<p>Does anyone have suggestions for student seeking LAC with excellent art department offering courses in digital/computer art? Looking mostly at Neastern and mid-Atlantic schools and finding mostly traditional art programs. Have already chk'd Skidmore, Vassar, Purchase. Thanks for any suggestions.</p>
<p>Most LACs such as Vassar and Skidmore generally do not have much in the way of computer art. One exception is Alfred University. For freestanding art schools in the Northeast/Mid-atlantic, check out Pratt and SVA.</p>
<p>Yes, Alfred has a very good program. Although not a LAC, RIT seems to have one of the best new media programs around; however, it is a combination of digital media and graphics design. Its focus is not computer art per se.
Pratt has verious concentrations in computer art that you should check out. MICA has a strong program too.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your suggestions. The choice to go for a LAC rather than an art school was tough but now it is the one thing my d is sure about. Her interests are in art and technology and frankly I am surprised that there aren't more options for her in a college rather than an art school setting. We will look into RIT. I know Alfred has a great rep but she's a city kid and worries it is too rural. Posts on this site seem to confirm that concern. Thanks again for your replies.</p>
<p>Queenlear, I was just checking on the RIT program in New Media and realized that they have three (3) different programs. All programs have some degree of art, programing and other aspects; however, the programs differ in concentrations:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>New Media Art and Design: This is focused on the art and design aspects of new media with emphasis on graphic design and web design. However, this is art focused.</p></li>
<li><p>New Media IT: This is focused on web and interactive media with the emphasis on programming.</p></li>
<li><p>New Media Printing: This is very printing focused,which is a real strength in RIT. It combines some graphic design, some programming,but, as I said, focuses on printing and scheduling of print jobs.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Here is the link that tells about the BFA in New Media Design and Imaging (in RIT's School of Design).
<a href="http://www.rit.edu/%7E932www/ugrad_bulletin/colleges/cias/sdesign.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.rit.edu/~932www/ugrad_bulletin/colleges/cias/sdesign.html</a>
It shows the actual courses (yr by yr) that are taken. New Media kids are part of the School of Design (with Graphic Design, Industrial Design & Interior Design) but they take a slightly different foundation yr. You can use this list of courses to compare RIT's pgm with other schools. In addition to New Media requirements, students are required to take a Liberal Arts core. There is a new policy as of Sept 2005. I know GD students need 50 Liberal Arts credits in addition to the Design School requirements. GD students take a total of 185 credits. I believe New Media need even more credits for graduation. It's a very full schedule. My d is a freshman GD major and she has 17 credits (7 classes, 3 of which are studio classes). She just registered for next qtr and will have 18 credits next qtr. She says it's a lot of work but everyone around her is working just as hard as she is.</p>
<p>Thanks for your time and input, both of you! This is very helpful. I think I'm realizing what she wants is a BA not BFA program.RIT seems to be offering great courses in new media but overall doesn't seem to be what my kid wants out of college. The school self-describes as being a 'leader in career-oriented studies'. As I said initially, she really wants a LAC with a strong art dept that includes digital/computer art. Sometimes those courses are found in the film or media studies depts. We have to hunt around.Any thoughts about Oberlin? Their dept's web pgs look great <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/art/art.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/art/art.html</a></p>
<p>We have to hunt around.Any thoughts about Oberlin? Their dept's web pgs look great <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/art/art.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/art/art.html</a></p>
<p>--</p>
<p>Actually, that's pretty amateurish stuff. Actually...that might even be a compliment. It's terrible. This page in particular is horrible: <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/art/gallery-faculty2.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/art/gallery-faculty2.html</a></p>
<p>Yeah, Oberlin doesn't seem to have any quality offerings in New Media. She may want to rethink her needs.</p>
<p>Also, don't let the concept of "career oriented studies" fool you. RIT is not a trade school. You can get a very fine technical and liberal arts education too. It is a tough, demanding school in a number of ways.</p>
<p>Their concept of "career orientation" simply means that they are very practical in their education and emphasize applied research. Trust me on this, there is nothing skimpy or watered down about the academics of that school. If anything, the education that your child will get will be quite good in their major.</p>
<p>Will it be as strong in liberal arts as with Oberlin? Probably not. However, the overall eduacation will be quite good, and the training in the major will be quite strong. In addition, there will be some great coop experience,which makes all kids more marketable. I think your child may need to rethink RIT.</p>
<p>queenl, it's true that LACs are generally speaking more traditional in their art studio classes, I think because they are limited in the number of courses they can offer each term. Having said that the faculty are generally speaking anything but traditional and if a student were to focus on new media s/he would most likely be encouraged. </p>
