california college of the arts (CCA)

<p>I've seen this school mentioned in this board a few times but I never really got any indepth feel regarding the school.</p>

<p>so anyone actually attend this school or is planning to attend? i'd like to know how you guys like it there, and how hard was it to get in?</p>

<p>it's one of my top choices for art schools next year (along with risd and art center), it seems like a match school for me (less competitive than the previous two) but i really don't know if it's a good school.</p>

<p>what do you guys think?</p>

<p>From what I know CCA is a good, fully-accredited school. However, it doesn't have the same reputation yet in the west as does:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Cal Arts ( which has the 2nd highest endowment among stand alone art schools in the US). RISD is the only one with higher endowment among stand alone art programs.</p></li>
<li><p>Art Center College of Design has some high rankings in US News and World Report.</p></li>
<li><p>Otis College of Art is also very well known outside of California. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I guess I would put CCA either 4th in the west or tied with Otis in quality and reputation. I am, however, reading more and more about CCA. Thus, its reputation is on the rise.</p>

<p>thanks taxguy...
my top two choices are indeed art center and risd but i'm just afraid it's too competitive to get in. </p>

<p>the catalog i received from cca impressed me, especially the fact that you could take other courses outside of your portfolio.</p>

<p>i'm planning to major in graphic design and i've heard good things about otis as well. i like how they have rolling admissions, as well, i think their acceptance rate is significantly higher than the other top schools (risd, art center, cal arts).</p>

<p>from what i've gathered so far, i get good vibes from otis and cca, i just don't know if it's the same with others.</p>

<p>Actually, if you want to be able to take a diversified, interdisciplinary program, you should consider MICA and Pratt. Both have some strong programs and allow courses to be taken in any department. MICA is especailly known for this.</p>

<p>You might also want to check out Cleveland Institute of Art. These kids come out with a good reputation. CIA has a 2 year foundation program plus another 3 years in graphic design or whatever major you want after foundation. Thus, they have a 5 year program. Other possible choices would be RIT, which is both strong in Graphic Design and has a strong co-op program and is reasonably priced for a private school, Syracuse University. Also consider Mass College of art and UMass Dartmouth both are state supported and REALLY cheap for out of state people.</p>

<p>I've heard of Mica but it's in a place I do not know. Most of my family and friends that I could live in freshman year are located in San Fran/LA or New York. So MICA is a longshot, but I will consider applying to it. (I'm an International Student btw - canadian student)</p>

<p>As for Pratt, since it's in NY, I could possibly go there. But I don't know much about it (only that they have a good reputation in graphic design) so I'm still researching for more info.</p>

<p>Where is Art Center?</p>

<p>Pasadena, CA: <a href="http://www.artcenter.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.artcenter.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Thx, Mackinaw. How does art center compare to RISD? And what about Calarts? Edit: While I am asking where does Otis fall in this comparison?</p>

<p>When you say compare, what major are you looking into?</p>

<p>When I say comparison, I am not speaking in terms of any major. I would like to know how solild the schools' overall approach is, how interdisciplinary it is or not, what its repute is, etc...</p>

<p>Usually, we don't really hear much about art schools from California. So, you kind of shocked me, taxguy, by revealing that CalArts has the 2nd highest endowment.. I would like to know more.</p>

<p>I'm just wondering, I guess :).</p>

<p>I don't know enough about CalArts to really give a good comparison. You just need to visit there and interview students. I will say that most people don't know that CALARTS has the second highest endowment for a stand alone art school in the US. However, even with that, I don't know what strengths and weaknesses the school has.</p>

<p>taxguy, I think I am going to pm you, since I fear taking over the original posters' topic and veering it majorly off-topic.</p>

<p>i think calarts is well-known with the animation field but i've heard in certain circles that they're more 'traditional' and are behind with other schools in regards to using computers, etc. though those are just rumours, so take my word with a grain of salt.</p>

<p>it seems this has gone off-topic but it doesn't seem like a lot is known with cca. i suppose i'll just have to trust my guts (that it is indeed a good school).</p>

<p>I apologize, silverpetal. It's my fault ;T.</p>

<p>nah, not a problem. i'm researching other schools as well so any info about them is helpful!</p>

<p>Well, if that is the case, then all is good. You may want to also read a thread I started about the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Some fairly important info. about many major art schools was discussed therein.</p>

Has anyone chosen to attend CCA? If so, did you receive any scholarship opportunity?