<p>I visited a counselor today to talk about transferring to a private art school. She didn't really listen to what i had to say nor discuss my options. I asked her what her opinion was on certain schools and she said she would have to check if they are accredited. I told her that some are and she said "yea, that's what they want you to think, don't read what they say on their website" and then she said she could find out if a school is accredited. I told her the specific name of the school i was interested in (the International academy of design and tech) and she's like there's many schools by that name and i will need a specific address to look it up. I told her she could find the address online and then she switched saying the only way i could find out its if i called them. I also told her my major is advertising and that a counselor previously told me that the state university in the area doesn't offer a program related to advertising and she was like "oh no there's many students who go to sacramento state for advertising" and then she gives me a print out of some programs offered and nothing comes close to advertising! They are visual arts and stuff like that with courses like audio editing etc. (i know i need other courses for advertising). It felt like she wanted me to transfer to a state university instead of trying to help me out and discuss my options. Could there be an agreement between community colleges and state universities that benefit both once a student transfers from one to another? It feels it's all about business....and that she was working for the state university trying to get students! Shouldn't a counselor be neutral and not care where you go to school?</p>
<p>I wonder if it's possible that she gets a sort of commission payment the more of her students go to state schools. Or she doesn't know what she's talking about and doesn't care to look into it. Either way, I highly suggest that you, and everyone, do all of the research possible for yourself. Don't leave it to a counselor to steer you in the right - or wrong! - direction. It's your life.</p>
<p>I have found that counselors at community colleges are very close minded.</p>
<p>If they're any thing like the counselors at my CC, yeah. I tried to talk to them once and anything outside of student loans and transferring to one of their approved list of transfer colleges was out of the question. They are absolutely horrible at their jobs.</p>
<p>yea she was a b1tch! i'm glad you guys agree with me...i will never talk to a counselor again..
but she did say that it's safe if a school is accredited by the western institution of accreditation, is that true? One of the schools i was interested in (academy of art university) is accredited by them. is that a green light?</p>
<p>It's probable that she simply does not know anything other than the CSU's and UC's 99% of her case load transfers to.</p>
<p>What state are you in?
Because if you're planning on transferring to a private art school, you need to aim specifically for accredited one, otherwise you would be spending your money on a school that is not reputable in the industry.
Most accredited, and reputable art schools, will force students to take foundation year, which if you visit websites of schools like RISD/Parsons/Otis etc they'll let you know what a foundation curriculum looks like. For some of their majors they don't accept junior transfers as the only credit they'd give you is for foundation-which is essentially freshman year. The exception would be majors like graphic design or any of the fine arts, which most community colleges offer classes in. </p>
<p>By the look of IADT, it looks like a proprietary school, which is a school that is FOR PROFIT. You want to steer clear of For Profit Schools.
You might doing yourself a disservice if you dont look into your state school's art department, because some state schools have really strong art and design programs. There are very few REPUTABLE art schools that you can transfer in as a junior, it's mainly to transfer in as a sophomore.</p>
<p>BTW here's a link to art schools that are accredited with the national association of art schools. make sure your skill you plan on transferring to is a member</p>
<p>NASAD</a> Home</p>
<p>Thanks liek
quick question. The school i'm interested in is the Academy of Art university in S.f. The school is accredited by the western association accreditation and i searched for it under the member lists at the Nasad site and it shows up. Does it mean its accredited by nasad? Since it's accredited by the western association is it a safe bet? It is a for profit school but it is also accredited...</p>
<p>A safe bet for what? Have you checked out whether you can afford it? Aid is not good there, lots of loans are typically involved if you can't pay full cost.</p>
<p>I totally know what you mean. It hasn't happened to me; but I know my adviser is pushing dual admission for tier 3 and state schools on people.</p>
<p>I chose to ignore most counselors at my cc though; be your own counselor, and you will do much better :)</p>
<p>safe bet meaning it's a reputable school with accredited degrees. It is expensive but also one of the cheapest private art schools. I visited the school today and talked to some students and financial aid pays for half the tuition in most cases. I don't mind paying the other half myself or even getting a interest free loan</p>
<p>I had a similar problem far as transfer advice - My counselor basically didn't have any data which I needed as I had done my basic groundwork to show respect for her time.</p>
<p>Then she started off touting UCoNN Stamford and Central and near pressing for me to attend there. There <em>may</em> be a commission involved, I don't know - however I much doubt it. I'd wager that if anything they're concerned about liberal arts' schools and art schools in general far as employment prospects pre-Grad.</p>
<p>One other thing to remember is that well, when surrounded by nothing other than Art majors your personal growth is at risk. The more people of different backgrounds, varying interests (other than art) you meet - the more you grow. </p>
<p>One thing you could try (what I did) to get your Counselor to help you in the lieu that you wish to be helped in - is to explain that you simply do not feel that a state school would be an appropriate environment for your own personal growth given a relatively non competitive environment when compared to a private university, and the factor of Tenure. I can't even begin to tell you the number of substantiated horror stories I've heard about teachers in the CT state school system for one.</p>
<p>Your counselor is not receiving a commission from the state universities. However, most of her students are looking to transfer to the state universities so that is what she knows best. You may very well be the first advertising student that she's spoken with in months, if not years. If you are concerned about the quality of advice that you are getting, you can always ask "When did you last work with an advertising major?" and "Who would be the best person in this office for me to discuss my transfer options with?" If the whole transfer office seems clueless, go speak with the faculty in your own department. They will have ideas too. Or at least they should. They should also have a network of friends/old professors/old work colleagues, etc. that you can tap into.</p>
<p>As for accreditation: if the school lists its accreditation on its website you can always pick up the telephone and call the accrediting agency and check the school's current status. For some fun reading on accreditation in general, start at:</p>
<p>U.S</a>. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>College</a> Accreditation in the United States -- TOC</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best in this process!</p>