<p>.....................</p>
<p>sorry, there was an error on the page, so I am re posting the thread s a reply form.</p>
<p>Hello, I am a rising junior who is majoring chemistry and visual art at Duke. </p>
<p>I posted the thread about a month ago in the Coopr Union thread, about this transferring issue, and I decided to take a year off from a college after a long… tiring discussion with my dad. </p>
<p>My dad, when I talked him about going to an art institute, did not like the idea and wanted me to major sth that is related to science then go to a medical school after I graduate. I, too, thought that becoming a doctor then do drawing as a hobby was a cool option when I decided to go to Duke. However, now I know that this path is not the one that I heart. I want to do art. </p>
<p>I declared my major as Visual Art and Chemistry, so I have been taking quite a lot of studio art classes at Duke. I have taken 15 credit-worth visual art classes, which fulfills the transfer requirement for the school.
I talked about this issue with the art professors a lot, and some of them advised me to stay here as a chemistry, art double major than go to Art graduate school, but I want to spend another 2 years in the place where I can really learn the things I want to learn and enjoy myself doing them. </p>
<p>I have pretty high SAT score and good highschool GPA, but have a relatively low college GPA; I got all As and 1B for the art-related courses and am confident that I can get really good recommedation letters from both of my highschool art teacher and a college art professor. I was sick for the freshman year so had to withdraw from all courses and come back to Korea, and for last semester I was sick again, so the GPA was relatively low… and now Orgo and neurosciece is messing up my GPA as well. </p>
<p>So my college GPA is 3.0</p>
<p>For other information:</p>
<p>Ethnicity: Asian(South Korea)</p>
<p>SAT1
CR:760
M:780
W:680</p>
<p>SAT2
Math:780
Chem:700
Bio:660</p>
<p>Highschool GPA:
4.0</p>
<p>Recommendation letters:
confident to have really good ones.</p>
<p>Sorry for this long… message, but recently I was really stressed out about this issue, so please understand me. </p>
<p>Do you think eventhough my gpa is lower than 3.3 I have a chance for RISD?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>what worries me is your wanting to go to both RISD and Cooper.
what kind of art do you do?
why RISD
why Cooper?
I always thought they are the opposite of style value mindset etc
then again this year form this forum two kids who gotten in Cooper are the academic stars with solid solid tech ( though neither liked nor applied RISD)
If you are going for free money or name value or job prospects it is not clever thing to do in this economy. Even RISD grads have no real jobs. Cooper grads never have jobs anyway.
what kind of illness is that you suffered thru? are you sure you are gonna be OK?
If you go to art school, you won’t sleep nor eat right, do all bad things to your body and mind or will be surrounded by people do such things and make you feels like that is what you should do to be an artist.
your folks are right to be worried. what is he saying now? will he pay for RISD $$$$$?</p>
<p>Looking at your SAT scores and the fact that the GPA is college level at Duke, I think that would not be a problem at most art schools at all. RISD has you do a series of drawings in order to get in, otherwise you’ll need a portfolio of about 15 pieces of work for most art schools. And your Duke art class grades are pretty much the best you could get. Why don’t you apply to RISD, do the drawings and then see what happens. Can you do that and hold your position at Duke in case it doesn’t work out?</p>
<p>wjddbsd, Most art schools are very performance oriented. I would bet that RISD would like either a portfolio from you or you need to do the homework assignment that deals with the bicycle et. al.</p>
<p>As for your SATs, while they are sterling, when you apply to most schools as a transfer student, SATs tend to become irrelevant. I can’t say whether your 3.0 GPA is good enough for transferring,but, frankly, it isn’t that great a GPA these days.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Hi Bears and Dogs:
If I was going for name value or job prospects, I wouldn’t even think about tranferring to an art school. Also in Duke, I had not been sleeping properly anyway. The things I have to memorize for Orgo, Neuroscience, and other classes, research, volunteering plus art studio work, which usually takes a lot of time, make me well-sleep-deprived throughout the school year. </p>
<p>At Duke I usually sleep less than 2-4 hours a day. Although I love Duke, the fact that they do not have a strong art department depressed me a lot and a thought that “I am not enjoying my school life” was one of the biggest reasons that I was sick throughout the school year. </p>
<p>Hearing from friends going to colleges, they are pretty much all sleep-deprived and are unable to eat healthy food. My theory is that if I cannot sleep and eat properly anyway during my college life, I would rather do so while I am doing what I really want to do. Even I had to stay up all night in an art building for the project after taking 2 big midterms, I was really happy just because I could do something I really love. </p>
<p>I don’t know why I am so agitated by your post, but I guess it’s because what you’re saying is exactly same as what my dad told me. </p>
<p>Stereotyping and looking down on the artist and the field of art in general are not acceptable:
“Even RISD grads have no real jobs. Cooper grads never have jobs anyway”.
