Studio Art-Bates,Bowdoin,Middlebury,Williams,Hamilton,Vassar, Bard,Wesleyan,Swarthmore

Parents Forum
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<p>We need advice. We're researched strong LACs with strong studio art & came up with a list: Bates, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Williams, Hamilton, Vassar, Bard, Wesleyan, Swarthmore</p>

<p>Our son is very tired from his junior year & not excited about even thinking about college. But, we've all agreed that we should at least combine doing something fun with looking at some colleges over spring break. </p>

<p>The 3 things that he knows are that
1. he'd prefer a LAC with a strong studio art program,
2. he prefers midwest, northeast, southeast or mid atlantic,
3. he wants the school to be strong in other academic subjects</p>

<p>He is strong academically--all A's at a competitive high school, takes all AP classes, active in ECs, & his SATs are 2310.</p>

<p>He is also very introverted & not a strong leader, & tends to be quiet in groups. He's more of a listener than talker, is liked by others but doesn't have close friends, and is a home-body. </p>

<p>He's not a high-powered kid who is a mover & shaker. He's introverted, smart, enjoys & is talented in art, & is less socially skilled & less socially oriented than most of his classmates. </p>

<p>He holds his own with his peers, isn't overwhelmed by the high-powered, extroverted kids, and actively participates in classroom discussions. </p>

<p>We get stuck trying to figure out which schools might be the best fit for him and aren't sure how to figure out where we should even look. </p>

<p>Even though Swarthmore isn't strong in studio art, we added it because it seems that he would fit with those types of students, from the little we know, so we put it on the list as a possible option.</p>

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<p>I’d definitely add Oberlin…both because it has a respected Studio Art program and the campus environment does seem to draw out the even most introverted students into becoming quite outspoken…at least in my time there.</p>

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<p>How are the academics at RISD? I presume the Studio Art track is tops there?</p>

<p>A long time ago I remember hearing good things about Bennington’s art offerings, but not sure about the academics?</p>

<p>To me, the bottom line in terms of fit is that you really can’t tell without a visit. I was surprised at how I felt at some of the campuses we visited - it just didn’t come through via paper or screen. And because it felt a certain way to me, doesn’t mean it would feel that way to you. My son and I had a different impression of certain schools too, so although I know him well, only he could really tell how he feels at any particular place.</p>

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<p>If he would fit in at Swarthmore, he is unlikely to fit in at Williams particularly well (and I doubt Middlebury and Hamilton). Closer at Vassar and Wesleyan. Will there be students like him at all these schools? Yes. But culturally, they can be quite different.</p>

<p>Bard would be a great choice!</p>

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<p>I should have asked for your ideas on what kind of student would fit at Swarthmore, Williams, Middlebury, Hamilton, Vassar, Wesleyan, Bard, Bowdoin, & Bates. </p>

<p>Hearing your thoughts about how these schools are similar or different would be very helpful as we figure out the best schools to visit. </p>

<p>Our son isn’t into sports, which is why we wondered about Swarthmore being a fit. But, he still could fit with schools that are heavily sports-oriented, too, if there are other aspects of the school that are a fit. </p>

<p>Williams has a really strong studio art program, and my son has heard good things about their academics. We didn’t know if he would fit there, though.</p>

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<p>I think you have a good list but Mini’s right - there is a significant cultural difference in the student bodies of those schools. He’ll have a good sense pretty quickly how he’d feel at each one - which is the reason to visit. You might look into Sarah Lawrence, too. I know a boy who could be described similarly to your son who is there - it took him awhile to find his footing, but now I think he’s very happy.</p>

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<p>The academics are excellent at all of those schools, and their faculties are virtually interchangeable - who teaches at which school is mostly a function of which institution was hiring that year.</p>

<p>Williams, Middlebury, and Hamilton are very similar. They will have a higher percentage of very well-school students from northeastern prep schools. They are all somewhat isolated geographically. Williams, and to a lesser extent the other two, have a high percentage of student-athletes. They tend to have significantly higher rates of alcohol use, and weekends are often organized around same. They are excellent schools for the right student. There are some academic differences. Williams has relatively mediocre language programs (probably not in the top 30 LACs); Middlebury among the best in the country.</p>

