<p>I feel like I've been posting in this section a lot, but here's another one...</p>
<p>I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions for my list of schools...Just for suggestions, my grades are very solid and I have high SAT scores, so my preferences would be some of the "better" schools (I can't think of a better way to say that, so sorry if that sounds bad). I want to study graphic design, film, photography, and literature (or at least take some classes in each topic), so this is what my list looks like:</p>
<p>Brown (taking some classes at RISD)
Wash U
Tufts/SMFA
Wesleyan
Carnegie Mellon</p>
<p>Maybes:
Vassar
Carleton
Colgate</p>
<p>Maybe/barely art schools:
RISD
SAIC
MICA
MassArt
any others?</p>
<p>And I've also heard that Johns Hopkins and MICA have some sort of connection, but that you can only take one class at MICA per semester or something, which I think would be a waste of time for me.</p>
<p>If you want the freedom to take classes in several different art/design areas (graphic design, film, and photography), then RISD is probably not the place for you. Its curriculum is fairly rigid and focused on just one major.</p>
<p>Don’t know where your definition of “better” ends, but there’s also Syracuse, U of Mich, NYU, Boston University… Are you considering any instate schools? If you are in CA, UC Davis has a design major.</p>
<p>Consider Univeristy of Cincinnati for design. It is very academically oriented for admission to their design schoo, and you can take literature there too as electives.</p>
<p>Syracuse would be a good choice too. One other possible choice would be Pratt Institute. True, it is a stand alone design schools, but it has a major in creative writing that might be very suitable for you.</p>
<p>Frankly, you need to decide whether it is art or literature that really moves you. Art is a tough , demanding discipline. Unless you are well-trained in it, you will have a harder time getting a job than those that are well-trained. Thus, you might want to give art schools and schools with strong art programs such as Syracuse and Cincinnati more of a priority than that of Brown.</p>
<p>Tufts/SMFA is good,but frankly SMFA isn’t as good for design as say CMU, Cincinnati or even Syracuse. In addition, SMFA is about a 45 minuite car ride away from Tufts. </p>
<p>Weslyian, Vassor, Carlton and Colgate, to my knowledge, don’t have a good graphic design program. In fact, I don’t think that they have a strong design program either.</p>
<p>Frankly, the bottom line: I really think that you should rethink your priorities and decide what you really want. If it is art and design, you should choose schools that have strong art and design programs and NOT one that might allow you to take a few courses in it.</p>
<p>Always a tough question, but where do you see yourself 10 to 15 years from now. If you are a working designer/artist, then go to a art/design school. If you want to be a business manager/owner or academic or employed with a large firm, then (generally) go with one of the liberal arts schools.</p>
<p>I saw Carleton on your list. A similar school, with a great art department, is Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. </p>
<p>You may also want to look at SUNY-Purchase College.</p>
<p>@taxguy:
I really think that you should rethink your priorities and decide what you really want. If it is art and design, you should choose schools that have strong art and design programs and NOT one that might allow you to take a few courses in it.</p>
<p>I’m a little confused by this. Why would it be bad to take a few courses in various subjects I’m interested in?</p>
<p>My daughter went through this dilemma. At first she thought she would want to attend a LAC with a good arts department but that offered other majors in case she decided to change her mind. We looked at schools like Clark, Wheaton, Hofstra, Goucher and Bard. It quickly became clear that these schools would offer inferior preparation than a dedicated arts school which requires an intensive foundation year. Furthermore, the facilities and course offerings just couldn’t compare in terms of depth and intensity. My daughter ended up deciding to make a commitment to art and will attend Pratt this fall. We figure that if she decides art isn’t her path, she can always transfer.</p>
<p>Westchestermom: I know what you mean. My daughter gets a lot of pressure from her school to apply to some LAC’s and UC/CSU’s, but she very sure that what she wants is an arts school with a foundation year, not an Art major within a liberal arts context. We do a lot of explaining about her goals, in part because her school isn’t as aware of the process for becoming a strong art school applicant.</p>
<p>My daughter is very sure about what she wants too. In her HS Guidance dept, all the counselors are cringing when she says she doesn’t want to take another math. She’s starting her senior year and has her math requirements fulfilled. They are afraid she’ll “forget” her math and start college with a math disadvantage. Just can’t get their heads around classes like “Geometry in Art & Nature.” We’ve had to readjust her schedule twice and each counselor had to be educated as to science and math classes are often combined under one classification liberal arts. She loves science, so if she never has to take another math class, she’s happy!</p>
