Summer program worth it if not applying to top schools?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>My first post, after reading the boards here for some time. Thank you to everyone for such valuable information about art programs. I was clueless when I first started reading here. Had never even heard of most of the art schools in the US. </p>

<p>Now my question... is it worth it to fork over between $3000-$5000 for a pre-college summer program if he won't be applying anywhere competitive as a freshman but may perhaps as a transfer student later?</p>

<p>My son is a HS junior. We can dig into our savings to send him to a good summer art program (UCLA etc.), assuming he's accepted. However, we do not have the budget to pay for anything but community college or maybe one of our state universities (if I get a job there and get the employee tuition discount). He's a good student (3.4) with a form of dyslexia in one of the most competitive HS's in our state (60% of students take AP classes), so he's really struggled to make the grades he does. He's approaching burn-out and has had zero interest in even discussing college. I have done all the research so far and am literally dragging him to a National Portfolio day next week (which I didn't know existed until I read about it here!) * Fyi, pretty sure he would not qualify for need based aid.* </p>

<p>I would appreciate any advice.</p>

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<p>Hi OrygunMom, First, welcome! When reading the first part of your post I would have said a summer program would be worth it if it didn’t present a financial burden, your son was motivated and wanted to test the waters before committing to a course of study in college. In my opinion, I wouldn’t base the decision on whether or not the potential future college is competitive. I see these programs more as a way to help make decisions and develop a portfolio, but that’s just my opinion. My student was engaged in art from a young age, but never attended pre-college. If you look around in your area and continue to read old posts on this board you will find many alternatives!</p>

<p>If your son is completely burned out then why not wait until he is ready to attend college and make the most of it? I see too many kids make what we think of as the natural progression from HS to college and if they are not really ready, the result is an unhappy, confused kid and /or failure. I am speaking generally, to just about art colleges but college overall. If you are afraid he will be at loose ends, maybe he can take general ed classes which are very likely to transfer when he is ready for Univeristy or art college. This will free up credits for his intended major. Of course, check the requirements and policies of some potential colleges but in my experience with both an art college and a university, all of my kids’ credits transferred with no problem, and both were out of state.</p>

<p>What kind of art interests your son? Do you think a summer program might fire him up? Sometimes kids see how different college is from HS and that does the trick! If he truly isn’t ready, there is no harm in letting him mature into it. Good luck, and try not to worry…it all works out!</p>

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<p>“What kind of art interests your son? Do you think a summer program might fire him up? Sometimes kids see how different college is from HS and that does the trick!”</p>

<p>This is the main reason I’d be willing to pony up for a residential program. I think he’s imagining college as just an extension of high school and is, quite naturally, unenthusiastic. Another reason is if it would carry some weight when he applies to transfer. Not sure it would matter what he did in high school once he’s already been in college for two years. I doubt he will waver in his commitment to art. The struggles he’s had because of his learning disability would make any other course of study unbearable (not that he’s ever expressed interest in another field anyway). GE requirements for art majors will be laborious enough. He did qualify for double time on the SAT, so I’m really anxious to see how he does when he takes it in March. </p>

<p>His interest is illustration, specifically game art. He did attend a week-long drawing class at a local art college last summer. I am also looking into Laguna College of Art & Design because they have a game art program but I don’t know if they have a summer pre-college studio. Will call them tomorrow.</p>

<p>Summer alternatives I have thought of so far would be taking art classes at the local community college or Pacific NW College of Art here in Portland. His art teacher said that Oregon State has a summer residential program but there is no info on their site. Of course none of these have the same level of prestige as the well-known programs and institutes that are so often mentioned.</p>

<p>After reading these boards for a few weeks I found myself in a panic because my son hasn’t had nearly the preparation that has been recommended. His current level of apathy only makes me more anxious.</p>

<p>Thank you for the welcome!</p>

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<p>I think, FWIW, that there’s 2 key issues- his dislike of academic work and your anxiety over his college admissions. </p>

<p>Firstly, maybe college isn’t right for him just yet. Or even ever. Some people, particularly guys take a year or two longer to mature intellectually. Further, there are lots of satisfying, perfectly well paid jobs that don’t require the study or expense of a 4 year college degree. </p>

