Forums » General
2012 Calarts Applicants
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Yeah, I didn't get great grades, mostly Bs my last two years (which were crammed into one year). In some of my emails with faculty members, they also reassured me that acceptance is based entirely on the portfolio.
This post was edited by Victoria Van Patten at April 3, 2012 6:49:04 PM PDT -
I'm not accepted (as of yet, still haven't heard...fingers still crossed-no expectations though) I talked with some faculty at a seminar a little while back, and grades are essentially the absolute last thing they look at. One guy even said that sometimes not so great grades reflects well-I guess cause it shows that you have focused your energy more towards what you want to do. Other than that there is HUGE emphasis on the Artist Statement. HUGE. And of course the Portfolio is of the utmost important. They want to see how you think and how you approach your art; they want to get to know you and what you are about (through portfolio and statement) is what I was told.
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Thank you! I know Ringling is into Academics. I just had a bad semester of health issues four years back at a Community College. I have four Fs on my transcript. So even though this past year I have will have two semesters of As, my GPA still looks whimpy. They said I can explain my issues on the application for Ringling, but I was wondering if I should just submit my high school transcript instead? I will also have a decent transcript from classes I took at the Kansas City Art Institute for credit.
CalArts is my top choice school. Its good to hear they focus on the portfolio/sketchbook and the artist statement before grades.
P.S. I love this forum. You all are so helpful and supportive! <3
This post was edited by Hannah Gibbs at April 3, 2012 7:49:43 PM PDT -
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Jamie Tan said:
It does, however, suck for those who spent all those years studying their brains off to get straight As, only to find out later that they are of no value. Wasted Asian determination.I wouldn't say it was a waste. You're probably a lot more likely to get external scholarships than people like me who ended up being average in school.
Good grades play to your advantage elsewhere, but I think I'm particularly greatful that CalArts places such an emphasis on portfolio. I spent my free time taking online classes so I could get out of the hell-hole that is High School and work on my portfolio.I'm glad of all schools they understand that because even though I was one point short of an A in AP World History and I made a B in a REALLY SUCKY Chemisty class , that it doesn't mean I suck at critical thinking or am incapable of achieving things or am any less motivated to do what I want than anyone else. I KNOW I was on par with the valedictorian.
I would have gotten better grades had I known that I had any sort of opportunity to win scholarships, but in all honesty, with average grades, no disabilities, and not falling into an ethrnic minority, I'll probably be lucky to get 200 bucks from any sort of company.
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I would say good grades are a good thing to strive for. It's a lot about mindset I think, people who care about grades make a greater effort to get them than people who are like "oh this isn't my thing" or whatever
school is all about effort basically, and people who are prepared or used to putting in the time to get shit done are going to have a better time adjusting to college life
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Oh man I wish i could tell the story of the day I got my rejection notification, but any itteration of that story that doesn't feature an in depth description of the most emotionally scarring sexual experience of my life just wouldn't do it justice, and i really doubt that's a story you want to hear. And telling you lovely folk about the time I spent that day talking my girlfriend out of suicide is probably too much of a bummer, as is recounting my shyamalanesque epiphany that my best friend's life and her relationship with me are both completely and irreparably fucked. The opening of that "Please click on your admissions decision option" link was such a perfect ending to the day. It could not have been anything else. It was like a flawless work of art, and maybe if you were to drop eight hits of acid and watch Eraserhead while putting your hands to an electric sander you could replicate a little bit of the ambience of the day.
I want to destroy something.
This post was edited by Arlo R at April 6, 2012 10:31:40 AM PDT -
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S K said:
I'm curious - I know that people who didn't get accepted for the fall of 2011 had the option of a portfolio critique. Is the same option available to people who didn't get in for 2012, and who should I be following up with?Andrew Ahn. aahn [at] calarts.edu
You could do it if you really want to, but don't expect some giant critique of your portfolio. I was actually pretty disappointed, but he explained to me that the admissions guys really don't write that many notes to go over. What I got back was actually kinda generic and not particularly helpful, but his hands were tied. He seems like a super nice guy that is readily available, though.
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Josh Swallow said:
You could do it if you really want to, but don't expect some giant critique of your portfolio. I was actually pretty disappointed, but he explained to me that the admissions guys really don't write that many notes to go over. What I got back was actually kinda generic and not particularly helpful, but his hands were tied. He seems like a super nice guy that is readily available, though.
I'll take it. Every little bit helps. Thanks!
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Hannah Gibbs said:
Question for those accepted. What deadline did you send your portfolio in by? Dec 1 or Jan 5th? Does it matter? Thanks!I sent mine Jan 5th, and I know some others who sent it by that deadline too. No, it doesn't matter. CalArts teacher John Mahoney even said that it's better to send in by Jan 5th; it's preferred to send in the most recent stuff so you have time to make more of that, and can make better drawings to replace older stuff. It's also better to take your time rather than rush it.
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