RISD, CMU or Colorado College

College Search & Lists
1

I’m freaking out because I’m in love with Colorado College (amazing people, amazing location in the rockies, amazing life in general, love the block plan, small liberal arts like I wanted), but I want a career in the arts and I feel like I can’t pass up RISD, and CMU (College of Fine Arts) gave me a big scholarship. I’ll need loans for Colorado College and RISD, but with a BA from CC, trying to go into the arts, I’ll have trouble paying them off, which probably isn’t the case if I go to RISD. I like CMU the least but I don’t hate it…and that scholarship! Also, I’d like to explore new things like Anthropology or Geology and stuff, which I could totally do at CC, but I guess I could live without it for the sake of a better art education (maybe??). Also I can do some anthropology stuff through RISD but I’m not sure I would because the workload is already so daunting.

Another thing: I have pretty good work ethic, but I HATE WORKING. I’m not materialistic or goal oriented (don’t need a high powered career), and I tend to care a lot more about my happiness/social life than achievement–I’m just not competitive and I get easily overwhelmed and discouraged by too much work. I also get weird and insecure about my artistic abilities, and I’m not sure I can handle art school in general, especially somewhere as top notch/competitive as RISD or CMU. For this reason, I’m not sure I can (or want to) handle CMU or RISD, but I feel like CC would be such an unwise choice that I’ll love SO MUCH while I’m there and regret later.

So just wrote an essay but this feels like a terrible crisis (I have to decide in less than a week) and I NEED HELP :o

2

You can still pursue a career in art at Colorado College. Even though the FA/merit from the art schools seems very tempting, I wouldn’t pigeonhole yourself to a certain “special” school like an art school if you want to explore your options, have a wavering (lack of better word sorry) confidence in being able to handle art school, and aren’t too sure about your interest in art (You don’t know if you want to?).

Go to CC, explore a range of options, and go with your gut. You said you loved the school. Don’t stray from that.

3

^^I agree that it is a bit unnecessary to pigeonhole yourself to an art school if you really aren’t positive that you absolutely want to pursue a career in art. The fact is you can pursue art at CC, and you won’t be completely shutting that door if you choose to attend CC vs a specialty art school. If you go to CC you will likely get turned on by the many other academic opportunities available, and it is possible to pursue whatever path that interests you while simultaneously keeping your hand in artistic endeavors. Go for CC, trust your instincts!!!