Seniors are faced with myriad choices available after high school. Whether it be going to college, the workforce or taking a gap year, the possibilities are endless. However, some students choose to apply to art school to further their passions for art.

Admission into a prestigious art school is competitive as a student must show excellence academically and artistically. Each art school typically offers a range of styles of art including photography, illustrating and painting. According to USANews, the best art schools in the U.S. are at Yale University, University of California Los Angeles and Virginia Commonwealth University.

The process of applying to art school is not an easy one. Alongside the traditional Common Application, art schools require a portfolio with 10 to 20 pieces of the student’s artwork. While the types of artwork inside the portfolio are not limited, typically students strive to have each piece tell a story, have a certain theme or generally flow together. “I think the hardest part of the application was the portfolio building process. Admission counselors get portfolios in mass quantities, so it is essential to make your portfolio stand out in order to get accepted. Then there is always the struggle of wondering if you did enough,” senior Robin Imm said.

Creating a portfolio is a long and strategic process. For some students, building a portfolio can take months or even a year while working closely with art teachers. “It was a combination of working at home and in class. My art teachers definitely had an impact on the portfolio process. The key thing about the portfolio is that each individual piece has to be strong. For me, my pieces had to be both strong and fluid since my portfolio tells a story,” Imm said.

The chances of getting a scholarship for art is difficult due to the competitive nature of applying to art schools. “For me, it was hard getting a scholarship because there was a lot of competition. It is also hard as everyone has different tastes in art so at times it can be subjective. But I do know some people who did get scholarships for art school, which is amazing,” senior Riana Inocencio said.
The possibilities for art school graduates after graduation are also broad. Students can become illustrators, teachers or do freelance work. “In the future, I plan to go to art school and study various art forms. But, in the end I want to become a art teacher and continue to develop my passion for art,” Inocencio said.

Alyssa Bursie

Commons Editor