<p>first of all, i feel a little bad about making so many threads here, but i have a lot of questions, and i dont know any other site that gives me as much feedback - </p>
<p>anyways, i just recently decided that although i would prefer going to a stand alone art school, it would be better for me to consider other options. so currently, im <em>quickly</em> looking into non art school graphic design programs. I'm hearing alot about CMU, VCU, u. of cincinnati, and RIT, and I'm definitely considering them, but I wanted to know how difficult it is to enter the GD majors in these schools (as a transfer student) - I feel like I already have a lot of "reach" schools on my list, so i feel a little worried..</p>
<p>I can't speak for all of the schools that you noted,but I do know abit about CMU, Cincinnati and RIT.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>CMU: Academics are about 50% and portfolio is about 50%. CMU is VERY SAT oriented. You should try to get your SAts close to 1300 with a GPA of at least 3.5 even with a strong portfolio. Higher SATs also will allow for possible scholarship. Also, their program is in communication deisgn and not graphic design. I am not sure what the difference entails,but I believe that Communication Design has broader appeal. They have a very small program ,which involved about 60 student admissions ( if that many).</p></li>
<li><p>Cincinnnati is primarlly academically focused and doesn't require a portfolio for admission to their design school. You should have at least a 3.5 GPA ( preferably more) and at least 1200+ on the SAT or equivilent ACT. Cincinnati seems to place more emphasis on the GPA then the SATs from what I can see,but you still need decent SATs unless you have a fabulous GPA ( 3.8+).Cincininati's design school has many more kids than that of CMU and also many more majors and course offerings. They also have manadatory coop built into the curriculum. This means that you will get six quarters of paid experience before graduating.</p></li>
<li><p>RIT requires both a decent GPA and SATs although they too seem more GPA oriented. I do not know what the minimum required GPA and SATs should be ,but they are probably a bit less than either CMU or Cincinnnati. They also require a decent portfolio.They offer coops but not as many as that of Cincinnati. Thus, their coop program is optional because not every kid can get one. RIT has both a graphic design program and a different program in new media design,which is very web focused. Thus, you have a number of options at RIT that CMU doesn't really give. They even have a game design program as an undergraduate offering and a progam in animation. </p></li>
<li><p>VCU has a highly ranked graphic deisgn program ( as all the schools that you mentioned). I don't know much about their program or admission,but you should definitely check out the area where VCU is located. It is a bit scary. Cincinnati isn't in the best area either, but at least the school seem safe enough as does the immediate vacinity of the school ( within a 1 block radius of the school). The same can't be said for VCU which have a some homeless and some undesireable types "begging "money right by the school and sometimes on school property.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>wow - thanks for the thorough post; its really helpful info, though VCU is scaring me a little (not the city). after looking more deeply into it, it appears that they have a constant "weed out" process in students every year in the GD program until they graduate.</p>