Why Academic Preparation Matters for High School Performing & Visual Arts Students

As a high school student with a passion for the arts, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative process and overlook the importance of academic planning. However, for those looking to pursue a degree in the arts at the college level, a strong academic foundation is crucial for a successful college admission process. While artistic talent and portfolio development are essential, selective colleges and universities also place significant importance on academic rigor and preparation.

There are several factors to consider when it comes to academic planning:

High School Course Rigor: Challenging Yourself. The admissions process at selective colleges (colleges with low acceptance rates) favors applicants who’ve challenged themselves academically, particularly in the core subjects of English, math, science, world language, and social studies/history. If you’re in an academic setting that offers Honors courses, AP courses, dual enrollment courses, or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in the core academic subjects, taking these courses is a good way to demonstrate your ability to handle college-level coursework. Academic rigor is also demonstrated by advancing within a subject area (like math or world language) over the four years of high school. 

Avoiding “Senioritis on Paper”. Artistic student are often tempted to focus solely on arts classes once high school graduation requirements are met, but it’s essential to maintain a balanced course load if you’re aiming for colleges and universities as opposed to standalone conservatories or art schools. “Senioritis on paper” refers to the phenomenon where students take too few core academic courses in their senior year (and sometimes even junior year), giving the impression that they’re not interested in challenging themselves academically. This can be a potential deal breaker for a successful admission outcome even at moderately selective institutions. To avoid this, make sure to take a full course load in your senior year covering at least four of the five core academic subjects (again, those are English, math, science, world language, and social studies/history). It can also work well to double up on a core subject if your heart is set on not taking a fourth year of, say, science.

Standardized Testing: A Strategic Consideration. Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, while no longer mandatory for many colleges, remain a valuable component of the college application process. In today’s predominantly test-optional landscape, we recommend that most students consider taking at least one of these exams. A strong score can significantly enhance an applicant’s profile, potentially tipping the scales in their favor at test-optional institutions. Many students find themselves in a position where they can strategically submit scores to some colleges while opting for test-optional applications to others. This approach allows for a tailored strategy, maximizing chances of admission across different institutions. Moreover, having SAT or ACT scores on hand provides the flexibility to meet requirements for colleges that still mandate them, effectively keeping most options open. Ultimately, while not universally necessary, these standardized tests can serve as a powerful tool in a well-rounded college application strategy.

High School Graduation Requirements vs. Meeting College Expectations. While your high school has specific requirements for graduation, colleges and universities often have their own set of expectations that can impact your chances of admission. It’s essential to understand these differences and plan accordingly. For example, your high school may require only one year of world language to graduate with a diploma, but your top choice college may requires three years and says they prefer four years. Your favorite college might require math through at least pre-calculus but you stopped at the end of junior year with algebra 2. Make sure that your high school curriculum aligns with the colleges you’re most seriously considering.

The importance of performing or visual arts courses. While arts courses demonstrate your commitment, talent, and skill, they are often excluded from the GPA recalculations and academic evaluations colleges use to compare applicants. Obviously these courses are important for students considering a performing or visual arts major in college, but don’t expect that straight A’s in arts courses will compensate for poor grades in core academic subjects. Choose arts courses that genuinely inspire you, complement rather than replace core academic courses, and align with your intended college arts major.

Not all students need to aim for highly selective colleges. There are many excellent college options that focus on artistic rigor, which can be a great fit for students who may not be competitive for the most academically selective institutions. These options aren’t limited to standalone art schools and conservatories, although those are available too. At independent art schools and conservatories, the artistic components of an application carry more weight, so a weaker academic record (e.g., less rigorous coursework or a lower GPA) doesn’t necessarily rule out admission. Meanwhile, many traditional colleges and universities with higher acceptance rates (50% or higher) have strong arts programs that can be a great fit for students with varying academic profiles. The key is to find arts programs that excite you at colleges where you have a strong chance of admission based on your academic background.

Quick Tips for Artistic Students

• Take a balanced course load that includes a mix of arts electives and core academic courses that are both challenging and that you can be successful in.
• Avoid taking too few core academic courses in your senior year (aka “senioritis on paper”).
• Prepare for standardized tests keeping in mind that a great score can help your chances at many colleges, but remember not to sweat a low score as many colleges don’t require a result to be considered for admission.
• Research the specific academic admission requirements for each college on your list, including test-optional policies, and adjust your plan accordingly.
• Choose arts courses that inspire you and complement your core academic courses, understanding that while they showcase your talent, they won’t substitute for strong performance in academic subjects.

In addition to nurturing your creative talent throughout your high school years, we recommend also focusing on academic planning and preparation in order to keep more college options available to you. By following these tips and staying focused on your academic goals, you can set yourself up for success in the college admissions process. If you’re looking for personalized guidance and support, our team of experienced college consultants specializes in advising performing and visual arts students. Schedule a free consultation with us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your college goals.