<p>Hey... I posted this in the UVM forum but it looks pretty desolate in there so I figured I'd try here as well.</p>
<p>What is the art department like at UVM? I noticed they don't require you to submit a portfolio for studio art with your application, which irks me.</p>
<p>I really love traditional fine art (especially painting) and want intense skill training in the core essentials: anatomy, proportion, accuracy. I want to study art and biology (anatomy & physiology), but a good art program is more important for me. </p>
<p>I'm open to other suggestions for schools also. UVM would be extremely cheap for me attend (I have tuition waiver so almost free, besides housing, supplies, meal plan, etc.). I'm just not finding what I need in a school. I need a high quality art program with options to take classes in upper level biology. As much as I am love with the programs of major art schools (RISD, MassArt, Otis & Mica) I feel like restricting myself to an art school might be a mistake.</p>
<p>analisa, there are several colleges/universities that offer good studio art and good sciences (and overall academics). </p>
<p>Please give us an idea of your grades/scores. </p>
<p>Also, where do you stand on financial aid? Would your family be eligible for need based aid? If yes, then you’ll have more choices among private schools.</p>
<p>Take a look at BU. It is strong in academics and has a great art program. I agree with you that the portfolio requirement is a clue to the strength of the art program and I would recommend, if you are serious about your art education, staying away from a school that does not require it.</p>
<p>anilisa, You do need to clarify the “need” element. Ask your parents to use an on-line calculator to get a rough idea of the amount of need based aid you may be eligible for. </p>
<p>Many private colleges/universities only offer need based aid. Merit aid will be harder to secure. </p>
<p>Liberal arts programs (meaning colleges or universities that offer arts/humanities/science/math/ social studies, vs strictly art schools) generally do not require portfolios for first year admissions. This applies to the very top schools on down and has no bearing on the quality of the program.</p>
<p>You can, however, and should, submit a slide portfolio and other supplemental information like a resume, additional art instructor recommendation and artist’s statement which will be passed from admissions to the art department. for evaluation. You can do this even if you don’t intend to major in art.</p>
<p>Please see the websites of the individual colleges under “supplementary materials” for instructions. </p>
<p>As far as recommendations for individual colleges, I urge you to investigate the financial aspect first before you make a list. </p>
<p>BU is a good choice. I’d also take a look at Skidmore, Conn College, Hamilton, Vassar. Wesleyan would be a reach. </p>
<p>You might want to try taking the SAT again.</p>
<p>So you have probably already chosen your path, but for any one else out there reading, many art schools allow you to take about one class per semester at another local college as a part of your tuition. For instance, at MassArt, you can take a class at Umass Boston, the Museum School, Simmons, and a few others. So for the original poster, they could go to an art school and for their elective go take all of the science classes at an institution that could better accommodate their needs. I would have probably gone straight to art school from high school if some one had told me this.</p>