<p>I am an art student looking to enroll in a collaborative dual-degree program and earn a BFA and a BA.
Thus far, I have been accepted to the University of Michigan School of Art & Design, the Washington University in St. Louis School of Art, and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Art (though CMU is really out of the running)
I am hoping for actual knowledge and information about these two schools and some way to compare them. I have been trying to research and find information to compare them, but my searches have been proven futile.
Also, I applied to these specific schools for the ability to receive two degrees. UMich offers a four-year dual degree program and WashU offers a five-year dual degree program.
Receiving a great education from both the Language Arts component and the Fine Arts component in reasonable time is a main concern and trouble...
Any help?
Can anyone please compare these two art programs?</p>
<p>I can’t compare the arts programs, but I can tell you that WashU is ranked 13th in the country for undergrad education, and is the 7th most selective for admissions, according to US NEWS, and U Michigan was ranked 29th, and they admit about 40% of all appliants. So both are very fine schools where you will get a great education. They do have a very different feel to them. Have you visited both schools? Does one seem like a better “fit” to you? If all else is equal, that extra year might mean a lot. If one feels more “right” it might be worth the time.</p>
<p>What are your interests in Art? what do you think you may want to do with a BA? I think you need to think carefully about your interests and visit the schools if possible. Also, a good talk with parents about finances is essential.</p>
<p>If I had a kid interested in writing CMU would be the top choice since the liberal arts program is strongest in creative writing; if my kid was thinking Biology/premed then WUSTL would be a stronger place than CMU. If my kid were thinking about doing history/poli sci I would think that UMich may be the best choice. If my kid were very unsure and money was a concern…well UMichigan would perhaps be higher on the list. Have you visited the schools? </p>
<p>In terms of art, WUSTL is more traditional art school and CMU is very conceptual. I don’t know anything about UMich. At CMU you can get the dual degree in 4 years but you need to have been accepted into both schools. Dual degrees are very very common there. WUSTL and CMU are very expensive but you are likely to finish in four years. Doing this is generally more problematic at the state schools. I was under the impression from when my son applied last year that it was very possible to get the dual degree at WUSTL in 4 years but perhaps that has changed. An extra year at WUSTL is nothing to sneeze at.</p>
<p>Honestly, Umich art program highly competes with that of really good art schools, and their facilities are amazing. So are their teachers, classes, and just the drive they get out of the students is phenomenal. I’m still waiting to hear back from them. They’re probably the best state university undergrad art program I have found out there. Its a really really good program, and the rest of the university is great, and the location is great in ann arbor too. I VERY HIGHLY recommend Umich.</p>
<p>I am not looking to become a freelance artist that merely sells my artwork in galleries and hopes for exhibitions. I hope to receive two degrees to employ my artwork in whatever job I receive later in life. Writing is certainly one of my strongest abilities academically, and I do know that UMich has a great creative writing program.
The dual-degree program at WUSTL is a FIVE year program and UMich is a FOUR year program. Although money is not a concern, I do not think my education and future success will be greatly impacted by attending UMICH vs. WUSTL.
The lack of information on undergraduate art programs is quite frustrating, so I think just visiting the schools (which I am doing in the next few weeks) will be the ultimate component to my decision.
Comparing a school with a 1500 student grade vs. a 10,000 student grade or whatever UMICH’s freshman body counts for is inanalagous (if that is a word) and no way to compare the programs… Anyone have any input besides for school rankings etc?</p>
<p>You are right about the WUSTL dual degree being generally 5 years but you can do a dual major (with a major in another school) within 4. It also depends how much overlap the two majors have and how many AP credits you bring in with you.</p>
<p>Also, can you really do the UMich dual degree in 5 years? Does it depend on studying over a few summers as well? I know someone there now who is doing something like this and he thinks it may take him 5 1/2 years. I’m not sure exactly what he’s doing but it involves double majoring in Russian and some art/tech program.</p>