Part 2: Continuation of 2023 uni (and other) applications for those pursuing art and creative routes

[Duchessofmuchness]

As requested transferring us all over hear for the continuation of the 2023 journey. Have so enjoyed the company and support of all on the first thread. Link to original thread copied below (I hope!)

2023 uni applications for those pursuing art and creative routes www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4626697-2023-uni-applications-for-those-pursuing-art-and-creative-routes

Thanks @Soma it's so out of my comfort zone so I do worry. I've lost the plot with this thread - do you have a dc going somewhere?

@Acinonyx2 it can be scary, but even when you go down the straightforward academic route there are no guarantees. Yes, DD is enjoying her first week and has lovely flatmates.

Just been to the open-day escape studios. We managed to have a long chat with the Head of the course we are interested in which was really helpful. We were really impressed with the staff, the course and the ethos so plenty to think about for our dd. It was always on the list but wasn't one of top choices but not sure now.

I looked Escape online @Okisenough. Being in London and computer based pretty much ruled it out for DD. It's not one you hear about much but it looked good and lots of Rookie recognition.

Just had a lovely phone conversation with DD, she's done her first week and sounded fine. Lectures start tomorrow. I feel so relieved that she sounded ok. Dropping her off last week and staying cheerful was hard. She said no phone calls for the first week so we respected that and have just sent WhatsApp messages. It has been a very long week!

Good to hear! The start of actual classes changes the dynamic a lot.

DD is currently in Seville, after a nightmare journey (over-full bus, traffic chaos); the units in her private-rental kitchen collapsed just before she left so she is hoping that housemates can get that sorted.

I might post some of the resulting art if she shares any at the end of the week... it's a highly structured drawing class, rather than free time to explore.

Not the best ever start to a drawing trip (if you can read the text on the left...)

I am so sorry that happened to your dd, how upsetting. Hopefully things are improving and she is having a good time and getting lots of drawing done.

That is a horrible thing - hope the rest of the trip makes up for the poor start.

Thanks! The rest of the group rallied round to lend pencils. Art is being produced.

@olafolaf If you are reading please can you offer my dd some advice on her PS for The Ruskin? She is currently in Foundation at Leeds Arts Uni and is struggling as they are saying that 2/3rds of her statement should be about her foundation course and not her A-levels- yet she's only 3 weeks into the course so has nothing yet to write about it as it's mostly been induction so far.

Just popping on for some advice from those more experienced! Dd is only in year 11, but is very keen to study art. Her teacher has said she should consider doing two art A Levels, one the first year, and a second the next year. Is this a thing? I can't get my head round this.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster is there a reason why your DD's teacher wants her to do them that way? It isn't unusual for DC to take two or even three creative course work heavy subjects in one sitting at the end of Year 13.

I guess the teacher means to take an AS level in the first year and convert it to A-level in the second year?

@FriendlyLaundryMonster no not heard of doing it that way! Most people I know who went in to art did art and perhaps another more focussed one like photography and then a third essay based subject, or like my daughter who did art, history and psychology (which I guess can be considered a science for some degrees), so one art two others. That left more options open - just as well as is now applying for a Sociology degree (currently doing Art Foundation).
But what is the reasoning behind doing it in one year? Also two art subjects really narrows things down should she change her mind like mine did. I wouldn't want to do any A level in one year.

So she’s going to choose art and two other subjects (not arty). The teacher thinks she will get through the A level art course work within a year and should then do another A level for Art in the second year! Not AS. I need to have a proper chat with the teacher. It would seem to me that if she gets through the syllabus, it will free up time for the other subjects?

But, as it is her passion, it will keep her challenged for the two years I suppose.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster Really? In my experience the A level Art course is pretty intense and time consuming- I wouldn't recommend trying to do it in a year if she is also studying two more academic A-levels. The first year of the course was more about finding their style, practising techniques etc. My DD's work in year 13 was so far ahead of her first units as she developed as an artist that she wouldn't have got the A that she did in year 12 despite getting A easily for her GCSE work.

