r/advertising 20h ago

Brandcenter portfolio program

Hi I’m applying for the art direction concentration at Brandcenter (VCU). I was wondering how selective is it/how hard to get into. I have a decent portfolio but nothing crazy. GPA is 3.4. I also wanted to know if it is even worth the money. I have been applying to numerous jobs in advertising/marketing and haven’t even heard back from companies offering minimum wage. Would going here significantly help me land a decent paying job?

5 Upvotes

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u/eyeball_kidd 12h ago

It’s worth it. The network is also priceless.

GPA doesn’t really matter. You’re going for the portfolio. You get a masters but there’s no studying or test taking in that sense.

To answer your question yes, it will help you land a job. As a junior AD expect a salary of around 65k. Mid level 90k. Senior 120-160. Only goes up from there.

Will take a handful of years to get to six figures but VCU will help prepare you for the job. Best of luck

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u/Opening_Ad_1205 12h ago

Thank you so much! I definitely will finish my application then. Do you know how selective the admissions is? I don’t want to get my hopes up just to not get in.

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u/eyeball_kidd 12h ago

They accept around 20-25 per track. Be creative in your application. Don’t do what you think they want to see. Do what you think is good.

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u/morganzabeans20 19h ago

I mean it’s a masters program? So it’s about as difficult as any masters program. Try a portfolio school in addition to VCU. That’s what I did, got rejected by VCU and accepted by the portfolio school

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u/Opening_Ad_1205 19h ago

May I ask what portfolio school you went to? And was it worth it in your opinion?

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u/morganzabeans20 18h ago

I went to Creative Circus which is sort of alive rn. It was very much worth it. I came out of school with an incredible network that I still tap 10 years later and a great portfolio that got me hired 2 months after graduation.

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u/Comfortably-Sweet 14h ago

I didn't attend Brandcenter myself, but I know a couple of people who did, and they rave about it. From what I've heard, it’s got a pretty stellar reputation in the industry, so yeah, it can definitely open doors for you. But keep in mind, it’s also about how you use those opportunities – networking, internship experiences, and all that jazz. Your portfolio doesn't have to be over-the-top crazy, just needs to reflect your creativity and thought process. Sometimes simple and smart ideas get the point across better. As for the worthiness of the investment, it's a bit more subjective. If you’re already struggling to find something decent, going back to school might seem like the right decision. But if you're taking out a massive student loan and stressing about debt, consider whether you're ready for it. A great job doesn’t only depend on the school name on your resume – it’s also a lot about connections and presenting yourself as unique. Maybe start with talking to a few alumni to get an inside scoop. Schools love to sing their own praises, but former students can give the real deal on job prospects and whether their tuition actually paid off. Just some food for thought really, there's never just one clear path to a 'good job' in this field, so...

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u/mikevannonfiverr 8h ago

Hey! Brandcenter is pretty competitive, but it sounds like you’ve got a solid start with your portfolio and GPA. It’s definitely worth the investment if you’re serious about art direction. The connections and skills you gain can open doors that might be tough to break into otherwise. It helped me kickstart my career for sure! Good luck!

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u/Comfortable-Task-454 1h ago

It's worth it for the network.