<p>This may be a bit premature but I'm trying to find the best affordable art college for my son. He will (hopefully) graduate from high school in June of 2012. Right now, he's an average academic student. Although his focus and motivation knows no limits when it comes to his art creations and teaching himself guitar. We live in NY, about an hour and a half from NYC. Does anyone have any first-hand experience regarding a so-so student getting into a good art school? And what schools are out there that are considered to be "good colleges"? (i.e. strong graphic art program, affordable, etc.) I have been looking at School of Visual Arts, Cooper Union and MASSART. As well as SUNY New Paltz and Purchase. (We lived in New Paltz for years and his father is still located there.)</p>
<p>My son goes to SUNY New Paltz for graphic design. He wanted a liberal arts environment rather than an art school. He has grown considerably at NP. NP is becoming more selective over recent years. Got this info from their facebook page:
“For the fall 2009 entering class the mean SAT was 1170 (CR & M) and the mean ACT score was 26.” “We look for a range of an 87-93 high school average.”
Don’t know where your son stands, but he has time to work on his stats.
I am happy to answer any questions about NP.</p>
<p>[The</a> Art Institute of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.artinstitutes.edu/SERCH/Dynamic/default.aspx?RIFID=73&source=PSGSR&cid=GOOGS_AIWA_0911_SRCH_001%20&keyword=art%20pittsburgh%20school&publisherSite=DSGoogle%20-%20K70&DS_KWID=p1135348&keyword=art%20pittsburgh%20school&publisherSite=DSGoogle%20-%20K70]The”>http://www.artinstitutes.edu/SERCH/Dynamic/default.aspx?RIFID=73&source=PSGSR&cid=GOOGS_AIWA_0911_SRCH_001%20&keyword=art%20pittsburgh%20school&publisherSite=DSGoogle%20-%20K70&DS_KWID=p1135348&keyword=art%20pittsburgh%20school&publisherSite=DSGoogle%20-%20K70)
These are “open enrollment” schools (any HS grad can attend). They are relatively inexpensive (comparing to other private art schools), and do have some scholarships.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info. I’m set with New Paltz info. since I lived there for 16 years and actually worked on campus for 10. Another viewpoint was helpful though–thanks.
I will look into The Art Institute of Pittsburgh as well. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Temple in Phila.</p>
<p>You may want to take a look at the Visual Arts sub-forum under the College Majors Forum. You can reach it by clicking on “Discussion Home” in the upper left of this screen and then scrolling down. Here’s a quick link: [Visual</a> Arts and Film Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/]Visual”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/)</p>
<p>The good thing to know about artsy kids, is that if they head to a specialized program such as a BFA in Graphic Design, their academic records and ACT/SAT scores matter a lot less than their portfolios. Happykid (Theater Tech.) and her pal who is headed to RISD have been sleeping through the ACT/SAT exam orientations at their school for the past four years.</p>