I'm going to visit a collage campus...advice?

[Vhan Juju]

Ok, well this upcomeing week I'm going to be visiting a collage campus, The University of Texas at Dallas, and for starters,

Should I dress to impress, and make good first impressions? Should I be trying to advertise myself as someone they wan't on thier campus?

Should I wear a suit?

Any other general adice of things I need to be leary of, or make sure to chekc out?

[Mirana]

Dress nice (collared shirt, nice khakis), but a suit is going too far imo. You'd probably be the only one, and the people who do the tours and such aren't the ones that are going to be going over your final paperwork. On the reverse, I've seen tons of kids over the years who wore their typical "artist" clothes (ripped, paint smeared, hoodies, baggy pants, etc.) on these tours/evaluations and they probably got in. ;)

[Storyboard Dave]

Ok, well this upcomeing week I'm going to be visiting a collage campus, The University of Texas at Dallas, and for starters,

Should I dress to impress, and make good first impressions? Should I be trying to advertise myself as someone they wan't on thier campus?

Should I wear a suit?

Any other general adice of things I need to be leary of, or make sure to chekc out?

What's their criteria for accepting students? What program are you entering?

If it's for an art program, come dressed casually. Again, if it's art- you're going to get accepted based upon your portfolio hopefully.

Again, if it's art I'd be aware of the quality of work up on the walls. Are the instructors who teach working in the field or are they the infamous "those who don't know, teach" variety? What are their facilities like? Talk to the students. Make sure you go to a place that's at least got impressive work up on the walls as you'll want a certain quality of work you want to shoot for. Ask the Admissions person where their recent graduates are working as well; don't settle for a percentage either. What's the housing like? Does the school have a bookstore nearby where you can get art supplies?

After the tour, you should feel comfortable there and want to be there. Trust your gut on this & good luck.

[chaosrocks]

first thing ..learn to spell college

crx

[Vhan Juju]

Ok thanks guys, I'll be sure to do that while I am there checking out the College, yes, the college...(Ha take THAT Chaos! lol, jk :) )

[Nyx702]

One more thing...make sure to talk to REAL students there if you can. The admins are salesmen...they will feed you so much crap it will be oozzing out your ears. If you can catch a student off to the side and ask him/her their "real" opinion of the school..

I wish I did...

[Maxine Schacker]

Dress nice (collared shirt, nice khakis), but a suit is going too far imo. You'd probably be the only one, and the people who do the tours and such aren't the ones that are going to be going over your final paperwork. On the reverse, I've seen tons of kids over the years who wore their typical "artist" clothes (ripped, paint smeared, hoodies, baggy pants, etc.) on these tours/evaluations and they probably got in. ;)

And I know of at least one "kid" who dressed that way for an animation job interview and was never interviewed- they asked him to leave.

Be sure to attend the year end show. Look at ALL the work. You can tell more from the general quality than from a couple of outstanding people. Ask questions: how many people in a class, do the instructors have current professional experience, do they help you to prepare a portfolio and demo reel, can you speak with current students and recent graduates?

[Mirana]

And I know of at least one "kid" who dressed that way for an animation job interview and was never interviewed- they asked him to leave.

I'd ask him to leave too. A job interview is a completely different thing--no matter WHAT the workers dress like while on the job. ;) Actually, I dressed in a business suit all three yrs that I went to my major's "Editor Day," even though the editors wore casual or jeans and tees. I was the only one, but I got jobs.

A friend of mine dressed in her business suit to a career day and when she talked to the company that hired her (called her at 8AM the next day, in fact) they told her they hadn't seen a single person in business dress ALL DAY and only a few had actually had resumes. WHAT?

[Vhan Juju]

Ok, thanks guys!