The New School or Indiana University?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi!

I’m coming off of two gap years (thanks to the pandemic…) and I’ve got a decision coming up that’s driving me crazy.

I’m a jazz pianist, but I’m interested in exploring a childhood passion through illustration and animation and seeing where that may go. For my first year-or-two, I’m hoping to explore both subjects as an undecided major to get a feeling for the subjects and whether or not I enjoy studying them. From there I hope to have a sense of what I want to pursue and transfer into the major of my choice or a different school entirely which may have the major I’m interested in.

I luckily have connections to Indiana University’s (excellent) music program since I take lessons from the professors there. I have one of the piano professors who’s really taken me under his wing and is willing to work with me in order to ensure that I get everything I need should I want to transfer into the music program after my first year.

At The New School, I have the same general plan but haven’t been able to make many connections with the professors. The thing that draws me towards The New School as far as the school itself goes is their excellent art program. I’m not sure of how their jazz program measures up to Indiana’s.

Some of the things I like about Indiana are the larger and (seemingly) more active music program, the students seem a bit more social and down-to-earth for the most part, and the fact that I‘ve been getting a lot of attention and support to make sure I get what I need, at least from the music department. Also there’s a ton of non-art/music related subjects that I could try as well in the case that I want to do something less artistic.

For The New School, I mainly just feel that their art program goes so much further than Indiana’s. I’m worried if I don’t attend there I’ll fall even further behind than I might already be and never really get a chance to explore and experience that side of things. I also love how diverse the school is, but Indiana is diverse as well with even more opportunities for learning about other cultures and languages.

My issue with Indiana is that they only have, like…Drawing I, II, and III. Nothing else. I feel like maybe I could get my basics in there and work with a professor to transfer elsewhere, but if I were to full-on pursue illustration or animation then I would need to transfer.

My issue with The New School is that I just have so many unknown variables with the school itself. Will I get a private instructor for my instrument? Will I be able to even get into art classes or music classes? Will I like the other students? Is the program good for music or just for art? etc.

The decision seems clear, right? Indiana’s offering me a lot more in terms of the subjects that are important to me whereas The New School hasn’t really been as easy to work with in making sure that I get what I want out of my education.

Well, here’s my main issue that’s really tearing me up: I hate the fact that Indiana is a huge school in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I know, it doesn’t really matter…I’d get a good education and that’s what counts, right? It’s just that I can’t get over the fact that I’ve lived in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere for the last 19 years of my life. I just feel like I don’t and, frankly can’t, be caught in that situation again just because of how much I hate that experience as a young person.

I’ve always wanted to move to a city, even since I was a little kid, and visiting both campuses only reaffirmed that feeling. Plus, and I know this sound stupid, but I want to be in the city while I’m still kind of a kid. I feel like I’m so close to the “adult adult” stage of my life and I don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere for the rest of my younger years.

I feel like I’m running out of time to be the type of person I want to be in a place I want to live. I feel like I’ve spent these last 19 years existing without living my life because nothing ever happens here. I know Indiana is a big school with, probably, a lot going on, but it’s not the same. I want to do things and have things to do outside of the school rather than being cooped up in one tiny area. I feel like I’m panicking and it’s sent me into such a depressive state of mind ever since I came back from my college visits. I can’t get it off my mind and I need to make a decision with Indiana by tomorrow. I don’t know what to do.

My mom says I should go to Indiana, but it’s because she insists I try to get a vaccine exemption and thinks my chances of getting one there will be higher (ugh)…I personally think it’s dumb to place your beliefs so strongly on your children that it starts to put their lives on pause, but it feels out of my power. My life has been on pause for a year or more at least because of this. If I were to get denied an exemption I doubt she’d pay for me to go to college and just tell me to figure something else out since she simultaneously insists I go to college this year…

Anyway, sorry for that little vent at the end but I’m kind of crumbling under stress right now and really resenting my mother for a situation I feel has been placed on me by her.

Anyway…Does anyone have thoughts on either school? Which one may be better or worse given my interests? Thoughts on my situation? Am I overthinking and should I just go with the practical option? Is it valid to not want to go to a school just because of the location? Thoughts on The New School’s jazz program?

Thank you for reading!

2

You have the rest of your life to go to NYC.

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3

What’s your deadline for making the decision?

4

This is pretty last minute; I have to submit an intent to enroll form by tomorrow night, but I’m waiting on a reply from admissions to figure out whether or not it’s binding since I know that different colleges have different policies. Their website doesn’t say anything about whether or not it is, but yeah…that’s my timeframe as I know it for now.

5

I know; a location will more often than not almost always be there. I’m even willing to acknowledge just how immature it is for me to feel this way about it…It’s just the fear of being caught in the same environment as I’m in and have been in for the last 19 years of my life for the next four years.

