MFA art school in SoCal: Art Center, Otis, Cal Arts, UCLA, CSULB

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Greetings all I wish this website was available when I was getting an undergrad. Now that I’m pursuing an MFA, I would like some opinions.</p>

<p>I have many abilities and interest in art, most notably life drawing, 3D, and industrial design. I feel I can do anyone of them and the degree can take me pretty much anywhere especially teaching, which I am currently doing right now, but only to private colleges.</p>

<p>Here are my picks:</p>

<p>Art Center:
program: industrial design
Pros: Great reputation, extremely convenient.</p>

<p>Cons: Cost. And not the perfect major but a practical one I can use.</p>

<p>UCLA:
program: animation
Pro:Great reputation (Other than turning down George Lucas or was it Steven Spielberg?) Cost is pretty fair.</p>

<p>Cons: Far travel. Not really the major I like since I already have a bachelors in this and can do this project on my own.</p>

<p>CSULB:
program: studio art in figurative
Pro: The only life drawing program out there in California. An artist program built by artist and run by artist. No fine arts critical theory BS.</p>

<p>Cons: Far travel. CSU name is considered a B grade school although many studio artist will vouch this as a better program than UCLA fine arts criticsm and theory. Also I came from an undergrad with no name so that is something to consider.</p>

<p>Otis:
program: Public art
Pro: Reputation. The program seems interesting.</p>

<p>Cons:Far travel. Not really the program I’m looking for.</p>

<p>Cal Arts:
program: studio art to almost anything
Pro: Reputation. Flexibilty and freedom. Basically I can do whatever I want and I am pretty self driven.</p>

<p>Cons: Farthest and maybe a bit too much freedom.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? I’m willing to do anyone of these programs. I have a strong portfolio in foundation and a pretty good history.</p>

2

<p>I would probably suggest to chose a field of study first. Why pick a school if you can’t pick a major?</p>

3

<p>I am flexible and willing to do any kind of 2 year study.</p>

<p>One thing I don’t like is the film industry because of it’s hardcore deadlines. Most of my friends work 50-70 hours a week who do film. </p>

<p>With a film degree at UCLA I’m sure I can make it as a game designer, illustrator, and what not so the major isn’t a concern as all of the school I listed can lead me to almost any art job. And the thing with MFA as oppose to an undergrad is every school is so completely different in what they offer. It isn’t Otis illustration versus Art Center illustration Versus UCLA illustration versus CSULB illustration versus Cal Arts illustration.</p>

<p>I hope you know what I mean.</p>

4

<p>The way I see it (at least this is how I would think), you might look back after having finished your masters and wish you pursued the major you loved. So, my advice is to that. It will impact the rest of your life. Narrow your options down to the programs you love the most and base your pros and cons off of those, and chose the one best suited from there.</p>

5

<p>I do understand, but if you want to study illustration, then you should find which school matches what kind of illustration you wish to study. </p>

<p>Be careful not to become a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Pick a focus, and work with that. Grad school is expensive.</p>

6

<p>Actually I just want the MFA status and I am willing to passionately apply myself to any of the Majors.</p>