<p>I was a Sequential Art student at SCAD for about 2 1/2 years, but due to finances, I'll have to transfer to another college. I decided on going to a state school close to home to save money on transportation and avoid the out-of-state tuition fees. Right now it's between University of Kansas and Kansas State University since I live in Kansas. Thing is, I'm having a really hard time finding information on their art departments. The reviews I come across are from students in other majors. Info on the political sciences professors at KU isn't very helpful to someone who's planning to major in Illustration and/or Animation. </p>
<p>I've already accepted that whichever school I choose won't have the same experience as SCAD, but art school's what you make of it, right? I just want to get learn from the best art program I can afford. </p>
<p>Is there some kind of site where I can search reviews by major, rather than get random reviews from students in completely different departments? Or can I find rankings for the art departments at state schools? The closest thing I found was the USNews ranking list, but that was based on graduate programs. Plus, it didn't list K-State anywhere (although KU was ranked 72).</p>
<p>Hi Nikki,
I like your attitude! So much of life is what you make of it. I see that you have not received a response yet to your question, so I’ll try to help you. As far as I know, art schools are not ranked by any big organization. I am not familiar with the colleges in Kansas, but can give you the following advice: go to each school’s website and pull up the programs. You should be able to access a list of courses that are offered. Compare the types and number of courses offered in the program(s) in which you are interested. Later you can call the schools and find out if most of the courses are offered at least annually, if not every semester. Courses that are taught in sequence might just be offered once/year, and that’s OK. Next, look at the art faculty at each school. Note where they attended college/grad school, and more importantly, what are they doing now? Are they practicing artists? You can find that out on the school websites or by googling the name and seeing if exhibitions, etc. come up. See if the students win awards in any of the art related national or regional competitions: illustration, advertising, graphic design, filmmaking, sculpture, etc. Most colleges would highlight that on their website! Have you visited both campuses yet? See which one “feels” right to you! Good luck and let us know what you decide!</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips Colcon! I’ve been comparing both schools, especially the courses and faculty, and so far KU is looking better. Campus visits may have to wait at least another month though, at least for one of the schools since it’s a few hours away. I would have never thought to check out the alumni or background info on the faculty if you hadn’t suggested it. Glad I came here to ask!</p>