<p>Update on Otis: I've been there a few times now, and it's been a very positive experience. The people have all been very nice, my instructor (only taking one class right now) is very knowledgeable, and it suits my needs right now perfectly. The selection of courses is extremely interesting- I'm having a hard time figuring out what to take next because I want to take it ALL, right now! I also appreciate the attitude of the administration towards financial issues- this is one school that is actually not trying to nickle and dime you to death. For instance, a semester of parking there only costs $20, photocopies are only a dime, even the 11x17's. It's little stuff, I know, but it makes you feel like they aren't trying to screw you at every turn. By comparison, other schools in LA charge several hundred dollars a semester for parking.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I'm not sure how well it would suit the wants/needs of an undergraduate student. The campus is extremely small- two buildings and a parking structure. There is no school-run housing and seems to be only one small cafe-style dining option, so you'll have to be a bit more independent than you would at a bigger school with that sort of amenity, and explore the city more on your own. I'm sure after you've been there a bit this wouldn't be a big problem, but it's probably rather intimidating to freshmen to be on your own that much.</p>
<p>Yes, I looked at OTIS for my daughter. I really liked the school. It gave a nice warm furry feel to me. However,with only two buildings and no sports, kids won't get a full college experience, which is what my daughter didn't like about it.</p>
<p>Not to sound all full of it, or anything but AI kinda sucks. And I don't think I've even heard of Academy of Art University. There's three really kick-butt schools for graphic design. The first and foremost for a HS student is California College of the Arts, or CCA (sometimes known as CCAC... confusing). It's as top notch as Cal Arts, but they're known for bigger scholarships. Plus they have a foundation year, which Cal Arts doesn't. Another great school is California Institute of the Arts, or Cal Arts. They're perfect if your 100% sure about what feild you want to go into, and they're just as affordable (haha, it's a joke get it?) as CCA. I personally applied to both, and got about the same amount of scholarship money offered to me. Cal Art's is the better school if your not looking for a snazzy city town school. It's alot more serious too. Less partying and all. It's close enough to L.A. though so you still get the whole cultural city-town experiance with out the scary shootings lol. The third big school is Art Center. Art Center is like a god to me, personally. They have super harsh portfolio judging and interviews are critical too. You better be a flippin' Margo Chase before you walk in that door. But they're well worth the heart failure... and the ton of cash it'll cost. Advice, go ahead and apply there, but have plenty of safties.
Theres other good schools, like Otis, but I'm a little prejudice against them as far as the Graphic design major goes. They're students produce the information that goes out, and the stuff that I get in the mail is always short. I've been taking graphic design classes for 4 years, and I'm no where near college level, but there's simple things that even I know. I choose to judge a school on what they send me (as an example of what they're students have learned) and on my personal experiance while visiting the campus. Choosing an art school is really a more pro active thing to do. You gotta get out there and move! P.S. if you want a more traditional college experiance, try USC Long Beach. They have a good program for a state school</p>
<p>"USC Long Beach" That's one I've never heard of...!</p>
<p>Maybe you mean CSU Long Beach? As in California State University at Long Beach? Because USC is a prestigious private school that (while having other great programs) doesn't have much place in a graphic design discussion. Oh, and isn't located in Long Beach. Lol.</p>
<p>well, he said that it was the most unorganized program he'd ever been involved in.</p>
<p>to begin with, cca isn't exactly known as a graphic design school, which suprised me that the other poster mentioned them as being right below calarts. its a fine arts school.. reason why they used to known as california college of arts and crafts. its fine arts program is great though. </p>
<p>anyway, i'm actually a calarts student in graphic design for this upcoming semester.</p>
<p>i'd like to back up a statement that was made about otis financial aid and the help they give.</p>
<p>i was surprised to see that there weren't many other schools(even some major top research universities) that actually try to make it easy for a student regarding affording the school and what not, the way otis does/did. When my parents estimated family contribution would have come out to a big number, and my dad was unemployed for 6 months, Otis was very accomodating in awarding us more grant money for school without a question.</p>
<p>Plus for full time students, parking is free!</p>
<p>btw, from my understanding,(because i took a graphic design elective in foundation year), one of the graphic design teachers would often answer the question of what was the best school for graphic design among the cali schools. and he would say that the difference is that art center produces graphic designers that all end up having the same style or the same technique(the art center way), while otis encourages students to have and develop their own personal style of design.</p>
<p>but then again you have otis fashion dept whose style is the otis way, rather than the student's own personal style/design.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman; planning to transfer to art schools next year. I’ve checked Academy of Art. And since no one has thrown their two cents on it, I’ll give my opinion on AA.</p>
<p>I know two people who went to AA and they all do well after college (get jobs, etc). They seems to have good (and plenty) programs. What bother me is that they have “no-barrier” admission. You can apply anytime (rolling admission). No need for portfolio (optional). This pretty much saying that they accept anyone who apply and can pay tuition (if there’s space in class).</p>
<p>Compare to other schools,even the (considerably) worst Art School has some requirements for their applicants. So, not sure how this say about their standards. I’m sure there are great artists there; but the range will be too wide (from the great ones to the very bad ones).</p>
<p>And that’s why AA will be my last option for transferring.</p>
<p>Please, let me know if I’m wrong. I also want to know more about different art schools. I’m considering digital media art/advertising major.</p>