29
Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter Rebecca Joseph, PhD Associate Professor, Cal State University rjoseph @calstatela.edu FB: getmetocollege freeadvice FB page: All College Essays iPad/iPhone App: All College Application Essays Instagram: Getmetocollege

Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Presentation to the juniors at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts on April 25, 2014.

Citation preview

Page 1: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Rebecca Joseph, PhDAssociate Professor, Cal State University

[email protected]: getmetocollege freeadviceFB page: All College EssaysiPad/iPhone App: All College Application EssaysInstagram: Getmetocollege

Page 2: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Danielle’s EssayI find English, the everyday language that rings in my ear, just as complex to understand as any other language, despite the fact that it is my native tongue. Within words, I stumble upon meanings that are lucid. My mind is lost amidst a storm of overflowing words that to me fall from nowhere: I have to meticulously make sense of them and plow through their puddles of chaos in order to comprehend the art of language and visualize the structure and process behind it.

Singing is another world of communication, a seamless way of expressing oneself to full potential. With singing, one can take beautifully spoken phrases of any kind, whether colloquial, foreign, or from poetic works, and people who listen will understand the purpose of the singer. This is what I find beautiful about poetry and any other type of word form, such as speaking, mixed with the art of music.

JB

Page 3: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

More DanielleThe three minutes I spend on any stage are a gift to me. Walking on the stage in a long, black dress is like walking on with an air of mystery. On that stage, I am able to plant myself firmly on the ground and let my internal energy become the external energy that diffuses into the air and fills all corners of the concert hall. No one in the audience may know anything about the piece of music I am singing, except what is listed in the concert program. This is often just one’s name, piece, and composer. All they can do is use their inner ear to gather a sense of the connotation of the phrases that I sing, whether they are in English, Italian or French.

Page 4: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Even More DanielleWhen the poetic phrases fuse together in song, I let my emotions connect with the music and use the words to share my passion for the story in my head. The audience is free to interpret what the piece of music means to them and understand that there is no right answer. For them, the process of hearing a gorgeous and passionate Italian art song leaves stillness into the air, as everyone’s thoughts, including mine, turn to internal experiences and memories that are related to the song.

I feel thoroughly connected to the poetry I am singing, I feel the sense of freedom that comes from each three minute song extend into other parts of my life. I no longer feel the urge to act reserved, as this is how I sometimes feel about situations in my normal, everyday life. Now I imagine I can feel, communicate, and express the phrases I want to speak with the same confidence I communicate while singing. This is the power of the human voice: as I start to sing, its magic diffuses to my everyday communications.

Page 5: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Danielle

Resume

• Top Grades• Medium test scores• Singer• Violinist

• What do we learn about her from essay?

RJJ

Page 6: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Essays = Opportunity

Show unique stories that make applicants jump off the pageMaster the highest ranked non-academic aspect of the

applicationRealize the package of essays counts…not just oneShare their unique voicesExpress who they really areChallenge stereotypesReflect on their growth and development, including

accomplishments and serviceSeek to understand what the admission officers are looking for

RJJ

Page 7: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Successful Admissions Writing includes:

• Introspection ~ Self reflection allows for depth in writing

• Complex Thinking ~ Identify & showcase multi-dimensions • Keep it Simple ~ Addressing the question/prompt

• Coherence ~ Arrangement of qualities with examples of them

• Style and Tone (personal) ~ Be true to oneself

• Syntax and Format (maturity) ~ Multiple drafts are a mustJB/SJ

Page 8: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

How Important Are the Essays?

1. Grades2. Rigor of Coursework, School3. Test Scores4. Essays*5. Recommendations-Teacher and/or Counselor6. Activities-Sustained consistency, development,

leadership, and initiative7. Special skills, talents, awards, community service

and passionsRJJ

Page 9: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Application Essay Vs. Artistic Statement

•Application Essays are stories that communicate key messages. They are creative and can vary in format.

•Artistic Statements are linear autobiographical pieces that reveal why your progression as an artist and why you are a good match for program or college or conservatory

Page 10: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Steps to Success

1)Understand the essays you will have to write2)Create a master chart to highlight patterns3) Write two resumes4)Different brainstorming strategies5)Brainstorm core qualities and unique stories6)Use effective organizational structures7)Revise and revise

LP

Page 11: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Understand the Essays…

1)The Common Application: 2014-2015 Prompts! One Long:

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Short, Activities, Additional Information, and Supplemental

2)Large Public Universities—The UCS, and other big publics3)Private College Specific Applications4)Other Systems (Universal Application, etc.)

JB

Page 12: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Artistic Statements• Each schools has different prompts and requirements. • Some are the entire application• Some are supplements to Common Application or UC Application

Page 13: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

USC Acting Program

• Step Three: Submit these items to the School of Dramatic Arts via SlideRoom

• Upload a current picture or headshot• Upload a Drama resume• Upload Autobiographical essay

• The total length of your essay should not exceed 750 words and address the following:• What influenced your decision to apply to the USC School of

Dramatic Arts?• What are your expectations from a college education?• What are your professional goals and objectives• What extenuating circumstances (if any) may have affected your

previous academic performance?

Page 14: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

New England Conservatory of Music• Describe your educational and professional goals and tell us your

specific reasons for choosing to apply to NEC as you pursue these goals.

• We review the essay to learn more about you as a musician and person, as well as to assess your competency with written English.

