on the fence--liberal arts vs art school???

Parents Forum
41

<p>Just the fact that she’s reconsidering at all would have me selling an LAC. For what it’s worth, my D has been in theatre for 14 years. Passionate about it for 14 years. Worked professionally from age 10. Spoke at the last national theatre conference. Has her pick of professional internships in theatre whenever she wants them due to the contacts she’s already made. A week into college it was “I’ll double major.” 2 weeks in theatre major turned into a “maybe minor.” 6 weeks and she’s wondering how in the heck she’ll take all the classes she wants and still manage a theatre minor. The world can really open up and sometimes kids are passionate about the arts during childhood because it can offer a challenge that perhaps school does not. Change that factor and all bets are off.</p>

<p>Not saying this would be your D but I’ve met kids who were “art or nothing.” If yours has left any doors open what-so-ever, make sure she’s in a school that offers her more than a BFA in art.</p>

42

<p>Just choose the school with the strong “interior design” program. My S. was at no confusion at all. He was a good artists, who knew that one cannot earn living by art, so he decided to pursue a Graphic Design. So, he researched the strong “Graphic Art” programs and choose out in-state public (Thank goodness!!). This program is actually well known and also includes (I believe, I may be wrong), fashion design, interior desing, architecture, planning. Actually, later he told me that he wanted to switch to Architecture, but it would take him additional year. The program used to be co-op and required 5 years in UG. they had only one summer off - after freshman year, then they spend quarter at school and quarter at work, makes it easier to pay tuition and employers are usually lined up at graduation to pick who they want based on previous experience with the particular student. It used to be very competitive, S. did not get in right away, but got in later off the waiting list. Then it continuew to be very competitive with some falling out after being let go based on regular end-of year (or half-year) shows. S. said that they lost some very strong people based solely on their pieces presented at the shows and prof’s critics. Anyway, any art related major is extrememly, very very time consuming. S. used to spend some ridiculous 40hrs only in studio. I do not know how it is now, maybe it is all faster because of Graphic Design software, there are probably others related to “interior design” or other type of design, architecture. The last one is even much more time consuming. S. was showing us models that the architect majors had to build, pretty unbelievable stuff!!</p>

43

<p>Ricck1, I believe it was uskoolfish who said her child got into NYU. Mine is just beginning the application process! :slight_smile: Turtletime, you raise a very interesting point about the art-centered child focusing on art because of a lack of (or perhaps too much) challenge in school. I will tell you that my D’s private ACT tutor told me that the kids she saw go to art school were, in her words, “not students.” I’m sure the folks at RISD would disagree about that, but I think she was talking about less-competitive art schools. She is definitely planning a career in art. However, she is very concerned with earning a living and is starting to realize that maybe art directing is more lucrative than interior designing. Anyone want to weigh in on that???</p>

44

<p>Laurie- the lucrative question depends on so many factors. You can be a talented Art Director at an ad agency in St Louis and earn 80K per year. Someone equally talented is working at Pepsico and making $200K. A woman I know works as an interior decorator for a small firm in an affluent NY suburb and although her income is variable, probably makes 65K in a good year- someone at a large hotel franchise company (not picking out a couch for a living room- but designing 30 lobbies at a time) is making $200K.</p>

<p>Location matters. Type of work matters (commercial and institutional designers make more than residential designers, on average, unless you are the one in one thousand designers working with the tippy top clientele). But the same is true for art directors- you’ll make more money at GM or a large consumer products company than you will at a small ad agency (unless you are a partner) or a prestigious type of design place. The unglamorous side of both businesses are where there is a lot of money to be made- schools, prisons, hospitals. But 17 year olds see the fabric swatches and the bright colors and aren’t thinking about fire-safety and formaldehyde emissions and sustainability…</p>

<p>But as I said- why is she making these decisions now? She can apply to RISD and Pratt, apply to a couple of LAC’s, visit the ones she’s accepted to which you can afford, and make a decision in April. She doesn’t even know what her choices will be- she doesn’t need to pick a career on top of everything else.</p>

45

<p>Thanks, Blossom. I’m trying not to lose too much sleep. I guess I’m just worried she’ll make a mistake–either she’ll go to art school and wish she had gone to a LAC, or the reverse. </p>

46

<p>If she enjoys academics the likelihood that she will regret going to an LAC is small. If this were my kid I would be encouraging her to find an academic fit college (either LAC or university) with a good program in studio arts, and a nice “artsy” culture since those kinds of schools can take a solid talent and help it bloom. The likelihood that she will take her first drafting class at an art school and wish she were taking art history is greater IMHO. And the culture of most art schools supports art (obviously) but will have fewer opportunities for her to explore her other interests.</p>

<p>And if she’s REALLY on the fence- no harm in a Gap year- get a job or internship working in a design related field to test the waters.</p>

47

<p>Eh. She tolerates some academics, enjoys others, but LOVES art.</p>

48

<p>Bennington sounds like the ideal college for your D, to me.</p>

49

<p>We have considered it, but she’s sold on Skidmore because it really has arguably the best studio-art program of any LAC. Plus, I think Bennington is too small for her liking.</p>

