Brown/RISD Dual Degree

<p>Five years, two degrees, two years for each campus, 25 kids. Thoughts?</p>

<p>25? i though it was 20. Do they put us in a seperate pile when they look at our app for brown? How can brown admissions view us artists with a simular point of view? artists think a lot differently. it doesnt make any sense</p>

<p>So far they're saying that each school will independently admit, then look at the dual degree application.</p>

<p>I find it hard to believe that RISD does not look at the dual degree applicants in a different light. After all, their SAT average are way below Brown's !!</p>

<p>Based on everything that I have read and heard from both schools, I do believe that each school will make an independent decision on who to admit – and will use their normal standards for admission.</p>

<p>RISD will obviously weigh the portfolio and required drawings most heavily, because its primary concern is on the student's artistic talent, creativity, and vision, and academic qualifications are relatively less important to RISD. On the other hand, Brown will focus much more on the student's academic profile and personal qualities (ECs, leadership positions, etc.).</p>

<p>The student will be getting a degree from each school. Now a degree from RISD implies a certain “something” regarding the holder’s training and experience, as does a degree from Brown (although it’s certainly a very different “something” than RISD’s). Why would either school want to devalue their own degree by lowering their normal admission standards for this particular program?</p>

<p>And by the way, Eskimo, Brown has offered concentrations in Visual Arts, Art History, etc. for many years, so they have plenty of experience in judging “artists” for admission to their school.</p>

<p>yes, from what I have seen, you need to be admitted to BOTH schools. However, I would bet that if a school like RISD REALLY wants an applicants because of some very strong talent, they can put in a good word with Brown's admission folks that would probably help the student get admitted to Brown. Also, I find it hard to believe that there are many kids who have a fabulous portfolio and phenominal test scores and SATs. If I am right then duel degree applicants may find it a bit easier to gain entrance to Brown over the normal applicant.</p>

<p>I would suspect that this program was instituted because RISD was finding some top applicants not attending RISD in lieu of other broader based schools such as WUSTL, UCLA etc. This way, RISD can attract kids that might not have normally considered a stand alone art school. Of course, this could backfire in that more kids who get accepted to RISD ( but not Brown) may turn down their acceptances. It will be an interesting test for both institutions.</p>

<p>By the way, another interesting possibility is that if this works, Brown might phase out their art and design departments and let RISD handle all of this. I always felt that there was a chance for a merger of the schools. This might be the beginning of this.</p>

<p>I was originally going to apply for this (and in fact jumped up and down when I first heard of it this summer) because I'm both a serious academic and art student....unfortunately the more I thought and heard about it, the less I wanted to do the five-year program. Firstly, because admissions (I think Brown's?) informed me that it'd be more or less cutting it close and doing the minimum of both majors (with not much room for electives), and second, because I really can't see myself at Brown at all! Considering the required two-year residency at each school, I'd much rather spend all four years at RISD :P</p>

<p>Now only to get in. Sigh.</p>

<p>My daughter is in the inaugural class, which enrolled this past September. There are 13 in the program. I'd be glad to answer any questions about the application process she used.</p>

<p>Georgia4444, how is that inaugural class doing so far? I heard the students spend their first year at RISD and their second at Brown. Are there special programs for the 13 of them or do they just do their own thing? Does your daughter enjoy the dual degree program so far?</p>

<p>I know it's a brand new program, but any chance for transfer students?</p>

<p>Sorry, but transfers can't apply to the dual degree program at this time. (You can confirm that with a visit to RISD's website; look under FAQs for the RISD/Brown program.)</p>

<p>When the program was first announced a couple of years ago, the schools indicated that they wanted to take it slowly and make sure it was a good experience for the enrolled students That's partly why the inaugural class is so small. They have said that after they gain some experience and work out any problems, they will consider opening the program to transfer students but that's still a few years off at least.</p>

<p>has anyone got into the program yet?
i mean, on this fourm?
what kind of super high standards are they looking for?</p>

<p>NorthEastMom2:
isnt it good that they dont look at it separately though?
i mean, a bit higher chance of getting into the program?</p>

<p>My daughter just sent out her application to Brown for their part of the duel prograM. But her academics are potentially "Brown-worthy"--800 on verbal SAT, 620 on math, many 4's and 5's on AP tests, 5th in class, etc etc. I do respectfully disagree with a poster who said it wasn't likely that an art student would also qualify for Brown. It's a big, competitive world out there; I'm totally sure my daughter is not the only one with high academics as well as high art stuff. Her art portfolio has already been accepted into MICA (on the spot), but I was really curious if anyone knows more about this risd/brown thing. As a hovering mom(!), I would think a duel degree would be the best investment. My older son is in acting school and I'm not sure what they're training him for --seems I churn out impractical art types. Sigh. Anyway, Brown/Risd seems like a great compromise--theoretically. But how does it work in practice? Of course, I have no idea if she'll be accepted, so it may be moot. Does anyone know?</p>

