<p>I believe you have to write a sort of personal statement along with your artwork / concentration(s) and I’m wondering if really impacts your score. How much influence do you think this has.</p>
<p>I have lost all faith after taking APAH.</p>
<p>I have friends that take this class I have heard it is very difficult. I assume meaning is quite important as they tell me getting a 5 is extremely difficult.</p>
<p>Meaning is pretty important if it is in your artwork. Artwork at its best should have both a physical and symbolic message (so if your portfolio is on animals, use each animal to symbolize something). However the main goal to do well in AP Art is to submit around 20 breathtaking pieces of artwork. Good luck!</p>
<p>D did 2D and drawing AP studio art classes and got a 4 in one and 5 in the other (and was thrilled since they are NOT generous with 5s). She loved art although not using it in college. It was a little discouraging to have to have “meaning” behind everything and it can’t be something cute or pretty…has to be “deep.” Coming up with concentration ideas is hardest. In first class she changed part way through year which meant some long weekends since some pieces couldn’t be used. Second year she settled on concentration earlier and much easier. She had good friend who was very talented but loved fantasy style drawing along with completely realistic horse portraits she did on commission. She had to stretch her style to fit AP criteria… We often joked that maybe she needed more black and red in her work (along with words like death and longing worked into background 
But D did love her art classes. It was a great group of students and wonderful break to her otherwise academic heavy day.</p>
<p>To OP, I do remember her having to explain concentration theme, but no idea how important it was in grading other than obviously if her work followed that theme.</p>
<p>Only about 2% get 5’s( check me if i’m wrong), so they want good art.</p>