50

<p>@lauriejgs Sounds like D should not be applying anywhere ED. It sounds like she is unsure of what career to pursue in the art field, but I think that is okay, because most young adults do not even understand their options until they are out in the real world (or at least interning). It also seems she is conflicted about going to a stand alone art school, a LAC with a great art program (non-BFA) and a university with a BFA. Your D seems interested in many of the same schools that my D pursued. She applied ED to NYU and was accepted, but her other top choices were Skidmore and Pratt. She was also going to apply to Brandeis, Goucher, SUNY New Paltz, Muhlenberg and GW had NYU not worked out. I also personally believe that Skidmore is the best LAC art program out there, and that NYU offers the most in a university setting.</p>

<p>I think another thing to consider is for her to go to an art program that has good internship opportunities. That way, she can see what she enjoys doing in the arts. There’s teaching, museum education, gallery work, being an artist apprentice, displays, set design, graphic design, fashion, arts advocacy groups, etc. Especially if your D choses a school in or near a city, these options can be available during the school year.</p>

<p>I feel that D–as a sculpture concentration–can pursue any of the above. Additionally, at NYU she has taken an excellent class in stage make-up that has opened up other opportunities. Because many of her friends are also film and theatre majors, she has been asked to do make make- up for film shoots, and sets for theatre productions. These connections has also led her to act in several student films, something that she feared she might have to give up when she chose art vs. theatre at NYU. She has also done several performance art pieces as a sculptor that have allowed her to act and record herself singing.</p>

<p>As for academics in art programs, I think it depends on the particular program. At NYU, the art classes are VERY academic and thought provoking. She is learning to think and feel like an artist in the best sense–someone who has ideas that they want to communicate using the visual arts as their medium. She has read a great deal and has learned a great deal about contemporary art in and around the city. Additionally NYU has requirements outside her major. One of her favorite classes currently is human evolution (for her science requirement). Next semester she will be taking a web design class to meet her math requirement. </p>

<p>Another piece of advice is to actually have your D dig through course selections to see what classes will actually be available to her if she pursues a degree at a particular school.</p>

<p>For example, this is a link for NYU. <a href=“http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/courses/art”>http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/courses/art&lt;/a&gt; I’m sure you can access this for most schools. Dig deep. Better now than later.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

51

<p>Another mom for LACs. </p>

52

<p>Thanks, uskoolfish and Knoxpatch. Unfortunately, Skidmore is the ONLY LAC to which she is applying. It’s really the only one that makes any sense to her given its fantastic art department. I could not interest her in Brandeis, despite the fact that she is a double legacy (DH and I met there). I fear, given her 3.6ish weighted GPA (ACT was a 30), that she may not get into Skidmore regular decision, despite the fact that she spent a summer there, hopefully will get recommendations from those professors, and does not need any FA. So the choice may be made for her. She’s also very interested in Pratt, where she spent another summer. I do think she’ll get in there. </p>

53

<p>I think she’ll get into Skidmore. They want to attract top talent there, and It sounds like her portfolio (and hopefully recs) will make up for her gpa. Her ACT is fine. D interviewed at Skidmore with the head of admissions for 2012. She was very interested in D’s artwork and music/ theatre ec’s on her interview. There were no probing questions about why she dropped math junior year. She seemed like she was very interested in having D apply ED2 if NYU didn’t work out. (D was honest and told her she had applied there ED1.) definitely try to set up an interview and portfolio review there. Good luck!!! </p>

54

<p>Actually, she just had her interview there a few days ago. She was told portfolio review was not required, but she will be sending it along as part of her application. Thanks so much for the boost, uskoolfish!</p>

55

<p>Just checked the US News entry for Skidmore. Your D is at the 75th percentile with her 30 ACT so that’s very helpful. The summer session there provides SC with a deeper understanding of her skills and capability. With all of that and if finances aren’t a concern, I’m thinking she’s got a very good chance. Good luck!</p>

56

<p>Thanks, Knoxpatch!!!</p>

57

<p>Might not be right for your child, but here’s a four-year Interior Architecture BFA, which would also require about twelve liberal arts gen ed courses. It’s at Columbia College Chicago: <a href=“Page Not Found - Columbia College Chicago”>Page Not Found - Columbia College Chicago;

58

<p>Thank you, dyiu13! </p>

59

<p>Hello OP, I agree with previous posters that it sounds way too early to settle on interior design. She can start more broadly and then narrow down career choices later. If she does decide to go the LAC route, she will have more options later.</p>

<p>We looked at Skidmore for both D and S, who both interviewed there in addition to visiting many times (bw the two of them). It sounds good for your D. Conn Coll has a very impressive number of studio art majors and it has a similar, artsy feel. If I were you I would also urge her to look at Brandeis more objectively. Others have mentioned Bennington, which I don’t know, never having visited. But New Paltz would be another great alternative.</p>

<p>It’s too bad she is not interested in Smith since the 5college consortium offers a whole array of art classes.</p>

<p>I suppose if she is accepted ED at Skidmore you won’t have to keep looking!</p>

60

<p>Thanks, momcinco! Just read over some of your past posts and I’m very interested to find out where your S eventually ends up. I’m curious as to what he did not like about Skidmore. Wish I could get my D to apply early there, but she wants to keep her options open and see what happens with RISD and Pratt. </p>

<p>Wish I could make Brandeis happen, but as her ACT tutor told me, I will lose that battle. She sees herself as quite different from her parents (partly true) and the fact that we went there is NOT a selling point!</p>