<p>What was it like for her? Did she like it? How hard was it? Etc!</p>

<p>My daughter is also in the inaugural class of the Brown/RISD Dual Degree program. I thought I'd supply some info that may assist prospective applicants... I know I wish we had something as a reference when we were going through the process! Her stats for Brown were 760 Writing, 750 Math, 740 Verbal, 4's & 5's on AP's. She also dual enrolled at the Community College in 12th grade for most of her classes (to get studio art classes in), Class Officer for 4 years, Pres of World Affairs Club, Homecoming Queen (in a school of 2400 kids), multiple art awards winner, Captain of the Cross Country team, winner of the Kiwanis-Courier Times Scholar Athlete Award, National Merit Commended Scholar and she attended Governor's School for the Arts the summer of her junior year (which really beefed up her portfolio). The oil class she took at the community college also provided a lot of nice work for her portfolio. She did send her portfolio to both schools in slide format.
The first semester has been tough with all the studio work, but she at least is somewhat used to it because of Gov School. Also she got to skip the English class at RISD because of her AP class.
Some drawbacks she notes: they do not feel like they are a part of Brown at all this year; and next year they have to do Orientation and live with the Brown Freshmen, which she is not looking forward to (the being stuck with freshmen part, not the Brown part). The kids are trying to get that changed.
On the plus side, she does feel that she gets some special consideration for being a part of the dual degree program.
She applied early decision to Brown and got in, AND early to RISD, but they made her wait until all the other apps were in to hear from them, THEN made her wait even longer (til near the middle/end of May, I think?) to see if she got in the dual degree program.
Also, they changed the residency requirements to RISD year 1, Brown year 2. In the third year, students will live on campus at either Brown or RISD, according to individual preference and availability. In the fourth and fifth years, students can live on- or off-campus (with permission.)</p>

<p>I hope this helps someone. If you have any questions, let me know!</p>

<p>what did your daughter write her supplementary essay (the one for the program) about? getting into brown or risd by themselves is tough, both is insane...i can't imagine getting rejected from the dual degree program after getting into both schools! i think the difference must be that essay. this program is my dream!!!! i have very similar academic/extracurricular stats to your daughter (i even run cross country too!), which gives me some hope! do you happen to know anything about the other students in the program?</p>

<p>Just signed on after a few months of inactivity. Thought I'd add a little to this discussion. As I mentioned earlier, my daughter is in Year One of the program, and she is absolutely loving it. Yes, the freshman studios are hard work, but all the freshmen are in it together, and everyone supports each other. RISD and Dualies have the same work load unless a Dualie exempts out of the basic English class as was mentioned by hoveringmom and takes a liberal arts class at Brown instead. My daughter took a freshman seminar class at Brown and really enjoyed getting her foot in the door. Next year she will be at Brown most of the time but has decided to include one RISD studio class each semester. She doesn't think she can abandon her art completely for a whole year! Since after the freshman year, studio classes are only a few hours long and not all day, it should work. She's really glad she decided to pursue the dual degree instead of following her first inclination, which was art school exclusively. She realizes she needs to rest her art brain on occasion and thinks she would have eventually regretted missing not furthering her knowledge of science and math. By alternating/incorporating RISD art with Brown academics, she has more to give her art in the long run. </p>

<p>One of the best things about this program is that it can be taken in so many directions, and the two schools seem to complement each other well. The administration appears committed to help the kids make their educational experience into what they want it to be. My daughter is learning how to make a good case for herself and her ideas, and she has found the administration responsive every time she has presented a well-thought-out position. Who knows? Maybe it will turn out to be one of the more valuable aspects of her education. It never hurts to learn how to plead one's case logically and persuasively. </p>

<p>As for the nitty gritty that potential applicants look for, here are some stats. </p>

<p>Math: 710
Verbal: 760
Writing: 770
ACT Composite: 33
Class rank: 4/582
Governor's Honors Program one summer
International travel to Tanzania
A-Team
Robotics Club
National Art Honor Society
National Merit Finalist
Silver Key Award in Scholastic Arts Competition</p>

<p>What really helped her get in, in my opinion, though. was the time and effort she put into her personal resume, her portfolio, and her essay. She used each of these three elements to explain something more about herself. Since these two schools are looking for kids who can produce at a high level and will be interesting to their fellow students. it's worth whatever time it takes to put together a comprehensive, well-done application. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>this program sounds soooooooooooo amazing!!! as i anxiously await my college decisions in april, i'm finding it's really all i can think about. i'm really glad the administration is listening to the kids in the program. my essay for the dual degree program was about how i thought i could help shape the program just as much as it would shape me so i'm hoping they react positively to that. i guess i can't do anything else right now but hope! at the same time, i realize my chances of getting in are so slim so i'm trying to remain realistic and not get my hopes up, but as i said, it's all i've been thinking about!</p>

<p>Any update on the joint program? Is your daughter still enjoying it? Any additional info on acceptances?</p>

<p>Please give updates! D2 just applied so we are hopeful and waiting…and waiting.</p>