Starting the College Journey
9th Grade
Get into the groove
Make new friends
Try new activities
Get good grades
Do community service
Pursue your artistic activities
10th Grade
Research colleges
Attend college fairs
Attend National Portfolio Day
Audition for a role in a play or performance
Take on leadership roles
Get academic help when you need it
Plan 11th and 12th grade academics
Take your PSAT seriously
11th Grade
Get great grades
Attend National Portfolio Day
Enter contests
Pursue art outside of school
Take your first ACT/SAT
Visit colleges
Attend a pre-college summer program
Build your resume
Secure teacher recommendations
Start your college essay
12th Grade
Finalize your college list
Decide to apply early action/decision
Finish your college essays
Take your final ACT/SAT
Write supplemental essays
Organize extracurricular activities
Attend National Portfolio Day
Attend Unified
Submit college applications
GET ACCEPTED!
Academic planning, extracurricular activities, researching colleges, standardized tests, college applications, letters of recommendations… a lot to manage and schedule. It’s stressful, that’s where we help you.
It’s an exciting milestone in every student’s life but there are a lot of moving pieces at a time when you also have to focus on your academics. We aim to start planning early so you have the time to make considered decisions.
Whenever you start, the first step is a meeting to discuss where you are today, what are your passions, and your goals for college and beyond. We’ll discuss coursework, extracurricular activities, test schedules, college visit planning, any financial requirements for college, and of course your art.
Keep in mind university based programs do place an emphasis on academics as well as artistic ability, and you need to be admitted to the university AND the college/school of art, while an art/design or conservatory program places much greater emphasis on artistic ability. To give you as great a choice as possible, we focus equally on academic and artistic preparedness when we work with you.
We’ve written several blogs that help outline some of the choices we help you with:
BFA/BA/BS? What’s the best degree option for you? Read our blog.
Differences between a College of Art and Design/Conservatory and a Traditional Liberal Arts College or University? Read our blog.
Applying to an Art School or Conservatory, What’s really involved? Read our blog.