<p>Out of all the schools I’ve researched, Oberlin is my favorite in terms of “vibe” (stupid word, but you get my meaning.) I love the idea of “winter term” (where students take a break from classes to pursue a larger project) and their ExCo program. Their overall attitude towards the college experience/education is really appealing to me. (Plus, it seems to be known for being a bit “hipstery”…which I kind of am.) However, it doesn’t seem to offer a graphic design program, or really any opportunities for someone interested in design. Plus, 3,000 students is really small. </p>
<p>Are there other colleges that are similar to Oberlin, but have better graphic design opportunities/larger sizes? New York / Boston / California schools would be nice, but I’m open.</p>
<p>I’m mostly familiar with Oberlin as a music school, and their music program is so famous that it makes some sort of sense they wouldn’t have a graphic design program.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in graphic design, are you considering art schools?
Pratt Institute (Brooklyn) is about the same size as Oberlin.
The New School has over 6K undergrads in Manhattan (Greenwich Village). It has graphic design programs in its Parsons division. Rhode Island School of Design is even smaller than Oberlin (~ 1900 undergrads) but is close to Brown University.</p>
<p>Read your other posts OP and you related that you didn’t really want an only arts school so that narrows things down. Is that because you might change your mind about graphic design and want the flexibility to do that? Someone had suggested CMU to you. Their Design program’s curriculum is pretty much set in stone. Their is some flexibility with electives but not much wiggle room. But there is a BXA program in which you major in graphic design and another field. Look at the website. It’s very competitive. </p>
<p>This was actually our dilemma with our S. We wanted him somewhere that would have a variety of different types of students as he has a variety of interests too. He’s in CMU CFA- ID.</p>
<p>Be careful of CMU’s CFA’s deadlines. A portfolio review is best in person. Also, CFA is more relaxed about GPA than other majors and the portfolio carries a lot of weight. I think interviewing by the department really helps because they want to talk to you about your work and hear what you have to say. </p>
<p>My sense is that CMU CFA students definitely have a hipster vibe but not an Oberlin vibe (activists on causes/environmental/political). BTW, one of my S’s best friends ended up at Oberlin and loves it there.</p>
<p>Please consider that privates are very, very expensive. My S was cautioned against a high cost school for a graphic design major that is already flooded with job applicants.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses! I probably should’ve mentioned in the original post that I’m not really looking into art schoolsI’m still not sure if graphic design is what I want to major in, or if I’d rather do it as a minor, or as a double major, etc. That being said, my dad does like to ask me every so often if I’m absolutely sure I don’t want to go to CalArts, because HE thinks it would be cool. </p>
<p>I will be sure to check out Hampshire and Emerson more in depth. A few people have recommended Emerson to me, and Hampshire’s consortium sounds like a great resource. </p>
<p>goingnutsmom, the BXA program at Carnegie Mellon sounds right up my alleyand it’s somehow slipped right under my radar. This might be a stupid question, but am I supposed to apply for it when I apply for CMU, like an honors program? Or is it something you apply for later on, like when your freshman year is over?</p>
<p>I wish! Haha. My dad thinks going to CalArts, majoring in animation, and then going on to make movies at Pixar would be a fine career path, since he would then get to visit me at Pixar. I think my mom would sooner eat a spider than see me go to an art school. (Ironic, considering they both majored in film!)</p>
<p>My S is in Design but not BXA although it caught his attention just this year as his interests are still evolving. </p>
<p>Be forewarned- CMU is one of the most expensive colleges out there and not generous with financial aid. I have heard that applying ED helps with the financial aid package if you are in need and highly desired by them. </p>
<p>Wesleyan – Not a destination for graphic arts but excellent art department (as well as overall academics). Vibe similar to Oberlin. About the same size as Oberlin but convenient to New York and Boston. Also, Vassar, Bard.</p>
<p>Brown – Very selective! You can take classes at RISD.</p>
<p>Cornell – Also has a concurrent BFA/BA program</p>
<p>Oberlin (2900) is a Liberal Arts College (LAC).
Almost all LACs, for the most part, are about the same size.
So, if you’re looking to go to a LAC, that will be the size of your school.</p>
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<p>Vassar (2400) and Bard (2000) are about the same size as Oberlin and are, in fact, a little smaller.</p>
<p>When I think of places that are similar to Oberlin I thought of other liberal arts colleges - Grinnell and Lawrence first of all; also reed (for the hipstery vibe) and maybe Kenyon and Earlham. I also thought of Hampshire and Pitzer.</p>
<p>But if you want bigger than Oberlin, I think Brown is a good suggestion - they have a joint program with RISD. A less expensive safety school option for you could be SUNY College at Purchase, which has great art programs but also a liberal arts college with traditional majors and is known for an artsy, hipstery vibe. It’s just an hour north of NYC. I second the recommendation of Emerson in Boston (also pretty small, though). You may also be interested in Tufts and Boston College.</p>
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