<p>It might also be frustrating for him if both college and ‘art’ have been chosen for him, albeit with the best intentions in the world. Sometimes what we enjoy and what we struggle with in school when graded can be the same thing. Ask him what kind of jobs he’d like if money or ability wasn’t important. Promise not to laugh. It might tease out some new ideas. His behavior right now tells you he’s neither ready or wants to go to art school or college. </p>

<p>Therefore, maybe ask if he’s had a thought about doing something other than college/art school? Maybe he’d enjoy the Americorps program, travelling/working abroad, the military, hospitality, becoming an outdoor activities instructor etc. Becoming a chef he’d be able to go straight in at the bottom and work his way up with sheer hardwork and determination.</p>

<p>If he’d prefer going straight to school, maybe a technical college would be better. Auto mechanic, law enforcement, engineering technician, landscape gardening, carpentry, electrician, plumber, catering etc. </p>

<p>As for your own worries, you obviously want to see your son achieve his highest potential. And you want to guide and support him as best you can. However, the less calm and non-plussed about it all you are, the harder it will be for him to understand your anxieties and for both of you to communicate. I’d like to you to google about successful people who didn’t go to or finish a 4 year school to reassure yourself that this is a perfectly viable, acceptable and positive option for your son. </p>

<p>Pull well back. Tell him you’re backing off because you’ve read the signs. Call an art school amnesty. Take him out for a casual dinner to chat about if he’d had any alternative ideas. Ask what his friends are planning to do? Find out if he’s got any concerns? Let his ideas lead the discussion. If he’s not forthcoming, just let him enjoy your company without being hassled about college. </p>

<p>I am one of 3 girls. I went to uni and have a teaching cert. I’m currently unemployed due to mental health problems.</p>

<p>My middle sister went straight into the airforce as an aircraft technician. She’s gone to college in her late 20s as a single mom and is due to graduate this summer with honors.</p>

<p>My youngest sister left school and did a series of assorted jobs. Once of these was a temporary job for a railroad company. They encouraged her to apply for a full time vacancy. She’s worked there full time for many years now would be train driver by now if her little daughter hadn’t happened… My grad school educated friend and I weep at her salary.</p>

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<p>Thank you, highland_poppy, for your thoughtful response. I will take your advice to heart. I have discussed my son’s aspirations with him and it’s always, ALWAYS “concept art for video games.” But he <em>is</em> 16. I have NOT asked him what else he might choose if academics, money or ability were not an issue. I still suspect he will say art, as that has been his obsession since 5th grade, but it’s still an excellent idea to bring it up.</p>

<p>OTOH my husband will be adamantly against any plan but college right after high school. He comes from a blue collar family and was the only child of 5 to go to college. He is also the only one of his siblings that would be considered successful and financially stable by any standard. I <em>might</em> get him to consider an interim year <em>if</em> our son was already admitted somewhere. I personally favor community college (it’s right up the road from us!) so that he can mature a bit, get some gen ed out of the way, and have some time to consider his options.</p>

<p>Thank you again.</p>

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<p>maybe there are summer programs at scad (savannah college of art and design), ringling, RISD (rhode island school if design) and digipen</p>

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<p>Pre-college at Ringling was an amazing experience for my D (computer animation major). We sent her ( it wasn’t cheap) to give her the chance to try art school before signing up full time (an even more expensive proposition). But the few short weeks at Ringling showed such leaps and bounds in her art work that I was sold. She never looked back. </p>

<p>When applying, her portfolio was much more important than SATs. And the pre-college program made her portfolio that much better.</p>

<p>I don’t know about game,art & design, but computer animation was extremely competitive and dead-line driven (just like the industry).</p>

<p>For most art programs the important component is life drawing. So if nothing else, concentrate on that.</p>

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<p>Update: Attending the National Portfolio Day was just what my son needed to fire him up and motivate him to work harder on his art. He was really impressed with Laguna College of Art and Design so I’m waiting to see what they will offer this summer. They also recommended he get Bridgman’s Complete Guide to Drawing from Life. It turns out that one of our state u’s just added a Digital Communication Arts major which may turn out to be ideal for him.</p>

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<p>If you are a CA resident, he could look at csssa.org which is done at Cal Arts</p>