<p>HI everyone:
I am a current third year student studying economics in a university from California. Recently I start to regret a lot that I have choose economics as my major and really don't want to go to a career in accounting or finance area. And I realize I have passions with art designs, I have taken some classes before and enjoyed it a lot. And I do have some art works mainly graphic designs(but not many). So my questions is that is it possible for me to apply for the art school here? If apply, is it possible I can go for a BA degree as a transfer or my only option is to go for a MFA degree? Or they won't even consider who neither have a art background nor have gone to an art school? And suggestions and comments are welcome. Thanks a lot guys!!</p>
<p>To be specific - are you trying to apply to the school of design (graphic design) or the school of fine art (painting, sculpting, drawing, etc)?</p>
<p>If you have no art background whatsoever, it is unlikely you will be admitted to either school - you need a portfolio to even apply. You are more likely to be admitted to Fine Art as a transfer, but keep in mind that CMU as a whole accepts only a small number of transfer students per year in total. If you really desperately want to transfer, take some classes and build up a portfolio that is strong and diverse, and then send your application along. :)</p>
<p>Hi completelykate:
Thank you so much for the reply. I have one more question that do you know if people can transfer with a BA degree in Economics already?</p>
<p>Doesn’t make sense-- if you already have a BA, then you don’t transfer, your next degree is a MFA. You cannot transfer to get a second BA. Well I guess you could- but as Kate said, you need a portfolio to get into either Design or Fine Arts programs.</p>
<p>You should call admissions and get some more info or contact the undergrad advisor in our art school.</p>
<p>Have you taken any art classes while an undergrad?</p>
<p>I have taken 3 art courses and have some art works from 10-15 mostly graphic designs. I want to transfer to a BA degree because I guess MFA requires a BA in art or more art background compare to a BA. I also think a BA in art may prepare one more basic art skills and understanding. And too bad my current university don’t offer any art design courses.</p>
<p>Might be a long shot, but with a BA in Economics and a passion for art (but no artistic background), you sound like a good candidate for the MAM program.</p>
<p>[Arts</a> Management : Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College](<a href=“Master of Arts Management | Arts, Analytics, Action | Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College”>Master of Arts Management | Arts, Analytics, Action | Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College)</p>
<p>CMU’s program is considered one of the top in the country, and it’s excellent for job placement. There is also an internship component where you’re placed with an art studio, museum, or local gallery and you get to work with art on a daily basis. You can take electives in the school of fine art or design, so you could learn to paint/draw/whatever while still putting your econ degree to use in a field that excites you. I have a couple of acquaintances in the program (both female) and they really love it.</p>
<p>If you’re definitely looking to get a BA in Art… well, you could always apply to CMU as a transfer for fine art, but design is an incredibly long shot if you already have a BA in an unrelated field and no portfolio.</p>
<p>I think the only option at CMU is a BFA if you decide to try to transfer. A BFA requires more courses in your art (studio hours) than a BA so few of your econ/BA will transfer. You may do better in a school that offers a BA in fine arts. Check with admissions but you may be better off building a portfolio and trying for an MFA. Kate has a good suggestion of combining with a masters in arts management but only if that is what you are interested in doing career wise.</p>
<p>My current university only offers basic drawing courses, no design related courses. So I guess my only option of adding more works into my porfolio is to take some art design courses from the local community college. Do you guys think it is gonna be a wise choice? </p>
<p>PS: Thanks a lot Kate, I really appreciate the suggestion. But I kind more into designs and doing art works which have more options to express the creativity rather than management skills.</p>
<p>The School of Design at CMU takes very, very, very few transfers, students, and the portfolio review is much harder for these students. In my last three years here, I only know of one external transfer at the school, and there are between 1-5 internal transfers a year. Additionally, due to the sequential nature of classes in design, you will be at cmu for at least 3.5 years, no exceptions. Were you to get in, all of your credits will transfer; they will only count towards your academic and free electives, you will still have to complete 3.5 years of the design studio sequence, and your design electives (roughly 5-7 classes). </p>
<p>As you have said, taking classes and working on your portfolio is definitely your next step. You may find however, that looking to transfer in as a sophomore or junior at another school may work out better – the school of design at cmu requires you to begin the as a freshman in design. There are a lot of art schools with great programs – SVA, Pratt, RISD, Tyler, MICA, etc, which are much better at accommodating and more understanding of non-traditional and external transfer students.</p>
<p>Hi litheralle:
Thanks for the infos, that really helps. From your reply, you seem to be familiar with those art areas. And I am currently thinking of applying to those art schools like:Pratt, RISD,MICA, Parsons, and Cooper union, but I am not sure which school is better when compare to each other or which schools have a better program like:advertising, graphic designs, multimedia, or 3-D animation. And do you know which schools have the overall better quality than the others? From the U.S news, it says RISD is the #1 in fine art, but I doubt if it is accurate in the art design programs since Parsons, Cooper Union, SVA and Pratt seem to have very competitive programs in art design too. So do you happen to know any of those questions?</p>
<p>I would say that you should consider finishing your current degree while gaining a minor in an art field and then going for a MA or MFA. Most Universities will not allow you to transfer more than 1/2 of the credit needed for a degree. This will mean you will need to take at least another two years of classes to graduate. The MA degree can be completed in one year while the MFA will take you 2 years. Thus you could have an BA in Econ and then a MA in the same time as it would take you to complete your BFA. </p>
<p>As to the rankings it really depends on what you would like to study. There are good programs at a lot of schools. Parsons, Pratt, RISD, Cooper Union, SCAD, etc. are all good schools. I would suggest visiting as many of the campuses as possible prior to making your decision.</p>