<p>This is my first CC post. I am a California community college student with a 3.9 GPA, significant intern experience, and a strong art portfolio (drawing and painting). I have done a summer program at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Although MICA has an outstanding painting program, I would prefer to study art in the context of a LAC. I plan to apply for admission as a third year transfer to (some of) the following colleges. I will be majoring in studio art (painting), but also have an interest in psychology and sociology and their integration with art. I would appreciate any insight you can share with me concerning my college selections. Are any of these schools particularly outstanding in studio art? Are there any that I should eliminate from my list for any reason including lack of a quality studio art program? Is transfer admission into any of these schools virtually impossible? I'd like to get my list of 10 schools down to about 6 or 7. Thanks for your help.
Amherst
Bates
Boston College
Bowdoin
Colgate
Middlebury
Mount Holyoke
Smith
Swarthmore
Tufts</p>
<p>I am also a transfer from a California CC, and I got in with a 3.64. I also applied very late… So at Smith, it’s far from impossible.
As far as the Art department goes, this is what I know: I am an art history major and have heard nothing but amazing things about the art history program. The Alumni who interviewed me is a very successful former Studio Art major and told me that it was a great program with world-class professors. She did specify Art History as a particular strength of Smith, but judging by what she said it sounded like the Studio Art department was rather spectacular.</p>
<p>Thanks Shereenist, that’s helpful info. What CCC did you transfer from? When do you start at Smith?</p>
<p>As a parent I may not be the most accurate but I’d say that is a somewhat tough transfer list but especially:
Bowdoin
Swarthmore
Amherst</p>
<p>the rest should be more open</p>
<p>I went to Marymount College. Its in L.A., and I’ll be starting this Fall. So excited! </p>
<p>What about you?</p>
<p>Oh wait, you haven’t chosen a school yet have you. Well, I think you’ll be surprised at how many schools you’ll get into. I was, and your stats are higher than mine.</p>
<p>Some of these schools barely have a studio art program, and a major? I’m pretty sure Bowdoin doesn’t even have a studio art program, and Middlebury has no major. Swarthmore I think is tiny, and basically runs on 5-6 part-time visiting artists teaching a course or two. Amherst’s is weak. Bates has a combined studio arts and arts culture major - you can’t do studio arts alone. Of the liberal arts college listed, I am sure Smith is the strongest. I have no idea about Tufts and Boston College.</p>
<p>Bowwatch has done her homework.</p>
<p>Middlebury, Bates and Bowdoin have studio art majors. The art culture/history component of Bates’ requirement is somewhat universal. Studio art is often referred to as visual art. And as luck would have it, I was just at Bowdoin with dtr 2. Amazing facility. Bowdoin, as well as Smith, has a wonderful print making studio. [Studios</a> (Bowdoin, Visual Arts)](<a href=“http://www.bowdoin.edu/visual-arts/studios/index.shtml]Studios”>http://www.bowdoin.edu/visual-arts/studios/index.shtml)</p>
<p>[Visual</a> Arts (Bowdoin)](<a href=“http://www.bowdoin.edu/visual-arts/index.shtml]Visual”>http://www.bowdoin.edu/visual-arts/index.shtml)</p>
<p>Major fequiremnents [Department</a> Handbook (Bowdoin, Visual Arts)](<a href=“http://www.bowdoin.edu/visual-arts/department-handbook/index.shtml]Department”>http://www.bowdoin.edu/visual-arts/department-handbook/index.shtml)</p>
<p>Middlebury [Art[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Bates [url=<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/ART-program.xml]Bates”>http://www.bates.edu/ART-program.xml]Bates</a> College | Academic Program](<a href=“Course Information | Middlebury College”>Course Information | Middlebury College)</p>
<p>Thanks CrewDad, those links are very helpful.</p>
<p>I think if you go to the Common Data Sets for each college, you will see the number of majors by subject. Sadly, visual and performing arts are combined (while architecture, which is usually inside art departments, is separate.) They will range from a high of 12% (at Smith) to below 5%. Usually, the number and percentage of majors is a sign of relative program strength.</p>
<p>FYI, by senior year all students at Smith majoring in Studio Art are guaranteed their own personal studio space in Hillyer, our art building. Pretty cool if you ask me :)</p>
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<p>From reading this board, in all likelihood, I believe TheDad will attest to the fact Smith has a superb math department…but only 3% major in the subject. And only 5% major in the discipline I’ve read you have so much admiration, bio/life sciences. i.e Genome research</p>
<p>“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” Twain ;)</p>
<p>edit: MHC has a wonderful art curriculum as well. :)</p>
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<p>You’re welcome.</p>
<p>Bowwatch, ignore the often inconsequential percentages of various majors. Mini is correct, they can indicate a weakness, but not always.</p>
<p>What have you gained if you matriculate at a college with a somewhat stronger art major but are miserable? Find the college you’ll thrive socially as well as academically :)</p>