<p>Hello! I also posted this in the 'transfer' section but I figured I'd put it here, too.</p>
<p>I'm currently a freshman at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, and my tentative major is painting/art education. I'm realizing now that it's not enough of a challenge for me, and I'm not learning as much as I could be. I feel like I'm not growing enough as an artist, and I'm thinking about transferring. </p>
<p>I have always been interested in medical illustration as a career and possible major. BU does not have a dedicated MI major, so I'm looking at Cleveland Institute of Art and RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) as two potential schools. My portfolio has already been accepted at RIT from a portfolio review about a year ago.</p>
<p>My questions are as follows:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Would my foundation credits transfer? I've taken Art History 1 and 2, Painting 1, Drawing 1 and Sculpture 1, along with the University writing course and a few electives.</p></li>
<li><p>Is medical illustration a solid career choice? Would I be able to work in forensic labs or hospitals?</p></li>
<li><p>How are the programs at CIA and RIT? Are they respected in the 'real world'?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>I graduated with my BFA in Medical Illustration from RIT in 1981. I had also applied and was accepted at Cleveland Institute of Art. It’s been a while so things have likely changed. I went with RIT because you could declare your major as a freshman. At Cleveland and others you had to go through foundations first and then a portfolio review I think to get into the program.</p>
<p>RIT was not an accredited program. I weighed the pros and cons and decided it was the right program for me. I got involved with the Association of Medical Illustrators and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. Soon after I graduated and got my first full time medical illustration position I became an Active AMI member and when they started the certification programs I took the exams and kept up with the continuing ed requirements and became a Certified Medical Illustrator. By taking those steps I never felt it mattered that RIT wasn’t accredited.</p>
<p>We worked with the University of Rochester and dissected cadavers at the medical school. We learned traditional medical illustration techniques like carbon dust.</p>
<p>After graduation I spent 5 years working as a staff illustrator. I illustrated books, created patient education exhibits, drew in the operating room - a wide variety of things. After that I worked as a Marketing Manager at another hospital and then went freelance and did a lot of work for attorneys. About 8 years ago I “retired” and now I teach art. </p>
<p>Medical Illustration gave me a great and varied background and opened lots of doors. It’s changed a lot since I went to school. Now computers play a major role both in creating art and also connecting with clients. I would think its easier now to work from a home studio and reach clients all over the world. Back in 1981 computers were pretty new and there were fax machines not email. Much better and easier to work now.</p>
<p>Do some research and find out where medical illustrators are employed. Become a student member of the AMI and GNSI - go to a meeting or workshop. Network and ask questions. Contact the colleges you’re interested in to learn about their program and ask where their graduated are employed.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Thank you so much!! That sounds like a wonderful career progression. I would ultimately love to teach art, but the sciencey part of me just wants to draw for textbooks or something. You’ve been such a great help, thanks again. 
I’ll take this into account when/if I transfer.</p>
<p>Any current medical illustrators out there - I’d love to hear about what the college programs and job prospects are like now.</p>
<p>The exhibit looks great. I have all of Netter’s books. They’re a wonderful reference</p>