A* those were meant to say!

Oh so four A levels? Why? Most unis offer on three. It seems over the top to do two art A levels on top of other two academic ones. Looking at the A level Art show at my daughter's school there was sculpture, photography, fibre art, painting and multimedia - not available at all schools for sure but if she has a particular interest one area that could be covered in her Art A level?
If her school does EPQ that's another opportunity to do something art related - an artefact like a painting/set design/sculpture etc. I think it's a lot do do four A levels no matter how they are scheduled (but nuts to do one in a year) and unnecessary to boot.

Anyone else have experience of the Art Foundation at Leeds Arts University? DD started in September and she comes home miserable every day. She says they are given pointless tasks like drawing the floor, not used anything except tape, a few markers that don't work and is just geared so far to abstract work.

She wants to apply to Oxford Ruskin so her personal statement has to be in on Friday for review and she's been told to write most of it about her foundation course and not A-level but can't because they haven't done much yet as the course only just started. She seems to not be able to meet with the tutor responsible for Ruskin applications as she he is apparently teaching all day so only has email communication.

It all seems such a let down and not what she expected!

I agree with pp - which art degrees need 4 A levels??? Seems overkill and a bit nuts. And art is pretty time-consuming in any case. I can see the sense in 4 if you're doing say double maths - or even 3 sci and maths. Otherwise it's just not worth it.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster I agree with other posters. A-levels are pretty intensive. I think rushing through the coursework and syllabus of Art in one year surely will remove the joy of it and also defeat the purpose of developing your art skills, style and eye. Also bear in mind, if she wants to go on to study Art at university, a lot of places still want a foundation or place a lot of emphasis on what you produce in your portfolio.

@FancyFanny this is a common problem for people on one year courses of any kind. However - I'd be surprised if she were really expected to focus on the foundation course itself. I'm currently mentoring a year 13 personal statement and referring to general advice e.g.: 'As a guide, spend around 60% of the space talking about your course, why you want to do it and how you’re suited to it, 30% on your work experience and any other activities that are relevant to your subject and 10% on your career aspirations.'

I've asked my st to make notes on:

• What do you want to study?
• Why do you want to study it?
• What is there about you that shows you’re suited to studying this subject at university? Think about your personality, as well as your experiences.
• What are your other interests and skills?

And use this checklist for the statement contents:

• Your interest in the course. Why do you want to spend three years studying this subject at university?
• What have you done outside school or college that demonstrates this interest? Think about things like fairs/exhibitions, public lectures or voluntary work that is relevant to your subject.
• Relevant work experience (essential for the likes of medicine, not required for non-vocational courses such as English)
• Skills and qualities required for that career if appropriate
• Interest in your current studies – what particular topics have made an impression on you?
• Any other interests/hobbies/experiences you wish to mention that are relevant either to the subject or 'going to uni'. Don't just list your hobbies, you need to be very selective and state clearly what difference doing these things has made to you.

General advice is not to talk about your qualifications as this will be in your reference. SO the focus is on st interests and motivation in the FUTURE course rather than current IFYSWM. It's not usually relevant to talk about the current course really - only as it related to your own particular interests and motivations. So in that sense it shouldn't matter - but don't be negative that won't help.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the thoughts. She will have the opportunity to do an EPQ, so it’s a good point that this could be something art related. It’s not a case of her needing 4 A levels, although Ds has just achieved 4 A stars and also did an EPQ. I’m not sure what the teacher’s thinking is. Dd already knows her style and is told her GCSE artwork would be absolutely good enough for A level. She has had offers for selling her work/commissions. So, I’m imagining the teacher is just trying to stretch her. Even if she finishes enough artwork in a year, she will still produce more, so perhaps that’s the reasoning. I don’t know! But, hopefully I can have a chat with the teacher soon to establish the thinking.