My senior year was lowkey a trainwreck...a TRANwreck haha. Anyways, I look back on it fondly despite that. What people don’t tell you about senior year is that most of the work isn’t any harder, but senioritis a constant state. This is sucky for me since I’m the queen of procrastination but also I care a lot about my grades. Don’t be like me. I missed out on a lot of fun times procrastinating. :/

I’m a first generation college student and the oldest child of immigrant parents. I wish I knew the things I know now, back in freshman year, there is so much that I’d do differently.But I can’t, so I got to work with what I got, which isn’t anything impressive. It was crazy that I became a Questbridge Finalist in the first place, it wasn’t surprising that I didn’t get into any of my Questbridge schools. I could blame it on my low stats, lack of knowledge, bad writing, etc but it happened and I can’t change that. While it’s still disheartening, it’s just the way it is and that's ok. Not getting into the college you want isn’t the end of the world.

For those people who don’t know if they want to pursue an academic major or an art major. Take this summer to figure it out. Otis’s pre-college program helped me figure this out, but pre-college might not be an option. Spend this summer and learn about yourself. Imagine your future and what type of path you can see yourself following through on. Deciding that art school for me felt risky, but I couldn’t imagine myself following a purely academic education. I love the idea of double majoring, or dual degree programs, so look into those if you’re interested in pursuing both.

One of the biggest tips I have is to appreciate the visual department. Utilize all the resources it has to offer, from the facilities to the teachers. Grind during YoungArts season. Creating a super cohesive body of work that you are proud of early in the year is super helpful for portfolio reviews, scholarships, and Slideroom (if you’re applying for art school or using art as a supplemental). Write a good artist statement, you’ll be using it a lot when applying to art school.

If you know that you want to go to art school, attend as many portfolio reviews as possible during the fall. This is such a unique experience to have and it’s amazing. I signed up for most of the portfolio reviews that were offered this year and it taught me how to articulate my thoughts and ideas clearly to others. It always helps to practice talking about your art to reps and they can provide some really good feedback that can help you improve your portfolio for your Sliderooms. When January comes around, make sure to set up a space on Portfolio Day. This is your last chance to scope out personalized feedback and build connections with reps.

You’re going to hear this from everyone else, but make the most of your time at Dreyfoos. Go to the shows and performances, volunteer, hang out with your friends. Get a disposable and travel to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or Orlando, visit an art fair, go to a concert! Appreciate those little moments and enjoy your senior year. :)

Good luck,

Jennifer Tran