Schools with great photography programs... that AREN'T art schools?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>Moving this thread here as suggested.
I don't know whether I'll be majoring, double majoring, or minoring in photography quite yet, but I do want to do something with it regardless. I like other things too though (business, music industry, event planning, etc) so I don't want to go to just an art school. Plus, I want at least a little of the college experience, which I feel a lot of art schools seem to lack. So, what are some "regular" schools with great photography programs?</p>

<p>I'm looking for affordable schools near cities in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. West is preferable though, as I live in Washington.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.79 UW
SAT: 1760 (or 1780 super scored, not that that changes a lot... 1150 CR + M)
Yeah, not that great I know. I suck at tests.
ECs are alright.
My school has 6 AP classes. I took AP Stats and got a 4. Right now I'm in AP lit.</p>

<p>I know RIT is great and all, but the price is too high for me by far. Plus, it's not exactly in an area that sounds too appealing to me.</p>

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<p>First, on the money: most private schools – east or west – fall into the same cost bracket, around $40 to $50,000 per year, but many offer need based aid, and some offer merit based aid. You should determine how much need based aid your family would be eligible for. If that works for you, then you can structure your list accordingly. </p>

<p>If on the other hand, you will have to supplement need based aid with merit aid you will have a completely different list.</p>

<p>Second, on your scores. Your GPA is very good; your scores are so-so. This is not a disaster, but you should address it. Take the ACT. Many do better on the ACT than the SAT. Look at schools that are score optional. Have your counselor explain that you are test-challenged.</p>

<p>Third, wherever you apply, but especially at small privates (such as Bard which was recommended in your other thread) be sure to submit an art portfolio, even if you don’t end up majoring in art.</p>

<p>These are small schools on the eastcoast that have very good studio art departments and good academics. They all offer photography but I’m not familiar with the depth. They all also offer good to excellent need based aid, but not much merit. Some are very selective, some less so. In any case, you’ll want a range of reach, match, safety.</p>

<p>Williams, Brown, Wesleyan, Hamilton, Conn College, Skidmore, Haverford, Vassar. Smith if you are female.</p>

<p>PS, Look at QuestBridge.</p>

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<p>I was thinking about the ACT, but being low on money is hard (especially with all of the application fees for schools and fees to send scores). I don’t quite qualify for a fee waiver. However, my dad has no idea what our income is, which doesn’t help. He has his own private recycling business, so he doesn’t get a paycheck or anything like that. He also didn’t do those tax return forms that are always asked on EFC calculators. He told me just to put 50k, though he says we probably make less than that, he just doesn’t know or apparently have a way to find out… </p>

<p>I’ve looked through the test optional schools, and will definitely be talking to my counselor soon. At my school, the counselors are always “busy” and really haven’t ever talked to us about college, the SAT/ACT, or anything, so it’s always a little intimidating talking to them (especially because they generally seem to lack answers/not know what they’re talking about). I’ll see what I can do though!</p>

<p>Thank you very, very much for your help and advice!</p>

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<p>hey kid
I know it is none of my business but parents have to do some sort of tax form if you want any aid from anyone.
Are you sure he does not file at all?
There was an adult full time student parent EFC=0 who has no income but government subsidies from few years back. She had to go thru many hoops just to be able to send her kids to college.
There are different forms for all sort of situation. Talk with your dad and get to the bottom of this ASAP.
like, how many years he haven’t filed, does he owe any money?
You do want to go to college and he does want to help you, yes?</p>

<p>I liked Willamette U, Salem OR, maybe in your range. so-so good art dept, will give good merit aid.
<a href=“http://www.willamette.edu/[/url]”>http://www.willamette.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There is one school that is free, and maybe the only selective school that does not care if your parents file tax. and so very opposite of regular school.
but you will be living in the world of photo opps any given moment 24/7/365
It is on NV CA border.
Are you interested?
[Deep</a> Springs College](<a href=“http://www.deepsprings.edu/home]Deep”>http://www.deepsprings.edu/home)</p>

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<p>portable, At >$50,000 family income you should qualify for fee waivers.</p>

<p>Do look into Questbridge ASAP! This organization is a godsend for high achieving low income kids.</p>

<p>Since your father’s financial record keeping is, shall we say, informal, you’re going to need some help with aid applications. Howabout Mom?</p>

<p>Don’t despair. People on this board, aid offices at the colleges, parents of your friends will help you. Just take it step by step and familiarize yourself with the terms and procedures. Again, at >$50,000 you will be eligible for need based aid.</p>

<p>I would suggest that you pick two or three schools that appeal to you, that are known for decent art and decent aid, and try to start a conversation. Don’t worry about your scores, at least don’t focus on them. Your GPA is very good. What is your rank?</p>

<p>If you come from a demographic that colleges are looking for so much the better. this would include race, ethnic background, economic hardship – anything that makes you stand out from White Middle Class.</p>

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<p>Bumped into your search for colleges a couple times here, my junior son is interested in similar majors/minors as you. From Washington state, and also not in love with his in-state options, but I hope you have applied to them as safeties anyway, they may have to work for you. You are at crunch time for applications to many of your expensive options, have you checked their deadlines for priority aid consideration. Don’t rule out Evergreen without a visit, it is unique as a state school and is a good option for the self motivated student that knows what they want to do. Get over the greener stereotype, they are not ALL “save the gay whales for Christ hippies”. I know you seemed interested in urban schools for the music scene, but consider the great bargain some of the rural WUE schools are: 150% of many of those schools tuitions is cheaper than in-state Washington tuitions now, and may get better with the tuition increases being planned. Consider Southern Oregon, it’s an artsy place, or Western Colorado. I second the Willamette idea, it’s a great school, Salem isn’t that remote. Also, Seattle U may be Catholic, but Jesuits are extremely tolerant and it seems to be trying to build itself up. Good luck, I will be curious where you find that is affordable and meets your major requirements.</p>

