lindab

Another question please.

While attending the open house at The Art Institute of Atlanta, I noticed a full range of prospective students - the honor student with very good SAT scores and amazing resumes to the student who has struggled - for whatever reason - who hasn't/couldn't be accepted to other colleges.

When I asked an admission rep about their selection process, I was told that they do not want to turn down a promising student because their scores are not a certain level. While I appreciate the reasoning, a red flag went up.

The head of the photo departement (my daughter's interest) was very knowledgeable and rattled off a list of awards her students have recently received. Form my untrained eye, the work displayed looked very good. She repeatedly said that the portfolios of their graduates are excellent and her students get good jobs in the industry.

PLease help. My daughter really liked this school. It is NASAD accreditted.
Is my red flag for nothing?

lindab

I forgot to mention that my concern grew when I found a thread on another forum that the poster called the art institutes "an iffy chain of art schools".

UHHGG!! Help.

elma

I don't feel you can judge the selectivity of a school by who attends its open house. Many students attend open houses and visit colleges but later decide not to apply.

Early on, my son visited the New England Art Institute. He liked it until he visited other colleges he liked better. My husband was turned off because they showed him work that was done at other institutes.

Regarding selectivity, IMO, the better colleges attract more applicants and therefore can be more selective. I feel this is one factor among many others that should be taken into consideration when choosing a college.

larationalist

Well, selectivity is a double-edged sword. Places that aren't very selective are helpful to the profession because they give bright but under-prepared kids a chance. But on the other hand, many not-so-bright kids will also be admitted, and those who do not have a strong drive to achieve inside themselves can be dragged down by this. It creates a real sink-or-swim environment.

I would be more concerned about other factors, frankly. When a school is part of a chain of schools, it can be run more like a business focused on making money rather than a school focused on teaching. Additionally, the reputation which this situation brings about leads most quality professors to focus their employment efforts elsewhere.

taxguy

Selectivity really does matter. Post 4 by Larationist gives some reasons. Other factors are that usualy the more selective the school, the greater the grade inflation. This may matter for grad and professional schools. Less selective schools tend to weed them out with tougher grading standards.

Secondly, a LOT of education occurs between the students at their cafeterias and dorms and NOT just between professor and student. Better students mean that the courses can be given at a higher level. In addition, professors want to teach at schools with better students. Wouldn't you? Thus, you tend to get more famous teachers with better resumes at the more selective schools. They aren't necessarily better teachers,but they usually do have better resumes.