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Visual Arts and the College Process
How Your Special Interests Can Help Support and
Personalize Your College Application
Many of our students have studied the visual arts extensively both at Friends and outside of school. If you feel that you have completed significant work in the arts, it may be to your advantage to submit a portfolio as part of your college application. If you plan to apply to a Fine Arts program, a portfolio, submitted electronically or in person, will definitely be a requirement for admission.
What is the difference between a BA and BFA?
A Bachelor of Fine Arts is the professional degree for artists. BFA programs are offered at both independent art colleges such as RISD or Cal Arts and at larger universities such as Carnegie Mellon and Syracuse. Typically the breakdown of coursework in a BFA degree is 60 to 70% art and 30 to 40% liberal arts. In contrast, the Bachelor of Arts degree has a greater focus on liberal arts with 60-70% of coursework in this area and only 30-40% in the actual arts.
How do I know which type of program I want?
Many students who pursue a BFA have known for several years that they want a career in the visual arts, even if they do not know in what specialization. If you are uncertain, try asking yourself the following questions: How serious is your commitment to the arts? Does the idea of being in predominantly studio-based art classes appeal more or less to you than traditional academic courses? Do you have the training and talent for a competitive art program?
How do I know which type of program I want?
How can I learn more about visual arts majors?
First, check out the schools’ websites, looking specifically at the department’s description and mission, the faculty (number and training), and course offerings (number and variety). Also take advantage of the resources here at Friends; talk to your art teachers and college counselor. If you are interested after this initial research, then plan a campus visit if possible. Seeing the facilities (studio space, equipment) and the art work of current students will give you a strong feel for what a particular school has to offer.
Topics to ask about either on campus or via email:
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Depth and variety of majors and concentrations
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Facilities (work and exhibit space)
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Faculty (background, active artists, visiting professors)
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Career counseling and placement
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Student body (age, geography, size)
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Portfolio requirements
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Financial aid and merit scholarships
How do I decide between a BFA at an art institute or a university?
The breakdown of coursework for BFA students at art institutes and universities is basically the same. You will not be required to pursue more liberal arts classes at a university, though there may be a broader spectrum of courses from which to choose. Similarly there may be a greater choice of arts electives or concentrations at an art institute but again you will not be required or may not be interested in exploring many of them. There are many advantages to both types of schools, and as you begin the college process it would be useful to explore all options before ruling any out. Some points to begin thinking about are:
Art institutes tend to be small, supportive communities where the resources are focused solely on the arts. Career counseling, for example, may be more developed at an art institute as the program is focused in one direction.
At art institutes everyone is passionate about the same thing; this makes for a vibrant, exciting, creative environment.
Universities offer a more traditional college experience—sports, fraternities, and the like.
University art programs tend to be small and intimate even if the school is large.
If you ultimately change your mind about a visual arts major, you can usually internally transfer to another program at a university, whereas you might have to transfer schools entirely if you are at an art institute.
General Tips on Portfolios
Whether applying to a BFA program that requires a portfolio or simply sending in one as a supplement to a BA program, always check the school’s specific policies. As an example, some liberal arts colleges have an actual Arts Supplement with guidelines that students must use if they want to submit artwork for consideration regardless of their future major. As for BFA programs, while most follow the same general guidelines not all do. There is nothing worse than submitting a portfolio that does not follow the school’s stated requirements—a major no-no.
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Include 15 to 20 pieces of your work in a variety of media including drawing, painting and sculpture.
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Do not send original work. Instead, you should send in photographs of the work. However, you may show original work if you attend an
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To photograph your artwork use a neutral background and appropriate lighting. Be sure that the artwork fills the frame. Many students seek a professional’s assistance; ask the art department.
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At in-person portfolio reviews be prepared to show and discuss your sketchbook.
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Ideally, the work you include will be your best and most recent.
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Colleges will be interested in seeing your drawing ability and use of color regardless of the specific major in which you are interested.
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You may want to tailor your portfolio to each program. For example, some schools may be interested in more conceptual work than others.
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Attach a list with the number, title, media, dimensions, and a brief description of the work.
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In recent years digital or on-line portfolios have become the norm. A website called Slideroom is the most prevalent for submissions. Check each school’s website to be clear on what is required.
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Your art teachers are an excellent resource for choosing the work to include in your portfolio. Seek their advice and guidance by setting up a portfolio review in early September. You may also want to ask one for a recommendation.
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Each fall there is a National Portfolio Review Day held in New York City. This is a wonderful opportunity, particularly for juniors, to get an initial evaluation of your work and talent, and suggestions on how to improve your portfolio. In some cases, students have been tentatively awarded merit scholarships based upon a strong showing at the Portfolio Review Day!
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In addition, you should also include an Artist’s Statement (half to full page) describing your artistic background, interests and goals.
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One final note, at some schools a home test or project is either required in addition to a portfolio or an option in place of one.
How important is the portfolio in the admission decision?
For students applying to liberal arts school, a supplementary portfolio will not have a significant impact on the admission decision. For this reason students should not go to tremendous expense and effort in putting together a portfolio. However, demonstrating your talent and experience can be positive, if not a deciding factor.
For students applying to BFA programs, the portfolio is an admission requirement and will be weighed more heavily than a student’s academic profile. That is not to say that academic achievement is unimportant to art programs; it can say a lot about your motivation and discipline. However, it is secondary to the talent and potential that the admission office is looking for in the portfolio.
