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<p>ampron2x, I think the first decision is whether to go to an art school per se or a college or university at which studio art is one department of many. I dont mean to make a value judgment on one over the other. My husband went to art school and enjoyed it enormously. My son is studying art and art history at a small liberal arts college. They are both goods routes. Id say the major difference is that at the art school, everyone will be concentrating on art, 24/7. At a college or university youll have friends and colleagues involved in a wide range of academic subjects. Although pure vocational training especially in design – is more accessible at an art school, many, many kids graduate from full service colleges and go on to successful careers in art related fields like architecture, advertising, design.</p>
<p>If, for whatever reason, youve chosen NOT to go to an art school, then you need to think about what college or university is best for you. In addition to looking at the individual art department e.g. faculty, course, facilities, you need to consider other factors like location, size, ambience etc., just as a biology or English major would.</p>
<p>The term LAC is generally applied to smaller colleges that dont offer a wide range of graduate degrees. Thus, even though universities like Michigan, Wisconsin and the others youve listed do offer a liberal arts education they arent strictly LACs. Being large, multifaceted organizations they have the resources to offer a wide range of courses. Same for the ivy league, though as you mention, selectivity is fierce. These are great schools, but dont fill the bill for someone who doesnt want a large school or doesnt have the statistics for the ivy league.</p>
<p>For some kids, the small liberal arts college has a lot of appeal small classes, accessible faculty whose first priority is to teach, nurturing supportive environment, a completely different ambience from a large research university. LACs cover the same gamut of academic rigor and admissions selectivity as larger schools, so its difficult to generalize, but if you want small, you can find one that fits you.</p>
<p>It is true at small LACs that the courses offered each semester in ANY discipline are limited; however, most have distribution requirements that require students to take a range of subjects from general categories like humanities, math/science and social studies. Thus over the course of four years each student takes from 16-20 courses in his/her major. There are enough courses available in each major to fill up the available slots and most LACs also offer independent study or honors so that students can supplement their areas of interest if advanced courses arent available. LACs with good art departments dont lack for talent and intensity, but the concept is usually more on diversity than on depth. Kids are encouraged to experiment across media and a lot of focus is put on theory and articulation (plus a balance of the other liberal arts.)</p>
<p>Conn College is a special case in the LAC category because it offers an undergraduate degree in architecture and thus has more course offerings than a typical LAC of its size.</p>