<p>Does anyone know anything about LCAD or ACCD? LCAD in particular is my D's dream school but I don't see much about it on CC. Anyone have any personal experiences they care to share?</p>
<p>I’m somewhat familiar with LCAD and we live near Laguna Beach. I’ll have to write a bit more later, but wonder what area is your D interested in? I also recommend your daughter join the LCAD FB groups–they have a very active presence there and it’s worth checking out.</p>
<p>She is interested in the illustration with a fine art concentration curriculum. I understand LCAD does not have a lot of student housing…how difficult is it to find a close, affordable apartment? Moreover, what is the reputation of this school? ( I had never heard of it.)
Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi rockandrun,</p>
<p>LCAD has a solid reputation. My son looked into the Digital Arts/Animation program; it’s small, but very good, with excellent Disney and gaming industry connections, for example. DS also did an 8-week pre-college portfolio development course there and it was excellent. I have heard good things about illustration at LCAD, but can’t offer any specifics. </p>
<p>LCAD is in a very expensive area, but the tuition is quite reasonable (by private art school standards). </p>
<p>Yes, student housing is scarce at LCAD. Rooms/apartments can be had off-campus, but it’s pricey in Laguna Beach. Cheaper housing ($500 at bottom end for a decent room in a house or apt) can be had a few miles inland (Alison Viejo, San Juan Cap, Mission Viejo, etc). These are all good neighborhoods and very safe, but a car would be pretty much a necessity as there is almost no mass transit. Almost all of South County is safe, for that matter. </p>
<p>You can get an idea of rental costs by going to Craigslist Orange County. Look in Laguna and surrounding areas. Dana Point is coastal, to the south–it’s wonderful and sometimes has relative bargains. Again, this is South Orange County, so it’s a high COA area. </p>
<p>Where are you located? Do you know the area?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info Gladiatorbird. Though she will have a car, I definitely would feel better if she got the college housing as we know nothing about the area…we live on the East Coast.</p>
<p>^Understandable!
I will say that it is a very safe and <em>beautiful</em> area!</p>
<p>I have heard that! Attending art school for four years in that location sounds like heaven…just wonder if there will be lost opportunities, ie. networking, ect., coming out of such a small school (that was not on my radar) as opposed to one that has more name recognition/reputation. Thoughts?</p>
<p>I can’t say, really. Maybe other art school folks who are more knowledgeable can comment.<br>
I do know that both ACCD and LCAD are well-known and respected on the west coast. </p>
<p>I’ve seen other (non-CC) forums with helpful discussions about the relative merits of various art schools. CC is the go-to place for university-based programs, but it has very little on arts-based institutes like CalArts, LCAD, Art Center, etc. That reflects CC’s academic focus …you may get a lot more useful info on one of the arts-focused Internet forums. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Just popping in to add that I have heard wonderful things about LCAD and have seen some of their artist/students’ work which was very impressive. The game design/interactive media program at USC has a close working relationship with LCAD and LCAD students have opportunities to collaborate on game animation, etc. that ends up getting presented in some major exhibitions to the gaming industry. Great employment ensues.</p>