In simpler words, IU feels like home, and at this point in my life I really hate being at home. Of course, I can suck it up just like anyone else if I have to, I’m just…worried? But I could be worrying about the wrong things.

Thank you for that, though. It does ground me a little.

7

I think I can do that! I’ll talk to my mom tonight and see what’s possible.

8

Also, thank you! That’s pretty helpful and something I hadn’t considered!

10

DO NOT deposit at two schools. It is not ethical and if the schools find out both of your acceptances may be rescinded.

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11

Noted. Thanks for the heads up!

12

Not true. It’s done all the time.

13

It shouldn’t be done

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14

If you went to IU would you be living on campus or at home? Also, you can also end studying abroad for summers, a semester, or a year, so even if you stayed in Bloomington for college, you would still have the chance to get away and experience a completely different location. And music majors generally do a lot of summer music festivals all over the world, so that’s something else to think about.

IU has an amazing music program, and if the professor will get you in as a music major if that’s what you decide you want to do…that’s huge. IU has one of the most highly regarded music programs in the country, if not the world.

It seems as though this student did an individualized major in animation: https://mediaschool.indiana.edu/experience/work/gallery-archive/post.html?p=625

And here is info on a major in game art, which includes animation:
https://bulletin.college.indiana.edu/programs/index.html?program=mdas09

Here they’re talking about a BFA in 3D modeling and animation: BFA in INMS, 3D Modeling and Animation : Academic Bulletin

I think there are probably definitely artistic opportunities if you want them at IU.

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15

There’s disagreement out there on that point.

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16

I can find tons of articles stating otherwise.

And the article you copied does say:
–“Another point to consider is whether double deposits are actually legal, regardless of the reasoning behind committing to two schools during college decision time.”
–“The language on the Common Application’s signature page says that the student agrees only to place one deposit.”
–“It is important to understand that there might be legal ramifications for taking that approach for any reason aside from your student being wait-listed at an institution.”

Debating is not allowed on CC so at this point the OP can research this issue.

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18

Yes, I plan to live on-campus wherever I end up going! The campuses of both of these schools are breathtaking in their own respects. Definitely not used to the air in NYC, though.

I have heard of the study abroad program (I believe everyone is required or suggested to do one year abroad?) and I find it very interesting, especially because I have some interests in learning a language. Speaking of which, I’ve also heard they have an amazing language program.

I have heard of how good the music program is, but didn’t know of all the extra opportunities that you mentioned so I definitely appreciate hearing that. Same goes for the IMP and artistic opportunities. I just knew they had a few drawing classes and assumed it would be a “pick-up-your-basics-and-transfer” situation. I’ll have to delve a bit deeper than I have and continue working through the back-and-forth I have with the professor at the school who’s helping me through my application process, but it’s really helpful to see all these opportunities laid out for me.

I definitely appreciate the informative and (perhaps unintentionally) reassuring answer though. It’s helped me sort of level things out in my head and calm down a bit mentally, so thank you!

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19

I think you should go to NYC- the art/music scene in the city is a big draw and a good chance to broaden your horizons- which it seems you want. I don’t have a lot of first hand knowledge of either school, but to me college is about new perspectives and new experiences. Sure, you could get that either place but moving to an entirely new place is a valuable life experience.

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20

The New School administration has the reputation of being unorganized, dysfunctional and unhelpful. Personally, I would go with Indiana. I think living in the dorms will give you a very different feel from living at home. I would also take advantage of study abroad opportunities. The other thing to consider is doing a summer in NYC. My sister attended our state school due to lower cost but wanted to spend time in NYC. So she lived in the NYU dorms which they rent out for the summer, and worked in a coffee shop. It was a national chain and she already worked at a franchise near home, so her boss helped her transfer to a franchise in Manhattan for the summer, so she had a job waiting right away that she already knew how to do. You could do this and also take summer classes at one of the CUNY schools or FIT etc. (you do not need to be an enrolled student for summer classes.)

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21

I went to IU and Bloomington is such an amazing town. Yes, it’s a small city, but filled with amazing, intelligent people. I studied in the Fine Arts program, and I don’t specifically remember a concentration in illustration, but there are definitely painting and graphic design programs, both of which would be useful to you, especially if you’re just trying out art initially. My understanding is that the music school has a very close community. You haven’t really talked about money. The cost of living in NYC is pretty starkly different from Bloomington, so it seems like that would be a consideration. It might also get you some independence from your mom who is putting unreasonable demands on you, as you are an adult person and should decide your own vaccination status.

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22

Also, I just looked it up and they have an animation program.

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