<p>I am a high school senior hoping to attend an Art and Design undergraduate college this coming fall. Currently, I am experiencing a sort of "existential crisis" and don't know which career I should pursue.</p>
<p>These are the schools I am considering:</p>
<p>Central Saint Martins School of Design (in London)- I have been accepted here for its Fashion program which has a 2% acceptance rate but I'll have to apply again for BA Fashion Womenswear in my second year, which is even more selective (0.6%)
RISD- Hearing back from them in a month but hoping to double major in Painting/Drawing and Graphic Design
SAIC- Accepted here for the Fine Arts program but is not one of my top choices
Yale- I applied for the Fine Arts program but I heard the graduate school of art offers a better education than its undergraduate program
Oberlin- Applied for a major in Fine arts and hoping to major in music as well</p>
<p>Career Options:
Fashion Designer- if I attend CSM and graduate with a BA Honours in Fashion Womenswear, it is guaranteed that I will have a stable job and possibly a successful future in the fashion industry
Freelance Artist- one of my less stable choices...Perhaps open my own studio, teach art part time.. I will be able to do what I love but at the cost of starving/unable to pay my bills if it doesn't work out
Professor of Fine Arts- graduate with an MFA in Fine Art and become a professor at a college (although this type of career is highly competitive)
Graphic Designer/Art Director- the only option for after RISD</p>
<p>I like all these schools but each one carves out my future in completely different ways. It is difficult to switch majors/careers as well, especially for fashion design. I don't know which path will benefit me the most and give me the most happiness I am searching for in life.</p>
<p>These are all fine choices, but the question is do you want to design clothes or make art? These are very different career paths and only you would be able to decide which is right for you. </p>
<p>Working in fashion design can be an exhilarating and lucrative career, but although it draws heavily on creativity, it’s still business not pure art. CSM is a good door opener on both sides of the Atlantic, but you really do have to love fashion – and live fashion – to succeed.</p>
<p>Practicing visual artists often support themselves in ways that are not art related but allow them maximum flexibility. I’ve known artists who worked as waiters, construction workers, personal assistants and baby sitters, but that’s not a sustainable life style. </p>
<p>I’ve also known college professors who are themselves wonderful artists. If you get your BA from Yale or Oberlin and your MFA from an equally prestigious school you’ll find college teaching opportunities.</p>
<p>Graphic design is somewhat in the middle: not as commercial as fashion, not as creative as fine art. But to be successful you need to be committed and put in the hours. RISD also offers fashion and fine art. I’m not sure how much flexibility you have between areas, but I’m sure they could accommodate a change of direction.</p>
<p>Wait until all your acceptances come in before you over think your choices. If you need financial aid, see how the packages compare. In retrospect I think you could have widened your list a bit, but let that be until you see the results. </p>
<p>It’s understandable that a high school student might not have a clear cut career path. In that case I’d go for the BA route. With Yale being so fearfully selective, that really just leaves Oberlin. If that doesn’t work out, you might want to take a gap year and explore these paths in greater depth and re-apply next year.</p>
<p>This is a tough one. I got my BA in fine art, but I’ve never, ever made a living at it. I have been a graphic designer for $$ (along with waitress, writer, and many other jobs)… but graphic design isn’t a passion, it’s just something I’m relatively good at that can make me money. I do wish I’d thought more about an actual career when I was in college, as you are.</p>
<p>My daughter was considering art schools (ie RISD) but I encouraged her to apply to a creative LAC instead. She’s also interested in psychology so at this point she is thinking she will probably end up getting her BA in art, then MA in psychology, and work as an art therapist. (But who knows what else she might discover during her first year at college…)</p>
<p>I echo momrath: if you were my D I’d encourage you to get a broader, excellent LA undergraduate education before committing, unless you’re really sure. I’m not clear whether you are passionate about fashion design or not. While that seems a good career path (can congrats on your acceptance!) it is a rigid one, and I’d hope you are super passionate about it to commit. </p>