<p>Has anyone tried attending an art program at a community college for a year or two before applying to a four-year art program? Seems like a good way to save money. We have a number of local community colleges with programs in the visual arts, but I don't know how good they are, or how transferrable the credits are.</p>
<p>Newtonartmom, the problem is that few people, if any, have any standard of comparison. If they finished their foundation year at a community college, they probably didn't retake these courses at an art school.</p>
<p>Moreover, you are asking a general question that can't apply to all community colleges. Some might have stronger programs then others. Thus, any answer might not apply to the college that you are interested in.</p>
<p>taxguy is right: this question really needs to be directed to the specific colleges your child is interested in, because each school sets its own rules on transfer credits. </p>
<p>But in general, I suspect you'll find that the more selective the 4-year art program is, the less likely it is to accept all of the community college credits and that's doubly true if the program includes an intense foundation year. Also, public universities are more likely to accept community college credits than private schools.</p>
<p>Community colleges offer a great alternative if you do your research.</p>
<p>Small private art schools like College for Creative Studies (their student work is comparable to Ringling, in my opinion) have an agreement with the local Macomb Community College so that the art classes will transfer. However, you still have to demonstrate talent. A friend blew off Drawing 2 at Macomb and it didn't end up transferring to CCS.</p>
<p>In general, the more advanced your skill is, the more likely you are to place higher when you transfer to a 4 year art school. So the emphasis is put on the portfolio, not the transcripts. Taking art classes at a community college may be a great way to build up basic skills so that you earn scholarships as well. I would make sure to take a mix of general education classes like english and math as well as some basic studio art classes because the gen eds will 99% transfer to an art school, and the gen eds and studio classes will most likely transfer to a public university as well. </p>
<p>I actually made the mistake of loading up on studio classes for an entire year, only to transfer to a public university and find that half my credits wouldn't transfer into my art major. But CCS, SAIC, Otis, Ringling, and MICA all told me that based on my portfolio I would definitely transfer in sophmore year, possibly junior year (as my portfolio was illustration based) Unfortunately it was too expensive, and I had a free ride at the public uni. I may have to retake some art classes, but at least they'll be free :)</p>
<p>We live in Massachusetts and I'm specifically wondering how hard it is to transfer into Mass Art if you spent one or two years at community college. Several community colleges here have art programs, but I never hear about them, so I have no idea how good they are or where their students transfer.</p>
<p>The Mass Art web site says that 30-50% of its graduating students were transfers. I guess they should be able to tell me where those students come from....?</p>
<p>Your student should definitely call MassArts directly if that's the school he or she is interested in. But in addition to asking about where the transfer students come from, they should also ask them if MassArts has any specific connections to CCs in the state. It may have some sort of formal transfer program since it is a public school too. Your student should also ask what specific types of classes they would be able to transfer credit over to MassArts. Sometimes art schools will only accept general education/liberal arts classes (like English), while other schools -- that may not have as many gen ed requirements -- may give credit only for art classes.</p>
<p>I agree to contact MassArt dicrectly and ask them. They may be able to guide you as to what kind of classes to take that will most likely be transferrable.</p>
<p>MassArt has very specific requirements depending on major after the required foundation year. In addition to the required classes for the major, there is also a certain number of studio electives and liberal arts electives required. I supposed transfer credits could be applied to those, but whether or not all 2 years worth of community college credits can be transferred I guess depends on the courses taken. I think this would be the case for most transfers.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that not all students (transfers or otherwise) graduate in 4 years. Massart does offer a mini-mester during the winter break, and also summer classes, so there's opportunities to catch up if you do fall behind in credits.</p>
<p>Hey everyone!</p>
<p>Question on community colleges... if anyone can help or knows of someone that did this, please help! I'm currently in 10th grade, and my goal right now is to improve my art skills enough to get into an art school (preferrably Ringling) for Computer Animation//Game Design\Art. However, money's real tight now (and I doubt my familiy's situation will get any better in 2 year's time..). </p>
<p>So, assuming I were to have the skills to be accepted at an art institute, would it be a wise choice to go to community college first for a year or two to get gen ed courses out of the way? (english, history, some math, etc.) I'm not talking about foundational art classes, as credits from those would probably not get transferred. Does anyone know if credits for liberal arts classes from a community college are <em>usually</em> accepted at an art school? It would save a lot of $$$, or at least get that money used for ART electives.</p>
<p>[Some info about UCC: It's called 13th grade in our school, because all the "average" and below kids go there. Right now most of the classes I take would probably be more advanced than what I would take there. But it would bring valuable time to save up money from my job for college.]</p>
<p>Halcyone83,</p>
<p>I'm currently at a community college, and so far all the schools I've applied to transfer to have accepted all of my liberal arts credits, and even most of my studio credits. (The schools that have accepted all of them are SAIC, CCA and SVA). </p>
<p>Classes that usually transfer would be BASIC classes such as English Composition 1 & 2, Intro to Literature, Psychology, Biology, College Algebra, and Art History. </p>
<p>But before you take any classes at your local community college (if you decide to go that route), call up the schools you're interested in and ask for recommendations as to what classes to take -- since it can vary somewhat from school to school.</p>
<p>///// I'm currently at a community college, and so far all the schools I've applied to transfer to have accepted all of my liberal arts credits, and even most of my studio credits. (The schools that have accepted all of them are SAIC, CCA and SVA).</p>
<p>Classes that usually transfer would be BASIC classes such as English Composition 1 & 2, Intro to Literature, Psychology, Biology, College Algebra, and Art History.</p>
<p>But before you take any classes at your local community college (if you decide to go that route), call up the schools you're interested in and ask for recommendations as to what classes to take -- since it can vary somewhat from school to school./////</p>
<p>Great advice. I have no idea why students take liberal art classes at private art colleges. You can save significant money. Taking art classes at a community college may also improve your portfolio significantly - enough perhaps to: 1. transfer the credits, 2. improve your chances to receive a portfolio scholarship.</p>
<p>As far as transferring, it is flexible depending on your negotiating skills (providing enough information such as syllabi of the course equivalent), the financial situation the school is in (money and rolling admissions) and which person is in charge of admissions at the time. </p>
<p>This one lady didn't want to accept my community college courses when I was going for an undergrad. She was a weird cat lady who had pictures of cats decorated all over the office and looked like a fat cat. Her supervisor who I became acquainted with prior, walked by and yelled at her and accepted all of them.</p>
<p>If you are going for studio art such as illustration, animation, fine arts, design etc, find a life drawing (usually non accredited) studio classes. That will help your portfolio significantly. Most community colleges have lazy tenure teachers who teach poor life drawing skills. Some community colleges however have the same teacher as that great art school you are looking for. Do research.</p>