Best bet for UCLA or good art school?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey, intelligent people of college confidential! :)</p>

<p>I'd like to get a challenging art education, but also take other humanities. Unfortunately, I was put on RISD's waiting list, and I can't afford it without financial aid. </p>

<p>I applied to a few UCs, and narrowed my preferences down to UCSD and UCSB (though I'm leaning toward SD). I actually want to major in art, and I heard that UCLA has the best art program, but I didn't know that I should have submitted a portfolio of my work when I applied there. Oops. So now I'm wondering if
a. I should just go to honors community college and transfer to UCLA (saves money)
b. I should go to UCSD and try to transfer after two years
c. I should take a year off because I'm kind of burnt out. I'm not the academically competitive type, and I really did the tough high school courses not to get into college, but just because I thought they would be good for me (weird, yes). This senior year I'm slacking a bit and my grades are lower. The schools will be able to see these grades if I apply a year later, right?</p>

<p>I'm mostly motivated right now to go to Japan (I know a host family who is willing to take a student for a year). But I can't afford the ticket now; I'd have to get a job this summer. While I stayed there I'm not sure what I would do, but maybe I would model a bit (I do have some experience). Too unrealistic? Have any other ideas of what I could do?</p>

<p>Merci beaucoup.</p>

2

<p>Ariko,</p>

<p>Where in Japan? Why?</p>

3

<p>I'd go for choice A.</p>

<p>Bon chance!</p>

4

<p>Transfer rates for UCLA Arts & Architecture are ridiculously low! :rolleyes:</p>

5

<p>I don't know where I would be staying in Japan, but it doesn't matter to me what the terrain is (the country is so small, it's relatively easy to get around. I was there for a couple of weeks). I'd go because I am one of those nerds who is in love with Japan. Ever since I was little. :)</p>

6

<p>I say go to Japan. People in Europe often take a gap year between high school and college and there is nothing wrong with that! It will give you a chance to evaluate what you want to do and apply to UCLA next year! If you don't get in then you can go to a community college after that but at least you'll get a chance at UCLA as a freshman! Going to Japan would be great. You would have an incredible experience and seriously, when else in your life will you be able to go to Japan with no worries? After college you'll want to work to pay off loans and it will be harder to just travel and spend a year doing what you want. Go to Japan! You are incredibly lucky to have a homestay and so you really can just experience the country. Maybe you can even teach English to kids and take art classes in Japan. The language skills/japanese art experience would help you get into college (and it would make a GREAT essay). If you've always wanted to stay in Japan, don't let this pass by. No one will care that you took a year off (it will help if anything!) and when it comes time to start college you will be a year older, much more mature, you'll have a better idea of what you want to do, and you will have had an incredible year! You should go!!!!!</p>

7

<p>Ariko_LaKoda,</p>

<p>Having lived in Japan in three different cities, I have to say that it's not always that easy to get around. When I lived in Tokyo, getting from point A to point B was as easy as pie. However, when I lived in Tsukuba, which lacks any trains whatsoever, my options were limited (as I couldn't drive.) The same goes for where I live now (rural Kyushu), despite the fact that I had a car until today.</p>

<p>Now, I'm in no way trying to dissuade you from coming to Japan. But, I want you to be careful with your image. If you end up in parts of Shikoku or even Kyushu, you are NOT going to be "getting around." And unless you are over 18, you're not even allowed to consider driving. </p>

<p>Plus...how on earth can you afford to traipse around Japan on your own? I work full-time, pay no rent, and I still can hardly afford to travel anywhere in Japan. A plane ticket to Tokyo (2 hour flight) costs over $300 for a round trip...Just make sure you have lots and lots of money available to you. :p</p>

<p>kaitylin,</p>

<p>I have a few points I want to respectfully disagree with.</p>

<p>
[quote]
You would have an incredible experience and seriously, when else in your life will you be able to go to Japan with no worries?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Study abroad offers, in my opinion, an almost nearly worry free environment to experience Japan. College in Japan is so incredibly easy, and the support network that is built up in study abroad programs make it even easier. Plus, you get a formalized language education which helps a great deal (that is, if you're not a speaker already.)</p>

<p>
[quote]
After college you'll want to work to pay off loans and it will be harder to just travel and spend a year doing what you want.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It's incredibly easy to get employment in Japan right out of college, and almost all of the jobs pay a decent wage, offer housing, and only require around 35 hours a week of work. So there are definitely post-undergrad ways to live in Japan.</p>

8

<p>Being an art school student myself i honestly recommend you do foundation year at a community college and get your general ed's out of the way.</p>

<p>at least here in cali, you can transfer to art center, otis, or cal arts from a community college. UCLA has fantastic art, but it's crazy hard to get into. It's like getting into harvard, if you can get in, even as a transfer.</p>

9

<p>I wasn't saying that there were no other options but I still think that right after highschool with free board is an awesome opportunity. Study Abroad programs may be more structured but they can also be very expensive. I lived in Japan also and I found the train system to be incredible. If you invest in a train pass than you can pretty much go anywhere you want (it does take time but its possible to get around for sure). Sure you can work in Japan after you graduate but there are tons of other people trying to get get jobs too. It isn't 'easy' in any way. And still, there's the stress of paying back college loans. What if you meet a boyfriend/girlfriend in college and they don't want to go to Japan? What if you get an amazing job offer for right when you graduate? There are a lot of other factors to consider once university is done. Rigth after highschool is the best in my opinion because it would give the OP a chance to experience it but they would know that after the year they have a place to go--university, waiting for them back in the United States. If you go after college for a year and then want to return to the US it would be harder especially if you have no school/job waiting for you when you return. You basically would be worrying about what to do when back in the states and once you got back it would be difficult (you'd have to look for a job, a place to live, AND payback loans at the same time...). I dunno, the OP is also 'burnt out' from school and a gap year would be a great option. That way the OP can start off fresh after a year learning/living in Japan (and hopefully will have gotten into more schools to chose from!)</p>

10

<p>cross off B. Transferring from UC to UC is nearly impossible.</p>

11

<p>Wow, incredibly informative. Thank you all. Here's what I think I'll do: go to UCSD (biggest art program, and the requirements are all humanities for sixth college), and get the desire for academics out of my system. If I can, I will study abroad in Japan for a year. Then I'll transfer to an art college to pursue a more specialized field. The logic could be flawed (let me know?), but it sounds like a solid plan to me.
Again, thanks to everyone. You've been very helpful!</p>

12

<p>kaitlyn,</p>

<p>You obviously lived on Honshu. Otherwise, you'd understand that the train system is only incredible there. It sucks in Kyushu and Honshu.</p>

<p>Oh, and paragraphs please. :p</p>