LAC's (3.0-3.5 range) strong in studio arts

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>My junior D is working on her list of schools and planning to major in fine arts (concentrations in Photo and Drawing). However, she is also intending to double major or minor in Japanese (Asian Studies minor would also be ok if not available). We are trying to plan more visits for fall and next spring.</p>

<p>We would appreciate feedback specifically on their art programs:</p>

<p>-College of Wooster
-Beloit
-Goucher
-Hampshire
-Skidmore
-Whittier
-Ohio Wesleyan
-Warren Wilson
-Guilford
-Hobart & Smith<br>
-Hiram </p>

<p>We are instate VA, so she will be applying to VCU however they don't offer Japanese anything. And, if anyone would like to suggest other schools not on this list but within the same GPA range (her SAT's are guesstimated to be around 1800 based on PSAT's). Schools with art scholarships such as Whittier, Hiram, Hobart, OWU, are bonus pts. :).</p>

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<p>all these schools offer Japanese?
wow
we are catching up.</p>

<p>from your list I only saw Guilford in person.
It was a summer and just poking around. pretty basic, nothing fancy.
sculpture area and kilns were outside, in scorching sun.
there were planters in the entrance of art building that FILLED with cigarette butts.
It bothered me a bit that many art students must smoke while hanging out, and no one cared to clean it after school year done.
from what I saw I don’t choose to go there for its art program alone but I liked NC in general, and the school is gorgeous.
It was the only residential college I have seen where you can just walk across to get to a major supermarket, thou for my disappointment pricing weren’t that cheap compere to NYC.</p>

<p>If you do visit, you should check out UNC Greensboro just up the road. Good art facilities, great value.</p>

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<p>Thanks, the Guilford feedback helps since they are one of the schools that offers an actual Japanese minor. And no, not all these schools offer Japanese, but some have classes at least offered, or have an arrangement with a near by college to major/minor in Japanese. Here’s that info. (still working on the schools with question marks…some used to offer classes, but have since pulled them out of their course catalogues, so unclear):</p>

<p>-College of Wooster-?
-Beloit- Yes, offers a Japanese Major and a very strong dept.
-Goucher -Yes, offers Japanese major/minor but courses are taken at nearby Johns Hopkins.
-Hampshire-Yes, offers Japanese Major/Minor but courses are taken at nearby Amherst or U. of Mass Amherst.
-Skidmore -?
-Whittier -Yes, offers Japanese minor.
-Ohio Wesleyan-Yes, offers language classes only though.
-Warren Wilson-No, but offers Asian Studies Major.
-Guilford-Yes, offers Japanese minor.
-Hobart & Smith -offers Japanese language courses only.
-Hiram-?</p>

<p>Again, thanks! Will look at Greensboro…</p>

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<p>Hello- I dont know much about the art programs at these schools, my S is going to an art school, not a University. But being an obnoxious CC mom, I see a couple of what look like reaches for a 3.0 gpa, is hers closer to 3.5? Also, about the SAT, my S was headed for an 1800 based on PSAT, and did a pretty serious tutoring thing, and brought his score up substantially. I would aim for a 1950, if its not too stressful for her, because this seems to be the cutoff for certain advantages, like the honors program at VCU. We visited VCU arts, and both liked it a lot.</p>

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<p>How about Bard…SAT optional. Art and Japanese.</p>

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<p>Goucher has the double advantage of being able to take courses at nearby Johns Hopkins and at MICA, which is well known for studio art.</p>

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<p>Goucher is a stretch in terms of physical distance from Baltimore. A lot of this mica/goucher/jhu cross registering is hype…see how many students ACTUALLY manage the logistics and look at the timing of the Japanese courses, for example. What looks feasible on a web page can be quite daunting in reality. I would advise, on your visits, getting on shuttles between schools for the ones that offer coregistration at some other college or university to see how it really works. We were dismayed by the distance/difficulty of getting between Tufts and SMFA in boston, for example.</p>

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<p>If she has a car, it isn’t that much of a distance to drive. As for shuttles. that could be a problem.</p>

<p>You are clearly right about the Tufts-SMFA connection. They are much further apart than the schools make it seem.</p>

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<p>Switters, no, D has a 3.1 uw and based on her history it might reach a 3.3 by application time. She is fairly consistant with what grades she’s earned in subjects, and we already know her courses for next year as well. Yes, Wooster, Beloit, OWU, Skidmore, Hampshire, and Warren Wilson are closer to a 3.5 accepted averge, so this list does include many reaches. She’s a junior this year, so the list has plenty of time to be dwindled down to just two to three of the reaches by app. time. We’ve also considered applying ED with her given the lower GPA…just a thought we are toying around with. She will be taking a prep course for SAT and that is encouraging to hear that your son was able to bring it up to a 1950. She has ADD issues, but always seems to test fairly well, so I’m hopeful that she can bring it up a bit. </p>

