a philosophical question

Parent Cafe
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<p>BassDad,</p>

<p>Upstream Red Team
Red Team Upstream
Oh Rutgers Rah!</p>

<p>Proud Rutgers graduate, Rutgers College, Class of 84.</p>

<p>Just to clarify for folks, a BFA requires liberal arts courses. Some art schools, MICA and RISD for example, focus on the quality of those liberal arts courses. My daughter is most intrested in those visual arts schools that also have active poetry, creative writing and foreign language clubs and classes.</p>

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<p>m&sdad…remember, too, that at RISD, she could take some liberal arts classes at Brown. I have a daughter at Brown who is taking RISD classes (same idea in reverse).
Susan</p>

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<p>I was thinking about a kid who does stuff he/she really enjoys–playing around with science experiments, solving obscure math problems, intense reading, painting, writing poetry–but doesn’t join official clubs or win awards and prizes-- probably such a kid is at a disadvantage for admissions because these passions are not “certified” but he/she may have more to offer than someone who takes a more calculating approach, always with a resume in mind. </p>

<p>I get the impression that “merit” today has to be quantifiable rather than something you would just feel from the way a kid talks and acts. Although maybe interviews do pick up on that sometimes?</p>

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<p>Also adding to the “push” are parents who went to competitive colleges themselves…they want the same for their kids and steer them along those lines…</p>

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<p>Interviews and essays are a great way for whatever passion to come through. In addition, LACs and universities are open to poetry, music performance and art portfolio cds as part of supplemental material.</p>

<p>But understand your point about quantifiable passion. Art school merit awards often increas if you place in a national awards competition like NFAA or Scholastic.</p>

<p>Interesting thread in the parent’s forum regarding the glut of BFA/MFA graduates for limited positions. Some advocating that paying for post HS Arts school is throwing away money and encouraging unrealistic expectations among kids.</p>