Leaving Art School

<p>Recently I've decided to transfer out of art school into a university/ liberal arts college, as I am not as sure about a design career as I once was.
I want badly to go to a "top school," but I understand my it is unlikely considering my low GPA for my freshman college year. </p>

<p>High School Stats-
GPA- 3.8 with all honors courses
SATs- 650 Math, 800 Verbal, 710 Writing
SAT IIs- 790 Literature, 740 U.S. History
E.C.s- Several piano awards, volunteering at a nursing home, volunteering with a musical ensemble, Literary Society President</p>

<p>College Stats-
GPA- 3.51
E.C.s- Internal Activities Coordinater for the Asian Cultural Association, volunteering with the student run recycling program, a cappella assistant music director
I am taking the maximum number of credits possible. </p>

<p>Can anyone tell me what good schools I might have a chance with?
Also, will I be significantly disadvantaged because of my year at art school?
I should note that what really pulled my grade down for the year were my studio art classes, many of which I got either a B or B+, if that matters.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance.</p>

<p>3.5 is not bad, but you're right in recognizing that you're probably not bound for a top 20 school with it. Maybe, just maybe, Emory would be an option. </p>

<p>But ignoring rank/presitge for a moment, what is it that you want to study? Is it something your present school does not offer? Do you have academic (read: non-art) classes on your college transcript? Those are perhaps the most relevant questions to answer first before coming up with a transfer application list.</p>

<p>I don't know what I want to study, but I'm doubtful about pursuing a design career, which I think is reason enough to want to transfer out of a specialty school. </p>

<p>I do have academic classes on my transcript- the GPA for those is 3.7.</p>

<p>diagram I AM IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION AS YOU, except my GPA was way lower. I reached junior year at my last art school this past fall, and i'm taking a year off to do community college in the hopes of raising my gpa up and transferring for fall 09. YOu at least have the advantage of having had a higher gpa and currently being a sophomore this upcoming fall? IF you take a year of community college and took general ed, to make your overall gpa a 3.7+ that will for sure get you in the door at some top schools.</p>

<p>I definitely think our situation is unfair, because people who haven't gone to a reputable art school, don't know the HELL we go through pursuing a BFA. On top of managing liberal art courses, you have to manage studio courses that require more hours of hw than humanities/social science/liberal art coures do. Going to class every single day from 8am-5pm(just for one class) and taking the maximum 18 units. And you know just as I how grading can be very subjective at art school, as opposed to at a regular university or college where you're graded on papers, tests, and class participation...</p>

<p>I don't think you're in a bad situation at all. Trust me, my gpa was way lower. I've met with claremont mckenna, and they say the minimum gpa i should aim for to have a good shot is a 3.6, but they want to see liberal art/social science courses. And obviously you've excelled in the academic classes. I think there's still a shot at top 20's. at least that's what i'm aiming for(both lacs and unis, more lacs). It's a matter of researching schools and knowing what schools would be a back up(which may not end up being top 20 schools). If you're in cali, the worst case scenario(which would be my worst case scenario, is that i end up at my last choice of a UC). </p>

<p>What state are you located in?</p>

<p>I'm in the east coast and ideally I'd stay close to there, so I'm looking at Wellesley, Carnegie Mellon (through the art program, then double majoring), NYU, and Tufts. </p>

<p>However, if I get into Washington University in St. Louis with enough financial aid, I may go there. I should note that the only reason I think that I have a chance at WUSTL is because I plan to get accepted through the art program and then double major in something else. I'm not delusional. :)</p>

<p>Does anyone know if coming from the Rhode Island School of Design will help me get accepted in comparison to other art schools?</p>