Hello,
I just wanted some opinions about these schools, considering their faculty, experience, safety, location, programs, etc. (Negative or positive). I also wanted to point out I am considering to major in Illustration or animation (visual arts but some form of entertainment field)
University: CMU & USC & NYU
Art Schools: MICA, SAIC, ACCD, SVA
Thank you
My D graduated from the studio art program at NYU Steinhardt with a concentration in sculpture . She loved the academics of NYU and loved the art program and faculty. The professors are working, exhibiting artists as well as educators. Being in NYC is a definite plus. She was chosen for NYU’s Honors Studio program and collaborated with curators and professors on projects that received acclaim by the press. One show/ film in which she had two sculptures received a lot of national media attention including a New York Times listing as Best of 2015. Since graduation she has continued to collaborate with professors and was just asked yesterday to work on a film project for one of her professor who received a Guggenheim grant.
D loved that she was within a larger academic institution that allowed her to dabble in other aspects of the arts. She took private voice lessons and delved into special effects make-up and used both in her artwork. Beyond that, because NYU is strong in so many artistic areas, many of her roommates and friends majored in music, theatre and film. So not only did she collaborate with her studio art friends on shows and projects, but she was also able to work on films, etc. as a writer, actor and singer through her friends at Tisch, Gallantin and other majors at Steinhardt.
That said, I do not think NYU Steinhardt is strong in animation. I’d look into Tisch for that. Illustration would be through the studio art program. Again, not sure of what is offered for illustration or the strength of the program for that. You would have to look into that–I’m not saying it’s neither good nor bad–just don’t know personally.
My son recently withdrew from SAIC. I’ve commented elsewhere on the reasons. Most important for your question, their program is designed around installation art and performance art. And it appears if you are outside of those, the quality drops considerably. In fact, work in any digital arts field was discouraged in his first year classes.
He, and we, came to the conclusion that it was a gigantic waste of money given his desire to build an active visual arts career in digital arts or film/video.
We knew, going in, that their specific training in those fields was weak. But we had believed the school would lay down an excellent foundation. It didn’t. They seemed to be training people to remain in academia.
The main difference between art school kids and university art program kids is their focus.
My kid’s friend the art school kid was so ready to be done with foreign language, history, “all that other stuff.”
My kid loves art but also loved the idea of taking classes in all sorts of other subjects (French, anthropology, linguistics, etc.) She’s at a college as an art major.
Look at what your class schedule would be at each type of school, what general education is required, etc. Chances are one or the other type of school fits you best.
@atlascentaur your comment definitely helps me. My first impression of SAIC wasnt the best, but I was hoping it would be different. Thank you 
@AroundHere I am defintely different from art school students who wants to be done with “all other subjects.” Im more like your child, so your comment defintely helps me! Thank you
@HoneyKim
To get accepted into NYU for a BFA in studio art (or any other talent area) the weight of your portfolio will equal the weight of your academics. Academics is really a limited way of saying it. Under that umbrella will be your gpa, test scores, essays and recommendations–all the criteria reviewed by admissions.
CMU is known to weigh your portfolio more than your academic record.
I believe USC is more like NYU in terms of admissions, but I would check on that.
@uskoolfish I forgot to mention that I already applied and gotten into the schools here except NYU. (Hasnt come out yet) but I hope your comment helps other people having difficulties later on. Thank you though