<p>I have a friend who is trying to decide between CMU for Art and Wash U. The only caveat is she was accepted for the January semester at Wash U. What do you guys think? She lives in NJ btw, so CMU would be closer.</p>
<p>Lots of views but no help.</p>
<p>I would go for CMU, it’s program is more well respected in the field of art. Your buddy could be the next Andy Warhol (a CMU grad)</p>
<p>CMU…it is actually cheaper than WUSTL…better art…Pittsburgh…WUSTL is a great school but I have never heard of them taking someone in the spring semester. Are you sure you have this right?</p>
<p>Quite positive. They do it to 50 people or more a year. What makes art at CMU better?</p>
<p>I visited both of these schools earlier this year (I have now chosen to attend Carnegie) and got a very different feel from both of them. I’m going to major in Design so I visited the art department at Wash U as well. Despite both being generally wealthy schools, at Wash U it seemed much more apparent. The buildings are extremely beautiful and unified, the rooms are huge and air conditioned, and there are perks that are “free” (built into tuition) like the gym/workout equipment. At Carnegie it seems like they pamper the students less, while concentrating on spending money to give the best education possible. I don’t know if others have felt this way, but that’s definitely the vibe I got.</p>
<p>Also, at Wash U the art building seemed like a rejected little sister. Compared to the stellar buildings and architecture of the rest of the campus, the outside and inside of the Sam Fox building was less than impressive. The hallways were bland and white, more like a high school than a university. On the other hand, the CFA building at Carnegie is gorgeous. Coffered ceiling with paintings of various masterpieces, insets on the outside of the buildings with sculptures; just beautiful. I didn’t observe any art classes at CMU but I saw some student work and classrooms and they both looked great.</p>
<p>Also, at CMU I feel like the people are much more down to earth and quirky. There are a TON of “preppy” people (I stayed with a family friend who is the epitome of preppy) at Wash U. Personally, I don’t necessarily flow well with that type of person. But you may be different.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, it seems like Wash U is a wonderful school, with an absolutely stunning campus. But if you’re doing art, and if the buildings are any indication of the care and attention given to these two programs, CMU seems far superior.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Oh, and yeah I know a few people who are “JProgs” (what they call the January Program people). What it is is they need to fill the dorms of upperclassmen going away to study abroad, and so the JProg kids fill those spots. I’ve heard that they get very close because it’s such a small group. It seemed like it might be a little bit harder to get integrated into the class since you’re a semester late, but the people I know (very outgoing, cheery girls) didn’t have a problem. They traveled the world and did a couple internships during that semester off.</p>