Adcenter's Admission Policy: A Review

I was worried about Adcenter from the first. I had no belief that I was going to be able to be an art director. My vision of an art director was a slightly chubby man with long greying hair, horn-rimmed square glasses, sleeve length tattoos, listening to music from an artist that would never be considered "mainstream," while pounding red bulls, standing on his office chair screaming "CREATIVITY IS DEAD!!!"

Yes. I had no idea who art directors were, or what they were like. I was worried I would get to Virginia in a sea of people who would be infinitely more "cool" and "vouge" than I ever wanted to be. Perception is not reality.

Adcenter students are one thing if any: In total shock they got in.

Everyone is still amazed they are here. No one has yet said to me that they we're destined to be in advertising, or that they knew from day one they were going to be creatives. They are normal adjusted people (so far) with wide eyes and even larger dreams of doing a job that avoids 3-piece suits, demands creativity, and revolves around enjoying what you do.

Everyone has traveled or lived abroad. Most have great stories of sites seen or foreign meals consumed in places most Americans don't know exist. Some even speak a language or 6. Some play more instruments then I knew existed. Some come from the four corners. Some come from ten miles down route 64. Some paint. Some doodle. Some have problems writing their own name. Some have no idea who Fenske is. Some have never eaten a hush-puppy (guilty as charged).

But with all the differences and variety there are constants.

We all love advertising (so far). Most of us are hesitant to openly talk or it. I feel the fear of blank stares from friends who spent their lives avoiding advertising created hesitation in crowds to admit their new-found nerdism. However inevitably we all let our love slip and the rest just flows.

We are all social beings. There is the usual hesitation, politeness, coy behavior, but these are only the product of years of social training. Usually a beer or two fixes the mistakes or social politeness in favor of stories of spring breaks past, great you-tube clips, embarrassing nicknames, stupid human tricks, all told with such ease you find in good people. No one is recluse or a potential shut-in waiting for inclusion into the group. We make our spots.

Of course this is all easy to say only one week here, and with no vision into anyones abilities in an actual school setting, but you can see quickly that Adcenter picks people very selectively. Narrow minded people don't make good creatives. Inspiration comes from experience. I had no idea what Adcenter was looking for, but I have a good feeling that they do, and I for one am glad to be part of it.