Does anyone know if the interior design program has closed yet & when we would hear about honors program?
S (admitted to ID) received scholarship and honor notifications about two weeks ago and received another invitation to the Honors brunch yesterday;
Does anyone know the Bearcat Bound Orientation date(s) for Ind Design?
Hello! I am currently a high school senior looking to major in industrial design for college. I have already been accepted to University of Cincinnati DAAP and am waiting on a decision from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design, but I wanted to ask if anyone else is looking at these two design programs or can provide any insight based on personal experience to help better inform my decision. My decision might already be made out for me if rejected from CMU—I understand how competitive the admissions are, 7% is actually wild so definitely being realistic about it being a reach—but I cannot find much information looking at these two specific schools in comparison to one another.
And to better explain my current perceptions…
(1) What I like about UC: excellent co-op program, especially strong and well-known for industrial design, located within a larger university setting, design building is overall a better facility & contains more updated tools and resources, financially a better value as the tuition is much cheaper in comparison, appears to have an overall more positive student culture within DAAP (hardworking and stressful but in a positive way)
(2) What concerns me about UC: program is less interdisciplinary than CMU = less potential flexibility or opportunities to take coursework in other areas of design since it is so heavily I.D. focused, been told that the area surrounding campus is especially dangerous
(1) What I like about CMU: the track system would be beneficial to become a more well-rounded designer in consideration of larger systems which might be good for someone like me who has multiple interests, renowned for prestige in technological opportunities and integration throughout the school, ability to double major or minor in something like human-computer interaction (interaction design) which could complement design nicely,
(2) What concerns me about CMU: overall culture of the university seems to be super intelligent but also super stress/anxious (based on my observations from visits), track system might perpetuate a “jack-of-all trades” designer which have a stronger conceptual ability but less advanced technical ability, extremely expensive, much smaller class of design students (30-40 students total)
Feel free to correct me if I am making any inaccurate interpretations or judgements, I really am quite indecisive and would highly appreciate any info I can get about both schools 
@thecookiecrumblr congratulations on your acceptance to the DAAP ID program, it is a selective program!
My son is a DAAP ID freshman this year. A year ago he was in the same situation you’re in. He was accepted at CMU’s program.
I think overall your perceptions are accurate with a few exceptions.
The area surrounding the UC Campus has not been a problem for my son. There is plenty of security on and around campus. If you’re careful and smart when travelling after hours it should not be a big factor in the decision. I wouldn’t say CMU students have generally higher stress/anxiety levels, that may just be what you observed during your visit. I think the highly rated, competitive ID programs all come with a high workloads which could lead to stress/anxiety.
Here are some of my son’s observations comparing the two programs:
CMU
Pros- Graduates are getting very high paying jobs mostly in the field of UX/UI. Flexible program that allows students to explore product, communications and environment paths within the design department. Small program with a total of about 40 design students (including communication & environment design too) . Strong computing and engineering programs allow students to minor in human computer interface. Opportunities to take fine arts classes. Majority of students get summer internships junior and senior year.
Cons- Student portfolios and design studios show little evidence of high level physical consumer product design. Not as well recognized as a source for product designers. Total cost to attend is much higher.
UC
Pros- Outstanding student portfolios showing high level product design, model making and manufacturing skills. Focused on product design. Extensive co-op opportunities in the US , Europe, Asia. Five co-op’s are built in to the curriculum. Students are well prepared with marketable skills and work experience.
Cons- UX/UI opportunities are in Communications Design major. Not sure if it’s available for ID majors.
My son is mainly interested in product design. UX/UI was a “maybe” for him and he hasn’t had much exposure to what is involved.
His final decision to select UC occured after he explored the student portfolios at these websites:
Good luck with your decision!
Has anyone decided if they will be attending DAAP for sure yet? We just visited the campus yesterday and I think that sealed the deal for my daughter. She loved the energy and enjoyed talking to current ID students.
I think my son has pretty much decided against DAAP 
He did attend a summer camp there so I’m letting him make the decision. It was his second choice school.
@singermom4 I was wondering what your son decided. So is it U of Minnesota for him?
Yes. I am still making him think a bit more on it because of the difference in cost (more a question of value than affordability) but his heart seems set on it. Good to hear your daughter is so excited.
@IDtoTX my daughter is a definite for DAAP next year. She is doing ID and the honors program. We are waiting to see when the orientation dates are but she is signed up for the honors retreat in August. She is out of state but did get a little money in scholarship. Her campus visit is what sealed the deal, though. She is very excited and ready!