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Does anyone know how hard it is to get into UCLA or USC fine arts major or art design major?

By Liek0806 (Liek0806) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 09:41 pm: Edit

Bump

By Css (Css) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 11:38 pm: Edit

i got into the ucla/media arts department at ucla and did some research on it. ucla is on of the most competitivein that field, and much more prestigous academically and artistically (is that a word) than usc. i had to turn in 10 works, a new application, and another personal statement. i'd say it's not the easiest program to get into in ucla. i'm still not sure how i got in. did u get in? congrats if you did!

By Toxicity01 (Toxicity01) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 02:28 am: Edit

USC: University of Spoiled Children

UCLA: University of Crazed Laker Addicts

By H0neymoon (H0neymoon) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 04:49 am: Edit

Why do people have to be mean? that last post had nothing to do with the question asked.

By Css (Css) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 11:19 am: Edit

lol. i'm going to ucla, but i'm not a laker fan, but damn did you see that shot by kobe the other night??

By Norcalmom (Norcalmom) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 05:04 pm: Edit

My daughter is a Studio Arts major at USC. She chose USC over UCLA, entering USC's Thematic Options Honors Program. When she applied, she applied and was accepted to the School of Fine Arts and given a Presidential Scholarship (half tuition).

The main thing that attracted her to USC's program over UCLA's was that UCLA's art program is conceptual art (most university programs are), whereas USC's is a "hand-on" technique driven program. I used to read an art forum, now defunct, where many students complained about programs which were conceptual, including some UCLA students. Their main complaint was that they "weren't really learning anything." It really depends what you are looking for. Some students want a conceptual program because they want to just create their art work and not be bogged down by techniques.

She is happy at USC--plans to study in Italy next year. USC has a great study abroad program in art and architecture through Syracuse U.

I can't tell you whether or not it was hard to get into USC's fine arts school. She did have an interview with the Studio Arts Dean which included a lengthy critique of her portfolio. I don't think that is required, but it certainly helped her.

By Liek0806 (Liek0806) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 12:40 am: Edit

Oh I see, no I'm a junior so I'm plannning to apply. I like more hands on. and i wasn't sure to apply to ucla becaues i'd have to take the sat 2 for admissions and that'll be another hastle just for one more shcoll to apply to. But thanks anyways. Uhm yeah.

By Alizae (Alizae) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 01:22 am: Edit

I just visited UCLA today for its School of Art and Architecture Open House (I'm entering as a design/media arts major), and I really liked what I saw. Their selectivity for the department is about 12%... Today I learned (for my major specifically), about 300 sent in portfolios and supplemental applications, while only 38 were selected. At UCLA you wouldn't be focusing too much on art history or old fashioned techniques because they like to move forward with their art and continue to find new ways of expression. Like Norcalmom said, its more conceptual rather than hands-on, but its all up to the student to decide which they would prefer.

By Mattca (Mattca) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 01:50 am: Edit

I'm really interested in both of these programs as well. I read somewhere that UCLA's art department is around 10-15% (the same as design/media arts apparently), but I don't know for a fact or anything. They're graduate acceptance rate is like 2%, so it'd make sense that its undergrad would be selective as well.

I have no idea about USC, but I'd like to know how competitive it is too.

Alizae, you're going into design/media arts, is that like graphic design (font, logos, color, etc.)? By the way, do you mind sharing your stats?

Norcalmom, if you don't mind, what were your daughter's stats?

By Alizae (Alizae) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 02:08 am: Edit

Design/media arts deals with digital art and technologies. It's really broad, so that would include graphic design, print/advertising, computer animation, film and video, interactive art, internet/web design, etc etc. Really anything that puts art and technology together.

I don't know much about USC's art department, but I do know that their Animation major is a program that only takes up two years.


...My stats actually sucked compared to most UCLA admits, I guess my portfolio saved me, haha:

-GPA: 3.71
-1190 SAT I
-SAT II's: 610, 580
-Honors and AP courses: AP English 12, AP Studio Art, Honors Precal, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Spanish 3, Honors English (grades 9-11)

-Student Body President
-Junior Class President
-House of Representatives
-Student Ambassador
-Student Fundraising Committee
-Mission Effectiveness Committee
-Yearbook staff
-Badminton team, Tennis team
-Freelance graphic artist/web designer
-Inter-school Council
-Camp counselor
-Promotional Model
-Music Promotions street team


The art department at UCLA weighs the portfolio as the biggest factor in the admissions process.

By Norcalmom (Norcalmom) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 07:01 pm: Edit

Mattca, I don't mind sharing. My daughter's stats were:
4.0 unweighted gpa
skipped one grade
homeschooled from 3rd through 9th grade
SAT I: 1430, took Writing, Math, and History SAT II's, but I don't remember exact numbers though writing was quite high, other two were in the 620-680 range. USC doesn't require SAT II's anyway.
National Merit Scholar
AP's: AP Eng Lit, AP US Hist, AP Physics, AP Studio Art (2 classes with different emphasis as I recall) Honors Chem, Honors Civics/Econ (Our high school only offers 8 AP classes.)
Valedictorian
Academic Decathlon Team (1st place Div III schools in California. Individual medals)
Judiciary Council - Chief Justice
Varsity Tennis and Varsity Gymnastics
Concert Choir (2 years) and Drama (3 years)
Drumline in Marching Band (2nd bass drummer)
Interact Club Secretary
Golden State Scholar (High Honors in History, Biology, English, Civics and Economics) (Calif. doesn't have this program anymore.)
Governor's Scholar (Calif. doesn't have this program anymore either.)
Several awards/ribbons in local art shows, including a Best of Show for high schoolers in bi-county fair
Intermediate pianist and dancer (danced ballet en pointe and inter. jazz)
Bel Canto Singers (community teen girls' chorus)
Volunteered at local t.v. station, which worked into a paying job
Active in church activities, including 2 years building houses in Mexico
Active in community theatre, both behind the scenes and on stage

She did visit and interview at USC prior to applying, which isn't required, but I think it helps. The interviewer did take notes and put them in her file. (The interviewer was fixated on asking her details of homeschooling.) As I mentioned above, she also interviewed with the Dean of the Art program--also not required.

One other comment about the difference between UCLA and USC or any of the conceptual schools and USC: If you are planning to study in one of the overseas programs in Italy, which you really should if you can as an art major, your art instruction will be technique-driven, not conceptual. A solid technique background prior to the study abroad semester or year is going to be to your advantage.

Also, and I know this is going to be the same in any program, keep in mind that all the teachers are not top-notch. Ask before you register, then if it is a different teacher and you know after a couple of classes that the teacher isn't going to cut it, change classes. In my daughter's freshman year, she registered for a class expecting one teacher only to go the first day and find they'd given the class to a guest lecturer. The woman was awful--didn't know how to teach art. My daughter didn't tell us anything about her until the semester was over. However, she went to the Dean, same lady who interviewed her prior to admission, and gave her an ear lful about the teacher. The woman was not rehired and the Dean told my daughter the teacher would not be rehired. I do believe there were other complaints, but I appreciate that USC listens to student evaluations--not all schools do. My daughter also signed up for a Drawing One class, required, and immediately found it to be too basic for her. She met with the Dean and the teacher of one of the Drawing Two classes, and was moved up. Again, I appreciate USC's personal attention to student needs.

By Scivvy (Scivvy) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 10:17 pm: Edit

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share details of their portfolios. meaning what type of work they applied with, formatting, what made a successful portfolio, etc. I am looking to apply at UCLA, and am lost as to what makes a great portfolio. If anyone knows of any good portfolio resources I would love to know! Thanks.