<p>I'm currently a junior in high school, and I've begun to look at colleges. I know that I want to major in either graphic design or industrial design, ideally with a B.F.A. My gpa is around a 3.75, and by the time I'm a senior I would have taken 9 AP classes, I also do extensive volunteer work (9,000 hours by the end of H.S) Here's what I would like in a college:</p>
<p>-Strong design/art department
-Rural/suburban setting (NO city colleges)
-On the east coast, ideally not further south than North Carolina and not farther north than upstate NY/Massachusetts
-Most students live on campus
-ideally a beautiful, or at least nice looking campus
-good scholarship opportunities if expensive </p>
<p>Also, I've already looked at VCU, RISD, RIT, and JMU and RIT is my favorite so far, despite the fact that it is ugly. I'm from VA so I might just end up at VCU, even though I hate the city (I didn't like RISD because of this.) I might also be interested in Carnegie Mellon, but do you think I could even get in? Thanks!</p>
<p>“RIT is my favorite so far, despite the fact that it is ugly.” -That is funny because I hear that said so often! Know a lot of people that have loved their time at the school despite it not giving a good impression when you first walk on campus.</p>
<p>You must have taken the PSAT…that would help. There are too many colleges between NC and MA/NY to narrow it down without knowing at least a score range for you. </p>
<p>Syracuse is a city. Syracuse University is in the city, pop. 145,000. </p>
<p>Well, register for both SAT and ACT as soon as you feel prepared to take them, and when you have those results you can start working on a list. In the meantime, a good use of your time as an early junior is to do broad research into categories of colleges, and start to refine your preferences. Make lists of deal breakers and deal makers ( you’ve listed a few above). You can also start to visit representative schools, public/private, different size student bodies, Greek and no Greek etc. You can also read lots of college guidebooks ( Fiske, Princeton, Insiders Guide, CTCL, etc.) When you have scores come back and ask again :)</p>
<p>The city of Syracuse has 147k residents, but the university is located on outskirts, with a traditional campus. They have a very strong Art department. Most strong art schools are located in cities, simply because students are likeliest to find the cultural life and exposure to the arts world that they want in a city. Ithaca might be even more to your liking. </p>