<p>@drae27, Bard is too high of a reach. think the avg. gpa was a 3.8 last year? I could be wrong about that though. But yes, Bard would be ideal for her…and you have the right idea here. That’s why Skidmore seems a good fit (3.4 gpa avg. this year), but acceptance rates were only about 27%. </p>

<p>@taxguy, woah! I did NOT know that MICA had an arrangement with Goucher as well. Very good to know! We did visit Goucher this summer and really liked the campus.</p>

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<p>I just posted then read this other info. No, she will not have a car at school. And I see what you are saying about really being clear on the logistics of making a schedule work with these other schools. And ride a shuttle ourselves! She’s grown up in DC and very good at taking the metro down to Corcoran, or to the airport, work, etc., so that’s a bonus. But, something to consider here and glad we are starting the list early…</p>

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<p>How do you think she will fair with letters of recommendation? That could help boost a marginal GPA. Some of these schools do holistic assessments. So with a strong portfolio and essays, decent SAT scores and great rec’s, a school like Bard might be able to see her potential.</p>

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<p>not a LAC but what about Syracuse?</p>

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<p>That’s sincerely my hope, that we focus mostly on schools that will take her application into a holistic view. My D has a true gift in art, and Japanese oddly comes easily to her. She was nominated for governors school in Japanese, and has won numerous art awards (film, photography and drawing), so yes, she already has an excellent portfolio and that’s her best hope to squeak into a reachier school. The essays are going to be a bigger challenge. Teacher recs should be great. She does have a few C’s in transcript though which is what may cross off some of the reach schools. It’s one thing to be a “B” GPA, but quite another to have lots of A’s and a few C’s mixed in with B’s. Decent EC’s -ultimate frisbee, GSA, 200+ hrs. community service, Senior Girl Scout, Art Center Assistant, college credits through Corcoran school of art, she’s an animal rights activist (vegetarian since the 6th grade), yoga, pilates. Just trying to paint a picture for you. I can’t see her at a school as big as Syracuse, though I know it’s a great school. Thanks for your help and let me know if you think of any others!</p>

<p>I just got an email today from Hampshire that the rep is visiting her school next Monday. Any questions that are good to ask at these info. sessions? She’s so excited, but also shy so I told her to take a couple friends with her :)</p>

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<p>^maybe read up their publication or info on the web, they got this division thing going, which is confusing what is needed by when to get to the next level.
and how easy really to take classes at other schools in consortium if she must depends on buses, and since she is a girl, how that dynamics go as being in co-ed school dealing with Smith and Mt, Holyoke?
I was greatly interested in Hampshire at one point. maybe just that picture book museum.
I couldn’t get to go see it due to transportation issue.</p>

<p>I found this in my pile!
at Harris Teeter supermarket Greensboro, NC, summer of 2009</p>

<p>12.25 oz Honey nut cheerio was $3.69
half gallon generic milk was $2.19
bag of baby carrot was $2.29
small bag of M&M’s candy was $0.99</p>

<p>^I wrote down this at every college town supermarket I went to get general idea.
Greesboro was not the highest nor lowest, just that I hoped more drastic change from what I knew.
The next door was a fastfood joint named Chick-fil-A that sold peach milkshake with real peach bits in it.
Local teens are manning the counter, who said
“my pleasure!! (!!=enthusiasm)”
as she handed me a extra napkin.
now, THAT will never happens in NYC. “my pleasure” is not usually in their vocabulary.
I asked if anyone they know goes to Guilford.
nobody. some goes to Appalachian state, some to UNCs.
It seems more favored by out-town/state keen parents who know about those CTCL schools.</p>

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<p>Hi-</p>

<p>Have you considered looking at the Savannah School of Design (SCAD)? They have many interesting four year degrees and offer a liberal arts college as one of the options. I have known a few kids who have gone to this school and loved the experience!</p>

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<p>I followed through all the posts to see how the issue of shuttle transpo was discussed. As a Baltimore native (where Goucher, JHU and MICA are located) who sent a kid to Amherst College (same town where Hampshire is located), I want to say:</p>

<p>Above posters are correct to say that, re Goucher, it’s a stretch to imagine scheduling with the distances involved between these campuses.</p>

<p>BUT, re: Hampshire, it is very much possible. It was built into the late 1960’s founding of Hampshire that students are expected/encouraged to advantage themselves of the other 4 colleges in the Five College consortium. That’s why the college exists. The 5 colleges are Hampshire, Amherst, UMass, Smith and Mt. Holyoke. Cross-registration is expected and a vibrant reality. Most students take at least one course on a different campus each semester. EC’s also have cross-activity; for example, students in each theater department audition and perform across campuses.</p>

<p>For the OP’s needs, I see you correctly don’t include Smith and Mt. Holyoke re: scheduling, as those 2 are in different towns. Even though the 5-college free shuttle is Free and Frequent, even an extra 10 minutes can put a severe crimp in the planning of cross-registration of more than, say, one class per semester.</p>

