<p>D was late to discover her artistic bent, and didn't have a real portfolio to get her into a recognized design program. So, she enrolled at a Public U that puts everyone into a "foundations" -type program and weeds them out after the first semester. If D doesn't get in, or even if she does, what are her options for transferring to another program WITHOUT having to repeat the entire first year experience? Is she destined for a five-year program if she transfers?</p>
<p>No, not necessarily. Most art schools as well as university art programs require a foundation year and will transfer credits from another university if they feel the courses are up to par with theirs.</p>
<p>It depends entirely upon the schools involved. </p>
<p>The most selective programs with a foundation year (for example, RISD) are very, very picky about what schools offer an "equivalent" first year. Such schools are less likely to transfer all of your daughter's credits from a public university (although they might from another selective art school) and she would probably have to start again. </p>
<p>However, there are also many art schools that would transfer credit from a solid program at a public university. It's best to contact the programs she is the most interested in and ask them directly.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Keeping my fingers crossed. . .</p>
<p>I agree with the previous posters. It depends on the school.</p>
<p>I'm a transfer at RISD this year, and the majority are coming in from non-art schools. Since most had very few studio classes at their previous schools, RISD has a 6 week summer transfer foundation program to fill in the credits. About 2/3rds of the 88 transfers had to do this. However, if your daugher has enough similar studio classes, as I did, they would be counted for credit and the summer program would be waived. Either way, she would most likely not need an extra year. If your daughter spent 2 years at her school and THEN transferred to RISD, though, she would most likely need to start as a sophomore rather than junior. It's very rare to get advanced standing.</p>
<p>For another example, I attended MassArt last year, and transfers there are usually known as "studio foundation transfers." This is because they already did freshman year at a non-art school, but need to basically start over and take freshmen studio classes. In that case, your daughter would need an extra year, unless she's lucky enough to get advanced standing.</p>
<p>Hope this helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.</p>
<p>It is out of topic but why did you want to transfer out from MassArt?
It is already reach school in my standard...</p>
<p>Thanks, Magicmyth - If I'm correct, RISD has very specific portfolio requirements, (as do many others). Curious as to how you managed to create/tailor your portfolio to their requirements while still enrolled in MassArt? Any suggestions? Daughter isn't quite overwhelmed with work, but I think it would be really difficult to create a separate portfolio for each school she might want to apply to, while trying to stay on top of the freshman studio classes she's taking. How did you do it and how many schools did you apply to as a transfer? Did you do NPR day and do you think it would be worthwhile for D to come home for one in early December? Really appreciate your replies, and any others.</p>
<p>bears and dogs:
I'll get back to you later with a more detailed response, because I'm swamped with work at the moment. Sorry! I'll also be able to compare the two schools better by the end of the week, after I go to all my classes. Basically, I transferred because I wanted much more of a challenge... plus, I've wanted to come here for years. So far, I'm glad I transferred, absolutely love it here, and am working much harder than I ever had to last year. I'll comment more later on MassArt and why I left!</p>
<p>Creekdweller:
Yes, RISD has three drawing assignments, that actually changed for this year. Other schools (Pratt and Cooper Union, for example) have additional assignments as well. It was difficult to manage classes at MassArt while building up a portfolio, but not impossible. I spent most of my time during vacations working on it; winter break was especially helpful. If she works hard on assignments in her studio classes, then those are just more possible portfolio pieces. A few of my pieces came from classes, but I think schools want to see examples of foundational assignments (especially figure drawing), so it worked out okay. She can send all or most of the same artworks to each school, so she doesn't necessarily need to create separate portfolios for each.</p>
<p>It would definitely be worthwile to attend NPD. I originally only went to get reviewed by RISD, but wanted more feedback, so also went to MICA. I got a lot of helpful critiques from both, which I was able to apply to my portfolio as it was then, and to pieces that I added after. As a result of NPD, I got a postcard in the mail saying my portfolio was accepted to MICA. I would recommend your daughter get reviewed by as many schools as possible to get different opinions. Smaller schools usually have smaller lines, so I wish I had went to some of them; their feedback could help. Most people there will be high school seniors, but I've talked to a lot of tranfers here who went as well.</p>
<p>As for schools I applied to... well, I was primarily interested in RISD. I've wanted to come here since I was a high school freshman, but got rejected as a senior. So, I only applied to RISD, and never finished my application to MICA because I didn't have time (my portfolio was accepted, but I still needed to send essays/ transcripts/ etc.). If I didn't get into RISD, I was going to stay at MassArt. Since your daughter wants to transfer to art school, she should probably apply to a range of schools to ensure she has one to attend.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any more questions! Good luck to your daughter!</p>