<p>Swarthmore is very intense academically, is not known for the arts in any way (I don’t know about studio art; music department is very small. There is less alcohol use. It is in range of Philadelphia for weekends.</p>

<p>Vassar and Wesleyan have more “liberal” reputations than Williams, Hamilton, and Middlebury. Vassar, as a former Seven Sister school, is especially strong in the arts. (I have no idea bout Wesleyan. Not much in the way of big sports at Vassar.</p>

<p>Bard has an “artistic” reputation, and has spent much of the past decade upgrading their science departments. The curriculum is organized quite a bit differently there than at the other schools. It probably has the best creative writing program of any LAC in the country, and is known for its commitment to applied arts and music. Sports are virtually non-existent.</p>

<p>Don’t know as much about Bowdoin and Bates these days.</p>

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<p>I’d divide those groups more along the preppie - non/anti-preppie spectrum. </p>

<p>Preppie: Williams, Hamilton, and Middlebury.</p>

<p>Non-preppie/slightly preppy: Vassar</p>

<p>non-preppie/anti-preppie: Wesleyan, Bard, Swarthmore, Oberlin</p>

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<p>Heard Bennington’s academic strengths are overwhelmingly arts/humanities and at the time I was in high school…it was considered one of the most expensive schools in the country. </p>

<p>If I was a parent, I’d only consider sending my kids there if their academic interests are definitely leaning towards arts/humanities and they don’t have better academic and financial options.</p>

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<p>Disclaimer: I haven’t been, but my S was admitted ED to Bowdoin. He described it as an intellectual environment for smart, unpretentious kids.</p>

<p>It’s not unique to Bowdoin, but I was happy to hear that instead of a Greek system, they have a house system instead. All students are placed in a house, so it serves as a place to belong without exclusion. When a house hosts a party or event it has to be open to everyone on campus. Students can apply to live in their physical house and/or serve as an officer. </p>

<p>S had other schools he also liked, but after he visited, Bowdoin became his clear favorite. He had never been to Maine before his visit.</p>

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<p>Midwest7, my D goes to Williams and the descriptions here are stereotypes and certainly describe some of the students but not the majority. He certainly should visit, especially because of the strong academics and studio arts. I doubt there is a particular student who wouldn’t “fit.” Feel free to PM me.</p>

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<p>I don’t think there was a single stereotype in what I wrote. I am a Williams alum. The percentage of prep school students is documented. The percentage of student athletes is documented. The percentage of binge drinking is documented.</p>

<p>The undocumented parts are the excellent academics, and the fine studio arts. But those are equally true. It’s a great place.</p>

<p>I know LOTS of students who wouldn’t fit. My d. turned them down after three visits (she was recruited by them.) She would have gotten a very fine education there. And she wouldn’t have fit.</p>

<p>Conversely, I know lots of Williams students who wouldn’t fit at Bard or Swarthmore.</p>

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<p>Just my two cents…A midwesterner here who did the college visit thing with both sons. We hit all the NE LAC’s, along with several in the midwest and even along the west coast. As an artist, I would wander through the art departments at each school and formed impressions of the campus culture simply based on this unscientific approach. Williams was impressive, period. But also left Vassar, Bowdoin, Wesleyan with good impressions. Both Vassar and Bowdoin have fabulous museums right on campus and Wesleyan felt like serious work was being done in that art quad, plus right down the road Yale’s two museums can’t be beat and it seems several Wesleyan art majors end up in the MFA program at Yale. Swarthmore had a great gallery with a long standing reputation amongst art academics and while I’m unsure of the art department I know consortium of Swat, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr have among them some great faculty. Like college_query, my son attended and graduated from Bowdoin so I know that department a little more personally and can vouch for the commitment of the school to art in all its forms. Also found Hampshire and Skidmore to have strong art departments and in the midwest…Knox!</p>

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<p>Marlboro College in Vermont, perhaps?</p>

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<p>My son majored in studio art and art history at Williams and was very pleased with the experience: beautiful facilities, talented and dedicated professors, three worldclass museums on or near campus that offer hands-on experience. </p>

