The "College Experience" vs. Art School (bachelors, degree, state school)

[godeokristen]

which is better,
getting the college experience,you know, football games campus parties diversity and all the clubs
or going to a general art school that just specifies in art
the pros about art school is it focuses more on art but the bad part is that i wont get my core courses in like english,math,social studies like i would at a normal university
any advice?

[scdreamer]

I would say it all depends on what your career objectives are. There are pros and cons to both options.

Some art schools have agreements with local liberal art schools so that students can elect for a hybrid program. Which colleges and which art schools are you comparing?

p.s. Try to keep football games out of your decision, unless you are planning to earn a football scholarship. I don't think you'll have problems finding parties at any school that caters to recent high school grads.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by godeokristen

which is better,
getting the college experience,you know, football games campus parties diversity and all the clubs
or going to a general art school that just specifies in art
the pros about art school is it focuses more on art but the bad part is that i wont get my core courses in like english,math,social studies like i would at a normal university
any advice?

Art schools can be very expensive. So if money is a concern you could consider attending your state university and getting a BA that way.

However, if you can afford it, art schools can be so awesome. You do still have to do some core courses, but you have so many more options on art classes. Additionally, in art school you start right out as a freshman getting into the thick of things, whereas in a regular university you're going to be taking all those basics (math, English, science etc) with just a little smattering of art for the first two years, which can be boring and frustrating.

Also, art school students need to be more focused and disciplined - do you fit that description? Or do you still need your mom to wake you up every morning and wash all your clothes? Basically a degree of maturity is needed at art school that you don't find in your typical college freshman dorm.

So, what kind of kid are you?

[mbuszu]

going away to an Art school will provide plenty of college experience for anyone - parties, events, drugs, LOL... don't worry it'll have it all except Football games. If your career is going to have an art focus, then I would definitely not worry about missing any varsity sports.

[Robineli]

What it really comes down to is: which is better for you?

Here's my experience: I have a Bachelors in Art and one in Business - from a state university. The Business major was first, then I tacked on the Art major after I admitted I really was an artist and could earn a living at it - which I do, commercially (yea, Business degree!). Never was into parties or football games, BUT I was able to add in classes from the different schools within the university for a more well-rounded education. In the future, I'd love to go for a Masters and would look to an art school for that.

I do have to add that I took quite a ribbing from both the School of Art ("you're very Apollonian") and School of Business ("ha, ha, ha, whadda studying....basket weaving?").

There were fellow students in my studio classes that had wanted to go to art school, but since their parents were financing the education, they didn't have a choice. Hello, State U. Some are very talented and support themselves quite well producing art commercially. Others are extremely talented and currently work as Disney animators, for Lucas, on Cleo winning ads, their own startups, etc. The ones that aren't talented (professors used the term "not commercially viable") can't seem to land professional artist jobs and wallow around in low-pay non-creative jobs, hoping for their break. A few of these became real estate agents.

I think if you eat, sleep, breathe, and obsess about art and your portfolio makes people weep - go to art school.

If you like art, have a pretty good portfolio, think you want to earn a living as an artist but want to add some diversity to your education - go to university.

Don't overlook the top ranked art programs in some state universities. (Suddenly, I'm drawing a blank, but I think you could hunt down the list online)

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[artsyguy]

The "college experience" is overrated garbage. It is animal house wanna-be BS. I didn't enjoy it nor was it important. Diversity is way overrated because most people form groups of their own kind and keep the "colored folk" or "gay folk" at bay.

Go to the art school and specialize in your area. Make sure the art school people are nice and friendly because you are going to be stuck there for a long time. In your free time go to the library and read up on english, math, and social studies.

Originally Posted by godeokristen

which is better,
getting the college experience,you know, football games campus parties diversity and all the clubs
or going to a general art school that just specifies in art
the pros about art school is it focuses more on art but the bad part is that i wont get my core courses in like english,math,social studies like i would at a normal university
any advice?

[PurpleLove08]

One of the colleges in my state has a good art program.
A friend of mine is attending a really expensive art school out of state but she said had she stayed in state, she would have gone to the state school.

It's a more well rounded education at the state school/liberal arts school vs a pure arts school.

Like some posters have said, it's all about your career objective.

http://www.ualr.edu has a good art program.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by godeokristen

which is better,
getting the college experience,you know, football games campus parties diversity and all the clubs
or going to a general art school that just specifies in art
the pros about art school is it focuses more on art but the bad part is that i wont get my core courses in like english,math,social studies like i would at a normal university
any advice?

My advice is that unless you are going to a top ranked or at the least, a known art school, I wouldn't bother. You will find that after graduation, an art degree is more about who you know rather than how much talent you have. You will learn the same stuff, have access to the same equipment, etc. in an art program at a state college that you would at a private art school. And you'll save $20,000 - $30,000 a year.

Other than that, you will find that the 'college experience' exists on both campuses and in reality you will not miss out on much if you choose the art school. Chances are, there is a 'regular' college near by. If you go to the art school you'll more than likely party and hang out with those students anyways.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

My advice is that unless you are going to a top ranked or at the least, a known art school, I wouldn't bother. You will find that after graduation, an art degree is more about who you know rather than how much talent you have. You will learn the same stuff, have access to the same equipment, etc. at in an art program at a state college that you would at a private art school. And you'll save $20,000 - $30,000 a year.

Other than that, you will find that the 'college experience' exists on both campuses and in reality you will not miss out on much if you choose the art school. Chances are, there is a 'regular' college near by. If you go to the art school you'll more than likely party and hang out with those students anyways.

I concur.

I personally don't care if an artist went to art school, as long as I like the art. I actually have more respect for those who didn't go to art school and have amazing work.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by artsyguy

The "college experience" is overrated garbage. It is animal house wanna-be BS. I didn't enjoy it nor was it important. Diversity is way overrated because most people form groups of their own kind and keep the "colored folk" or "gay folk" at bay.

Go to the art school and specialize in your area. Make sure the art school people are nice and friendly because you are going to be stuck there for a long time. In your free time go to the library and read up on english, math, and social studies.

I have dated girls who went to art school. I dated a girl who got a B.A. in art and then a Masters in Art. I have had, and still have, friends who graduated from private art schools and from art programs at public colleges.

I can say this with absolute certainty; Animal House is very much alive and kicking at the private art schools. The only difference is that instead of jocks and Greeks, you have pretentious art students; whom are both equally annoying.