• The essay should be 300–500 words in length and must be entered into the appropriate page of the online application. Please note that the online application will accept only very basic text formatting. If you write your essay in a word processing program with the intention of pasting it into the online application, we recommend that you keep the formatting very simple. (Avoid using bold, italics, underlines, indentations, or other similar formatting.)

Page 15: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

NYU BFA Steinhardt Studio Art

• For slideroom.com, you will submit:1. 15-20 images of work completed within the last two years, done in any medium (painting, drawing, sculpture, video, photography, digital art, installation, sound, etc.). Each image MUST contain the work’s title, year completed, medium and size.2. A one-page artist’s statement describing your:a) goals as an artist;b) artistic influences, including two contemporary artists who are nationally or internationally recognized (these artists should have created new work within the past 20 years and they should be represented in major art museums or art galleries which feature contemporary visual artists);c) background and interests, including previous art training, and films, literature, or music you enjoy and how they relate to your art work;d) what you hope to gain from studying in the studio art program at NYU.

Page 16: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Danielle’s Music Autobiography

Last summer was my dream summer. Never in my life have I been able to pursue my interests in such a short time interval: music and science. All my life, I have thought of school as my "major" and focused my energies on my academics for the majority of my time, while working on my music in my spare time. Last summer I decided to focus on both. I took a conceptual physics course at UCLA to have a solid foundation of the subject before my senior year. At the same time, I participated in intensive vocal and violin music programs.

While I enjoyed all three programs, I truly bloomed in the two week Songfest Program at Pepperdine. Last spring, I auditioned for and was accepted to attend the two-week master program for classical singers from across the country. I took master classes, private lessons, and sang in multiple ensembles. I thought I had died and gone to heaven in this intense, yet incredibly supportive community. The program gave me the confidence to want to experience this kind of development and community full-time in college. As I work with my private teacher this year, she is helping me create the space in my mouth for the sound color, and I cannot wait to focus on my vocal development throughout my college experience.

Page 17: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

More Danielle

My desire to continue this individual and communal vocal development full-time brings me to the New England Conservatory. I feel that my soul and body truly merge when I sing, and I have been blessed to work with amazing teachers in and outside of my school. Each one helps me find new ways to express my voice, and I like how at NEC I can also work with world-class faculty members, who are actively working as professional artists, including Karen Holvik, Lisa Saffer, and Michael Meraw. Three years ago I first experienced the joys of opera, and I have a growing passion for this genre. I am so lucky that at NEC, I could audition for The Undergraduate Opera Studio (UGOS), where I can develop my operatic and lyrical singing abilities as well as taking acting and movement classes.

Page 18: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Even More DanielleAt NEC, I can immerse myself in the amazing classes that will enable me to work with different repertoires and styles as well as develop my diction in several languages. Through your studio classes and recitals, I will gain the experience to prepare for public performances, and only at NEC, can I take master classes with internationally famous artists.

Moreover, I can participate in multiple ensembles, such as the NEC Concert Choir and NEC Chamber Singers. I love performing with different choral groups, and I cannot wait to sing the different genres the groups at NEC explore. I also share NEC’s commitment to serving the community. For the past six years, I have been part of National Charity League as well as tutoring a girl in math. I believe everyone should experience the joys of music, and along with my voice, I can offer my piano and violin skills. NEC’s Community Performances and Partnerships Program will enable me to join a community effort to share the joys of music.

Page 19: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Helping Release Individual Voices

Page 20: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Create a Master Chart: Organize!

1) Major Deadlines 2) Core Essays (color code all similar or

overlapping essays)3) Supplemental Essays - color code similar types

i.e. “Why are you a good match for us?” or “How will you add to the diversity of our campus?” “Artistic Statements”1)Be careful to not use the same core essay topic2)Avoid canned answers – do your research!

LP

Page 21: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Write Two Resumes

Traditional—Overall Academic, Activities, Service, Work, Etc.

Art—Specific to your art. Artistic Academic. Performances. Programs. Awards. Specific Teachers.

LP

Page 22: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

The Power of Brainstorming

Page 23: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Brainstorm Possible Topics

•Think of unique stories•Think of metaphors for your power•Look at your resume•Look at your Instagram Pictures•Think of your favorite place•Read samples

Page 24: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Organizational Structures

Into• Lead the reader into the story• Start with a hook• Consider cutting first paragraph(s) from first draft

Through• Use 1/3, 2/3 method: if starting with a life or family challenge, move quickly into who student is now; if

writing about someone who influenced, make sure 2/3 of essay is about the student not the person of influence

• Use first person• Show don’t tell

Beyond• Connect to who student is now and who student wants to be• Evoke core qualities, convey morals

RJJ

Page 25: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter
Page 26: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Revise and Revise

• The best essays take several drafts• Keep focusing on the specific moments for

application essays• Keep focusing on the key experiences and

training for artistic statements• Have internal and external people review• Understand that admissions officers can

sniff out adult written essays

Page 27: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Final thoughts

Remember you

Can create amazing essays and control this processUnderstand that for BFA programs essays are important

but auditions are even more so.Have just a few minutes to grab the attention of an

essay reader.Need weeks, not days, to write effective college essays.Cannot manufacture essays; essays convey truth,

unique stories, and writing skills.

JB

Page 28: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Read Acting Essays

•What are core differences between the two essays?•What do you learn from each about

Jane?

Page 29: Admit Me: Why College Application Essays and Artistic Statements Matter

Contact Dr. Joseph

[email protected]: getmetocollege freeadviceFB page: All College EssaysiPad/iPhone App: All College Application EssaysInstagram: Getmetocollege