“do all bad things to your body and mind or will be surrounded by people do such things and make you feels like that is what you should do to be an artist.”</p>
<p>If you are the person who just don’t like the people who like art and who do art, just chill and don’t discourage people without knowing all the situation. </p>
<p>Sorry if I got overly emotional,but that’s what I felt when I was rading your post.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Thank you artsmarts and taxguy. Yes, I placed a leave of absence for a year and decided to start making the portfolio from this coming May. Yes. In my situation, best thing I could do is making a really good portfolio that represents my style and finishing up this semester with better grades.Thank you for the posting and thank you for the advice!</p>
<p>hey
you did not answer the questions that matters from parents’ view.
were you mentally depressed or physically ill, and are you cured and up to it?
can you and your folks pay for it?
getting in is one thing, able to go and stay in is the other.
If you are not going for name value, have you ever looked at any NC schools that do better arts than Duke?
Is there anything you can do in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro… I was amazed how much money the state of NC spend on arts.
or you just stayed in campus/town and never able to get out?
or you are totally out and never going back anyway?
what made you chose NC in the first place?</p>
<p>wow what’you know UNC chapelhill is like, down the road with good ol’ BFA!! bet cheaper than RISD but sure more than other UNCs
fammom if you are out there, are they friends or enemy? like, this girl can just hop on the bike and do some work there or not?</p>
<p>Dear OP- Bearsanddogs loves artists and has tons of insight into the community etc. She is kind of our resident expert, so you may have misunderstood her post. </p>
<p>I hope she is wrong about Cooper and jobs, but my kid is going to go to grad school after, so maybe he will be ok.</p>
<p>So you like to draw? </p>
<p>The easiest way to find out if you can get into RISD is to contact someone there for a portfolio review. </p>
<p>Can you contemplate a double major at a school with a stronger art program? Syracuse, VCU, WashU come to mind, but I think with your gpa WashU may not work. </p>
<p>Cooper Union claims to take kids with B type of GPAs and your SAT scores are impressive. But they take very few transfer kids. Also the home test is stressful, and I get the impression that you need to get on their radar by going to National Portfolio Day.</p>
<p>Also, Cooper Union and RISD are notorious for seriously overworking their kids. Very intense both. If my child was unwell I would not be happy with him at either of those schools. </p>
<p>We as a family are very up on and interested in MICA. (Just to offer another choice.)
I also am very fond of VCU. It is a university with a very strong art program. They are top ranked, and a public school. You could appease your dad, by staying at a university, possibly continuing to double major, and it is way cheaper. Look into their communication arts program. It actually looks like something that produces people who eventually make a living. </p>
<p>What kind of art do you do?</p>
<p>gee thanks
I should have said that in my narrow sample specimens and bitter biased view of Cooper alms. Of course kids do stuff, bartender, waiter and keep making art, become cabinet maker, house painter, gallery receptionist, marry to hair dresser or school teacher, and of course go to graduate school if you got good arms and brain. no offense.</p>
<p>FYI - I know there are many grads from RISD with jobs in art. Cooper I don’t know about.</p>
<p>do you have any numbers for last graduating class, class of 09?
how many have gotten real jobs prior/ right after/ within few month / within a year (say, about now) of graduation in which major? those who got them do they still have it now?
It is not only RISD any artschool parents would love to know the fact, since things seem not turning better quick enuff, though RISD should be able to prove done better than others.</p>
<p>Don’t know if OP is checking but I will put in my 2 cents. First, I am sorry that you have been having such a tough time at Duke and feeling so conflicted. I have a somewhat mixed perspective. I am myself a Duke graduate who was sent by parents to do premed and left with a Latin American Poli Sci major with a certificate in marxist studies…potentially as scary to a parent as a BFA. Now my own kid is choosing to do a BFA…is this some type of cosmic karma to torture me for what I did to my own parents? As an ex-rebel myself, I am supportive of my son following his dream. As a parent, I want him to be financially secure so I am not supporting him forever and he can settle down to produce grandchildren in due course. Yep…marxist rebel goes full circle to Bourgeoisie values…</p>
<p>So…I can see it from both sides I think. I also challenged my parents, realized that I didn’t really fit at Duke (very conservative), but managed to finish with a AB (why does duke reverse those letters?). I think taking a semester off or even a year is a good idea…is it possible to register at a university in Korea and take some art as well as other classes–gasp, even a chemistry class? I took off one semester to go to state U because of financial reasons but found it was a nice break from Duke to be a top student in an easier academic environment, live at home with someone taking care of my laundry/food/gas, and pursue some other interests that I couldn’t at Duke. I was able to register as a part time student and didn’t go through the regular acceptance process. Duke accepted many of those credits as well as some study abroad so I ended up there only 3 years. Perhaps you can do this and return to Duke to finish the degree? </p>
<p>I am sure your parents want you to be successful and happy and think getting that basic degree in something other than art is important for achieving that. At the same time they are even more concerned about you being healthy. The problem is that they may think that you won’t be any happier or healthier if you do art. What have you done to convince them of this? Make a real effort in your time back home to do both art and at least one other academic course (at univ or online) to make a transfer back to Duke possible so that you are not closing that door. At the end of your time at home, reassess but bring them into the discussion so they see that your desire to do art is not some overreaction to escape overwork and stress but actually a life choice that you will undertake with thought, dedication and hardwork. Best of luck!</p>
<p>FROM US NEWS & WORLD REPORT ARTICLE ON 50 BEST CAREERS FOR 2010…AND BEYOND</p>
<p>Multimedia Artist
As one of the 50 best careers of 2010, this should have strong growth
The rundown:
Multimedia artists can help us envision worlds that are beyond our imagination: galaxies far, far away; trips to the future and the past; even a glimpse of our world through someone else’s eyes. As a multimedia artist, you may work in film, video game design, advertising, Web development, or animation. Multimedia artists use computers to create characters, landscapes, and special effects for much of the media we consume today. You may also be responsible for drawing storyboards of scenes and plotlines for producers to evaluate. Multimedia artists work with programmers to bring their creations to life. The title of multimedia artist can also apply to fine artists who utilize film and computers in their creative projects.
