Best CUNY or SUNY for art?

<p>Hi, I've been shopping around for art schools for the better part of the year and I really want to go to a school in NY. I can't afford to go to a private school and would like some recommendations for CUNYs and SUNYs. So far I'm down to Hunter, Queens, Brooklyn, and City in the CUNY system and Purchase and New Paltz in the SUNYs. I'm sure that all of these schools are really competitive, but how much so? And competitiveness aside, which one(s) would you recommend? I'm a nontraditional (second degree) student, majored in English, going back to school to study art. Don't know what I'll major in yet but my interests so far lie in sculpture and printmaking. </p>

<p>On a related note, the SUNYs I looked up have portfolio requirements, but I can't find any on the CUNY websites, just info saying that if I want to do a BFA I should reply after I'm X credits into the program. Do CUNY art schools not require portfolios?</p>

<p>CUNYs
it have been few years since I researched but from what I know, you need to do GE and pre req introductory art and AH classes til the credit numbers are met. Then usually soph year apply to BFA with portfolio. There is no guarantee you will get accepted but usually you can try again. this and that (=can’t take classes of your choice due massive students body, budget cut, upperclassman taking first picks etc) makes often CUNY BFA five years plus stint.
here is Hunter’s BFA site. read it thru and it will tell you everything, if you still have questions, better call them up and ask.
[Undergraduate</a> Programs — Hunter College](<a href=“Department of Art and Art History”>Department of Art and Art History)
I am sure Brooklyn and Queens has similar links maybe under “studio art” or “fine art” if not plain “art” </p>

<p>Can I ask you few things?
What I don’t get is, if you have BA why do you want to go to SUNY CUNYs? esp. City College, for BA fine art?
Would your degree travel and you can apply to BFA directly?
What is your eventual goal:to get art related job or MFA or becoming practicing artist?</p>

<p>Alfred University is where my DD goes, majoring in art and design (glassblowing and painting). Although it is a private college, the Art department (as well as some engineering programs) falls under the New York State College of Ceramics, and therefore charges SUNY tuition. She loves the school, the only complaint some have is that it is in a rural area.</p>

<p>Hi spiffyiscool, That is a great deal for such a well-regarded program! What an interesting major. My D is intrigued by glassblowing and I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point she took a course. Her college just got a glass kiln, but I don’t know enough about glass to understand how it’s used! :-)</p>

<p>bears and dogs,
my question was whether I need a portfolio in the admissions process. I read everything on their web sites and learned what you said about applying for the bfa program in sophomore year, I just didn’t know about admissions. I’ll ask the schools directly.
Is City that bad for art? I don’t necessarily <em>want</em> to go to CUNY/SUNYs, it’s just that their tuition seems a lot more affordable. On that note I have applied to Cooper Union as well, but I know what a long shot that is.
To answer your other question, I want to be a practicing artist and figured going to school was as good a way to learn as any. I could do non-matriculated, but that usually counts out aid and why not get another degree if I’m going to spend the time anyway? I’m a working adult who spent a year taking continuing ed classes and they just weren’t enough. Thanksfor taking the time to reply, I just want to study art for a few years at the best quality institute that I can afford+that will have me.</p>

<p>Spiffyiscool,</p>

<p>Thanks for the tip, I didn’t know that about Alfred and thought it was too expensive for me. Looking into it!</p>

<p>Can’t you do MFA at CUNYs instead? I don’t know why I think this, but you might have a shot.</p>

<p>City college has some tech-sh BFA only. It is one of the better CUNY if not the best, but far as I know, not where fine art kids would choose to go.</p>

<p>Thanks, I might do that. I lack the confidence to try for an MFA right now and I don’t know what I’d like to specialize in, but I might try in a couple of years. </p>

<p>Where among the CUNYs would you recommend for fine art, if any?
Or what are some other good value schools besides Cooper Union? I’m looking beyond New York now.</p>

<p>when I looked up, Hunter Brooklyn Queens like your pick, and Lehman in Bronx offered Studio BFA.
Lehman could be said “low” CUNY but actually got rather nice campus and only CUNY that offered summer art pre college studio class for HS kids. (means only place to have such facility, budget and man power) my kid never did that in the end and I only know its concert hall, never seen art studios so you might want to check it up in person.
Neighborhood could be “sketcy” to “scary” however you look at it.
It is across the field from world famous Bronx HS of science. The irony is that, achievement gap in academics in between them are bigger than the field in between. (I know I am compering HS kids to college kids. It really is. Scary, isn’t it? same goes to Stuy HS and BMCC next door in downtown. That’s just how things are here)
in other words, getting in and staying in should be a breeze.
Things (rent, food) are so much cheaper in the Bronx and Lehman got big working adult students body.
If you must must get BFA and are self motivated, it could be in weird way of good plan B to Z.
If my kid was somewhat more disciplined, it could have been an option.</p>

<p>if not traditional college nor fancy art schools, there is Art Students League, Studio school, NY academy etc, some if not all offer scholarships or work study and flexible schedule if you just want to horn your skill.
Studio school and NY academy got graduate school options after you done time at CE classes (without BFA) if you are not confident to do straight in.
I don’t know how printmaking and sculpture would measure up, thou, it is more of painting drawing school. NYC in-city schools can not easily have, say, toxic waste ready industrial grade sink or foundries or huge kilns like other art schools would have.</p>

<p>I hope more people form outside would give you better advice.
Alfred does sound nice, too remote thou, was our big issue.</p>

<p>What about FIT? You could do an associate’s degree there: [Fashion</a> Institute of Technology - Program](<a href=“http://www.fitnyc.edu/2271.asp]Fashion”>http://www.fitnyc.edu/2271.asp)
Get your foundation in less time and then go get your MFA. Hunter has a good reputation for MFA.</p>

Where did you end up going?