thanks for teh response. That score is only math and CR. I took the SATs again so now my score out of 1600 is 1520. I think I might have been a little unclear as to what I was asking though. I would say that I have some talent for drawing, but my current abilities are pretty average. I figure most people going to UC will be ridiculously talented. Is there a good chance that I'll go there and realize that my skills are too far behind or are there more people in my situation and eventually everyone catches up?

taxguy · 11-29-2007, 08:05 PM

Japplerod, I would say that you have a good shot considering your terrific SATs, although UC is very GPA and class rank oriented. Definitely apply! It is a fabulous school.

As for talent, UC doens't require portfolios. You get a mixed bag of students regarding artisitic talent.If you have the talent and the drive, you will do well. If you don't, you will realize this by the end of your freshmen year. Most art programs have similar foundation programs that weed out kids with little or no talent. If you think you are talented, you should apply.

I should note that you DON'T need to be a terrific fine artist for design. You just need some basic skills and a willingness and terrific drive to learn. This is why some design programs don't require portfolios. Now if you were applying for a fine arts major, most schools do require portfolios including that if UC.

By the way, my daughter attends UC and LOVES it. I can't imagine a better curriculum or better experience considering that they provide 1.5 years of paid coop.

japplerod · 12-01-2007, 08:39 AM

Thank you so much for your reply, taxguy. That makes me feel a lot better. I already applied so now I'm just awaiting the decision.

Also, I have a question about the Cincinnatus Scholarship. When do you usually find out if you won any additional scholarship money? Is it before you need to agree that you're going to go there? Thanks again.

taxguy · 12-01-2007, 09:02 AM

Japplerod, let me note that EVERYONE with a 3.25 or better gpa ( I believe that is the cutoff) will get some money. If you are instate, the minimum will be $2,000 per year. If you are out of state, the minimum is $5,000 per year. As for geting more, I don't remember when my daughter was notified. Call up UC Cincinnatus program folks and ask them. I have found that most of the UC staff was very nice.

Good luck. DAAP is a terrific school;however, be prepared for some VERY hard work and sleepness nights.

taxguy · 12-30-2007, 11:30 AM

Japplerod, please post whether you were accepted or not.

japplerod · 01-01-2008, 09:22 AM

Yep, I got in!! I actually found out around two weeks ago when I got an invitation to the cincinnatus competition, so I checked online. Just never got around to posting it I guess haha. I'm pretty excited to go in Feb. so I can see the school and talk to the students and really get a feel for it.

Ellis · 01-24-2008, 07:38 PM

Hey, that's great news.
I hope you love it!

taxguy · 01-25-2008, 08:06 AM

Japplerod notes,"do a lot of people realize that their drawing skills aren't up to par and drop out? If you work hard enough will you be able to keep up with the people who have been drawing throughout high school?"

Response: First, Congratulations on your admission.

As to your questions, you are asking very broad based questions that don't apply to everyone;however, yes, some people do drop out because they find out that they don't have sufficient skill. In addition, some drop out because they can't cope with the enormous workload. The drop out rate is about 8%-10% in total during the freshmen year and probably some small drop out rate in the sophomore year too.

Overall,however, there is very low attrition. If you do a search on the Univerisity of Cincinnati web site, institutional research, you will see that they take about 8 transfers for each of the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior years in total for all of DAAP. If you assume that 8 drop out each year, that would mean that they lose about 32 kids for each entering class out of about 400-500 freshmen admittees in total. This attrition probably is centered around the design majors such as architecture, graphic design, industrial design, and digital design and transportation design. I would doubt there is much attrition in fine arts or Urban Planning. Those majors probably account for about 250-300 freshmen admittees.Thus, if you assume that about 30 drop out ( over a four year period) for each entering class of the 250-300 freshmen admittees in design majors, you can approximate 10% in total,which isn't bad at all.