<p>BUT, to envision someone from Hampshire cross-registering at UMass or Amherst College, all located 4 minutes away, for more than one course per semester, is quite realistic. And, as you see, there are also courses, studios and a black-box theater right on the Hampshire campus. For Hampshire students, there is a whole culture of hopping on that shuttle bus, rolling down the road to the center of the Town of Amherst…and on the way is Amherst College; a mile beyond the bus stops at huge UMass Amherst. The busses go in a circle all day and evening among the 5 colleges.~! </p>

<p>So in that situation, I’d keep Hampshire on your list but take heed that Goucher’s distance from JHU and MICA could be significant in a negative way for planning a minor or major elsewhere. Yes, a course here or there…but not a minor or major in Baltimore, I’d say.</p>

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<p>Yes, this is the big question. She’s really a born artist and I can definitely see her going to SCAD or VCU (we’re instate), but she is is passionate about Japanese language/studies too. I mean really passionate! She doesn’t want to give up Japanese. And I already checked, there is no option to take Japanese at VCU.</p>

<p>I will look at SCAD today though and see if they have any kind of way to take japanese or study abroad. The best case scenario in my mind would be an LAC that offers both programs, but the art program needs to be the stronger of the two if it’s an either/or situation. </p>

<p>See why all the fuss, lol?! It looks like a have some homework to do. I have been focusing just on what LAC has both programs, but now I think I need to start focusing on the strength of the art programs. And it’s not easy to find with the gpa range. She may have to give up the Japanese language eventually, but I will at least help her search for options in the meantime. thanks everyone, I now see that I may be looking for a needle in a haystack…</p>

<p>Woah, @paying 3 tuitions, I just posted and now see your reply! Thank you so much for all this information! Re Hampshire, this is the school that she is seriously considering applying ED now. A rep will be visiting her school on Monday! I will read through the rest of your post now…</p>

<p>Okay, this is so great, thanks! Oh, to explain, I didn’t include Mt. Holyoke and Smith because we actually printed off the course schedule this fall and Japanese was offered at U of Mass and Amherst, but not the other two. The consortium seems ideal in many ways. And THE TOWN! It’s just a perfect college setting in my mind and hers. We’ll be visiting in April. thanks!</p>

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<p>Hampshire is a definite possibility for a 3.0 especially if she has some special strengths make her stand out. My D got in with a low B average but had some things that set her apart. But Hampshire is definitely a special culture and if your D wants more of a lecture based curriculum (not likely with Art I know) it is not the place for her. I would definitely visit as it can be a kind of polarizing place. (You really like it or you really don’t.)</p>

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<p>Kinderny, Can you elaborate on this a bit. Pm me if you feel more comfortable. I’m appreciating the honesty and am curious about your own D’s reaction to your visit. </p>

<p>I will say that my D’s current HS is a magnet school strong in the arts and the culture is progressive/liberal. The students have a lot of voice and call their teachers by their first name. The locals call it “the hippie school”, which isn’t exactly descriptive of the real culture, but that’s how it’s referred to here. </p>

<p>We did realize this summer that we were going to have to go on way more visits then we did with her older brother. He was very easy going with factors such as the surrounding town, the campus feel, etc. Not sure if it’s a “girl thing”? In some ways I am ok with her being picky because it certainly helps to cross off some schools on the list. We have actually decided to visit the majority of the schools she’s interested in and that’s why we are starting this list early. And, at the end of all these visits, if there’s a clear “winner” then ED may be the best option with her gpa (3.1 now, hoping for 3.3 by app. time). that’s encouraging to hear that your D did get in and I agree, I’m hoping that they see something unique in her, beyond the gpa.</p>

<p>note: so far we’ve visited, Whittier, Earlham, Goucher, SUNY Purchase, Emerson, VCU, U Mary Washington, Antioch, Hiram, Ohio Wesleyan. Harvard was just for fun, lol!</p>

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<p>So…I am not sure if OP’s D is at HB Woodlawn…if so…we are neighbors … the hippie vibe sounds about right. I hope she is doing the governor’s school this year for intensive Japanese. I found this on the web:
[Consulate-General</a> of Japan in Atlanta](<a href=“http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/japanvirginia.html]Consulate-General”>http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/japanvirginia.html)
and
[Richmond</a> Japanese Language and Culture (Richmond, VA) - Meetup](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/Richmond-Japanese-Language-and-Culture/]Richmond”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/Richmond-Japanese-Language-and-Culture/)</p>

<p>amazing in the deep south…such interest in Japan?!</p>

<p>Is it possible to take courses at University of Richmond? They offer a minor. I notice that you can study abroad in Japan through VCU even though they don’t offer courses.</p>

<p>Feel free to PM me if you have other questions…my S graduated from W-L and is at CMU studying art.</p>