Applications for the Class of 2022 are in, and we already see the data that reveals that it is more challenging than ever to answer the question, “What do I need to do to get in?” At Creative Kid, we have always said that is the wrong question to ask. We prefer the question, “Who has what I want?”

With the loss of test scores and face-to-face recruitment, colleges are changing how they decide who they think will attend their school if offered a spot. Schools are receiving an unprecedented number of applications, making it even more challenging to differentiate yourself. That means that more than ever, the student should be creating a list that reflects their determination, interest, and goals for their education.

So, how do you create a balanced list? Here are our suggestions:

Start by making a list of your “must-haves.” Want the flexibility to change your major? Are you interested in interdisciplinary learning? What factors matter to you: 

1. Location, student to faculty ratio, opportunities to perform or have access to studio space? Internships, senior showcases, and organized efforts to help you reach working professionals?

2. Once you have that list, you can begin by researching the “usual suspects.” Those are the programs you know about. Look at curriculum, faculty, and student work to see if you connect with the program, not just the university. Often these schools are the most competitive. If you know about them, then most likely so does your competition. We call these “lottery” schools: those that admit less than 15% of their applicants. We recommend limiting your lottery schools to no more than five. To learn more about the data regarding admissions and requirements, see https://www.collegedata.com/ Think about whose work you admire. Where did they go to school? Who were their mentors? That is a great way to uncover the programs that you might not have discovered. Read articles and blogs about the area of the arts that you are passionate about. You will find people and work done in your field that you may not have known about.

3. Begin to engage with the programs. This year, as the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic still impact college visits and tours, you need to register for virtual events. Merely showing up and hoping that you can walk around the campus isn’t enough. You need to begin to form ties to the various programs. When taking a virtual tour – make sure that you take the general college admissions tour and any that are offered for your particular department. If there are no departmental tours, reach out to the admissions counselor that you meet when virtually touring and ask for a contact in that department. A great place to start is a virtual college fair. The National Association for College Admission Counseling offers a variety of fairs: https://virtualcollegefairs.org/events.

4. We want you to be an informed consumer. So much so that when anyone asks you, “Why College X?” you have a personal response that no other student would give. Remember, if you think of college applications as a “cookie-cutter” process, your application will reflect that.

5. Know the requirements: do you want to attend a visual arts program that doesn’t require a portfolio? Should you include some non-audition schools because of the subjectivity of the audition process? We offer an application organizer for a variety of majors that includes many programs you may not have considered. You can see an overview of our Organizers here: https://creativekcc.com/tutorials/college-application-organizer

6. Get organized – use a calendar to keep track of your virtual visits and other contacts with programs such as emails and online interest forms. Plan to have your final list of schools composed early in the summer before your senior year. In addition to your lottery schools, you should have at least six to eight likely schools, and at a minimum, one school that is a “safety” that you would be happy to attend and that, given your background, will admit you.

Crafting a balanced list means you are closer to your goal of having an exceptional college experience. Remember, at the end of the day, it isn’t about the school you attend, but what you do while there.