tinycities

anyone know how selective it is? i know that its fairly selective and a small school.

i'm applying for transfer from syracuse to their graphic design program [ i'm extremely unhappy with syracuse's communications design program. ] although i have grade issues [ syracuse grades weird. they grade you on how good of a designer you are, not really on your work or progress or effort. only final product, which is then compared to the seniors. ] so my grades are awful because i hate doing these projects.

but i went to an interview at cal arts, and the woman who interviewed me [ she also introduced me to a graphic design professor and i was able to see the studios and labs and print shop. ] seemed to really like my work and told me my chances were fairly high if i was okay with starting over. how much faith should i put into this? i really am interested in their program [ i'm pretty much a printmaker in a designers body, which fits their program. ]

does anyone actually know any details on calart's graphic design program?

mackinaw

Just a comment on grading. As long as you actually are making significant progress, and ultimately building a portfolio, your grades are not that important. Also, IMO it's important for art and design programs to set a very high standard, because ultimately you will succeed in your career for producing high quality original work -- not for having tried hard hard or made a lot of progress.

unsoccer-mom

Tinycities, many freshman in all kinds of majors at all kinds of colleges are unhappy their first semester. You really need to ask yourself why you are unhappy and why do you want to transfer. My daughter is experiencing some of these issues where she is. I have asked her to answer the big question first. "Do I want a BFA degree."? Since that is all her school offers, she has to start with a yes or no there. You should start-off by listing the things you like about your choice of major and the things you don't like. Then make two lists for your school separating out the academics and the social aspect. Lastly, make a list of what you can do to change your experience at Syracuse for your second semester.

tinycities

ive been here a year and a half, im pretty positive i don't like this program. also, i know why i'm unhappy and i know what i want to do.. its not what im asking, i'm asking about a specific school.

yeah, and i know about the grades. i think its a big reason im ultimately not so concerned about them. i know that my portfolio is strong, and that i am progressing, but im just worried about how they'll hinder my application. and a side note: nothing here is original.. this program makes everyone have the same style and etc. honestly, you can't tell the difference between the work.

mackinaw

It does look like you have serious questions about the program. I might mention that from my daughter's experience getting jobs after she finished art school, nobody ever has asked for a transcript or about her grades. It was all a matter of her skills, experience, and portfolio. I imagine grades could come into play if you go on for another degree, however. She looked at Syracuse as one possible school but didn't apply there.

Wish I could tell you lots about Calarts. One thing I do know is that it's isolated up there in the far north end of the San Fernando Valley (where I grew up), and you will need a car to go anywhere. Of course that's pretty much true if you live anywhere in the L.A. area.

I do know one young guy who got a degree in film/animation at Calarts about 6-7 years ago but had a hard time getting a job in the industry (and now works as a librarian/archivist). But it's very hard to break into that field.

tinycities

yeah that i know.. i grew up in the valley as well and my parents currently live in westwood.. i also have a car back home so im not too worried about that, i already have that internal traffic clock.

i hope i get in, im just really that unhappy here.