<p>I just got into RISD, Parsons, Pratt, Otis, and California College of the Arts... which one is a better school? It is really hard for me to choose now because I don't know what type of design I want to do in the future (all of these have a foundation program). However, I am more inclined to RISD and Parsons right now... :s Any advice?</p>
<p>Surprised that no one has responded to your post...
Have you visited all the schools? That is very important! I would recommend that you go with the school where you would feel most comfortable since you do not have a specific major in mind. All are good schools. It may sound cliche but you'll get out of any school what you put into it. Work hard wherever you go :-)</p>
<p>Think about whether you want a really urban environment vs. smaller town, that might help you decide. And congratulations, that's a really stellar accomplishment, getting into <em>all</em> those schools!</p>
<p>Guching, what is your proposed major? It would help us out in making recommendations.</p>
<p>Can you imagine how useless and absurd it would be if I told you "Otis is the better school, go there"? You would have, essentially, a stranger's opinion that has no bearing on your situation.</p>
<p>So why ask? The data you gather will only confuse your decision more.</p>
<p>RISD is one of the best, most selective, and most renowned design school in the world. RISD also has connnections with deisgn studios, people will pause if they see RISD on their application. It is like the harvard of art and desgin school. However, the nviorment doesn't really suit everyone. Different personalitis do better at different schools. RISD is more of a preppy, white upper class type design school, that's the enviorment. </p>
<p>Pratt and Parsons are also up there. They are like Yale, one of them is in new york and if you know how to naviagte city life you can have many more oppurtunitis (internships, experiance, etc). </p>
<p>Otis is also pretty good. It is the best art/desgin school in the West coast. It is near LA which is excellant. it is also very interantional, and there are quite a few a few foreign students, like from korea especially, sinagpore, etc.</p>
<p>DO not got to California college of the arts. It is the art school that people who can't get in the the above ones go to. The people there aren't as high-powered and don't live an dbreath art/design. It is just an average design school that people go to, the curriculum isn't as top-notch and it's really just very mediocre. Not worth the price in my opinion.</p>
<p>IN the end, go to there websites, look at their galleries. look at the makeup of the student body, the clubs of the schools (under extracurricular activites) (that'll tell you about the interests of the students). It's important that you connect with students there becuase connections are necessary in design--that's what will open your door in, and your talent is what will keep you in.
in the end, any one besides California college of the arts will work. If you want west coast, go to otis. East coast, go to parsons/pratt/RISD. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>If you are into design, I am very surprised that you didn't apply to either University of Cincinnati or Carnegie Mellon. I also agree with what was stated by efficientprocrastinator; however, I strongly also believe in what Jkolko noted. YOu really need to check out each school for yourself.</p>
<p>//RISD is one of the best, most selective, and most renowned design school in the world. RISD also has connnections with deisgn studios, people will pause if they see RISD on their application. It is like the harvard of art and desgin school. However, the nviorment doesn't really suit everyone. Different personalitis do better at different schools. RISD is more of a preppy, white upper class type design school, that's the enviorment. </p>
<p>Pratt and Parsons are also up there. They are like Yale, one of them is in new york and if you know how to naviagte city life you can have many more oppurtunitis (internships, experiance, etc). //</p>
<p>Nothing will kill a job application faster than bad spelling.</p>
<p>otis the best art school on the west coast? what are you smoking.</p>
<p>i attend Otis, the one thing i would have to say about my school, is that if you plan or are interested in either Digital Media, Fashion Design, or Toy Design, than consider Otis, because those are my school's strongest departments.</p>
<p>I personally wouldn't come here for any other major, just because the school aren't as well known for them as they are for those other three majors. </p>
<p>One thing to mention is that Otis seems to be more laid back then a school like Parsons or RISD would be. That's from my personal experiance. I've heard kids from Parsons and RISD say that it's either catty or everyone is for themselves(competition) at their school. </p>
<p>But I guess if you want the big name and don't mind the type of people, go to RISD because they are pretty much good in every major/</p>