<p>Here is the breakdown :</p>
<p>I am a college grad with a BA in French from Earlham College (graduated in 2007), and I am planning on attending art school to get a BFA in Illustration. I've been looking at the usual suspects (RISD, SVA, MICA, Pratt, etc.), and I am interested to hear if there are any up-and-coming programs at other schools as well.</p>
<p>Location is, for now, not an issue. I'm also pretty much resigned to the fact that I will have to take out loans to the extreme, so tuition is not a huge concern (although the cheaper the better!). I am simply interested in finding what fits me best. </p>
<p>Since I've already gone through the liberal arts education rigamarole, I want to be able to concentrate purely on developing my skills and technique in Illustration. I want something rigorous and challenging, maybe even experimental and somewhat eccentric. </p>
<p>I'm also curious how polished most art institutions expect their applying students' portfolios to be?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance!!!</p>