I’m currently searching for colleges to apply to that offer Communications Design, like Pratt Institute. What’s the difference between Pratt Institute and Pratt MWP? Is one harder to get into than the other?
What other schools have very good design programs? I’m trying to find a liberal arts college as opposed to a school that is purely an art or design school.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many LAC’s have wonderful fine arts departments but are not as strong on the design part (communications, industrial, apparel, interior, etc.). If you really want a comprehensive education in design you’d need to enroll at one of the NASAD-accredited programs. While some are stand-alone art schools, others are programs within a larger university setting. You could still receive a liberal arts education and you could even experience the “feel” of an LAC if you choose your school right. Look for smaller universities with an accredited school of art and design. Alfred University and SUNY New Paltz come to mind.
Another option might be to see if an LAC will allow you to pick up a GD certificate at the local university. You’d need to check to see if the credits will be accepted by your graduating institution.
If you like the idea of communications design but are turned off by the lack-of-real-campus that applies to several of the top programs, you’d definitely want to look into Pratt. My D loved the Brooklyn campus because, unlike so many other top art and design schools located in large urban areas, it’s a real campus.
PrattMWP is their satellite campus in Utica New York (upstate). If you apply to Pratt you are given the option of applying to MWP as well - I think you just check a box. You would receive your foundation there, as well as your ComD foundation, just as if you were at the main campus. You then are guaranteed a transfer to Brooklyn (and guaranteed housing) as of Junior year. MWP is perfect for students who want to attend Pratt but are hesitant about moving to NYC right out of high school. It’s very small - lots of personal attention. It’s in a small community in upstate New York so very different from the urban environment of the main campus. But MUCH more economical. Very generous scholarship program, too.
Even though you apply to Pratt and MWP together, do you need to accepted separately by both? Also, is MWP different only because of its location, size, and student-staff ratio?
@Araene you should probably check with the schools but based on what I’ve read about other acceptances and waitlists, I think MWP does have it’s own admissions committee but it also works in tandem with the admissions people at Pratt’s main campus. The deadlines and requirements seem to be the same and I’m guessing that the standards have to be the same as you eventually are headed for, and are expected to graduate from, the Brooklyn campus. My guess is that MWP gets some direct applications as well as those referred by the main campus. BTW, Pratt also has an affiliate relationship with Delaware College of Art and Design so has at least one other feeder program.
The thing I’d be most concerned with if I liked MWP would be that the foundation and ComD curriculum is consistent between the two campuses. Everything I’ve read and heard tells me that it is. However, it’s probably best to check this out for yourself so that you are comfortable it is so.
One potential disadvantage is that MWP is limited in what it offers in the range of art and design programs compared to Brooklyn. You probably won’t meet many (if any) film, animation, fashion design, interior or industrial design, etc. students there. And no architecture students whatsoever. These majors are all contained on - and contributing to the vibe of - the main campus. On the other hand, the students I have met who started at MWP all loved it and no doubt there are fewer distractions in Utica compared to NYC. Wouldn’t surprise me if the dorms were a bit roomier as well 
And you can’t beat the difference in price.
Perhaps because I’ve been focusing on this major in particular, it has been my impression that ComD students do very well up there. My D really loved the Brooklyn campus and didn’t want to consider something very small - otherwise we would have at least visited. Sometimes the smaller schools are better at allowing things like 24/7 access, dedicated studio space for everyone, and other little perks not available at the larger urban campuses.
Hope this is helpful. It’s best to visit both campuses to see which one fits you better.
very helpful, Thank you!