I’m an aspiring art major and looking to apply to art schools, but I was wondering if they put as much emphasis on subject tests as they do ACTs and SATs. I scored pretty well on Math 2 (750) but that was the only one i’ve taken. Will it help to put that on the application or should I take another one (many friends have taken 2 or 3 to put on their application)? Also, I don’t even know if schools like Parsons, Pratt, or SVA even accept subject test scores, but considering my low gpa, I hope that this score would help me !
Look at the common data sets of your target schools. You also NEED to look at your target schools admissions criteria. Stop guessing. You’ll see that in general, the normal “academic” factors are pretty low. They want a portfolio, a warm body, and a tuition check – not a bunch of high SAT or SAT2 scores.
dedicated art/design schools such as the ones you mention do NOT require the SAT subject tests unless it’s something like Math I or II for architecture. However, it will never hurt to send them in especially if you think it offsets a low GPA. Highly doubtful a school will tell you NOT to submit - more likely it’ll be considered supplemental material. Check the schools’ websites to be sure.
If you are applying to a uni then you might have to submit a subject test or two, depending on their specific admission requirements.
Right now you should be focusing on your portfolio so it’s in top-shape for submitting this fall. That will actually be the thing that receives the most weight.
Good luck to you!
dedicated top art and design schools like VCUARTS, Risd, mica,UCLA etc put more emphasis on your portfolio and do not require sat subject tests. #1 portfolio, #2 GPA,#3 SAT/ACT, #4 recommendations, experience and ec. In that order. Having said that , it obviously helpful to have higher SAT scores and GPA than not , but a very talented portfolio will trump all.
Agreed–portfolio matters most, by a lot. But keep in mind that some art schools have scholarships available to kids with solid portfolios AND great academic records. MICA, for example offers fifty merit scholarships per year for “academic excellence.” So having good grades and scores won’t make up for a mediocre portfolio, but it may give you access to a broader range of merit scholarships.
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