<p>I am not very good at knowing things about colleges and I am still learning about them. However, it is time for me to decide what colleges I want to apply for especially since I will be taking my ACTs and SATs soon.
I really want to major in art (preferbly fine arts or studio, I am not sure what it is called) and design (most likely graphic design) although I am still very general about the whole major thing. I am having trouble picking one specific one at the moment. Although I am open to suggestions that will lead to a good future.
But back to my main question,
I need to know which colleges have exceptional art/design programs. I also would like to do something academically (like business and such).
Oh, I also live in Ohio so I would rather want to go to college in the Midwest or along the East Coast.</p>
<p>I have looked at Columbus College of Art and Design just because it is close by, but I think it mainly focuses on the Art and Design majors. Would I be able to take business courses elsewhere at like Ohio State University?
But then again, I would really like to gain experience outside of Columbus.</p>
<p>I think somebody mentioned Brown to me once, but I am not sure.</p>
<p>Go visit Washington University in St. Louis - fabulous art school! Amazing facilities with the ability to take courses across many disciplines beyond art. The people were some of the nicest we came across. My daughter eventually selected a school closer to home in Boston but we loved Wash U also.</p>
<p>If you live in Ohio and want design, DEFINITELY look at University of Cincinnati,which is considered one of the top, if not they top design school in the country and not just Ohio. It is an amazing place for design and has paid coops too.</p>
<p>Moreover, being an in-state resident makes the tuition dirt cheap for such a fine program.</p>
<p>df, I'd like to recommend some small colleges with good art studio departments and good academics. You don't mention your academic standing -- grades, scores, rank -- but if you're a contendor for Brown you'd also be in the ballpark for these schools.</p>
<p>Someone probably mentioned Brown because they have a joint program with RISD (the Rhode Island School of Design). You should look into both Brown and RISD. It may be advantageous for you to apply to one or the other, depending on your academic profile, portfolio, etc. </p>
<p>Other art possibilities not yet mentioned include The Art Institute of Chicago, Pratt, Sarah Lawrence, and Bennington, amongst others. checking the specialized forum is a good idea..</p>
<p>If you're interested in teaching art, you have a huge selection of schools to choose from. But in general, art majors earn either a Bach of Art degree or a Bach of Fine Arts degree. There is a big difference. A BA is a more general degree, where you take less art classes and more gen ed and electives - it allows for a more liberal education. A BA prepares you for grad school. You might even be able to pursue a double major. A BFA is more specialized, a higher % of classes are specific to your major. A BFA is the degree you will receive at art school, like RISD or Parsons. But you can get a BFA within a college environment also. You should have room to obtain an academic minor, but getting a second major might be tough. Although you take a larger % of classes within your major, you still take "academic" classes. Since a BFA provides you with a thicker portfolio, some argue it better prepares you for the work force. Who knows?</p>
<p>These are just generalizations but it's a starting point. Look at the actual curriculm guides at several colleges/art schools to see what they emphasize. There's no right or wrong. The program needs to meet YOUR requirements. If you plan to go to grad school, it probably doesn't matter, either undergrad degree would be fine. Even within types of programs (BA vs BFA), there is a difference among schools. Some are very general programs where you do a little bit of everything; other programs require you to really specialize in one particular area.</p>
<p>There is an visual arts forum (under college majors) - you might want to post/search there. </p>
<p>I am not an expert on arts majors but these are simply my observations from when I began researching design programs with my DD. As she got further into it, she began to get a better feel for what she wanted. My DD is a graphic design major, earning a BFA with a minor in Communications/Advertising. She also took numerous business courses and studied abroad in Florence (where better to study art history). Last summer, she interned with a student from a local college, who is earning a BA. There was a huge difference in the number of classes and the scope of work they had already done. Senior year (3 quarters) is extremely intense for my daughter as she has 9 intensive graphic design classes, in addition to one or two more internships.. Her friend described her senior year as being very light, allowing her to take just a few classes and do an internship each semester. Now, although their experiences and classes are different, each seems happy with her school. Having a less intensive courseload allowed her friend to get involved in all kinds of school activities and clubs.</p>