<p>I'm aware that UCLA's School of Art and DMA are highly selective of transfer students... like ridiculously selective. It seems most accepted transfers to both schools are older students, transferring from other colleges/universities/countries, who probably have more independent study done than the average freshman art student. </p>
<p>So, does a CC student looking to transfer have a chance? Background info: I had a rough freshman year 09-10 at an art school and went back home to do the CC route to save money. I'm completely redoing my old portfolio from when I was a high school senior, and no, I don't plan on putting much (if any?) foundation course work from when I was a freshman. I'm probably going to apply next fall to work on my portfolio until then, but I'm getting antsy and wondering if I might apply this fall and turn in my portfolio in January to one of the schools?</p>
<p>Specific questions:
- Does it matter where you're transferring from for a transfer applicant to either of UCLA's Schools of art?
- How much does out-of-school experience matter for a transfer?
- Concerning UCLA's School of Art-- is there some kind of ratio for accepted transfers to the different majors? I'm interested in New Media, or Sculpture. I won't take up too much space!
- Should I even bother with TAG/Honors agreements if I'm interested in the art schools at UCLA? I know the agreements are only for Letters of Arts/Sciences.. but I'm considering a "back up" major in English or Comparative Lit.
- Also, what kind of grants/how much money does CCA give to transfer in-state students? </p>
<p>This is so long. And I can't believe I'm posting on College Confidential. But any information is really appreciated.</p>
<p>Also appreciated: any advice on art majors within the UC system (UCSD looks so interesting), or within any state/out-of-state private/public college who will for some reason give sufficient aid to a CCC student.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if you made clear how much college you have completed thus far because things change in California every few years. Californian transfers are given priority due to proximity and all the extra classes expected of prospective students.
It would be cool to take the two lower division sculpting classes at UCLA but personally I wasn’t impressed by UCLA’s undergrad sculpting or photography program and think they are resting on their laurels too much. Sure, like 20 to 80 years ago those art programs where killer at UCLA but I don’t think it’s anything to rave about these days which is too bad. Now if you are talking about cutting edge new media (towards film + animation + advertising) their (digital) Design Media Arts program is great but does require a rather steep learning curve. If I was doing character animation though I go to CalArts CA, AISForSV, SMC’s, De Anza’s Animation program or the guild’s not at UCLA or USC.</p>
<p>A normal minimal art block includes a foundation plus (Intro to)Drawing I, Color, (Intro to 2D and/or 3D) Design and should include Typography. UC’s also like a Western AND Eastern Art History class and/or a (History of) Interior, Graphic Design, or Architecture class plus the Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced classes of your art (i.e. Sculpting)</p>
<p>Thanks for your insight! Yeah, both programs may be stilted compared to private art colleges or more specialized programs, but they’re not that old. The department of art as it is today was only established in 1980 and DMA in 1988.</p>
<p>And I’m definitely not interested in character animation. Nor am I interested in the gaming industry or advertising. To clarify, I meant new media more in the realm of “fine art”, as in incorporating installation, video, performance, the internet, processing, etcetera-- actually UCLA refers to it as “new genres”. Sorry for the mix up.</p>
<p>I completed the basic foundations course at my previous college, but I already asked at UCLA’s art departments and they do not accept private art college units. I’m assuming the same for other UC art departments. I had 20 or so units from high-school AP credit, and I’ll be finished with my IGETC this fall. </p>
<p>I talked to the admissions counselor at the DMA about the department requirements, and she made it clear she didn’t expect transfers to finish them-- they’re outlined mostly as a formality and general outline, though it is recommended to take the history classes and drawing/sculpture/design classes. They may not accept some courses you take; the UC:CSU transfer credit info for the classes are guaranteed for general applicants using it as an art requirement for the IGETC. The prime consideration is on the portfolio. Can anyone who went through the process at either of the schools verify the benefits? I doubt the legitimacy of time spent on community college art classes, at least at the one I’m going to, but maybe I should just take them?</p>
<p>I was speaking about the quality of teachers and student work coming out of the more traditional art programs from UCLA. Personally I don’t really like any of their majors in their art department compared to many other institutions in California. The only benefit for taking what you are interested at UCLA is closer access to their video library, modern studios, and nice overall location.
