Where else should we look?

uskoolfish
Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:17:39 +0000

One suggestion I’d make to you as you look into schools is to understand how important academics and talent come into play for admissions.

For example, will the school first accept student academically and then consider their art portfolio for admission into a specific art track?..or is art considered for admission initially along with academics?

I say this because I am guessing your D’s SAT scores put her at about 1220 or 1230 out of 1600 (if her math is 510ish and her reading in the low 700’s.) These scores are fine for art schools that will place an emphasis on talent/portfolio and for universities that consider academics and talent as part of the initial acceptance (sometimes with a 50-50 weight). But I would be concerned with those SAT scores for schools like Barnard, Wesleyan, Yale, Brown and U of Penn who are going to make their decision based on academics with very limited consideration of talent. Even if her grades are good, her SAT’s may hold her back.

As my D starts this process, I am trying to sort out what goes into the decision-making process so that her list is realistic in regards to D’s talent and academics.

For example, assuming my D has a good portfolio and an 89 average and 1300 SAT (these are guesses–for now), she may have an easier time getting into NYU (who considers portfolio and academics equally) than a school like SUNY New Paltz where talent is not even looked at until you get accepted academically.

Good luck!