<p>If, for whatever reason, your daughter thinks she wants to get a BA from an LAC, then I'd suggest that she try to speak to the art department directly and see what they have to say about her dilemma. The professors/instructors themselves are often involved in 21st century technique and media even though the course descriptions read Drawing, Painting and Sculpture.</p>
<p>Some other LACs with strong art departments are Hamilton, Wesleyan, Conn College, Williams, Smith, Kenyon. Not LACs but also worth considering are NYU and Brown. It's not something that I've researched but my guess is that she might find what she's looking for indirectly through the film/media or technology departments, especially at Wesleyan or Brown.</p>
<p>Hmmmm...Lots to think about here. It may be back to the drawing board (so to speak)for some of her choices.... I do agree with momrath's comment about art faculty in general and we haver already looked at some of the schools mentioned - I appreciate the suggestions</p>
<p>queenlear- my s is looking at a program that is very much what your d is. jrzygrlmom it is great having someone reply that has a child at RIT. We have looked at that school with great interest, but several things are a bit worrisome to my s. He has been on studentsreview looking at replies and there seems to be a large number of dissatisfied students there. I have tried to inform him that in many cases, disgruntled people make the most noise, but then he brings up the posts on the Brown site, and others, which makes those on RITs site look worse (to him). For the most part does your d see content kids? He is also concerned with the lack of females. (you know 15 year old boys!) Is the ratio really as bad as it seems, especially in the design school? </p>
<p>I am sure I will have more questions as we proceed through this. Thanks for letting me piggyback onto this thread queenlear!</p>
<p>Kandksmom, I am very familiar with students review. Wiithout questions, naysayers are always more prevalent.</p>
<p>Second, even with some of the negative comments about RIT, there are mostly positive comments concerning the academics. That seems to be one theme that most, although not all, students agree about.</p>
<p>Thirdly, there are a number of positive comments too. Generally if you check a number of major universities such as Syracuse University, which is rated number 50 in the US, you will see negative comments. Check out University of Maryland too. </p>
<p>You have to take these comments with a grain fo salt and look for themes. Certainly, RIT is in a cold climate. There won't be a lot of outdoor sports going on; thus, many kids do things indoor, which leads to some complaints. Certainly, Rochester, while very cultural and nice, isn't New York. Also, it doesnt' have the crime of NY either.</p>
<p>RIT has one other central program; The male female ratio is almost 3:2, which is a major theme in the threads. Even worse, most felmales are found in the school of imaging arts and science. If you just look at the engineering and science programs, the ratio seems to be more like 8:1. In all fairness to RIT, they are trying to remedy this.</p>
<p>Note, I am not associated in any way with RIT. Thus, I have no ax to grind. However, I do feel that it is a very good school for a number of majors ESPECIALLY for new media. I have looked at many programs around the country and have never seen any new media undergraduate programs equal to RIT. In fact, they have three different concentrations of new media programs,which is also unheard of.</p>
<p>As for LACs, it depends on what you want from a LAC. They usually will not offer as many courses and choices as that of an art school or of RIT. The reason is that they require a lot of liberal arts. If that is what you want, a LAC isn't bad. </p>
<p>Most LACs that I have seen do not offer new media per se. They are more electronic media, which is a bit different. New Media at RIT tends to be a combination of graphic design,advertising design,digital design and can also be printing design. At LACs like Skidmore, it is more music, sound and digital design. </p>
<p>Alfred University has some graphic design oriented courses but, as with most LACs, these courses are very limited.</p>
<p>My point: be aware of the limitations of LACS and of their strengths, which are their liberal arts focus. LACs also are more fine art focused too.</p>
<p>If you really are interested in electronic media, which is also known as integrated media, I should mention that Rensselear Polytech and University of Pennsylvania have some very strong programs in that area that is worth checking out. However, you need to have a child that is very strong academically, especailly in math, to get into those schools.</p>
<p>I totally understand the concerns. We had them too. But I have the daughter so the ratio problem can be a good thing and a bad thing. Here's what I know. Yes, the ratio is that bad. I believe it's around 70% guys. Makes it easier for guys to find other guys to be friends with. Less girls means it's harder for girls to find girls to be friends with. For dating, the ratio means other things. </p>
<p>But in the School of Design I believe it's more like 50:50 girls:guys. At least it seemed that way at Orientation. Also, my d lives in the Art House (a dorm floor with 45 kids interested in art, not necessarily art/design majors). Art House is 50:50. Half the floor is upperclassmen. That was helpful esp in the beginning. These kids were friendly and could give advice to the newbies. </p>
