Michael @ LCAD
November 2nd, 2005, 04:35 PM
Hello all,
Absolutely first, let me say this: my college is not the best school in the country (for some, it is, but for you as an individual, read on....)
I see a lot of people being very challenged on how to identify the best school for them, and that is what it really, really, really is about - finding the best school for yourselves. So, as an Admissions Counselor, I am going to try to help you all out a bit. There are many excellent schools to check into, several of which are posted about here, and some are not.
For instance, two of the most mentioned, Ringling and Art Center are truly very good schools. So, while they are both quite good, they are both quite different, and you need to discover what works for you, in these schools as well as the others.
So, this is what to do:
First of all, I talk a lot; however, the strongest statement any of us can make about our respective schools is not what we say, but what is hanging on the walls and on the websites. If you like what you are seeing, that is a good indicator, and it is a very good start in narrowing down your choices. If you don't like what you see, no matter the reputation, or that your buddy is going there, then you shouldn't go there, because you are likely to hate every minute.
For instance, if someone were to come to us looking for abstract art, they really, really need to go elsewhere because we don't do it. Does that mean where they go wouldn't be very good? Absolutely not, because there are some schools doing fantastic abstract art.
So, start with that as your basic premise - find what you think is good. Two very good places for that are AICAD.org, with a list of some very good private art schools around the country. Also, take a look at NPDA.org, which also has lists by major (or concentration).
The NPDA stands for National Portfolio Association, which puts on National Portfolio Day all around the country. This event is absolutely one of the best events you can possible attend. On that day (see npda.org for dates and locations), you can meet with representatives from premier art colleges around the U.S., all in a single day in a single place. You will also get some very good feedback on how to prepare and what to do with your portfolios. Bring your work, and you will get about 10-15 minutes with each representative you speak to. We are there to help you. Visit as many schools as you can. Make the most of this day. Suck up as much information as possible.
So, just to repeat: check out websites through NPDA.org and AICAD.org. Also, see if your teachers have catalogues and such in the classroom. See if a rep can come to your school. They just may do that.
While I write this all, remember one very, very, very important thing. While we all do this for a living, this is your life. Let me say that again. This is YOUR life. We can't decide for you, nor should we.
So, at Portfolio Day, when we look at your portfolios, what are we looking to see? By the way, if you live 100 miles away, do it, it's worth it. 200 miles away, get there....400 miles, you get the idea. Again, take advantage of it, and see as many schools as you can. So, what do we want to see? Suprise, it may be a little different from school to school, so don't be too shocked if you go to two schools, and get some different responses. However, there is ONE thing we ALL want to see, and that is observational drawing. In that observational drawing, we see who you are as an artist, how you see, how you have developed your craft, how you compose, and on and on. That is observation from real life; i.e. still life, landscape, and especially figure. After that, check out the schools ahead of time (the ones that have sparked your interest) and see what they want to see in their applications. Also, trust me on this one, you may love Anime, so I say enjoy it, do it, have reams of sketches of it, but do not put it in your college portfolio. You may earn a fortune doing it someday, but do not put it in your portfolio. Do not put cartooning in your portfolio, unless perhaps you are an animator and it supplements your lifelike drawing. Even if you wanted to work for Pixar or Disney, they will want great draftsmanship, and the way college see evidence of that is lifelike, observational drawing.
There are some other things to look at. Where do you want to live and what kind of school do you want to be at? For instance, if you want to go to school at a bangin', urban, large school, we are so not your style. If that is what you love, there are several really good options for that. If you love ice-fishing, again, well, you get the idea.
Instincts and Intuitions count. Does it feel right? That counts for something, so if you don't trust those things, give them a little credence. At the same time, if you only choose a place because you like how you feel, that is a bad way to go to. Feel good about it, but think hard about it.
The best way to get those answers, if you can, is get to the school for a visit. Talk to the reps, look around the school. Get this one too. Ask HARD questions - come prepared. Of course, don't try to play Mr. or Mrs. Prosecutor either. Just get the info you need to make a good decision. I have had people feel embarrassed to ask me hard questions. Don't be. It's your life, and not just the next four years, but forty.
