<p>Okay, so I've been accepted to Carnegie Mellon's College of Fine Arts and the Brown/RISD Dual Degree program, and I am trying to decide between the two.
My main interest is in combining art, science, and technology (kinetic sculpture and animation) and while CMU seems like the perfect fit for my interests and personality, I don't think I could pass up an incredible opportunity like Brown and RISD.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice for me?</p>
<p>Congratulations on two great acceptances. Brown/RISD is a fairly new program (only 4 years old I believe) and is a 5 year UG program, right? The cost, therefore, must be factored over the longer haul, if cost is of concern. In the past, the RISD kids bond very tightly in the Foundation year. I’m not sure how well they do when they leave RISD and have to blend into the Brown world–those students have also made their friends, one would think, freshman year. Because each school is amazing, and because this program is so new, can you speak to some students who have been in it to get their reactions to how it works for them. Would they do it over if they could choose? Was there much attrition?</p>
<p>As for CMU, they do have amazing comp sci courses as well as an amazing art school. Have you checked their UG catalog to see if you would be able to take enough courses in your preferred area of animation and also get into comp sci courses easily?</p>
<p>Best of luck in your decision.</p>
<p>Wow, awesome choices. Are you thinking about doing a dual BFA and BS or BA at CMU through their BXA program? I’m certainly not an expert on CMU or Brown/RISD (I’m still a junior) but I have looked at both. When I looked at the CMU dual degree I noticed the two would leave pretty much no room for courses beyond those required for your majors and the whole program seemed very scripted. Though maybe the same could be said for Brown/RISD, I don’t really know. I don’t think you could really choose wrong, both are great programs. Good luck!</p>
<p>As a mother of a fine arts student at CMU interested in …animation and kinetic sculpture…I would ask you to 1)consider the costs 2) visit and 3) decide how much you are fine arts concentrated versus non-arts. Also, did you get accepted into SCS or CIT at CMU so you can start the dual right away? If not, it is not so easy to dual major but it can be done. My son is trying to get a minor in robotics but it is quite a stretch to get the classes for both. He skipped calc which made it easier but the math and comp sci have been really tough to manage after a foundation year with only one comp sci class. That being said…he is completely thrilled he is at CMU. He did not apply to RISD, but he says a number of kids try to transfer from CMU to RISD each year because they are not satisfied with the fine arts side of CMU–very conceptual, less emphasis on developing skills. Also, mixing with comp sci and robotics is not actually as common as you would think at CMU. His robotics teacher told him he hadn’t had a fine arts student in several years and when they picked teams and he announced his major…there were actual laughs from the other students. PM if you want have more questions or I can put you in touch with my son.</p>