<p>My d had some concerns beforehand about lack of social life. Heard all those stories of anti-social kids never leaving their rooms. That definitely is NOT the case where she lives. Everyone's doors are open. Art House does lots of things together, so they get to know one another. For instance, this weekend they're going apple picking. I think at some point they will be getting pumpkins to carve also. </p>
<p>My d has told us she won't be coming home until Thanksgiving. She's having a ball and can't understand how kids are homesick (one of her friends left a small LAC in PA after 2 weeks because she just couldn't fit in with the other girls). She's made friends with kids outside of art house also, but due to laziness, she hasn't gotten out as much as she originally intended. She's only been to the gym twice, to go swimming. She had originally planned to go often, hoping to meet other girls to play bball with for instance. She is very busy. The workload is heavy. She has 7 classes, 3 of them studio. There is alot of day to day work. She's been happy that her floor has its own studio so there's a place to work late at night, as many of them are up regularly til 2 or 3 working on their projects.</p>
<p>My d was asked to be in learning community, which placed her in a group of 18 or so students who have the same 3 classes together. They will stay together next qtr as well. At first she worried it would seem like HS, where all the honors kids were always together. But she said it's a nice way to get to know kids other than the kids you dorm with. </p>
<p>The pace is fast and she has kept up. She goes to meals with floormates mostly and feels it's a nice break from her work. Recently she commented that she loves her school and is so glad she's there. Her boyfriend (a math major) and her best friend (pre-law) are at more traditional colleges and even though they have somewhat tough majors, they have much less work. My d commented that she would have had a tougher time adjusting at a school like that. She's busy doing homework everynight and she would feel left out when her friends would be out partying or watching movies, etc. She said she works hard during the week, then takes Frid and Sat to relax and have fun. At RIT, everyone is doing work so you're all in the same boat. Believe me, she still finds time to relax but I'd say it's scattered. I know last week she did watch a movie one weeknight and she has a class one night. </p>
<p>On weekends, she finds fun stuff to do with her friends. BUT if your kid wants a big party school, this isn't it. My d was social in HS, but not a drinker. She's definitely social and goes to parties, then and now (and I wouldn't be surprised if she has a few drinks now and then at some time in her college career). BUT RIT has a no drinking policy in the dorms. I'm sure kids drink there, but it's not open. THe school says they will come down hard on kids drinking. I went to a state school with kegs in the dorm hallways and it's certainly not like that. There are apartments which have a more lenient policy but RIT's position is underage drinking is illegal and will be enforced. She has friends who are 21 and they drink in their apartments. </p>
<p>I would suggest doing an overnight or two if possible. I made sure my d visited 4 or 5 times (including dead of winter) so she knew what she was getting into. Her 2nd choice was Syracuse which has more of a social party atmosphere. My d has said she likes being with kids that take school seriously but are still fun. Don't know if she just lucked out, or what. The only other kid we know that went to RIT was a guy who was anti-social in HS, anti-social at RIT and has lived at home (with his parents) for the past 2 yrs, with few friends. So, I think if you're a social kid arriving at RIT, you can certainly find other social kids to hang out with. My d wasn't the most outgoing kid in HS, but she was friendly and she had no trouble finding what she calls "normal" kids. She had toured RISD beforehand, and felt she wouldn't fit in with all the dyed hair, piercings and tattoos. Well, her roommate fits that description perfectly and she's fine with that. She says there are all types so no big deal.</p>
<p>My d is probably going to minor in Spanish so she will have plenty of exposure to non Design majors in her liberal arts classes (50 credits worth). One other thing, most of her classes are under 20 students. I think her biggest class is a drawing class. Her writing class has 18 or 19 students I think. The school is hard. For her 1st 3D project, only the top 3 kids got A-. Her 1st writing assignment, only 1 A- was given. They already had midterms so the qtr moves a quick pace. I believe there are 3 weeks left.</p>
<p>Any other questions, ask away. We had looked at Skidmore and other LACs also but my d was discouraged by the actual curriculum at those schools (because they were more studio art classes only and she wanted more commercial art type exposure). She doesn't have yrs of art classes (like many of her classmates) so she wanted the most exposure so she could compile a great college portfolio. Another thing, many of the projects RIT kids do are work oriented. By that I mean, I've seen children's book projects, city guides for GD students, etc. My d liked seeing projects that she might be doing someday as a job instead of just studio art (drawing, painting, ceramics). Of course, she's currently doing foundation work which is definitely the basics. She is contemplating switching into Industrial Design but not sure. Luckily the foundation yr is the same for both programs so she has some time to decide... She also felt she didn't want to have to get her MFA before job hunting so felt she needed a BFA to be marketable. I started a post a while back that AIGA published, describing the difference between BA and BFA programs.</p>
<p>Wow...Jerzgrlmom. That was VERY helpful! RIT seems to have a nice combination of programs that would interest my D. BUT....
