<p>I've read stuff about engineering, computers, theater, and economics on this board. Now, can some one fill me in on the art program? I've heard the BFA program is first rate. True? I've also read and been told that double majoring is common (I want to double in art and creative writing), and easy to do. Also true? And that there's a lot of cross fertilization between the tech side of the school and the art side. Any info would be appreciated.</p>
<p>You heard right - the BFA program is top notch. Admission to fine arts and design seems to be based about 50/50 academics vs. portfolio....although I understand that the drama admissions weigh auditions much more heavily than the academics. As far as the design program goes, it is pretty regimented as to course progression...but there is room for electives after your first year, but don't know what you'd need in creative writing for the double major. It seems there is a big emphasis on the PROCESS of the assignments - profs want to see HOW you got to the end result...what you tried and didn't like, what you did next, how your idea progressed to its final presentation, so plan on spending many hours in studio each week beyond class time. There is a good deal of interdisciplinary work in upperclass courses - assignments including students from design, an engineering discipline and psychology, for example. There seems to be a focus on applying your skills in the real world, not just art in and of itself.</p>
<p>My daughter is applying to the design program at CMU. Their art program is top notch from what I saw and evaluated. I don't know if you can double major though. You may need to be accepted to the HSS School (Humanities and Social Science) to be able to double major. However, you can take creative writing without majoring in it.</p>
<p>They do have a lot of cross fertilzation and interdisciplinary stuff going on at CMU. Check out the "Human Computer Interaction Institute."</p>
<p>The problem with CMU is that it is VERY expensive. 31K++ of tuition and fees is a lot of money when compared to similar art program. You can attend Michigan or even Pratt Institute, who has a creative writing program, for at least 6K per year less. If you major in computers or business at CMU, you can recoup your investment easily. If you major in art, iti s much hard to recoup this high tuition.</p>
<p>Read my "Overview of CMU," which is found at the top of the CMU forum.
If I were you, I would visit CMU and check out the facilities. The art building has some amazing frescoes found on the ceiling of the building and elsewhere. It is a very interesting building to say the least.</p>
<p>You may want to check out the Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA) Degree Program at CMU.</p>
<p>"The Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA) interdisciplinary degree program combines the strengths of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS). This degree is designed for academically and artistically talented students who want to develop their interest in the fine arts, while also pursuing studies in the humanities and social/behavioral sciences. Students choose their fine arts concentration from among the five schools in CFA: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama, or Music. Students choose their humanities and social sciences concentration from the list of majors and minors offered by H&SS, or by self-designing an interdepartmental concentration. The most important aspect of the BHA program is for students to blend their interests, and to explore the connections between their chosen disciplines."</p>
<p>My D has gone to the Saturday precollege fine arts program at CMU for the past three years. Just this year she started attending the Sunday night open studio for figure drawing, which is primarily for undergrads. Here initial impression is that the undergrads that attend the figure drawing open forum are bright, atriculate, talented and very sociable as a group.</p>
<p>I would say that the portfolio weighs a little more than the academics for asdmission. I inly say that becaus the College of Fine Arts (excluding architecture) is the only College at CMU that does not require SAT II tests, standard SAT or ACT is fine. Any of the dual programs require the additional academic tests.</p>
<p>Not sure what year you are, but the regular decision deadline for CFA was 12/1.</p>
<p>There is also a BSA to combine an interest in art and science.</p>