Hello! It was suggested that this might be a more appropriate place to discuss this, so I’ll pretty much recap my previous post.
I’m looking for some help finding a school with a program that is a good fit for me.
Having only decided that I’d like to go to an art school recently, I’m a bit behind the crowd so to speak (high school senior), but I figured I’d put feelers to see what could still be out there for me.
I do have a portfolio - not super competitive, because I never considered really making it a career, but I have taken several art courses over the years. So far I’ve been accepted to SAIC & MIAD.
I’d like to go into graphic design with an emphasis on branding, and a program that would develop skills in marketing as well. In the future, I would really like to end up working in connection to music / entertainment industries, so a school with those type of connections would also be something I’m looking for.
As a side note, I also have interests in video editing (I’ve started dabbling in after effects) and would love if there was enough flexibility in course structure for me to pursue that as well. Maybe taking a couple editing classes that might be considered outside my major. I’m thinking sort of along the lines of being able to create advertisements (apple’s don’t blink?).
As far as size & location, I’m not hugely picky. I prefer schools that are a bit smaller, as long as I’m in a location that has a relatively good amount of things to do, shops, etc. so that I’m not “out in the middle of nowhere”.
But my main concern is finding a program that fits what I’m looking for. Please let me know if there’s anything I can clarify, since I am new here 
Thank you for any suggestions!
If you are applying for the Fall of 2018, you may want to consider schools that do rolling admissions since their deadlines are far more flexible. Many of the art schools do that. I don’t know how much you can afford, but consider Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Their majors include graphic design, film, and advertising, so possibly you could take those other classes outside of a graphic design major. Their admissions reps enjoy talking to prospective students and can tell you if you can cobble together the education you are seeking. In addition, they help you put together your best portfolio for review by the department heads. Go to their website to see their very specific portfolio requirements for each major (http://www.artcenter.edu/academics/undergraduate-degrees/overview.html). They also have video overviews of each major to give you a visual sense of what they offer. One of the upsides to their location in SoCal is that they are close to the entertainment and music industries. There are probably other colleges offering something similar, but I am not as familiar with them.
Have you looked at Syracuse? You can do Graphic Design via their Visual and Performing Arts Department (with music options too) & requires a portfolio via slideroom OR their Newhouse School of Public Communications (I don’t think there’s a portfolio requirement). Newhouse will have more coursework in marketing, entertainment etc. Their website has good breakdowns of the different majors in each school.
However, I believe their deadline was Jan 1st so not sure if you’re aiming these applications for Spring semester?
Do you have a geographical preference so those of us who know of smaller colleges with rolling admissions dates and/or state ones in your area can suggest ones that might be a good fit? I’m more familiar with East Coast schools.
Look at Ringling College of Art and Design! I went to Precollege there and may go there for illustration. They have a fantastic graphic design program, and it’s quite small so you will receive a lot of individualized attention. Look at the student work, it’s incredible. It’s in Sarasota, Florida, so you kind of have to like the heat, but it’s a beautiful city. There are beaches and shops nearby, maybe not as much as a big city, but it’s definitely not in the middle of nowhere.
https://www.ringling.edu/Graphic-Design