It shouldn’t be easy to get into the best art colleges. The better schools recruit the best students – meaning they have high standards. You shouldn’t be daunted by high standards; you should strive for admission into a top school. Find out ahead of time about the school’s admission requirements. Do they look closely at admissions tests like the ACT or SAT? If so, you should plan on taking these tests in your junior year of high school. By doing so, your scores will help you plan your senior year, give you a jump on early admission and allow you time to retake the tests if your score isn’t as high as you believe it could be. The best art colleges also require prospective students to submit a portfolio of their work, and many place more value on the student’s art work than on standardized tests. So, if your ACT/SAT scores aren’t where they should be, consider applying to a school that places a larger emphasis on the quality of your portfolio.

The best art colleges have the best facilities and resources. Equipment, especially computer equipment, should be up-to-date. Studio space should be readily available. Crowding shouldn’t be a problem (small classes should be the norm). The faculty-to-student ratio should be as low as possible, so students will receive individual attention. Faculty members should be leaders in their fields, and the best art schools usually have solid reputations among both students and the private-sector companies who eventually will employ them.

Accreditation means that the school has been evaluated by an outside institution to determine if its programs meet certain standards. If the standards are met, the school gets the right to grant degrees in various subject areas. Different academic programs are accredited by different accrediting institutions. Be sure the school and program you’re considering are accredited. Yu should also try to find out something about the organization that does the accrediting – the higher their standards, the better the program is likely to be.

Do your homework and identify the best art colleges that offer programs of study that interest you. Admission standards, facilities, resources and accreditation are all factors you should consider when choosing a school.