Session 2 Admissions at GSA Jack McElroy, John Paul Academy + S6 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Session 2

Admissions at GSA

Jack McElroy, John Paul Academy + S6 Portfolio Course Student at GSA

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” ¡

Applying to the Glasgow School of Art

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.

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 weekends or in the evening

¡ Mention any Widening Participation activities or other courses, for example:

Widening participation printmaking course at Glasgow Print Studio

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!

Additional Activities

S4 Taster Week at the Glasgow School of Art

In the UCAS Personal Statement: This applicant listed no less than 10 separate additional activities.

Additional Activities

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

• pen 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. ¡

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.

Additional Activities

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 were¹:

• 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

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.

Example

Daniel is a brilliant student who wholeheartedly embraces creative challenges and

• pportunities. 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?

Discussion Point - References

A B

Purpose

• 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)

The efolio + statement should show that an applicant:

Tech Spec

Number of image files: Fine Art – 25 Design – 15 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

¡

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

• 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.

E-Folio Statement

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!

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.

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?

Discussion Point – E-Folio Statement

A B

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

• 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

Interview Format

Portfolio Presentation

Work in the portfolio should:

• Be originals, unless the work is 3D in which case photographs are fine
• Be clean and well looked after
• Show process rather than just finished pieces
• Be in sequence and make it easy to read
• Show lots of independent work (applicant may have to point this out!)

Portfolios can be annotated or have labels to give a little bit more context Helpful guides available on the GSA website: Physical Portfolio Getting Ready for Interview

Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks are important for showing process and research There are many different ways of using sketchbooks:

• 1. Primary Research – showing the beginnings of ideas and development
• 2. Secondary Research – showing what artists/designers influence their work
• 3. Visual Journal – clippings from magazines, exhibition leaflets etc, showing

engagement with a range of about visual art/design

• 4. Reflective Sketchbook – a place to reflect on work that has already been made

Possible Interview Questions

Some standard questions:

• Why do you want to study at GSA?
• Why have you chosen this particular specialism?
• Which artists/designers have influenced your work and why?

Some trickier questions:

• What is art and what is it for?
• You're curating a group show in GOMA, which 4 artists do you pick and why?
• Can you describe a space that you're familiar with? We want to hear how you

talk about space.

Assessment Criteria

As in the e-folio, 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)

Charlie Cook, Sculpture & Environmental Art, 98 Lift-offs

Outcome via UCAS

3 possible outcomes for an application to GSA

• 1. Unsuccessful
• 2. Conditional Offer
• 3. Unconditional Offer

Unsuccessful applicants can email registry@gsa.ac.uk to find out what their numerical scores were for e-folio and interview. Students with conditional offers should read the conditions very carefully. If the conditions are BBB at Higher level, that is exactly what they are looking for e.g. an Advanced Higher B and BB at Higher level may not be accepted! Unconditional offer means that they are able to start in September regardless of their exam results.

Questions?

wp@gsa.ac.uk