Admission to New Media in the School of Visual Arts

Professor Charles Garoian
School of Visual Arts
The Pennsylvania State University
210 Patterson Building
University Park, PA 16802
814.865.0444

Admission to the premajor leading to the degree programs in Penn State's School of Visual Arts at University Park (Bachelor of Arts in Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, and Bachelor of Science in Art Education) and the Bachelor of Arts degree program in Art at Abington College is based upon a review of (1) the application for admission with complete academic credentials, (2) a portfolio of artwork in the form of slides, compact disc or videotape and (3) a written statement.

(A) Submit an application for admission consideration to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions along with required academic records.
You can file the application by going to the Admissions Web site or by mailing an application to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
201 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802

(B) Submit the following five items to:

Dr. Charles R. Garoian, Director
Undergraduate Portfolio Review
School of Visual Arts
210 Patterson Building
University Park, PA 16802-0444

1. Portfolio
The portfolio is an integral part of your application to the School of Visual Arts. The Portfolio Review Committee is interested in seeing work that represents both the breadth and in-depth development of your art. The content of your portfolio may include drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, graphic designs, sculpture, jewelry/metalwork, ceramics, video art, and other media. Consider both conceptual depth and technical proficiency in selecting your best and most recent work. Submit only original artworks that you have conceived and executed. The committee will consider 10-12 color slides (additional slides will not be reviewed). Include one slide of each two-dimensional piece and one to two slides of each three-dimensional piece.

Submit slides in a plastic sheet, and clearly label the slide sheet with your name and address. Also write your name on each slide. The School of Visual Arts does not accept glass-mounted slides. Number each slide and indicate “TOP.” For professional presentation tips, review the information on how to document your artwork available here on the School of Visual Arts Web site.

Visual materials on compact disc or video may be submitted for review. Compact discs must be Mac platform format, and video must be Standard VHS or digital video (DV). Please include between 10 and 12 artworks (additional artworks will not be reviewed). Videos should be submitted only to present performance art, other time-based artwork, or large-scale installation artworks. Do not videotape two and three-dimensional artworks. All materials must be labeled with the applicant’s name and address.

In order to facilitate the viewing of digital files, please ensure that your files are compressed, and do not exceed 5MB. Electronic submissions are accepted in the following formats: PDF, JPEG, GIF, WAV, AIFF, MOV, SWF, DCR, PICT, DOC and EXE for use with Macintosh data projectors. Portfolios may also be viewed via web site. Applicants choosing this option should provide a single URL address to the portfolio and clearly indicate the 10-12 artworks for review. Enclose a written list that identifies each artwork in your slide, CD, video, or URL portfolio by number and indicate title, dimension, media, and date completed. Applicants experiencing financial difficulties that would affect their ability to submit portfolio materials should contact the School of Visual Arts.

Students desiring to enter the Museum and Cultural Institutions option of the Art Education program may choose one of three options for their portfolio:
(a) You may submit the portfolio as described above.
(b) You may submit a combination of slides of your artwork (maximum of 10) and examples of writing (up to a maximum of 5 pages) that reveal your ability to reflect upon and interpret artworks, and descriptions of experiences that reveal an interest in teaching.
(c) You may submit a critical and reflective writing (up to a maximum of 10 pages) about cultural artifacts, events, and experiences that reveal an interest in teaching in schools, museums, or other cultural agencies.

2. Written Statement
Submit a short written statement (a maximum of one double-spaced typed page) responding to the following:
(a) Select one artwork from your portfolio that you think is most successful. Describe how the meaning is conveyed through metaphors, symbols, references, media, and processes.
(b) Describe your goals in pursuing a degree in the School of Visual Arts. Are you aiming to become a professional artist, a graphic designer, a photographer, an art teacher, a museum educator? Although you may not have decided precisely what you would like to do in the Visual Arts in the future, please share your thoughts about some possibilities you would like to consider.

You should submit the following additional materials:

3. Receipt Acknowledgement
Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard, which we can mail back informing you that your portfolio has arrived in our office.

4. Return Envelope
Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in which we can return your portfolio to you.

5. Portfolio Submission Form (downloadable PDF)

Calendar:
The School of Visual Arts has a rolling entry process. Portfolios must be postmarked according to the following deadlines:

Summer and Fall Admissions between October 10 and January 10
Spring Admissions between September 1 and November 1

Portfolios will be evaluated by a committee composed of members of the faculty of the School of Visual Arts. Recommendations from the committee will be sent to the associate dean for undergraduate studies and then to the admissions office. Undergraduate admissions will make the final decision and notify you.

Successful portfolio review decisions are valid for a period of one year. Prospective students who receive unsuccessful reviews may resubmit their portfolios at any time.

This New Media Program is part of the Penn State School of Visual Arts
a division of the College of Arts and Architecture
at The Pennsylvania State University

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210 Patterson Building, University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814.865.0444

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