We just can't get past the campus (or lack thereof). We visited the school for my son several years ago, and unfortunately never got out of the car. We could not help but see an "office park" with lots and LOTS of brick ;-)</p>
<p>I know appearances can be deceiving, so please go on with your descriptions. Seeing so many parking lots filled with cars, led us to believe the campus has a huge amount of commuter students -- not quite the environment she would desire. In addition, we found no nearby commercial communities -- the "stereotypical" college shops, etc. It appeared a car was virtually required.</p>
<p>Where do students go for fun? How do they get there? Does RIT have a large commuter population? How far is a walkable commercial area? What is Rochester like? (we didn't have time to explore town). Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Well, I don't have all the answers but ... as for campus, I would agree with your "office park" description. We're from northern NJ where office parks are quite common. RIT actually has a 1200 acre campus with parking lots around the outside. Lots of commuter students probably but keep in mind that many of those commuters live in off campus apartments or even in on campus apartments but don't want to walk to class. There is a bus system that runs continually past all the apartment complexes. My d has been to a few of the apartment complexes and rode the bus once I believe. It was easy. I believe there is a plan to build up the campus, adding more housing, stores, bowling alley, etc. RIT certainly has the space (unlike Syracuse who had to move several depts miles off campus because they have no room left). Personally I think the campus is boring, but my d didn't mind it. What she noticed is how clean it is. Wouldn't say she's a neat freak but once she mentioned it, I had to agree. Everything is well maintained and you never see litter or run down buildings or anything. I think RIT has heard enough complaints about the buildings and are trying to add a little variety. I think the brick is there to stay (guess it holds up well in winter storms) but the newest buildings are less boxlike.</p>
<p>My d decided she didn't want to live in a real city environment after spending time in Boston and NYC but truthfully, I think she'd prefer RIT to be more like Brown or RISD. My son spent 2 summers at Brown and loved Providence and it's proximity to Boston and Cape Cod. My d also wanted to be able to walk to town from campus. She didn't get that. She couldn't find a school that had the curriculum she wanted and the environment too. She certainly didn't ask for the freezing cold (preferred a VA environment). I don't think students walk from RIT to places off campus. There is a mall (actually a mall and a closer strip mall) down Jefferson Ave within a mile. I doubt students walk that far even though they could. There is a bus system that will take them to the malls, movies, food store, even the University of Rochester if they want. My d has not taken that bus yet. She's been fortunate to find rides with other students. For instance, she needed an outfit for a 60s dance so went shopping with a girl on her floor. I bet she'll be out Halloween shopping soon. </p>
<p>Some of the parking you saw was for on campus students. Even freshman are allowed cars. And parking is free. </p>
<p>As for things to do off campus, Rochester and the suburbs must have something to do. I know it's not Manhattan but still. Truthfully, my d is too busy during the week to look for off campus activities. She has gone to the movies and bowling off campus. She's only 18 so can't legally drink in bars, etc (doesn't have a fake id). But she likes dancing so I believe she may go clubbing if she can find a way. I know she has gone to NYC to clubs (dance and comedy clubs) for those under 21. Her art house has an annual trip to Toronto.</p>
<p>I think she will bring a car in the spring so she can go out exploring on weekends. We've stayed on Lake Ontario (Webster) the last 2 visits and it's a beautiful area. Niagara Falls isn't far, nor is the Thousand Island area (3 hrs). Ithaca is about a 2 hr backroad trip through wine country. For people that prefer a city environment, there's Rochester. My d has enough work this yr (17-18 credits a qtr) to keep her busy. On campus, there are plenty of like bands, comedians, movies, etc. There is at least one coffeehouse, a sports bar, billiard rooms, even a place to go tanning and get haircuts. The new sports complex has all the reg courts and equipment in addition to a lazy river pool surrounding a very large jacuzzi. My d has been swimming because she mentioned going off the high dive... There are all kinds of gym classes, including off campus ski lessons, snowboarding, scuba diving and bowling. There are fraternities and sororities on campus (the house look gorgeous) but I don't know anything about them. </p>