<p>lpage3 asks,"I’m a little confused by this. Why would it be bad to take a few courses in various subjects I’m interested in? "</p>
<p>Response: I have found that certain fields require a lot of compentance in order to succeed in them. This is particularly true in music, art, and design. Simply taking a few design courses won’t get you a job in design unless you are amazingly talented in it.</p>
<p>If getting a job in design isn’t your goal then, by all means, take some art and design. However, if you want to choose design as an occupation, you need to specialize and NOT be a jack or jacquiline of all trades.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about it, but what about Bard? </p>
<p>I would research interdisciplinary programs or residential colleges. </p>
<p>Also, what state are you in? Some state schools can fare well with liberal arts and you could opt to get an arts-related job or get involved in campus projects. I went to a state school for a while and found myself enjoying my graphic design job much more than some of my art/design classes. Learned a lot more, too. I was part of a film club, as well. It was nice working with creative people from different backgrounds. Lastly, there always seemed to be cool art floating around that was completed by non-majors. Sometimes not taking “the class” is the better option, especially when you are not interested in focusing. </p>
<p>I personally do have a focus and go to a strictly design school currently. I don’t know how I could compete and meet the right people otherwise. It all depends on what you want to do as other posters have mentioned. Sounds kind of like you might be interested in journalism, maybe?</p>
<p>A few CSUs actually have strong art programs. There are a few that offer BFAs with professional training, such as Fullerton, Long Beach, and San Jose. San Jose’s animation/illustration students are amazing.</p>
<p>Hmm… I’m not sure since this isn’t really something I know a lot about. However USC supposedly has a really good film program. And since it’s a big university with a pretty good name I’d assume that it’s other departments are likewise pretty good.</p>
<p>USC has arguably the best film program in the country. It’s hardcore dedication. You dont apply to The School of Cinematic Arts unless you’re positive about studying film. USC wouldnt be a good choice for the OP.</p>
<p>SMFA is arguably one of the best art schools, however it is INCREDIBLY self driven (no grades, no majors, etc) but it will challenge you to think more like an artist. Paired with tufts, its an incredible combo. But be honest with yourself, and if you’re not self driven and can’t handle it (most can’t), don’t do it; you will be so unhappy.</p>
<p>From your list, other than SMFATufts, I would highly recommend Carnegie Mellon. They offer a more intellectual approach to art and your high scores would benefit you there. Their art program is pretty good too.</p>
<p>RISD also has a dual thing with Brown which you may want to look at, but I am biased and would recommend straying away from RISD</p>
<p>OK…it sounded good to us…the combo arts and university. SMFA very friendly and indicated that son was good candidate. Tufts…very pretty, nice people and son has scores and grades to match. THEN…I suggested we catch the shuttle bus to the subway to see how long it takes to go between campuses…over 1.5 hour!!! Try standing outside waiting for a 25 m inute late shuttle bus during a Boston winter! Similarly, we loved MICA but when you really push them to find out how many people actually take classes at JHU…very, very few because of scheduling and transportation. Brown/RISD dual program…check out the planned curriculum for 5 years! it really is all about Brown and not much about RISD (including the tuition! which is only Brown tuition). There is practically no time for art the first year of the program so my son scratched that off of his list. He may apply to RISD but Brown is a nonstarter. Look very carefully into these programs that promise to offer Art to the student and the comfort (from a parent’s perspective) of a “real degree.” We are starting to see that few places really offer a rigourous art program with liberal arts or other areas. CMU and WUSTL as well as some of the very large state schools (Ohio State, Wisconsin, Virginia Commonwealth) seem to offer a reasonable option to pursue both but realistically you are looking at at least a 5year stint to get two full degrees. At least with the state school option you won’t go broke so quickly.</p>
<p>samclare, I don’t understand your comments about “practically no time for art in the first year” of the Brown/RISD dual degree program. Isn’t the first year is spent exclusively at RISD? And don’t dual degree students go through the same intense Foundation Year experience as RISD students?</p>