<p>I originally did not intend to major in graphic arts so I never had the chance to produce a portfolio and my high school's program for art has completely gone to trash since the portfolio teacher left the school. I found that most of the colleges I've looked at (mostly SUNYS) require a portfolio to enter the graphic art program.</p>
<p>Upon researching, I've found that SUNY COLLEGE at Buffalo offers commercial design/graphic design but does NOT require a portfolio. I'm not sure if this means their program is bad or anything but I've visited the campus and it's not bad BUT as I look at reviews for this college, I've seen a lot of negative reviews mixed with a few positive ones. Does anyone else have an honest, unbiased opinion about this college and it's academics? My plan of action as of now for this school is to check it out for the first year, take art classes during this year and build up a portfolio as back up. If I am discontent with the classes, I plan to attempt to transfer to R.I.T. </p>
<p>So far the pros that I've found of this school are:
No portfolio needed, offers fine arts/ painting (which I am interested in minoring in), offers many (165 different majors I believe) classes that I'd be interested in taking, inexpensive, provides an opportunity to get away and live on my own a bit, I enjoyed the visit to the campus (except for one dorm hall), my first impression of Buffalo when we arrived was great and there are many art museums around.
Cons:
"bad reviews", unsure about how good the classes are.</p>
<p>Other colleges I plan to apply to as undecided:
SUNY at New Paltz
SUNY at Purchase
NYIT
Marist</p>
<p>Would it be better to apply to a college as an undecided major, build up a portfolio and try to enter the program? I've been told by representatives of the schools that the graphic arts programs are extremely competitive if I apply from within the school...
Is transferring a hard thing to accomplish? My family and I can't afford 30-40k tuition for Marist and R.I.T. but if it's an absolute must then something would have to be worked out. </p>
<p>Phew that was a long post.</p>