"Dream" major - art + science + foreign studies

Applying to College
1

<p>I am currently a junior in high school considering applying to colleges such as Stanford, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, etc. I'm highly interested in Industrial Design, which very few of my schools of interest offer. Stanford has a Product Design major, I believe, but I think it leans more toward mechanical engineering than artistic design. I'm definitely the "aesthetic" person, so practical and ergonomic design might not suit me; plus, I'm wary of the quality of the program since I haven't heard much about it. Carnegie Mellon seems to have a reputable ID standing, but I'm not sure I'll be happy -- my brother went there for Computer Science and thought the environment was miserable. </p>

<p>I do have quite a bit of artistic experience (took a drawing/painting class in visual arts magnet of my high school), but I am in the math, science technology magnet in my high school, which prevents me from taking some crucial art classes. Therefore, I don't have a strong portfolio and unstable skills. Of course, I'm ruling out colleges/institutes that purely pursue fine arts since it's so risky.</p>

<p>I'm so torn on what to do: follow my dreams, which may be visionary and short-term, or be more practical? I want to pursue a career that requires art, science, and foreign studies, but I have yet to find the "perfect" major that incorporates these three (my dream job would be a concept car designer, but that's so far off!) Any suggestions? Your advice is greatly appreciated! Here's my resume if it helps:</p>

<p>Achievements and Experiences</p>

<p>2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Participant @ Los Angeles
An international science research conference where high school students around the world share their scientific findings and compete for scholarships and awards.
Research included combining magnetic nanoparticles and thermosensitive polymer for targeted hyperthermia cancer treatment and injectable, sustained anti-cancer drug delivery, seeks to minimize the negative side effects present in traditional, systemic cancer treatments</p>

<p>2011 Siemens Foundation Research Competition Semifinalist
Prestigious national science research competition honoring approximately 300 high school research projects per year</p>

<p>American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AlChE) Conference in Minneapolis, MN
The premier educational forum for chemical engineers interested in innovation and professional growth were a wide range of subjects relevant to latest research and newest technologies in emerging growth areas are covered.
Submitted manuscript for potential publication</p>

<p>39th Annual International Society on Oxygen (ISOTT) Transport Meeting in Georgetown, Washington D.C.
A conference in which researchers around the national are invited to explore relevant issues on oxygen delivery to organs and novel approaches to quantitative measurements via lectures by prestigious scientists and through-provoking discussions and sessions.
Submitted manuscript for publication in the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology series by Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers and Springer, Inc.</p>

<p>2011 Discover Germany, YFU High School Scholarship Summer Exchange Program
Recipient of full scholarship for six-week stay in Germany with German host family; complete cultural submersion by interaction with local German peoples and limited contact with American friends and family</p>

<p>2010 Korea-U.S. Youth Network, CIEE High School Scholarship Summer Exchange Program
Full scholarship recipient of 2-week cultural exchange program hosted by the Korea Foundation and Yonsei University</p>

<p>Education</p>

<p>DuPont Manual Magnet High School August 2009 – Present
Ranked 2nd in Math, Science, Technology (MST) Magnet Class of 2013 (GPA (weighted): 4.25)
Historian of French Club; member of Science National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, DECA, and Beta Club</p>

<p>Work Experience, Volunteering</p>

<p>University of Louisville, Department of Chemical Engineering
High school student researcher for Kyung A. Kang, Ph. D., at the Department of Chemical Engineering
Main author of "Magnetic NP/Thermally-Responsive Polymer Complex for Targeted Hyperthermia and Sustained Drug Delivery", a manuscript presented by Dr. Kyung Kang at the 2011 ISOTT Conference in Washington, D.C. and 2011 AlChE Conference in Minneapolis, MN.</p>

<p>Youth For Understanding Alumna
Presenter and recruiter for prospective exchange students</p>

<p>Skills</p>

<p>Foreign language
Mandarin Chinese – fluent (excellent speaking and reading skills, good writing); first language spoken; attended local Chinese school for 5 years (2001-2006);
French – advanced; 5 years of French studies; several accolades from regional and state competitions in grammar, writing, and poem recitation (Kentucky World Language Festival)
German, Korean - basic knowledge acquired from foreign travels</p>

<p>Essay/research paper writing – publication of research manuscript in scientific journals</p>

<p>Significant experience in drawing and painting – attended Visual Arts magnet’s Drawing and Painting II course while pursuing MST studies</p>

<p>Piano (11 years) – received several honors and awards from local music competitions (Corneille Overstreet, Kentucky Music Teacher’s association)
Violin (3 years) – concertmaster for Repertory Orchestra of Louisville Youth Orchestra; member of Youth Performing Arts School’s Philharmonia orchestra, the most advanced orchestra available to student of DuPont Manual High School</p>

2

<p>I dunno, why not just try taking all of them? :P</p>

<p>CMU’s BSA program encourages studying abroad, so that could work for you.
You sound like you could get into the RISD-Brown dual degree program with those beastly stats; that should be right up your alley.
Yale is really strong in art and highly encourages double-majoring.
I think Washington U in St. Louis also has a nice science-art dual program.</p>

3

<p>Is there a reputable fine arts college nearby? (and I stress reputable as in graduating many BFAs)</p>

<p>If so, see if there is a summer schedule and try to talk your way into taking an intro design class. I can tell you that any design field is packed with talented people and for the few that earn their living off if the career, are many who are barely scraping by. </p>

<p>I’m not saying this to dissuade you – but the market is saturated. If you truly have the talent to make it, you’ll discover it in a classroom setting and the feedback you get from your instructors. Remember: you want genuine and objective feedback from instructors – not from art college admissions people who solely want you to enroll (and pay them for a diploma). </p>

<p>My brother (an art school illustration professor) tells his students: “When you graduate and go hawk your portfolio at the local design shop or media center? I’ll be in that same line too.”</p>

4

<p>Try posting your qustion in the visual arts forum. There are many people there that are very qualified to comment. I know one poster has a son going to Carnagie Mellon and studying sculpture and robotics. I know the RISD/Brown dual degree looks good on the surface, but I have heard that it is tough to pull off. The other, what I call “stand alone” art schools are going to give you the best (IMHO) art experience, but it sounds like you want something more diverse.</p>

5

<p>You are clearly a very bright science student. I think Stanford’s program would be a good fit for you. I looked it up and it does not really give short shrift to the art aspect. In fact, I think it is as strong as most departments as far as the aesthetics part, but just has a stronger engineering component than others. I think it would work well for you especially given your strong talent in science. Anyway, a Stanford degree is a Stanford degree - even if you haven’t heard much about the program, a degree from HYPSM is impressive for employers in most fields.</p>