After you have visited the reps, whomever they might be, you are not done yet, as much as some reps wish you were. Don't stop. It's your life - I can't repeat it enough. Try to sit in on a class and take part; i.e., a figure class or drawing class. See how the instructors treat you. Look around the room, and think, do I want to hang with these people for the next four years. That answer will be different for different people. During breaks, try to talk to those students, and find out the things you want to find out from their perspective. "Is this a good place? If you had to choose over again, would you still choose here? Are you challenged here? Is the work good here? Are the boys (girls) cute? Are the faculty and staff supportive and attentive?" Whatever.
One note on websites, catalogues and the student work. Like I said, it is very important; however, do something more than that. When you visit the school, and you should because a plane ticket and hotel is very, very cheap compared to a year's or 4 year's tuition, look to see how a lot of students are doing. Any school can roll out 2 or 3 stars, and plaster their work all over, but if many students are doing well, that is a sign of the program's progress. Look at a first year class and a third or fourth year class - if possible, sometimes it isn't. Is there substantial progress among several students?
Then take a look at things like the greater community. Do you like it there? Is it a good, fun and safe place to live? Again, different people will feel differently. Are there dorms? That is very important for many, and for us the answer is no. Still, if you are mature, and if the school doesn't have housing (and there are several that don't), what are some possible housing options? But if you don't feel good about that, then definitely find a dorm somewhere. These are questions that, in the end, only you can answer.
Look at the school, look at their student's work, look at the programs AND curriculum to see if that is what you want to do (don't just look at "majors"). Side note: when you look at that curriculum, don't just evaluate it on what you want to do. The more important question is.. is that curriculum effective in teaching me what I NEED to know to do what I want to do. Some people will promise you that easy way out. The easy way out always means you will be on the outside looking in at people who didn't take the easy way out.
I could go on a lot longer, but I just want to give you all a start. Do these things, find a college that you are going to just love, and The BEST college in the country is the one that is truly BEST for you.
It is your life.
Absolutely first, let me say this: my college is not the best school in the country (for some, it is, but for you as an individual, read on....)
I see a lot of people being very challenged on how to identify the best school for them, and that is what it really, really, really is about - finding the best school for yourselves. So, as an Admissions Counselor, I am going to try to help you all out a bit. There are many excellent schools to check into, several of which are posted about here, and some are not.
For instance, two of the most mentioned, Ringling and Art Center are truly very good schools. So, while they are both quite good, they are both quite different, and you need to discover what works for you, in these schools as well as the others.
So, this is what to do:
First of all, I talk a lot; however, the strongest statement any of us can make about our respective schools is not what we say, but what is hanging on the walls and on the websites. If you like what you are seeing, that is a good indicator, and it is a very good start in narrowing down your choices. If you don't like what you see, no matter the reputation, or that your buddy is going there, then you shouldn't go there, because you are likely to hate every minute.
For instance, if someone were to come to us looking for abstract art, they really, really need to go elsewhere because we don't do it. Does that mean where they go wouldn't be very good? Absolutely not, because there are some schools doing fantastic abstract art.
So, start with that as your basic premise - find what you think is good. Two very good places for that are AICAD.org, with a list of some very good private art schools around the country. Also, take a look at NPDA.org, which also has lists by major (or concentration).
The NPDA stands for National Portfolio Association, which puts on National Portfolio Day all around the country. This event is absolutely one of the best events you can possible attend. On that day (see npda.org for dates and locations), you can meet with representatives from premier art colleges around the U.S., all in a single day in a single place. You will also get some very good feedback on how to prepare and what to do with your portfolios. Bring your work, and you will get about 10-15 minutes with each representative you speak to. We are there to help you. Visit as many schools as you can. Make the most of this day. Suck up as much information as possible.
So, just to repeat: check out websites through NPDA.org and AICAD.org. Also, see if your teachers have catalogues and such in the classroom. See if a rep can come to your school. They just may do that.
