Auditioning Artistic Talent

After rounds of college applications have finally come to a close, seniors sit back in anticipation with crossed fingers. Along with their applications, some seniors have sent audition tapes, recordings, and art portfolios.

Haejin Lee, a senior, talks about his own application process. Having been interested in architecture since fifth grade, Haejin applied to architectural programs. The program at his college of choice, Cornell, like other art and design programs, seemed to have very ambiguous portfolio requirements. “They wanted something, but they didn’t really specify what they wanted. So I guess they wanted [something] that was related to me, that was related to my interests,” he remarked.

Ms. Mora also added her advice for students considering pursuing art and submitting their own art portfolio: “The most difficult part of preparing the portfolio is having the pieces ready. That’s the first step.” She suggests being organized about artwork throughout students’ high school years. She added, “Usually, what the colleges are looking at is are your skills and how willing you are to experiment with different materials. So it’s very important to have a couple of observational drawings, at least one drawing, and at least one observational painting to demonstrate your skills.” Students should also demonstrate that they have been working with a variety of media. Another point to emphasize is the development of ideas. As Ms. Mora explained, “It’s obvious if you develop the idea or not. That’s something the colleges are going to look at.”

Ms. Mora ended by noting, “If you do something really great in ninth grade, keep it with you. If you do something in tenth grade that works, keep it with you. You cannot improvise the work in three months. It’s impossible.”

Don’t underestimate the help that fine arts teachers can provide. When asked if the admissions officers who visit the school provide help, Ms. Mora mentioned that sometimes they do not visit, but any art teacher can aid in selecting the best pieces. Quality wins over quantity every time, so only a few high-quality pieces can are needed, rather than numerous submissions.