<p>Super Graham,</p>
<p>Okay kid let’s get you sorted out. I want to break this down into 5 parts and then work through each part. In my mind your five parts are: GPA, SAT/ACT, Portfolio, essays, list of schools.</p>
<p>GPA
Your 3.69 (weighted) is right at a break line for many of the top university art programs. An example is that it’s sort of the bottom of approved applicants for NYU-Tisch. So your 3.69w is a good number, it brings in some reach possibilities and also means that you’re a real strong candidate at your backups. No school is a slam dunk but I’d have to think you’re at least 75% likely approved at LSU. So we know you are going to go to a wonderful school, we just don’t know which one yet.</p>
<p>SAT/ACT
Your ACT 27 is a little low. I’d like to challenge you a little to really try to bring that up to a 29. More doors will open with a 29. For help search the College Confidential site for ‘Xiggi’s Method’.</p>
<p>Portfolio
Okay you have lots of good stuff here but you have to organize it into a portfolio that will grab attention. First thing I want you to do is develop 2 or 3 series of pictures. There are many reasons for this but mostly it’s because this is how most college photographers work. You get an idea and you work through your idea and the pictures show your thought process. College kids do it so we’re going to do it. </p>
<p>Obviously one of your series will be portraits. You have a lot of good ones so lets pull them all together in one pile. Then sift through to get your best 20 portraits, once there we’ll cut it down to 5 to 7 images. I like the face pressed against glass, the back of two people at the airport, ‘Mad Ziggy :0’ (although this breaks a ‘Wheaty Rule’), and Alex in front of the ball sculture b&w.</p>
<p>Another series could be ‘texture’. Here I would include your 3 pears, N.O. mailboxes (but needs to be straightened), that b&w weeds pic, and so on. If you like that series idea then same thing: pull your best 20 and then pare it down to a final series of 5 to 7.</p>
<p>In the end I’d like you to submit 2 or 3 series of 5 to 7 pictures. Some schools have a max of 10 images so then we’ll go with 2 series of 5 images each. Other schools offer a higher limit so we might add another series of 5 images.</p>
<p>Essays
I can’t offer much help here. Check in other forums on CC, ask a guidance counselor or your valedictorian for help. Essays are very important for arts majors so I encourage you to work on this.</p>
<p>Schools
I like your list. I might argue that you move MICA and SAIC higher on your list. If fashion is your goal then New York City is where you want to be. The internship connections alone would make NYC a target for you. Don’t forget that there are many ways to get to NY. Undergrad is just one way… for example, you could get a solid degree at LSU and an MFA from SVA or Pratt or Parsons. </p>
<p>Also consider adding a few more ‘LSU-like’ schools. Maybe Georgia or U of Texas? Solid photo programs and good schools.</p>
<p>Those are my initial thoughts… happy to answer any questions.</p>
<p>Best of Luck,
Wheaty</p>