<p>He’s made wonderful friends – among students, faculty, the alumni network. After spending a couple of postgraduate years exploring the world of work, his peers, class of 07, appear to be embarking on happy and fullfilling lives. Most of them are now in good professional or graduate programs. </p>

<p>Over the years, I’ve spent time with many Williams students. I would say that they are bright, friendly, self-confident and multi-faceted. They’re interested in everything the world can offer and are intensely involved in one or two activities or interests outside of their academic field: sports, arts, politics, save-the-planet, etc.</p>

<p>My son’s criteria for selecting schools to apply to were strong art and art history, overall good to excellent academics, nurturing accessible faculty, friendly kids. After 10 minutes on campus he knew it was the place for him. Why? Various factors clicked: the natural beauty and serenity of the area, the self confidence and optimism of the students, the kindness and energy of the faculty, the art department, the Clark & Mass MoCA, the entry system of residential living. It didn’t disapoint.</p>

<p>I would say, however, for all of these snowy schools, it helps to like to like to do something outdoorsy in the winter.</p>

<p>His other top choices were Wesleyan, Hamilton and Kenyon. He also liked Brown and Yale a lot, but that’s a different category. Conn College and Skidmore for less selectives. He looked at Haverford and Swarthmore, but didn’t get the right feeling from the students that he met. In retrospect should have visited Bowdoin.</p>

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<p>You might want to check out the Brown-RISD dual degree program (although admission is bound to be extremely competitive).</p>

<p>[Brown-RISD</a> Dual Degree Program](<a href=“Home | Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program | Brown University”>http://risd.brown.edu/)</p>

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<p>Bennington used to be very strong in studio art and writing, but I have heard it may not be as academically strong as it used to be. Wondering if you looked into it.</p>

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<p>It is not in your geographic area of preference, but Whitman recently built a new art facility and emphasizes art, theatre, and music as well as academics. There is a lot of public art all over the campus, some of pretty interesting. The kids there are smart, quirky, and friendly. I have no inside information, but given your son’s scores, etc., he might be in line for some merit aid at Whitman. Walla Walla is not the easiest place to get to, but might be worth a look - cool downtown for a town of 40,000 or so and Whitman has a beautiful campus and facilities.</p>

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<p>I was thinking about the Brown/RISD program, but I see someone beat me to it. :)</p>

<p>As it happens, I just got back from attending a really great production of Top Girls at Bowdoin. A week or so ago, I attended a super production of The History Boys. I’ve also attended some great concerts there. A friend of mine who recently moved to Brunswick from the NYC area keeps constantly busy with high-quality concerts, plays…and hockey games. I know this isn’t studio art, but Bowdoin does have an excellent art museum–this summer they had a fantastic Hopper exhibit–and a lively arts scene. Maine in general and the Portland area in particular has a significant art scene, from which I think Bowdoin must benefit.</p>

<p>And BTW, we had great Thai food before the show, too. :)</p>

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<p>Neither of my kids were interested in studio art, but I was particularly impressed with the student work at Bard and Carnegie Mellon.</p>

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<p>OP, does your S want to get a BFA or BA? You may find differences in degree programs offered at each of the schools you are going to visit. BFAs tend to give depth of studio art courses, (for instance, many start with a Foundation year) but there is less time spent in academic courses. For the intellectual as well as creative student, this can be a difficult choice to make.</p>

<p>The RISD/Brown program is rather new (4 years or so) and you may want to investigate. I would think it offers both studio art rigor and great academics, too. My brother, who is a RISD grad, suggested it may be neither fish nor fowl, as his experience built up year upon year and the tight knit group he started with in Freshman year stayed on a track together for 4 years. Although all RISD students are invited to take courses at Brown, it appears their schedules are off-balance and in practice, it may not work. </p>

<p>This was years ago (decades!), so maybe that has changed. Just a few things to investigate. I do know the program requires students to fill out 2 separate applications to the 2 schools, and must be independently admitted to each. The RISD application is a doozy.</p>

<p>Ditto mathmom’s suggestion of Carnegie Mellon</p>