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<p>I’d second Evergreen. Some very smart, talented kids there.</p>

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<p>@momrath: Well, at least for the SAT, it says for a family of four that your income must be below ~41k. </p>

<p>I looked at the QuestBridge site, but I don’t think I qualify? It says over 75% of students are in the top 5% of their classes and have really good SAT scores. I meet neither of these things.</p>

<p>I don’t live with my mom because my parents are legally separated, and she hasn’t had a job since before I was born. She would not be any help.</p>

<p>I’m applying to UW-Seattle, Eastern Washington U, and Portland State for now, just because they’re in-state/WUE basically. I’m ranked in the top 11% right now. It’s annoying, being so close to the 10%… I’m around 36/324 or something like that.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I’m just a white, middle-class kid. Economic hardship is really the only thing that applies to me there haha. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for your help!</p>

<p>@jtmoney: I have/am applying to my safeties/in-states. I sent in my UW app a few days ago, and I’m sending in my Eastern and Portland State apps tomorrow, along with my SAT scores. None of them really meet what I want for majors, but I figure I’ll just get by, or transfer in a couple years if necessary. Interdisciplinary majors may help me a little. I ended-up ruling out Evergreen for it’s location, but maybe I’ll visit it. I’ve just never been a huge fan of the Olympia area. My family is from there, so I’ve paid the city plenty of visits. I’ve always found it kind of dreary and unexciting.</p>

<p>Thank you for your help as well!</p>

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<p>portable, contact questbridge. Let them decide if you qualify. 3.79UW and 36/324 is very good, especially if there are family hardships involved. </p>

<p>Secondly, ask the ACT for a fee waiver. </p>

<p>Third, ask your counselor for help with your financial aid application. If the counselors are overworked and disinterested, ask a supportive teacher for help. If your GPA is 3.79 out of 4.0 then you must be a good student and I suspect you could find an advocate on the faculty.</p>

<p>Fourth, pick a few private schools on the Eastcoast that appeal to you and apply! Ask them for fee waivers. Send your portfolio and write compelling essays. See what happens. Wesleyan, Vassar, Bard would be a good place to start. Smith if you are female.</p>

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<p>Apparently the deadline for QuestBridge apps was September 30th :/</p>

<p>According to the ACT fee-waiver form, I do not qualify for a waiver. <a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/feewaiver.pdf[/url]”>http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/feewaiver.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks again for your help!</p>

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<p>Have you looked into Chapman University in California? They have excellent need-blind merit scholarships, talent scholarships, and grants, if you qualify. BTW, you need to file for FAFSA in order to find out how much grant you’ll be receiving.
[Chapman</a> University - Financial Aid - Undergrads](<a href=“Financial Aid | Chapman University”>Financial Aid | Chapman University)</p>

<p>Keep in mind that Chapman has two programs in the Arts. The Studio Arts is located in the Wilkinson College, while the Digital Arts is located in Dodge College. So know what you’re looking for and apply to the right department or college.
[Chapman</a> University - Wilkinson College - Art - Programs - Studio Art - Photography](<a href=“Department of Art | Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Chapman University”>Department of Art | Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Chapman University)
[Chapman</a> University Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012](<a href=“Chapman University - Acalog ACMS™”>Chapman University - Acalog ACMS™)
[Chapman</a> University - Digital Arts, Graphic Design, & Studio Art Program Profile | Animation Career Review](<a href=“http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/chapman-university-digital-arts-graphic-design-studio-art-program-profile]Chapman”>http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/chapman-university-digital-arts-graphic-design-studio-art-program-profile)
[B.F.A&lt;/a&gt;. Digital Arts - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts](<a href=“http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/sodaro-pankey_undergraduate_school_of_media_arts/digital_arts/]B.F.A”>http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/sodaro-pankey_undergraduate_school_of_media_arts/digital_arts/)</p>

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<p>It looks appealing, but apparently it’s Christian affiliated. As an atheist, I’m trying to avoid religious colleges. Thank you though!</p>

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<p>Re QuestBridge: you missed the early deadline for College Match program; however you may still be able to get into the Regular Decision, but you have to act quickly. Email QuestBridge now and ask them. Tell them that you just became aware of them and that you hope they could allow you to join the Regular Decision program.</p>

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<p>portableheart,
Anyone can attend Chapman, you don’t need to be religious to attend there. There are plenty of non religious people who are attending the school. Just an FYI.</p>

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<p>Rochester Institute of Technology is NOT a stand alone art school. However, it has arguably one of the finest photography programs in the US.</p>

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<p>I know it is none of my business but taxguy,
but can you help the dad’s tax?</p>

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<p>I never take cients or give specific tax advice due to liability reasons.</p>

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<p>Portable, I wish you all the luck in the world and I agree try to get your application to a couple of east coast schools. One thing to remember if you come east, would be to add travel expenses into your cost analysis. My dd had a friend that wanted to flip coasts and was so excited, but when she looked at how much it would cost to travel kore than back and forth at the beginning and end of year, she did not want to stay away from home that long. Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>Portable - sorry if someone already mentioned this but are you writing about the fact that you will be first in family to attend college? I’m not sure if they will count the 1 semester your dad did back when. You are really a go-getter on this board. Try to get that through in your applications.
PS: have you looked at GWU? Just saw an article yesterday that they moved a lot of merit aid into the need aid bucket and when my D applied 3 years ago, they had really good packages for kids that qualified. Your personality is a good fit - you would have to check it out for major though (I believe they offered a full ride for a Presidential Arts applicant at the time?). BTW…D loves it there, DC is an exciting city plus school is great.
Good luck!!</p>