A mix of fine art/new media not going in the animation direction is towards traditional TV/Film/Theater/Set Design in which one would go to SDSU or CSUFullerton in so-cal for undergrad. Realize those are still very strong programs so are also highly competitive to get into.</p>
<p>The DMA Department is distinct from New Genre’s in classes and overall curriculum direction. Unless one already has a spectacular portfolio most schools like or require for graduation completion of at least 4 lower division art classes whether the student wants to take or not.</p>
<p>I’m planning to transfer to UCLA DMA program from CCC. I’m freshman and planning to transfer after a year (so I’m applying on my 1st quarter). I will have less than 90 credits by Spring 2012. And I won’t complete my IGETC either by Spring 2012.</p>
<p>I emailed the admission counselor and she said “It is better to complete the IGETC and possibly take courses related to the major i.e. drawing, 2D and 3D, etc. The DMA review is heavily based on the portfolio, but all factors are considered including GPA (minimum of 3.0), and other UC eligibility factors.”</p>
<p>By Spring 2012, I will take all those required art classes; no worries. I know they put high importance on portfolio. So, do you think I have a chance here? Or I’m just wasting $80 applying to UCLA?</p>
<p>I could wait for another year at CCC and complete my IGETC. But I don’t have more art classes that can (possibly) be transferred to UCLA to take. Since transfer credits are not guaranteed and solely based on portfolio, I don’t want to risk wasting time & money taking more art classes that won’t be transferred. That’s why I want to apply after a year.</p>
<p>Ebissu,
The response you got from UCLA Admissions was more of a statement than it was a suggestion. They want you to apply after 2 years in CC with completed IGETC. The odds are very difficult but they are infinitely better than applying after one year in CC.</p>
<p>I would stay one more year, complete the IGETC, get straight A’s, and take one or two Summer Sessions DESMA classes next summer. In your off time work on your portfolio - it will have to be killer. The toughest thing about transferring in is that the level of quality of the portfolio is now higher than a freshman admit.</p>
<p>It’s VERY common to not get credit for CC art classes so be very careful there. You can always call UCLA Admissions and ask if a particular CC class will transfer. Don’t rely solely on a CC guidance counselor on this point.</p>
<p>Sorry, I know that’s not what you want to hear. Work hard on your art and you’ll do just fine.</p>
<p>Best of luck,
Wheaty</p>
<p>PS. BTW, it’s much easier to transfer into USC-Roski’s design program after one year at CC. More expensive but also a very good program.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response, wheaty! Are you by any chance a DMA student? </p>
<p>I understand that’s the possibility I have to face if I want to transfer to UCLA (staying for another year). Is it really worth the wait though? Should I just transfer to other art school that accept sophomore transfer?</p>
<p>Not sure about the other schools, but I’m currently an animation major at CCA and I also transferred in from a community college in Miami, FL. CCA gives great scholarships if your portfolio is up to snuff, your grades are good and you have great extra-curricular activities (volunteer work, clubs/groups, etc). If you’re strong on all points then you could even get full-ride; one of the few private art schools that still gives those out. </p>
<p>Another thing that’s really cool about CCA that can also be relatively be bad is that they will take a lot of credits from an accredited institution. So, if you already completed an AA at an accredited community college, you should have around ~60 credits which means you could transfer in as a junior and get on out of here in two years.</p>
<p>I say that’s bad because some schools like Ringling want you to graduate with a class so you get to know the people in your class and can really rub elbows (which I think is great). Whereas with CCA, you’re kind of just thrown in there and will have to make those friends on your own somehow if you’re a transfer (join a club!). There’s also the fact that CCA offers so many incredible studio classes like GLASS BLOWING with incredible teachers that you’ll want to take them all, and two years isn’t nearly enough to take the classes you may just want to take for shoots and giggles.</p>
<p>If you just want to get your education and get out ASAP, then CCA is really good for that I transferred in about 50 credits I think, maybe even ~60. I don’t know anything about the “realm of “fine art”, as in incorporating installation, video, performance, the internet, processing, etcetera” program at CCA, but shoot an e-mail to admissions at CCA and I’m sure they’ll point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>hey kid
off topic but how the things at Oakland?
when I visited CCA, I started walking wrong direction from the Greyhound station and thought I was back in Bronx or Bed-Stuy NY. then turn around and went toward right BART station, there were luxury condos and landmark-ed sh theaters and such, matter of few min.
Where CCA is seemed OK.
pls stay safe, keep out of harm’s way either police or protesters.</p>
<p>CCA is fine, it’s in the Rockridge area near a Safeway/CVS/Chase/BoA/Starbucks shopping plaza, so people coming in and out all time, cops around; all good. “situation” gets real when you start heading into downtown Oakland (about a twenty minute bike ride), so if you live in the upperclassmen dorms (Webster) I wouldn’t recommend going for a stroll in the middle of the night.</p>
<p>As for the protesters and such things going on here, I would actually be more afraid of the police than the protesters. I was just passing through there and some cops in riot gear got in a fit because I was “doubling-back” on them? Mean while, protesters were serving delicious hot dogs and cleaning up the streets. Only thing I got from the cops was a breathful of wonderful tear gas and undeserved threats.</p>
<p>Secondly, I was a CC transfer to UCLA in art. This was a couple of years back. I’ve since graduated w/ my BA and am in grad school somewhere else. I surely miss being at UCLA. It’s an amazing art school, but may not be for eeveryone.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Does it matter where you’re transferring from for a transfer applicant to either of UCLA’s Schools of art?
I don’t think so since I was a CC transfer.</p></li>
<li><p>How much does out-of-school experience matter for a transfer?
Not sure, but probably counts in your personal statement. However, I think the most important will be your portfolio - strong and focused. Have decent grades too. I don’t know their weighing criteria.</p></li>
<li><p>Concerning UCLA’s School of Art-- is there some kind of ratio for accepted transfers to the different majors? I’m interested in New Media, or Sculpture. I won’t take up too much space!
I’m not sure if I understand your question, but if you’re asking about if there are a certain amount of students accepted to sculpture, new genres, etc. I don’t think so. You don’t formally specify an area of concentration, but can focus on one in your course selection when you are at the school.</p></li>
<li><p>Should I even bother with TAG/Honors agreements if I’m interested in the art schools at UCLA? I know the agreements are only for Letters of Arts/Sciences… but I’m considering a “back up” major in English or Comparative Lit.
In art I don’t think TAG matters. </p></li>
</ul>