[See all of this year’s Best Careers.]
The outlook:
Multimedia art offers the best outlook among artist occupations. Employment in the multimedia arts, whether in film, advertising, or Web development, is expected to rise by 11,200 jobs, or more than 14 percent, between 2008 and 2018, boosted in part by the growth in mobile technology and in the production of 3-D animated movies. But competition will be steep, reflecting an increasing interest in the field.
Upward mobility:
Artists may begin with basic duties at a design or production firm and, as they learn from other artists, will gain increased responsibilities. Freelance artists can charge more for their work as they complete higher-profile projects and gain wider recognition.
Activity level:</p>
<p>My worry is that how much of that would be outsourced by year 2014 if not already, say if kids see Avatar and “this is what I want to do!” but not gonna be get hired by New Zealand firms so easily.
Things are made cheap virtually in India to Downunder per one creature’s eyeballs feathers scales 24/7 give or take time differences.
Did you hear about the Wild things’ Carol P(M)uppet? The striped chubby one with serious personality issue - it was built here in US then shipped out only half cooked, local folks had to scramble to make it work. End of the era… Jim Henson would twist in his grave.</p>
<p>Thank you visualartsmom and people. I decided to start making portfolio and prepare for transferring to RISD. My mom is spporting my dream, which makes me feel much better.I guess this year would be one of the most critical times of my life.;)</p>
<p>Sorry bears and dogs, I was emotionally very unstable when I was writing the post and reading your comments. I am an international student so there’s no significant reason for me to stay in NC. I am interested in Art but not sure about the specific interest, so RISD got my attention since it has very well-roundedly strong art majors and provides extensive classes/programs that help student find and develop their interest and techniques. Also I thought that the location, and everything seem to suit me well, so RISD became my wanna-go school.
Also I kind of understand your comment. know it’s relatively tough to live as an artist-well…financially I guess- but I am sure that I will be happier, and more likely to be successful, if I do what I want to do;)</p>
<p>how are things in Korea? economy, jobs, people…Is there anything you can do like fammom suggested meanwhile?</p>
<p>I may take courses at the universities in Korea. However, if I am taking courses for not letting the door closed for Duke, I should take non-science realated courses, since taking courses that are for the science-major requirement is not recommended. My dad is telling me to work in his friend’s autism lab or shadowing at the hospital while I’m taking a year off but I don’t like these options. I want to invest this time to solely concentrate on art, so I think I will be taking art courses in Korean university/academy.</p>
<p>Express your appreciation to your mother – do the dishes when you get home. </p>
<p>Poor Dad…he does have my sympathy…these scientists do not give up easily, let me tell you. After sending me to Duke to have his fondest hopes invested in a premed daughter dashed to the ground…he had really high hopes for his grandson…bought him a microscope when he was five! now grandson (my kid) is using grandpa’s savings to go to art school…grandpa is now working on his grandaughters…etc. offered my daughtert a job in his animal lab this summer. For now, tell your father you will dress your future children in little labcoats instead of sweaters.</p>
<p>I did work during the summers in my father’s lab and even at the naked mole lab at Duke …at least it made him feel that I seriously considered the route and I was paid quite well. Never did like killing the little critters but the science was very interesting. </p>
<p>Did you think about seeing if there is art therapy at the autism lab? Perhaps you could contribute there as a volunteer. Has the advantage of sharing something with your father but also with allows you to use your special interest and skills. Also, it may expose you to a really lovely use of art in art education/art therapy either as “backup” or main career. Last, this is a bit slimey, I would think that this extra curricula could be very helpful applying to art school…MICA has a special scholarship for students who get involved in art in the community.</p>
<p>I know some kids at VCU exploring the art education and art therapy route…gifted artists with an additional special gift for sharing art with troubled children. </p>
<p>The message is simple about the lab work… never close a door without checking what’s there first, don’t slam it, watch your fingers and don’t lock it. YOur parents have given you so much so give them the courtesy of seriously considering or even trying what they offer you.</p>