<p>I'm not saying RIT is perfect. My d went into this feeling that. She could not find a school that she felt was perfect for her but she kept coming back to RIT. The one thing that stood out for her was how welcoming everyone she met was (from admin to students). We don't always experience that here in NJ.</p>
<p>Keep looking. You'll find the school you want. This was just to give another view into RIT. Mainly we just hear how geeky it is. And it is that. But it's more too.</p>
<p>jerzgrlmom, another thanks for all of the information. I definitely will get s to do as your d did and try to stay overnight or at least look at the school in person (and in the cold) when the time comes. We are in VA so the weather should be considered- it stays pretty mild around here in winters. Taxguy, thanks to you too for discussing the various specialties of New Media. Both my s and I are very naive when it comes to the individual areas of art. He needs to go into what he wants to do with his eyes open and learn as much as he can before he decides what to do down the road. Exactly what is the difference between New media and electronic media? Are there any resources he can look into to help him learn more about the art field? Insight from all of you is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I grew up in Rochester. It sucks, and is getting worse. The winters are ferocious [not just the biting cold - the sun literally doesn't shine for three months], business is fleeing the city, and the nightlife consists of drinking, drinking and more drinking. There is little "culture" to speak of. </p>
<p>I understand the general direction of the thread was towards a liberal arts college, but if your kid really wants to successfully explore new media, I would suggest you also consider art schools. The access to inspiration and resources will be much larger.</p>
<p>Kandksmom asks,"Exactly what is the difference between New media and electronic media? Are there any resources he can look into to help him learn more about the art field? "</p>
<p>Response:You are asking a great question. I probably am not the one to answer this because I am not artistic in any way,unless writing is considered artistic.</p>
<p>Electronic media would be found in places like Rensselaer, UPenn, and Skidmore. You really need to check out their programs. Their emphasis seems to be more in line with digital media and sound and video integration. I got the feeling that kids who specialize in this would be well trained for special effects movies and maybe web site design.</p>
<p>New Media, at least the way it is presented at RIT, is a combination of graphic design and digital media. Thus, these kids can do graphic design or can do web site design with a graphic design focus. Frankly, I don't know which is better. You may need to speak to the dean of the respective art programs to see which would be a better fit for your child. A good rule of thumb is to see which schools within the university host the new media or electronic media programs. I would imagine that in schools like Rensselaer and UPenn, there is a lot of programing involved. Schools like Alfred would offer a more artistic approach. CMU graphic design would be very artistically oriented; however, their "Human Computer Interaction" major may be more programing oriented because it is hosted by the college of computer science. Again, you need to ask the faculty about the respective programs. </p>
<p>I should also note that some schools like RISD don't have an undergraduate degree in new media or digital media. They believe that a strong illustration or graphic design undergraduate focus is more important. I guess they feel that the new media or digital media should be pursued in graduate level. I really don't know whether RISD is correct in their approach or not.</p>
<p>Alfred University seems to have a decent electronic media approach plus some graphic design, all combined with a strong liberal arts emphasis. However, they almost seem like a point in all directions; thus, I am not sure that the student gets strong training in any of these artistic areas. However, I am not a visual artist.</p>
<p>I do personally agree with Jkolko in that if you are interested in new media training or in applied art training, most LACs won't produce the same amount of intensive training as an art school or a university with a strong applied art program such as CMU, RIT, Syracuse etc. However, there is something to be said for a strong liberal arts and writing curriculum.</p>
<p>My overall suggestion is to visit schools that look interesting to you. Also, check out the course offerings of the schools very carefully. Ask about their placement in applied art. If obtaining strong liberal arts training is important, ask about that. That is the one downside to RIT. I don't think that their liberal arts are good; however, I admittedly don't know for sure.</p>
<p>In case you didn't notice, I am also a bit confused and befuddled, which my kids will tell you is my normal state of affairs. I just think that you really need to investigate the programs. I wish I could have given you a better, more definitive answer.</p>