Transfer or not transfer to art school?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I just finished my sophomore year at one of the top 4 US liberal arts schools. Although I've been trying to find a major and career that I would be interested in by taking classes, talking to people in careers I'm curious about, and doing internships, I still find that I am most (actually, practically exclusively) interested in an art career after college (probably advertising or illustration). As my college is not particularly known for the arts, I am wondering whether I should attempt to transfer to an art school.</p>

<p>The setbacks I see are these:
1. I'd probably transfer in as a sophomore or junior (resulting in more than 4 years of school total)
2. I'd have to pay more for college as a result of the first setback
3. I'd very likely lose the ability to major in philosophy (I'm a double major right now). My philosophy BA would probably open up more jobs for me (though not jobs in the arts, which is what I'm looking for)
*<em>Does anyone know if I could transfer into the RISD/Brown 5-year program?
*</em>*Are there any other programs like RISD/Brown out there that I could transfer to (since I'll be continuing college and will transfer when I'm at junior standing at said college)?
4. Maybe the strong networking at my school can compensate for the lack of connections/opportunities opened up by a school's reputation (though I've noticed that a number of art majors at my school who pursue art careers end up getting a BFA or MFA after their first BA, which makes me think that more education is inevitable, and transferring right now would be more beneficial in the long run)</p>

<p>The advantages seem to be the following:
1. More rigorous art program (good for portfolio building as well as my own satisfaction)
2. Well-known to the companies who fill positions in advertising or illustration (name of art school carries more weight)
3. More jobs available through company offers and connections
4. Interaction with other students interested in fine arts (not much of that where I am--it's disappointing)
5. Following #4, I would not mind transferring from current college (I wouldn't want to leave my friends, but there are other things besides the art program that I'm concerned about or just dislike)
6. Some of the things I countered in the disadvantages</p>

<p>I know that I'm asking many questions here, but does anyone have comments about any of my questions/thoughts? Has anyone found transferring from a non-arts school to an art school worthwhile?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance! :)</p>

2

<p>elements, Tufts has a joint degree program with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts School. </p>

<p>The RISD/Brown program is new and extremely selective. I don't know anything about transfer odds, but I would guess they are low. You can, however, take courses at RISD as a regular Brown student (and vice versa).</p>

<p>You might also look at a larger university which would have a substantial art department plus good liberal arts options. Michigan, CMU, WUSTL come to mind, but I'm sure there are plenty of others, including within the California public system.</p>

<p>Another choice would be to transfer to another small LAC that *does *have a good studio art department. Some that I'd recommend that also have good academics are Williams, Wesleyan, Hamilton, Kenyon, Conn College, Kenyon, Skidmore. If you are female Smith. My understanding is that double majoring would not be unusual at any of these schools.</p>

<p>If your grades have been very good you might try Yale.</p>

3

<p>Thanks momrath for the information!</p>

<p>Thing is, I don't know if I should look at other schools with good art programs because I will be well into my junior year if I plan to transfer. Most colleges and universities (especially public schools) would probably be strict about transfer applicants being freshmen or sophomores. For art schools, more likely than not I would be able to do it, though would probably not get credit for many of the other courses I've taken. With that, I'd enter as a sophomore or junior, depending on how credits work out.</p>

<p>Unless I'm wrong about this, though I'd probably should ask the individual schools/look on specific websites to confirm this sort of matter.</p>

4

<p>MOST students at Art Center in Pasadena (probably one of the best schools
for illustration and advertising) have transfered, or already have a degree
elsewhere.</p>