<p>Hello!
I've been recently admitted into both USC and UCSD. I find it difficult to decide which school I should go to in the fall of 2011. </p>
<p>I got into Roski School of Fine Arts at USC for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and USC is the place I've wanted to go to. Their art program is fairly good (says online sources) and the reputation is, of course, great. Pretty much all of my family and friends encourage me to go to USC and I agree with them, too, since USC is a really good school as a whole. However, the tution might be an issue. My strengths lie in fine arts and I really enjoy it. USC also offers internships, and because USC is a private school, there's a stronger "family" bond when trying to find jobs later. Their staff to student ratio is much better at private schools.</p>
<p>I also got into UCSD for Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts major. UCSD's reputation is reaching the level of USC, but it's a public school (I think I'm better suited for a private school because of the ratio of students to staff). I'm not too familiar with creating design and art on the computer, but I've taken graphic design classes at a nearby community college so I have some experience. And since our world involves so much technology, I'm sure it's beneficial to become familiar with digital art and basically anything on the computer (I could just take electives that involve art on the computer at USC, no?). Overall, I know that the art program at UCSD is better than USC: rank 15 vs 37 (according to Best</a> Fine Arts Programs | Top Fine Arts Schools | US News Graduate Schools).</p>
<p>I have friends from both USC and UCSD that can help me out on my first year and the universities are both about the same distance from my house.My parents say that they'll pay for USC if I decide to go there (they would RATHER pay for UCSD instead of USC of course).</p>
<p>The question is: Do I want to go to USC, to have a more stable alumni route with connections with an internship as an undergrad (for experience) since they help with searching for careers? Or UCSD, where they have a stronger arts program and a lower tutition?</p>
<p>Any opinions? If you have anything else to add, please comment. :)</p>
<p>Hope I’m not too late with this…
As a recent graduate of the UCSD ICAM program, I can give you my opinion/experience. To me, it seems you are thinking about doing graphic design. If not, disregard my statements :)</p>
<p>the ICAM degree consists of courses bringing together practice and research of computer science, digital arts, and cultural theory. (You’d focus on the Vis Arts curriculum. I chose Music Technology.) ICAM is a program to help you think outside the box, be creative, and bring new/innovative ideas to the table. </p>
<p>If all this is beyond your grasp, it might not be for you. It’s really a research program. It is more of the academia side of digital media arts. A lot of the learning will be up to you. It really is about the ideas and concepts. The technical aspects (Adobe Flash/Pure Data/MaxMSP/Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator…) is mostly self-taught through tutorials and office hours with instructors and TA’s.
It really is an awesome program, don’t get me wrong. But I had a former peer who was more interested in animation and graphic design, and opted to transfer out to CalARTS.</p>
@ace621 Hello!! I know you posted your response to the initial question YEARS ago but I am a student that is really interested in UCSD’s ICAM major in music technology. I seriously can’t find ICAM alumni feedback ANYWHERE online so finding your response was golden. Can you elaborate on your experience? Your alumni experience? any experience? I would love to absorb any and all of your insight! :]