Session 2 Admissions at GSA Jack McElroy, John Paul Academy + S6 Portfolio Course Student at GSA
Applying to the Glasgow School of Art What's needed to apply? Portfolio Qualifications … Good Qualifications are important but remember... “we are willing to consider applications for admission from those who do not have the published conventional qualifications” ¡
Admissions Process for GSA
Declaring these factors will never disadvantage an applicant. It will ensure their application is considered in context.
Course Choices Choice Use all 5 choices There is no ranking – institutions can only see their own applications Entry Point HNC/D applicants should consider applying for advanced entry (Entry Point 2 or 3)
Additional Activities List other things outside coursework that would support the application. Mention any Widening Participation activities or other courses, for example: Ardentinney Summer Art Residential Life Drawing Classes GSA WP Programme Tramway Visual Arts Studio classes The University of Glasgow (Top-up, Reach, Taster Weeks, Summer School) Glasgow Caledonian University (Fashion Brand Retailing course) Any other classes or courses taken at Widening participation printmaking course at Glasgow Print Studio weekends or in the evening ¡
Additional Activities Applicants can tell us about these activities in a number of ways: 1. UCAS Personal Statement 2. Reference 3. Activities in preparation for Higher Education section on UCAS form Ideally mention it in all 3 places! S4 Taster Week at the Glasgow School of Art
Additional Activities In the UCAS Personal Statement: GSA Saturday morning classes, summer workshops and Art School open day visits in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh are extra-curricular activities that have enriched my experience so far. Additionally, life drawing classes, Ardentinny summer art residential, Tramway visual arts studio portfolio classes, Fashion Retail and Branding at GCU and the most recent two day BP Portrait workshop (Edinburgh) have supported my development. Visiting open days, degree shows and fashion shows have been insightful and inspirational. Working in an art school studio environment I hope would be stimulating and inspiring, something I have touched on in a 'Pop up' art school three-day course at Glasgow Art Club. ¡ This applicant listed no less than 10 separate additional activities.
Additional Activities In the Reference: Callum works constantly on his artistic development. He has attended classes at the Glasgow School of Art and courses at GOMA. He has also attended various artists' talks, additional night classes, life-drawing classes, art portfolio classes, gallery visits and open days. Furthermore, Callum has won national competitions for his designs. Our school is a partner in the Focus West (previously GOALS) project, a key initiative that aims to widen participation in higher education. Chris is participating in the Top-Up programme at the University of Glasgow. This will provide him with a greater insight into the demands of University life, which he now feels prepared for. A number of admissions tutors at universities in Scotland are prepared to take this into account when considering an applicant's profile.
Additional Activities In the Activities in preparation for Higher Education section: The Sponsor for GSA can be listed as FOCUS West This applicant has listed that they attended the 20 week S6 Portfolio Course at the Glasgow School of Art.
Personal Statement 1. Relevant to the subjects applied for 2. Explains how applicant decided this is the right subject for them 3. Should be personal – be careful of using cliche opening lines! 10 most common opening lines in 2015 were ¹ : 1. From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by] … [1,779] 2. For as long as I can remember I have … [1,451] 3. I am applying for this course because … [1,370] 4. I have always been interested in … [927] 5. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed … [310] 6. Reflecting on my educational experiences … [257] 7. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course] … [211] 8. Academically, I have always been … [168] 9. I have always wanted to pursue a career in … [160] 10. I have always been passionate about … [160] ¹ ¡ 2015 UCAS Data 12 ¡
Personal Statement We’ve prepared some questions to help generate relevant content for UCAS Personal Statements Applicants can try our Trigger Questions
Reference • Describe how long you have known the applicant (1 year, 6 years – FT or PT) • Talk about your student’s commitment, enthusiasm, and studentship • Describe their strengths and where they have excelled in their course • Talk about their creative process, ways of working and creative outputs. College Referees - please tell us in your reference: • which qualification they are studying • which year of study they are in
Discussion Point - References A Example It is obvious that Sophie has talent and she is obviously passionate and keen to succeed. She has applied for Fine Art Photography although I feel her talents lay elsewhere. B Example Daniel is a brilliant student who wholeheartedly embraces creative challenges and opportunities. He enjoys exploring and developing ideas in his sketchbooks which he keeps with him at all times. His work is well researched and he is very open to discussion and proactive with advice. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both examples. Which do you think is more appropriate?
Purpose The efolio + statement should show that an applicant: • has researched the course before applying • is suited to the specialism applied for • uses a development process when making work • has a range of practical skills • explores a range of concepts in their work • can write about their work • can reference other relevant practitioners (visually and in the statement)
Tech Spec Number of image files: Files must be .jpeg .png or .gif Fine Art – 25 Files must be 200kb or less Design – 15 Must upload the exact number of files required Architecture – 15 ¡ To show as much work as possible, we recommend placing multiple images on one image file, where appropriate. This often works well in showing development work. Helpful guides available on the GSA Website: Photographing work for efolio Preparing an efolio
Files must be .jpeg .png or .gif Files must be 200kb or less Must upload the exact number of files required Number of image files Fine Art – 25 Design – 15 Architecture – 15 Multiple images can be composed onto one image file Helpful guides available on the GSA Website: Photographing work for efolio Preparing an efolio This is an example of development work on one image file
E-Folio Statement • Should not be the same as the UCAS Personal Statement • Interest and knowledge in the course is important • Should be specific to the course applied for and talk about the applicant’s work in greater detail • Should include references to research and development process • Refer to a variety of artists/designers/other whose influence can be seen in their work. These influences don’t have to be just within the specialism they are applying for.
Process 1. All GSA courses* require an e-folio + 500 word statement 2. The e-folio is a selection of images of an applicant’s work. 3. GSA staff look at the images and statement, alongside the UCAS form 4. They numerically score the e-folio against set criteria 5. If it scores high enough, the applicant is invited for interview. 6. If not, the applicant is unsuccessful and this is communicated through UCAS * Excluding Product Design Engineering
Assessment Criteria There are 5 different sets of assessment criteria according to programme applied for: 1. Fine Art 2. Design 3. Product Design 4. Interaction Design 5. Architecture Applicants are scored against criteria from 1 (Unsatisfactory) to 7 (Excellent)
This is an example of the assessment screen viewed by assessors
Note what happens if the images are less than 200kb!
Discussion Point – E-Folio Statement A Example In my second project, which was all about working in multiples, I chose to work with balloons and string. I was interested in experimenting with the balloons in various states of inflation and thinking about how I could use the string to install the balloons as obstructions in public spaces. B Example I have a keen interest in not only art but also photography I enjoy discovering new places and capturing the beauty of them within a photograph. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both examples. Which do you think is more appropriate?
Purpose The portfolio interview shows if an applicant: • Has a good awareness of the course and GSA generally • Can talk about their work and reference relevant sources and influences • Has an interest in visual art/design and wider cultural influences • Has a tried a range of approaches to work
Interview Format • Bring full portfolio, including any sketchbooks • May be asked to drop off portfolio in advance for staff to view in private • Lasts no more than 30 mins • Interview panel is usually 2 academic staff • Questions are the same for all applicants to ensure fairness • Will be asked to talk at length about the work in portfolio, may only be one project
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