Strive to get the best grades possible while in high school or prep school. This should be in all subjects and not only in art-related courses. It's also a good idea to participate in as many extracurricular art-related activities as you can. This is one of the most important things that art colleges look at.
Develop your portfolio and build it up until it is impressive. Any decent portfolio should have approximately 15 to 20 pieces of art that have been completed within the last year. It's also important to use a variety of mediums, which could include sketches, paintings and drawings. Just make sure that everything is original and unique.
Obtain a letter of recommendation from an art instructor from your current school. This can be extremely beneficial and should increase one's odds of gaining admission.
Find out all of the important information concerning each college's admission standards. Different schools often have varying requirements for getting in, so it's important to be aware and prepared when applying.
Be enthusiastic when interviewing with all art colleges. Most schools are looking for potential students that exhibit a sincere love for art and are committed to learn. Showing that you are passionate and dedicated will greatly help your odds of winning over your interviewer.