Looking for Top Colleges With Good Art + Study Abroad Programs?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>(IDK if this belongs here, sorry if it doesn't D8)</p>

<p>I'm not exactly sure what to major in or anything, but I know I want to study some art (graphic design/illustration) while at a mid- to top-tier college (hey, I can dream) that is NOT strictly an "art school". I'd also love to study abroad, but I'm not fluent in a secondary language so if the study abroad program was in English that'd be great...</p>

<p>PSAT: 202 T.T
ACT: 33
Unweighted/weighted GPA: 3.85/4.14
AP's I've taken/am taking: Lit (3...e.e), Gov (4), Comp Pol (4), Calc AB, Bio, US History, Studio Art, Physics B, Lang
SAT II: I plan to take Math 2, Writing, and Physics in June</p>

<p>E.C.'s: meh, not a ridiculously long list like a lot of other people on here (which worries me a bit), but I spend a looot of my time on these few
*NHS - publicist
*Key Club - publicist
(basically a publicist makes sure everyone knows what volunteering opportunities are coming up, updates club members on various information, designs the shirts and posters for advertising the club or any events we hold for the school, advertises said events, etc. etc. etc.)
*Quiz Bowl - probably the most time consuming! Reader, scorekeeper, occasional question writer, event coordinator. Nah, I don't play...I prefer being one of the people that help make QB possible.
*Religious Ed - basically helped out at a Sunday School thing at my church
*tutoring - self-explanatory...</p>

<p>Awards/Miscellaneous Things:
*several city writing and regional art awards
*some regional science olympiad medals...but those are pretty common XD
*I've coordinated a share of successful fundraising events (pop culture tournament for QB comes to mind; currently I'm coordinating this huge charity dance)
*cashier work experience? 8D
*mentor for kids/adolescents on an online community</p>

<p>I'd greatly appreciate if you could name some colleges that I qualify for!! I'm open to large universities, LACs, blah blah blah. And don't mention any Ivy Leagues because I probably won't get into those 8P I know of WashU, UMichigan, and Carnegie Mellon as well, so please, list on!!</p>

<p>P.S. If you chance me on those last 3 schools/give me on advice for higher chances of acceptance, I'll give you an imaginary cookie</p>

2

<p>I think you’ll be best served by changing your target from “top school” to “best school for me.” Once school to consider would be Kalamazoo College which has a long-established foreign study program in many countries at all levels, including beginner so you do not have to be fluent. Almost all students go on foreign study. From what I’ve heard, the art program is pretty good. An LAC to consider if foreign study is a priority.</p>

3

<p>I will, thanks!</p>

4

<p>First, don’t worry about study abroad programs, most colleges have a good number of options in that area.</p>

<p>Now, if you want to major in art you will probably have to show a portfolio as part of your admissions process; if you don’t want to major in art then you need to find a school that has a good art program but not a serious or BFA art program where those students will get most of the attention, projects, etc. </p>

<p>I suggest you research a variety of schools that offer everything from a BFA to those requiring a portfolio for admissions to a major to a really good program for majors or minors with no portfolio needed. I believe UMich requires a portfolio as does Syracuse and many others.</p>

5

<p>Some thoughts…my son was considering graphic design as a major and is now a frosh but decided to not pursue graphic design.</p>

<p>BA in Art with a graphic design emphasis or a BFA in graphic design? The BFA requires quite a few more studio courses. If you choose the BFA, it is nearly impossible to do a double major in something else and finish in 4 years. You will be in the studio day and night. This document does a good job with the differences in the two.
<a href=“http://uca.edu/art/programs/Documents/ba_bfa_differences.pdf[/url]”>http://uca.edu/art/programs/Documents/ba_bfa_differences.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Degree from an Art Department (likely within Liberal Arts and Sciences) or from a College of Design within a university? There are big differences here. Graphic Design BFA’s from a College of Design often offer more ‘applied’ courses in things such as corporate branding, advertising, wayfinding, etc. They also will have career services specifically for design majors to help you get a job.</p>

<p>Graphic Design BFA’s from an art department are often less applied and more ‘artsy’ if you will. They often do not have dedicated career services for job placement.</p>

<p>Here are two examples…</p>

<p>First one, Iowa State University with a graphic design BFA program within a College of Design. They have a career services area specifically for design students.
[Graphic</a> Design Program](<a href=“http://www.design.iastate.edu/graphicdesign/index.php]Graphic”>http://www.design.iastate.edu/graphicdesign/index.php)</p>

<p>Second onne, U Iowa with a BFA program within the School of Art.
[Art</a> and Art History](<a href=“The University of Iowa 2023-24 General Catalog < University of Iowa”>The University of Iowa 2023-24 General Catalog < University of Iowa)</p>

<p>Neither program requires a portfolio at the time you are admitted as a frosh. There is a portfolio review after your frosh year to determine if you will be admitted to the BFA program. Neither are easy to be accepted into. There are lots of really good BFA programs that do not require a portfolio at the time of frosh admission. </p>

<p>We limited our search to programs within a College of Design largely because they were more applied and had specific career resources available.</p>

6

<p>Apparently I can’t edit posts, but I only intend to minor in something art-related. My major will probably be something math/physics-y. I’ll have a portfolio ready due to my taking AP Studio Art Drawing this year and 2D next year, so that won’t be a problem.</p>