T he fine arts programs in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system have recently lagged behind AP classes in enrollment. Though AP classes are important for a prospective college student’s transcript and help boost GPAs, there are still many benefits of fine arts classes that high school students are missing out on.
It’s the job of CHCCS counselors to make sure students understand this balance between advanced classes and art classes.
UNC’s admissions criteria do stress the importance of potential students’ rigor of schedule while in high school. However, the admissions office also stresses the fact that no single trait or aspect of a potential student’s application is the single most important.
In fact, many college admissions offices stress the importance of a well-rounded student, who displays an ability to thrive in multiple facets on campus. A background in the arts, whether performing or otherwise, is certainly an important step towards achieving a balanced resume.
Students who gain an arts education before college have been proven to experience better academic outcomes, have higher career goals and become more civically engaged than their peers who did not take art classes. Furthermore, the benefits of being at least familiar with some aspect of the arts when arriving at college aids students tremendously.
High school counselors should make all these facts abundantly clear to underclassmen in high school and, if that is still not enough to boost art class enrollment, UNC admissions should not be scared to publicly endorse the importance of art in high school education.
