diagram12345

Recently I've decided to transfer out of art school into a university/ liberal arts college, as I am not as sure about a design career as I once was.
I want badly to go to a "top school," but I understand my it is unlikely considering my low GPA for my freshman college year.

High School Stats-
GPA- 3.8 with all honors courses
SATs- 650 Math, 800 Verbal, 710 Writing
SAT IIs- 790 Literature, 740 U.S. History
E.C.s- Several piano awards, volunteering at a nursing home, volunteering with a musical ensemble, Literary Society President

College Stats-
GPA- 3.51
E.C.s- Internal Activities Coordinater for the Asian Cultural Association, volunteering with the student run recycling program, a cappella assistant music director
I am taking the maximum number of credits possible.

Can anyone tell me what good schools I might have a chance with?
Also, will I be significantly disadvantaged because of my year at art school?
I should note that what really pulled my grade down for the year were my studio art classes, many of which I got either a B or B+, if that matters.

Thank you in advance.

gprime

3.5 is not bad, but you're right in recognizing that you're probably not bound for a top 20 school with it. Maybe, just maybe, Emory would be an option.

But ignoring rank/presitge for a moment, what is it that you want to study? Is it something your present school does not offer? Do you have academic (read: non-art) classes on your college transcript? Those are perhaps the most relevant questions to answer first before coming up with a transfer application list.

diagram12345

I don't know what I want to study, but I'm doubtful about pursuing a design career, which I think is reason enough to want to transfer out of a specialty school.

I do have academic classes on my transcript- the GPA for those is 3.7.

liek0806

diagram I AM IN THE EXACT SAME POSITION AS YOU, except my GPA was way lower. I reached junior year at my last art school this past fall, and i'm taking a year off to do community college in the hopes of raising my gpa up and transferring for fall 09. YOu at least have the advantage of having had a higher gpa and currently being a sophomore this upcoming fall? IF you take a year of community college and took general ed, to make your overall gpa a 3.7+ that will for sure get you in the door at some top schools.

I definitely think our situation is unfair, because people who haven't gone to a reputable art school, don't know the HELL we go through pursuing a BFA. On top of managing liberal art courses, you have to manage studio courses that require more hours of hw than humanities/social science/liberal art coures do. Going to class every single day from 8am-5pm(just for one class) and taking the maximum 18 units. And you know just as I how grading can be very subjective at art school, as opposed to at a regular university or college where you're graded on papers, tests, and class participation...

I don't think you're in a bad situation at all. Trust me, my gpa was way lower. I've met with claremont mckenna, and they say the minimum gpa i should aim for to have a good shot is a 3.6, but they want to see liberal art/social science courses. And obviously you've excelled in the academic classes. I think there's still a shot at top 20's. at least that's what i'm aiming for(both lacs and unis, more lacs). It's a matter of researching schools and knowing what schools would be a back up(which may not end up being top 20 schools). If you're in cali, the worst case scenario(which would be my worst case scenario, is that i end up at my last choice of a UC).

What state are you located in?

diagram12345

I'm in the east coast and ideally I'd stay close to there, so I'm looking at Wellesley, Carnegie Mellon (through the art program, then double majoring), NYU, and Tufts.

However, if I get into Washington University in St. Louis with enough financial aid, I may go there. I should note that the only reason I think that I have a chance at WUSTL is because I plan to get accepted through the art program and then double major in something else. I'm not delusional.

Does anyone know if coming from the Rhode Island School of Design will help me get accepted in comparison to other art schools?