<p>We're from the Philly suburbs and my son is interested in studying Graphic/Interactive Design and Illustration at a regular university, not an art school, plus he wants to stay relatively close to home. Cost is also a factor, which is why we're looking at schools like Kutztown, West Chester, Millersville and Temple. If anyone can give me honest opinions, knowledge and feedback about the art programs at these schools, I'd appreciate it. Also, if anyone knows anything about Philadelphia University's art/design college, I'd appreciate some feedback there also.</p>
<p>Hi there. I am from the Philadelphia suburbs, with a child that just graduated last night! She is going on to study illustration. We initially looked at both art programs (bfa’s) at regular universities and also at specialized art programs. She applied to both types, but finally settled on a stand-alone school, although her second choice was a university. She was looking for the program that worked best for her. </p>
<p>As far as the PA state schools, Penn State probably has the best program, followed by Kutztown. Our art teachers push Kutztown as a great choice for artists. I do not know anyone that went there that was incredibly enamored with the program, unless they were really looking at education. In fact, of the 5 or so kids that we know that have gone there, only one finished! Not a good percentage. Also, from my dd’s art program, only one kid going there. From an art perspective, Tyler is by far a better school. It has been nationally ranked in the top 10. It is a fabulous new space with all state of the art equipment. The people we know that have gone there in the last 3 years from our art program are really fine artists and everyone is happy with the program. I also personally was impressed with Temple. It seemed very vibrant and on campus safe. I did not spend a lot of time investigating as my dd did not want to stay in the area. As far as the Philadelphia U programs, we did not look at them. </p>
<p>Please know, that these are only my experiences, and others may have varying ideas. good luck as you begin your search. What year is your son? If he is a rising junior, you have lots of time to look at the schools and to go to the National Portfolio Day next year to talk to the schools again, if you have already visited, or for the first time before you visit. </p>
<p>If you are not opposed to your son leaving the area, we also looked at Mass College of Art and Design. It is a state school, and the Oos fees were not terrible. They also offered my dd some money (so did other schools, including Temple), so the cost was not terrible. Good luck.</p>
<p>Nice to meet you, Phillyartmom. My son is just finishing up his junior year, so we’ll be starting the application process in a few short months. We did attend National Portfolio Day last November and he received positive feedback from reps from Temple and Kutztown. We have so far visited West Chester, Kutztown, and Temple. He loved Kutztown’s campus and their new art building is nice. He felt West Chester and Kutztown were pretty interchangeable as far as art facilities and campus, though we understand the name West Chester might look better on a resume (?). He loved the Temple Tyler building the best. Their facilities were much more impressive than Kutztown or West Chester. However he wasn’t too crazy about the campus. He’s not a city boy, but he did like its vibrancy, as opposed to the more rural and suburban settings of Kutztown and West Chester. </p>
<p>I don’t think Penn State is really an option for us because he doesn’t want to go that far away from home. I think PSU is about 4 or 5 hours from here. So we’ve kind of ruled that out. Interestingly, none of the art seniors in our high school are attending Kutztown or Temple, which surprises me. One is going to RISD. A few are going to Antonellli. My son’s feeling is that if he doesn’t get into Temple, he needs a backup plan: West Chester or Kutztown? And if anyone knows anything about Millersville’s art program, feel free to chime in.</p>
<p>My daughter will be attending Tyler in the fall, so I can not offer information about her experiences yet. Though we have been very impressed with the school in general. We toured the building and saw good examples of student work. We were informed that Graphic Design majors from this major were having great job prospects upon graduation. Hope this is true and will be true in 4 years!</p>
<p>A couple of things that helped us decide on Tyler is that it is in a vibrant city with good art museums, is close to family, is part of a larger university and they offered her the best financial aid and scholarships. She is nervous about it being very urban, and she will miss the ease of small town life, but we have been reassured that the campus is safe.</p>
<p>Does your son have a chance to attend a pre-college this summer? This helped our daughter with her portfolio and I think made it easier for her to get accepted and she also was awarded a scholarship base upon it. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Hi I posted in the other thread. West chester is NOT known for their art department. KU looks much better on a resume for art than WCU. My sister went to Tyler, she did great, and loved it. I would say TU or KU, not WC or Millersville. They are ed schools.</p>