I'm worried

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>I'm a highschool Senior and before I read some of the threads posted here, I was basically straight up looking at either RISD or SCAD for my top colleges. I want to do something related to design (I'm not sure yet if it's going to be graphics design, production, animation, etc). Now, I know something I didn't before. There are several attacks and defenses on both RISD and SCAD which kind of shook my opinions on both. This even made me question my future major involving art because I love it but the financial issue has always been a major concern in my mind and my parents' mind (I heard that art involving grads don't really make a lot of money).</p>

<p>So now, I'm looking at SCAD, RISD, and Pratt. If I'm looking to do something involving art/design which could possibly earn me a lot of money at the same time (or at least a high income regarding art major), which one of those 3 should I choose? (I don't want to do classic pure art such as painting or something like that. I'm looking more to graphics/computer design, animation, visual effects, etc)</p>

<p>Also, I'm applying to colleges such as Duke and Cornell. If you were me, would you, in your opinion, choose to go to Duke or Cornell over RISD, SCAD, or Pratt?</p>

<p>thank you very much in advance</p>

2

<p>why duke or cornell? the tuition for both is very high and I think for an art education, you'd be better off somewhere else for the value you get. you might want to look at cornell's architecture program though...it's very highly regarded and the students there are highly wanted by firms. an architecture degree is very good for anything creative...in its artistic, business, economical, etc sense.</p>

3

<p>SCAD, RISD, and Pratt are all excellent schools. I would personally rank RISD at the top for design; Pratt and SCAD on par with each other. Any one of them will be a good choice. You should visit each to determine the best fit.</p>

4

<p>If you are interested in graphic design or related types of design, consider both RIT and University of Cincinnati. </p>

<p>RIT has a new media design program that is exceptional. It is a combination of graphic design and digital design. It provides strong training in both graphic design and web design and interactive media and even special effect design.</p>

<p>University of Cincinnati has a very strong program in digital design with some emphasis on graphic design, although they don't have the same emphasis on graphic design as RIT. However, Cincinnati's program can be used to catapult yourself to jobs in web design, special effects, game design, interactive media and even graphic design with some additional trainging. </p>

<p>Both schools also have strong graphic design programs too.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
If you were me, would you, in your opinion, choose to go to Duke or Cornell over RISD, SCAD, or Pratt?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Whoa, Dhillman, here it is almost December and you haven't decided whether you want an art school or a "full-service" university?! I think you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your objectives, even if it means not applying for another year.</p>

<p>I'd suggest you disengage your choice of college from your ability to make "a lot of money." You will find graduates of every school and every program who both make a lot of money and who are dismal failures. What are the consistent factors in the success stories? Hard work, talent, luck -- basically success depends on the student not the school.</p>

<p>All of the schools you're interested in are good schools -- some of the best among arts schools and some of the best universities. They are all very selective, but in different ways so the burden is on you the applicant to put together a compelling application. The application for RISD for example is going to look completely different from the application to Duke, so you'll really need to focus on what it would take to get accepted to each school. Time is running out here.</p>

<p>What is right for you can only be decided by YOU! Fit is everything in college. </p>

<p>You want to put together a short list of schools of varying selectivity that are somewhat similar in character, ambience and teaching style. From my viewpoint, you couldn't get more different than RISD and Duke. If I were you I'd go back to the drawing board and decide what you want before you go one step further. If you're really conflicted (or in the throes of a last minute change of mind) maybe you should consider taking a gap year. Do some more visiting, ask some more questions so that you can be sure.</p>

<p>There was a parent here nopoisonivy a few years back whose son was a talented artist. He was determined to attend a prominent art school (I think it was RISD) and was mentally ready to roll when at the last minute he received a brochure from Princeton that really set his mind spinning. He applied to both, got into the art school, but not Princeton. He took a gap year, worked on his essays, and reapplied to Princeton where he is last heard a successful and happy art student.</p>

<p>I'm not in any way implying that a liberal arts college is better than an art school. My point is that complete strangers on an internet message board can't decide your future and deadlines loom. You're the one whose life is involved here.</p>

<p>Good luck and let us know how you do.</p>

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<p>ooh thanks a lot. Well, basically my dilemma is money or passion. A lot of people have said that it's tougher for art major people to earn a high income. But I REALLY want to do art everyday of my life. I don't want to wake up everyday and feel like "oh no... damn. I have to get to work... ugh".</p>

<p>but on the other hand, IF what those ppl say is true (that art = low money), then it'll be bad...</p>

<p>but my mind is getting more and more set on the art schools though. and um, i've decided where to apply and i already started my apps and submitted some of them. it's just some last concern that needs to be taken care of.</p>

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<p>dhillman, In my opinion money only follows passion. A graphic artist who loves his work will do a lot better than a disinterested lawyer. From what you've said you like the idea of being around kids who are art-obsessed 24/7. In that case art school sounds like the right path for you.</p>

<p>Would the "people" who are trying to disuade you be your parents by any chance? Maybe they think you could be using more of your intellectual talents? There's no right, one size fits all answer here. </p>

<p>Talk to your parents. I'm sure they're just as worried as you are. I'd suggest that you visit (either in person or on-line) the career counseling center of the art schools that you're interested in. You'll find that talent and accomplishment at artschool CAN lead to a remuneratively successful career.</p>

8

<p>Depends on why you want to go to Duke or Cornell. If you're really interested in something other than art, and you can actually get in to duke or cornell, I would not suggest art school. </p>

<p>If youre set on living and breathing art every day for the rest of your life then RISD!</p>

<p>You should think about applying to a prestigious academic college that also has a really well-reputed art program. That way you have a choice, and get to sample different areas. You might change your mind.
I'm thinking like.. williams...carnegie mellon..washington university..brown even lets you take classes at RISD if youre willing to go through a few hurdles</p>

9

<p>Overboard, I don't think that Williams has any substantial training in graphic design. Last I looked, their courses were primarily studio art and art history.</p>

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<p>I agree with taxguy's recommendations. And also, I think you can be a little less worried about employment prospects if you have a degree in graphic design and the computer savvy to use it. The market seems to be there.</p>