| College Guide for Students Interested in the Performing and Visual Arts |
| (Special note: This overview is information taken from several sources. However, we strongly recommend parents and students do further research and consider reading The Peterson Visual and Performing Arts Guide, The Stern's Performing Arts Directory and the Performing Arts Major's College Guide written by Carole J. Everett as some of the very best resources on the market.) It is important to understand that students applying to universities with a strong school of art, music, theater or dance program, must be admitted both academically and artistically. The student must meet both requirements for admission purposes. Regardless of talent level, the student must be able to succeed academically in these programs. Talent does play a significant role in the admission process. In addition to talent, the needs of a particular program or school will also come into play for that particular year. An honest self-assessment is the first step toward realizing your major. It is important that you are brutally honest with yourself as you examine your values, strengths, weaknesses, and dreams. Choosing a good match in a college is a great challenge. For those who have special talent in the visual and performing arts, the choice is even more critical as you must make some personal assessments at a rather early stage about priorities, goals, professional commitments, and direction for your future. As a performing artist, you must begin this process early enough to prepare for any auditions required. Performing artists should begin to explore colleges, programs, and audition requirements in their sophomore year. ?In addition to the usual or regular check list of factors to consider in selecting colleges, you will also need to consider the following specific questions: |
| What do I think of general education (liberal arts) versus specialization (conservatory/professional training?) How does this relate to the way I want to spend my time? |
| How do I respond to competition? Do I thrive on pressure or need a more nurturing environment? |
| Do I want a program in which I must work hard constantly, or would I prefer one in which I can obtain respectable grades without knocking myself out? How would I feel if I were in the middle or at the bottom on my class? Is it important to me to be near the top of the class? |
| Guard against the designer-label school of the year. Instead, look for an institution where you will be able to learn, grow, have fun, make friends, and cultivate your special talents. Assessing your talent: Sometimes it is very difficult to know how you measure up in terms of talent. Many of you are the best in your high school art, drama, music and dance departments, and have attended all-state thespians, band or orchestra competitions. Everyone raves about your talent and you think you want to develop it still further at college. But how do you really know if you?ve got what it takes? Answering the following questions will help clarify just how dedicated your are to the development of your talent. Three Important Sources of Information! Performing ArtsCollege Fairs: http://www.nacac.com/fairs_faqstudents.html National Portfolio Days: http://www.npda.org/ Arts Recognition and Talent Search: 1-800-970- ARTS |
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