Of these three prògrams , ICAM @UCSD, 3DDD @RIT and a BFA from UPenn…I am a visual arts student and trying to figure out what is the best program among these three?
@rockyhoudini “Best program among these three” depends on your goals.
While all three are creative and hands on, they seem like very different programs with different emphases and goals for their students - do you want to:
- study fine arts with art history/liberal arts courses as the main mix?
- Be in a fine arts program which also introduces the computer as part of the media? Or;
- learn how to use your creativity/fine arts abilities to have a more directed experience with internships in the field and gainful employment as a goal?
They all sound like interesting programs.
The BFA from UPENN sounds like a typical art school experience, however you must be very motivated to choose your own path. “In the BFA program, you will unite the technical mastery of studio art and the breadth of the liberal arts to complete your undergraduate degree and gain a world-class education in the liberal arts. The program allows you to pursue your artistic passions and your unique combination of intellectual interests in two environments that offer the support, resources and flexibility you deserve to ensure your success.” http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/undergraduate/bfa
They feature two graduates of the program here: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/undergraduate/bfa/alumni
UCSD: “The Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts major in the Music and Visual Arts Departments draws upon and aims to bring together ideas and paradigms from computer science, art, and cultural theory. It takes for granted that the computer has become a metamedium and that artists working with computers are expected to combine different media forms in their works.” This program seems more fine arts oriented, with expression as the goal.
You will spend a lot of time in front of a computer: http://visarts.ucsd.edu/~gd4/icam-interdisciplinary-computing-and-arts-minor
My D is considering a program in California, but my husband is concerned about the serious drought. They just announced that California only has one more year of water. Crazy thing to have to think about, but if this long drought continues, California may not be a great place to be studying.
The program at RIT is fairly new, but the 2012 graduates have interesting jobs -
“In 3D Digital Design at RIT, students build a strong foundation in technical and aesthetic skills, practice, and history leading careers solving design problems in computer and video games, medical and scientific simulations, data visualization, models for architects and engineers, motion or broadcast graphics, instructional media, accident reconstruction, and more. In the ever changing software landscape students learn to work on teams, complete projects to specifications, and collaborate with other students in a variety of disciplines. With extensive experience in the various areas of the field, the faculty work together to expose students to professional practice and problem solving strategies. This challenging curriculum includes hands on experience, theory, practice, ethics, aesthetics, innovation, international awareness, and the interdisciplinary aspects of the field in developing social responsible products.”
Their top employers and curriculum can be seen here: https://cias.rit.edu/schools/design/undergraduate-3d-digital-graphics
You will spend a lot of time in front of a computer in this program as well.
Here is where they are working after graduating:
http://the3dworld.cias.rit.edu/wordpress/where-they-work/
Student interview about his internship:
http://the3dworld.cias.rit.edu/wordpress/3ddd-student-focus-internships-interview/
If you want a more traditional experience with great support, UPENN. Totally my opinion, but I’d only choose that if I didn’t have to worry about money and loans, because if you need loans, it can be hard to pay them back when you are also trying to create your own art later on. Personal experience talking here. I know that UPENN is Ivy, but their recent push to “make it more affordable” has me wondering. They have amazing resources and a beautiful campus.
I don’t know about the UCSD program, because I couldn’t find much information online about student outcomes.
If I wanted a creative field where I could also work in my field, the RIT path offers both.
This coming from a family of artists. If you gave up the scholarship from RIT, would you be taking on a lot of debt? Also at RIT, you would be in the College of Imaging Arts and have free electives - you could take these in fine arts.
Weather is different at all three. Curriculum is challenging at all three. It depends on what you want to focus on.
Thanks a ton ! That’s a terrific amount of info you put together. Lemme get my thoughts organised. I was worried about the newness of the RIT program and the lack of a comparative internship opportunities and other technology companies around compared to California.
being an an international student my family is willing to take care of the education.
The flexibility of a large research university and options for a broader education at UCSD are what are on top of my mind ! From out here, for me California was all about tech. Really appreciate your time and input . I do have acceptances from UT austin and U Mass , but felt the above were my best options…
Happy to post. My D has been looking at and applying to programs with motion graphics programs, and there are not that many. RIT is one of them. I am not an expert, but I do know that RIT offers a lot of internship opportunities - that is what they are known for. The places where the grads are working look top notch.
Will he be needing to water lawns or something while in college, or grow crops? I doubt there will not be any water to drink in the next 4 years.
Will your parents take on loans? (How much would each cost and are they all “within budget” out of pocket?)
How easy is it to add a Digital Media minor to your UPenn program?
Will you be returning home after your degree and if so, which universities will help you most.
We visited RIT with our D for animation, but ended up being much more impressed with its 3DD program. It is more art-focused and the facilities are very good. Our tour guide was a senior in the program and loved it. He said he got a great internship with a company in San Francisco and was hoping to get a job offer there soon. Our dorm tour guide was also in that program and spoke very highly of it. RIT’s campus is really an acquired taste though…miles and miles of brick. Dorms are far from the central campus. I think they give generous merit aid because it is hard to attract students to that campus.
My daughter’s high school art teacher has a BFA from Penn. She speaks very highly of it. Penn does have a digital art program too, but it is in the college of engineering and at Penn you apply to the program. I would think any BFA student there would be able to take a lot of digital classes and possibly minor in it.
My folks are supportive and have been planning this for several years !!! Just that they would like me to get a broad education with a focus on technology …I love art and the UCSD ICAM sounds interesting . It has art and technology and a huge campus to explore other majors…and I hear so much about what a fun place is San Diego… A lot of class mates are headed there…and no one is onto RIT!
But the flip side is RIT 3DDD sounds perfect from a future ready perspective !!! But the place reviews are not appealing as yet ! 
I now need to explore this a bit thoroughly… Have a fortnight or more to go ! It is such a big decision and I was wondering if I could ask my parents for a quick visit ! Will it help ? I am bit sure …
And I have my year end exam load in April !!!
@MYOS1634 … My folks assured me and do not want to discuss the loan part with me ! They are okay and want me to choose the most focused career preparedness program that I am happy with ! I would like to work for an year or two to gain some experience and get back to set up my own practice …
Well I lived in San Diego for 2 years…loved it and would go back there in a heartbeat. UCSD is an excellent school and a beautiful campus. If its program is a good fit I would go there over RIT. Penn also has a nice campus and is by far the more prestigious school, and has a first rate CS program.
I’d pick UPenn or UCSD over RIT, especially if cost is not a concern.
Op said “My D is considering a program in California, but my husband is concerned about the serious drought. They just announced that California only has one more year of water”
The drought is bad, but the taps will not run dry. The cost of water will probably rise.
Try going to visiting students day for all 3 colleges. Of course, UPenn and UCSD have national reputations where as RIT is a college that many people on the west coast have not heard of. RIT has the coop programs which seems great…but a very motivated and industrious person can find internships on their own as well…it just takes a lot more work.
My impression with visual arts is that RIT is more artsy than UPenn which is more artsy than UCSD.
I guess the main question is what is it that you like to do and plan to do with your major?
RIT is about 65% male/35% female (but more balanced in DDD, I presume). UPenn and UCSD are more balanced. Big EC at RIT is gaming. UPenn and UCSD have great cities to explore.