<p>Some interesting thoughts from the NYT on the choice between going to art school and or getting a liberal art degree.</p>
<p>One point that intrigued me was the comment that an arts inclined student at a liberal arts college or university may not get as much help from his/her college's career placement service as s/he would at an arts school.</p>
<p>Williams is pretty good at covering arts related careers in their career counseling, but the opportunities are probably not as aggressive as in other fields such as finance, research or education. I'm interested in hearing how others have fared with post-graduate job placement assistance or in-school internships.</p>
<p>Thanks, Momrath. This article does bring attention to a few of the issues involved in the choice between art school and a more general college/university. The placement/recruitment issue hasn't received much attention on this "Arts Majors" board. I would emphasize that the burden of getting a job/placement almost always falls 75% or more on the students/graduates (whether they attend art school or some other type of college), though certainly they can benefit from some contacts and advice.</p>
<p>I was surprised by the 50% attrition rate in art schools reported in this article, but am curious about the reasons. (Attrition is far lower than that at the art school that my daughter attended.) How much is due to the difficulty of the programs (one factor noted in the article), how much to students' figuring out that they don't really have the talent needed (another factor mentioned), how much to students discovering other interests (also mentioned), and how much to the fact that art schools do not provide great financial aid packages on the whole (a factor not mentioned)? I do think it's important for students who choose to go to art school to have a pretty good idea beforehand what it's like. That's one reason, in my opinion, why high school students should try out summer precollege programs, even though they aren't as intensive as the real thing. I also think high school students should have a good idea how talented they are against the competition. That's another value of summer precollege programs for many students -- students can see how they match up, and they can also begin to fill in some gaps in their precollege training.</p>
<p>Mackinaw, do you mind PMing me the article as well? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I am a freshman at Amherst College, prospective English and Fine Arts major. I'm not yet at the point where I'm dealing with the Career Center much, but I can see a weakness in academic advising here. </p>
<p>My advisor is an English prof, so he doesn't know much about art. When I asked the art professor I had first semester on what classes I should be taking next, he just said, "Take whatever you want." While it's nice to have an open curriculum and have professors trust in your ability, I feel stymied in not knowing how to plot out my courses. </p>
<p>Also, Amherst doesn't offer art courses in a logical sequential order. Basic Drawing is offered 1st semester, but its logical (to me, anyway) followup courses--Drawing II or Painting I--aren't offered second semester. Currently I'm registered for Painting II, but it's a little awkward knowing that my classmates will all be juniors/seniors and that there's not much left to go after Painting II, if I want to continue painting.</p>
<p>My RC has done a semester "abroad" at RISD, and says it was a good experience. I hope to do the same, perhaps in the fall of junior year. </p>
<p>Mostly, I want to do illustration, for children's books or magazines, while having a broad art background and some specialization in painting. Does anyone have any suggestions, as to course selection or supplementary programs or anything like that? It'd be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Allure, My son looked at Amherst but felt that their studio art program was weak to non-existent. Smith (which obviously wasn't an option for him)on the other hand is very strong in studio art. If you're otherwise happy at Amherst, I'd suggest that you'd use Smith as your "art school."</p>
<p>Thanks, momrath, for the advice. I was considering Smith's art too in the back of my mind. Do you think that going by what Smith outlines for their art majors, in terms of courses, is a safe bet?</p>
<p>Also, do you know if RISD/Smith have summer offerings?</p>
<p>Otherwise, I am happy with Amherst's surroundings and its English dept.</p>
<p>I don't know much about the advising system at either place, but my guess is that you'd get better professional direction in the arts from Smith than from Amherst.</p>
<p>UCLA offers a BA in the arts, so students can get the best of both worlds. Plus, there is a person dedicated to advising students on jobs, at least in Design|Media Arts which was S's department.</p>