<p>Art plays a huge role in my daughter's life, however she has decided that she does not want to attend an "art school". She had been talking about majoring in something other than art, due to the lack of job prospects upon graduation, however has recently begun regretting that choice and is considering an art major. (mainly because she was under the impression that she would still be able to take a number of art classes in college while pursuing an unrelated major, but has discovered that there will be little time for that, as well as limited opportunities.)
My question is....
We have a college tour vacation scheduled for spring break ( she is a junior btw) based on her size, location, affordability , and academic match/safety of schools. We will be visiting 6 schools in a week. In order for her to have a good idea of the fit, I am trying to figure out what she should specifically look for on the visits as far as art opportunities. I am thinking that it would be good if the schools have accredited art programs ( all but 1 do), and that she should tour the art facilities to see if they are well maintained, well supplied, etc. Look over course offerings in art department.
Any other suggestions? It's kind of hard because she may flip again and decide that she wants to major in something else so we want to cover as many bases as possible LOL Fortunately they are all large universities with many different degrees offered so hopefully they will work regardless.</p>
<p>We are in a very similar situation. We have toured a few colleges and found that we get a lot more out of the tour if we are able to meet with an advisor or professor from the art department. The people conducting the general tours and information sessions usually don't know much about the admissions process in the art department.</p>
<p>My daughter is interested in graphic design. We are asking very specific questions about the admissions process to that program. For example, many universities will let many students take the foundation courses. However, after those courses, they must present a portfolio and apply to the department to take the advanced courses. The ones that don't get accepted have the choice to change majors, transfer to another college, or try again next year.</p>
<p>When getting information on the courses they must take, ask about both the art classes and the general education requirements. They may require courses in math, science, foreign language, etc.</p>
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She had been talking about majoring in something other than art, due to the lack of job prospects upon graduation, however has recently begun regretting that choice and is considering an art major.
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Make sure your D understands that just because she majors in art she's not limited to jobs like curator and the like. Your D faces the dilemma shared by any liberal-arts student (history, anthro, you name it). The major does not lead directly to a job, nor is it intended to.</p>
<p>Colleges offer vocationally oriented majors (nursing, engineering, journalism, etc) and those kids know what they'll do after college. For the rest, the process is one of discovery and exploration. Virtually any career field is open to the liberal-arts grad; even accounting firms have found it worthwhile to hire smart kids regardless of major and train them in accounting. Liberal-arts majors need to start early on working with the career center to identify careers that might appeal to them, arrange to talk with alums in various fields, and (most importantly) to line up internships and other ways of getting experience that stands out to employers such as joining career-related clubs. If you go into college with the idea that this process is something you need to be spending time on all 4 years, it can be a pleasant and ultimately rewarding pursuit.</p>
<p>An hypothetical example might make this clearer. Suppose your D becomes interested in advertising as a way of blending her interest in art with a career in business. She gets an internship at a agency, but discovers that some of the other jobs she sees are even more interesting. She goes down this path, ending up starting her career in a field you never would have predicted for someone majoring in art.</p>
<p>PAMom: I would certainly check out the facilities and course offerings; more than that, I would look at the faculty members and their specialized interests-- as well as their own art. Are they also active, practicing/exhibiting artists (best if the faculty are). I'd also look at the quality and originality of the artwork of the students; of the ones who graduated in art, where did they go on to graduate school? If not graduate school, what did they do?</p>
<p>there are a ton of 'non art schools' that have very good, reputable art programs. schools of all shapes and sizes.</p>
<p>huskem - I figured there were - do you know of a resource for finding/evaluating them?
To all - So far you have given me some great ideas and food for thought. I will definitely try to get to any campus galleries and maybe do a little internet research on the faculty.
One of the schools my d is considering is in a town ranked one of the best small art towns in the country, so I am hoping they are very supportive of the arts there and it is a good environment for her. Unfortunately, the same school has clearly stated on their website that art classes are very limited for non-art majors, so that could be a consideration in case she decides to pursue something else but still wants to try to take a few classes for herself.
I am hoping that we will get a feel for some of this on the visits next week. </p>
<p>Thanks for any more suggestions - I love to hear them all.</p>
<p>PA Mom, our D was in a similar situation last year. She considered a pure art school, but decided to go for a large uni with an art major instead. Her rationale was that 1) she might change her mind on the art major, and a big uni would provide a full portfolio of options; and 2) she felt her art would benefit from being surrounded by the diversity of experiences and students that a uni provides, as opposed to the art school. </p>
<p>So far, she has loved her choice, and is having a wonderful time with her art. </p>
<p>I might suggest, just based on our experience, that you speak with some students to get their take. For instance, we visited UMich, and their art students didn't seem a bit happy. Turns out they had changed the head of the art program, and it was in turmoil. So she dropped that off the list.</p>
<p>Also, there are some schools that take a more "studio" approach, while others take a more broad minded approach. Either one is fine, so long as it provides the support you want/need.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>For universities, I know that UConn, Rutgers, and UMass-Amherst are excellent.
Small schools with strong reputations in art or art history: williams, wesleyan, vassar, connecticut college, tufts.</p>