While I write this all, remember one very, very, very important thing. While we all do this for a living, this is your life. Let me say that again. This is YOUR life. We can't decide for you, nor should we.
So, at Portfolio Day, when we look at your portfolios, what are we looking to see? By the way, if you live 100 miles away, do it, it's worth it. 200 miles away, get there....400 miles, you get the idea. Again, take advantage of it, and see as many schools as you can. So, what do we want to see? Suprise, it may be a little different from school to school, so don't be too shocked if you go to two schools, and get some different responses. However, there is ONE thing we ALL want to see, and that is observational drawing. In that observational drawing, we see who you are as an artist, how you see, how you have developed your craft, how you compose, and on and on. That is observation from real life; i.e. still life, landscape, and especially figure. After that, check out the schools ahead of time (the ones that have sparked your interest) and see what they want to see in their applications. Also, trust me on this one, you may love Anime, so I say enjoy it, do it, have reams of sketches of it, but do not put it in your college portfolio. You may earn a fortune doing it someday, but do not put it in your portfolio. Do not put cartooning in your portfolio, unless perhaps you are an animator and it supplements your lifelike drawing. Even if you wanted to work for Pixar or Disney, they will want great draftsmanship, and the way college see evidence of that is lifelike, observational drawing.
There are some other things to look at. Where do you want to live and what kind of school do you want to be at? For instance, if you want to go to school at a bangin', urban, large school, we are so not your style. If that is what you love, there are several really good options for that. If you love ice-fishing, again, well, you get the idea.
Instincts and Intuitions count. Does it feel right? That counts for something, so if you don't trust those things, give them a little credence. At the same time, if you only choose a place because you like how you feel, that is a bad way to go to. Feel good about it, but think hard about it.
The best way to get those answers, if you can, is get to the school for a visit. Talk to the reps, look around the school. Get this one too. Ask HARD questions - come prepared. Of course, don't try to play Mr. or Mrs. Prosecutor either. Just get the info you need to make a good decision. I have had people feel embarrassed to ask me hard questions. Don't be. It's your life, and not just the next four years, but forty.
After you have visited the reps, whomever they might be, you are not done yet, as much as some reps wish you were. Don't stop. It's your life - I can't repeat it enough. Try to sit in on a class and take part; i.e., a figure class or drawing class. See how the instructors treat you. Look around the room, and think, do I want to hang with these people for the next four years. That answer will be different for different people. During breaks, try to talk to those students, and find out the things you want to find out from their perspective. "Is this a good place? If you had to choose over again, would you still choose here? Are you challenged here? Is the work good here? Are the boys (girls) cute? Are the faculty and staff supportive and attentive?" Whatever.
One note on websites, catalogues and the student work. Like I said, it is very important; however, do something more than that. When you visit the school, and you should because a plane ticket and hotel is very, very cheap compared to a year's or 4 year's tuition, look to see how a lot of students are doing. Any school can roll out 2 or 3 stars, and plaster their work all over, but if many students are doing well, that is a sign of the program's progress. Look at a first year class and a third or fourth year class - if possible, sometimes it isn't. Is there substantial progress among several students?
Then take a look at things like the greater community. Do you like it there? Is it a good, fun and safe place to live? Again, different people will feel differently. Are there dorms? That is very important for many, and for us the answer is no. Still, if you are mature, and if the school doesn't have housing (and there are several that don't), what are some possible housing options? But if you don't feel good about that, then definitely find a dorm somewhere. These are questions that, in the end, only you can answer.
Look at the school, look at their student's work, look at the programs AND curriculum to see if that is what you want to do (don't just look at "majors"). Side note: when you look at that curriculum, don't just evaluate it on what you want to do. The more important question is.. is that curriculum effective in teaching me what I NEED to know to do what I want to do. Some people will promise you that easy way out. The easy way out always means you will be on the outside looking in at people who didn't take the easy way out.
I could go on a lot longer, but I just want to give you all a start. Do these things, find a college that you are going to just love, and The BEST college in the country is the one that is truly BEST for you.
It is your life.