Cambridge
5 months ago
I’m moving to Cambridge, UK soon and I’d like to try to go to art school. Problem is, I can’t seem to work on my portfolio! It completely intimidates me and I worry that I’m going to get frustrated and quit.
People who have done this
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How to get into art school
It made me
happy, but not sure
 "It was not quite what I expected..."
How I did it: I just followed the papers I was sent after I sent in my application - I had to write three bits: one about myself and why I wanted to go to this school, one about my style of work and in what kind of art I recognised it, and one about some paintings and reviews of these paintings. I sent those in (2 days late, because they had changed the date, but not on all the forms - typical) and then I started work on compiling my portfolio: I included all my work from art class of the last two years, since it included a lot of portraits (my thing) and a lot of sketches after real life models (those impressed them, I think). I showed them a selction of the detailed portraits I've drawn and I showed the sketchbooks I carry everywhere. I also showed photo's, poems and essays/papers. Bassically, I tried to show as many different sides as possible. After doing the practical assignment they gave us, they told us it would be two weeks before we heard anything. My admission test was eight days ago today, and I got the letter saying I was in yesterday, so a lot sooner than I expected. Just hoping it's a good sign!
Lessons & tips: If you have to present a portfolio, try to make it as diverse as possible; show the different techniques you've used, and show your progress. Also, show your working process: not just finished work - include some sketches. (especially) girls; don't show too much fairytale or comic/manga style drawings - they are often considered too grilie. If they are really your thing however, and you do want to include them; make sure you show some more expressive stuff as well. over all... don't be to nervous, just be yourself. These people make it their business to recognise talent (or eagerness) and they will see it if you have it in you.
Resources: ask your art teacher for tips: show them your portfolio - ask what to (and what not to) include. They've most likely gone trough art school, and more or less experienced what you are doing now; they can probably tell you about the regular routines. It's very helpfull if you're preparing for your admission test.
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More "How I Did It" stories
It made me
proud
How I did it: I applied, and I got in. Smartass.The only reason I marked this as 'Not Worth It' is because I, personally, decided I'm not ready for post-secondary school and ended up not being able to defer my acceptance and lost the deposit. Boo! Read how I did it…
It made me
Yeeha!
How I did it: After A Level, I had to complete a 1 year art foundation BTEC course at my local college. I've been told this is has become quite old-fashioned in recent years, and more universities are accepting more people directly from A level. Send off my UCAS form, got an interview, and got accepted with a conditional offer. Yay! Read how I did it…
It made me
Immensely happy
How I did it: I applied through UCAS, wrote a personal statement detailing why I wanted to study photography. Got an interview, spent 2 months making a decent portfolio and then went to my interview.Got an offer the next day!! :) Read how I did it…
It made me
Angry. 
How I did it: I applied for school got in ect. The things I hated most were the classes I HAD to take. I wanted to go for photograhy but I needed a drawing class, and art history, and an english class. Art history was super boring. English my professer treated us like we were in 5th grade, and I hate drawing and I'm not good, hence that's not what I wanted to do. Needless to say I dropped out within 2 months. Read how I did it…
It made me
ECSTATIC
How I did it: I just sent in the application and waited, and waited, and waited. About 3-4 weeks of waiting, until I got the admissions package saying I was accepted!!! Read how I did it…
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Entries
Zoë was definitely born a generation too late
So...
7 months ago
I got in. weird thing is, I’m not really convinced I want it.
Sure, I’m glad I’m good enough, but I don’t know whether I want everything that goes with it – I like to do my own thing and not have people telling me what to do; that’s out of the question for sure now.
I guess I will start first year – I don’t know what to do otherwise either, but I might want to change to something a bit more academic after that. I’ll just see how it goes.
Zoë was definitely born a generation too late
It has started...
9 months ago
I’ve sent in my application and received the papers for my admission test.
I’m expected to sent in 2 assingments and my personal details within 2 weeks (basically it’s homework – just what I needed…) And at the end of febuary I’m expected at the college to present my portfolio, answer questions, be smart and do a practical assignment under supervision. (Quite nervous about that one, to be honest)
I’ll post back in a week or so…
wish me luck!
Worried...
12 months ago
I am an overly obsessive person when it comes to worrying about things! I have been wanting to go to a specific art school for as long as I can remember, and the time is nearing for application in February. My art teacher’s tell me I will be fine, but I still can’t help but worrying about what to do if I don’t get in. I guess I just have to focus on my portfolio and hope for the best in February!
tcbell is a lady of leisures
and it was all going so welll...
20 months ago
just got a letter about the interview process, its sooner than i thought an i am not prepared whatsoever.
oh and i will be in another country on the interview date. haha, ah well maybe next year. I’d rather take it easy than get stressed about it. They seem way more uptight than I thought they would be, and thats the exact environment that made me quit college before… I don’t feel like I should have to prove myself to these people anyway I just want to paaaint.
ah is there nowhere that has a relaxed studio-based environment? I’m going to the interview if I can get it rearranged but I’m pretty defiant and bored with the idea. Maybe i’ll change my mind when I meet them.
tcbell is a lady of leisures
haha!
20 months ago
yes! just sent my application. one day before the closing date! fashionably late.. john gave me the nicest reference there ever was, so they have to let me in, he made me sound like a total saint, yeah.
now to work on le portfolio.. I need to have something to show for myself and all. but im on my way there!
tcbell is a lady of leisures
first step
20 months ago
just completed my ucas statement (college application) for art and design. now all i need to do is get a reference, send it, get an interview, wait six months for conformation and then im in…
Gearhead_Shem_Tov is a Groucho Marxist
In art school...
21 months ago
...and loving it. I declare this goal done.
Gearhead_Shem_Tov is a Groucho Marxist
Now to pay the bills
22 months ago
I paid my tuition for the year last Thursday, $1,286.76AU (gotta love fee capping!) I’ll be in classes all day Mondays and Tuesdays and half days on Wednesdays.
My wife had hoped I’d be able to take fewer classes so I could have more time to earn money at a part-time job to be named later, but 2-1/2 days was the best I could do and still be able to take the drawing courses I need this year.
So. On Thursdays and Fridays I need to be working enough hours at a high enough wage to clear about $250AU a week. On this our solvency depends.
Gearhead_Shem_Tov is a Groucho Marxist
Accepted to bachelor's program at AIT
22 months ago
Today I got my acceptance offer to the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Applied Crafts program at the Adelaide Centre for the Arts. I start in February in about three weeks.
Jeez, and I thought this was gonna be hard or something. Of course, I still have to figure out how to pay bills and study at the same time…
