Would you like to receive a Liberal Arts education?
Liberal arts educate you for life! There are great benefits to a liberal arts degree you won't get with any other type of education.
But how do I get in?
Admissions into a Liberal Arts program are usually considered much less strict than medical schools, business or engineering and other professional programs!
However, these schools still want to make sure you can handle the training and education properly. Admissions requirements generally involve:
1. A high school diploma for Bachelor and
Freshman courses. Your average should be at least 70% for most
schools, though the prestigious ones require a significantly higher
average. Your diploma will most likely require the following:
- 4 credits for high school level English courses
- 2 or 3 credits for high school level math courses. Depending on
your concentration, if you're going into math or sciences you may
need more, or specific courses such as algebra II, geometry or
trigonometry.
- 2 or 3 credits for high school level science courses. Depending
on the concentration, specific science courses may be required.
- About 2 credits for the humanities- geography, world history,
social sciences, religion studies, etc.
- 2 or more arts credits, especially if you're going into an arts
concentration such as creative writing, visual arts and film
studies.
- 1 or 2 credits for an extra foreign language, likely not required
for international students.
Specific requirements will vary by school.
2. Test scores. Programs in the US will require the SAT, or ACT. Scores should be at least 550 per section, and more prestigious schools will require higher scores. Depending on your concentration, emphasis may be put on the math section (math and science) or reading and writing (English, languages, humanities, arts).
Many programs will require TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students. TOEFL scores should be on average 550-600 on paper-based or 213-250 on computer-based. IELTS scores of about 5 would constitute a substitute for the TOEFL in some cases.
3. For graduate master's programs, a GPA major average of 2.5-3.0 is advisable for most programs. As well, the GRE Test may also be required.
4. Most programs require an application. This will include basic information as well as open questions about yourself. You may also be required to submit an admission essay. Consult this lesson for help with your admission essay.
5. Most visual arts and certain other programs will ask you for a portfolio. This should be a folder including samples of your work, or pictures if the works are too large to fit in a small binder. Portfolios are especially helpful in assessing your artful skills.
6. Music and drama performance programs may require you to audition. This may involve a performance of a set piece, or you may be able to choose whatever you like to perform.
If you plan ahead, you'll encounter no problems
Working throughout your high-school and high education career should have already prepared you for most of these requirements. Being admitted into a Liberal Arts Program may sound like a joke to some people, but you can now see that this is a serious and challenging matter.
Good luck getting into that Liberal Arts program!
Photo Credits:
Graduation 1, by cassettejct
Portfolio, by Haydnseek
