For many, preparing a portfolio seems as simple as “drawing well.” But the real application journey is far more complex. For April, a GAAC student, the greatest achievement of her application year wasn’t just receiving admission letters and scholarships from dream schools—it was learning to tell her story and ideas clearly through art.
Why Is Art Becoming the Secret Weapon in Ivy League Applications?
In the eyes of many parents, “art” once carried the label of being “not serious” — a path for those whose grades weren’t strong enough. Even today, sayings like “only kids with poor academic results study art” are still heard. But times have changed. On the highly competitive road to elite university admissions, art has become a true differentiator.
How to Ease “Application Anxiety”? Let's hear the senior story!
Why Were You Rejected by the Ivies? Because You Didn’t Come to GAAC! Deadline: May 26, 2025
NYU Early Decision Success! What Made Her Portfolio Stand Out?
Our outstanding student Macey has been successfully admitted to New York University (NYU) through Early Decision, securing her dream school in the very first round! Even more impressively, the portfolio she created at Green Apple also earned her offers from 10 other prestigious institutions, including top art schools like Parsons and Pratt.
Chronoception | GAAC Teen Art Exhibition at 2025 Art Vancouver
Cornell vs. Carnegie Mellon: Which Path Should You Choose for Your Art & Architecture Application?
When it comes to top U.S. architecture programs, many students and parents immediately think of the Ivy League—Cornell University. However, through years of experience guiding students in art and design applications, Green Apple Art Center has repeatedly seen Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) rise as the real pioneer for the future of architecture and interdisciplinary design.
Why Art Applications to Ivy League Schools Suit Most Students Best
Introduction:
In many families’ eyes, applying to Ivy League schools seems inseparable from high SAT scores, lengthy essays, and countless competition credentials. However, art applications are another underrated pathway. Unlike purely score-based evaluations, art schools and programs focus more on: Expression, Critical Thinking, Execution. This means art is not about “escaping the grind,” but rather a graceful alternative route to success.
2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Medalists!!!
Green Apple Art Center proudly celebrates another milestone at the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, bringing home 2 Golds and 2 Silvers National Medals across categories including painting, mixed media, and jewelry design. These awards reflect our students’ dedication, creativity, and artistic growth—recognition not by chance, but by consistent effort and excellence.
GAAC—where world-class art journeys begin.
From Semifinalist to Finalist|Henry Kim Shines in the International Art Competition “Science Without Borders® Challenge”!
We’re thrilled to announce that Henry Kim, a talented student from GAAC, has not only been selected as one of four semifinalists from Canada in the 2025 Science Without Borders® Challenge—but has also advanced to the final round, placing him among the top 10 finalists globally in the 11–14 age category!
GAAC Stays Silent—Just Keeps Collecting Offers|Congratulations on the 2025 Byng Arts Program Results!
As one of Vancouver’s most prestigious century-old high schools, Lord Byng Secondary School has always stood out in the arts, excelling in areas like visual arts, media arts, band, and drama. In this year’s highly competitive first-round admissions, two of GAAC’s Grade 7 students successfully earned spots in the coveted Byng Arts program! Behind these offers are GAAC’s years of educational experience, professional faculty, and strategic curriculum planning.
Early Decision Victory: Ivy League Columbia University Offers with a Handwritten Note from the Admissions Officer! Full of Sincerity!
This week at GAAC, our admissions season is in full swing—we’ve already received nearly ten Early Decision offers, along with generous scholarships from top universities! Among the physical offer letters we've received, one stood out—a handwritten note from the admissions officer at Columbia University, one of the most prestigious Ivy League schools. The heartfelt admiration and appreciation expressed in the message made all of us at GAAC, especially our dedicated professional mentors, incredibly proud.
2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Regional Awards News
We’re thrilled to share that GAAC has once again swept awards at the prestigious 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Regional). This year, on the first day of Lunar New Year, the official SAWA results were released. 18 GAAC students earned awards out of hundreds of thousands of entries. A total of 45 winning pieces from GAAC.
Most Asked Question: How to Build a Winning Portfolio for Early Admission to Carnegie Mellon?
Exciting news to kick off 2025! Our GAAC student, Jungyoon, has been successfully admitted to Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture through early decision! Over the past three years, Jungyoon explored various artistic fields with the guidance of our instructors, determined the direction and themes of her portfolio, and was supported every step of the way through creation and application. Her early admission success fills every GAAC mentor with pride!
Obsessed with the Wild Mushrooms Blooming on the NYFW Runway A Philosophical Journey Through Fashion, Capturing the Fleeting Beauty of Life
From a young age, Kassie displayed an extraordinary gift for the arts. Her world has always been filled not only with colors and lines, but also with reflections on literature, philosophy, and nature. For this year’s New York Fashion Week, she presented her collection Ephemeral, inspired by the forms and textures of mushrooms and other organic life—offering a visual narrative on the cycle of life.
Even Emperor Qin Shi Huang Would Rise from the Grave Shouting, “I Love It!”
Time-traveling trends are all the rage—and GAAC has brought one to life! This year at New York Fashion Week, GAAC student Peter stunned audiences with his visionary collection that seamlessly blends Eastern and Western cultures, bringing different historical eras into bold collision. As Peter’s designs graced the NYFW runway, it felt like a portal through time had opened. The opulent embroidery of European courts met the fluid silhouettes of Eastern dynasties; gold brocade clashed boldly with Gothic motifs—bridging vast gaps of time and culture in a moment of perfect harmony. His work is not just fashion; it’s a reinvention of history and a breathtaking visual dialogue between civilizations.
Angela’s Ethereal Organza Fairies Take Flight @ NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Let’s be honest: poorly styled tweed looks can be quite the eyesore. So why not go with something truly magical—like fairycore fashion?
This year at New York Fashion Week, GAAC student designer Angela brought her long-held dream designs to life on the global runway. Her creations are dreamy and ethereal, yet grounded with power and intention. Angela masterfully uses organza to craft airy silhouettes that feel like poems drifting through the clouds. Each piece evokes a soft fantasy, but beneath the beauty lies a core of elegance, independence, and strength. In her hands, softness is no longer fragile—it becomes a confident expression of self.
Have You Ever Seen a Canadian Beauty Queen and Taekwondo Black Belt Walk the Runway at New York Fashion Week?
On the dazzling runway of New York Fashion Week, designer Cece’s elegant collection made its debut. But Cece is not just a fashion designer—she’s also a model, a high school student, a black belt in Taekwondo, and a Canadian beauty queen. Her vibrant and multifaceted life has become a rich source of inspiration for her designs. This time, she tells her story through the soft, graceful language of silk.
“The Beauty of Wabi-Sabi Stuns New York” — Menswear Can Be a Showstopper Too!
For the second year in a row, Mike returned to the dazzling stage of New York Fashion Week with his unique Wabi-Sabi–inspired menswear collection. On one of the most watched runways in the world, he used a distinct aesthetic language to express time, texture, and the beauty of imperfection. Every piece exudes the quiet elegance of age and craftsmanship.
GAAC Presented "Into Their World"
On the auspicious date of the Thanksgiving Long weekend, October 13, 2024, the cross-disciplinary art exhibition "Into Their World," organized by students from Green Apple Art Center with Art Hope Foundation, and the play The Late Christopher Bean, presented by the Vancouver Mandarin Drama Society, successfully concluded at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. The event was met with enthusiastic responses from the audience and received unanimous praise.