College and a Future Career

[Towi Wakka]

It is getting close to that time where I have to choose a college. I really need some input. I am currently living in Michigan. For the last few years I was thinking about going to GVSU but now I am having second thoughts. I really wanted to get into graphic arts, but right now there is no need for it and way too much competition. It would not be a stable job. I really would like to get into art and/or computers. I would love to go to Savannah (SCAD) but it is very expensive and its far away. Please give me some info if you can. I would really appreciate it! Here are a few of my strengths and weaknesses to show what areas I should get into: STRENGTHS: Drawing, Painting, HTML, Intermediate Computer Functions, Swimming, Writing, and Theology. WEAKNESSES: Public Speaking, Most Athletics, Algebra, and Anatomy (yuck!).

[kaji]

Boy, I really wish I could just shout off the right college for you Towi Wakka, but I realy dont know... You know what though? I will pray about it for you!

Im sure God will put you where he wants you to be. Just be ready to hear him. ^_^

-kaji

[Towi Wakka]

Thanks Kaji

[Ducky]

college chosing is hard... you can just come to mine j/k. Have you thought about media communications and things in that vein? That might suit you, or if you love art major in art stuff and there are always scholarships and loans and workstudy to pay for things. I'll be praying for you though, because this is a tough choice to make.

[kaji]

Hey, you bet!

Atleast you have an idea of what you would like to do, as well as a good perspective of your own strengths and weaknesses, many people dont even have that.

[Lehn]

I know... I'm still trying to figure out where I want to go too... I was thinking about GVSU for a while now, but I'm not so sure anymore because half of my class is going there, and I wanted to kinda strike it out on my own.

Have you looked into:

Kendall College of Art and Design (Grand Rapids)
http://www.kcad.edu/

And I've heard a lot of cool things about Greenville (Ill.). It's a liberal arts college.
http://www.greenville.edu/

There's a billion more at:
http://www.campusprogram.com/universities/Michigan.html


Best of luck!

[Technomancer]

You could also try Sheridan College (they have a very highly regarded graphic design program), which is located in Oakville/Burlington (Southern Ontario). Their animation program is also highly respected.

http://www.sheridanc.on.ca/

They also have a partnership with York University, for a special design program.
http://www.design.yorku.ca/

Along a slightly different vein there is a relatively new multimedia program being offered at McMaster University, in addition to the usual fine arts stuff.
http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/~macmedia/


I always understood that graphic design was pretty good for jobs. My sister is a freelance designer, and she usually complains about having too many jobs rather than too few.

[ClosetOtaku]

For the last few years I was thinking about going to GVSU but now I am having second thoughts. I really wanted to get into graphic arts, but right now there is no need for it and way too much competition. It would not be a stable job. I really would like to get into art and/or computers.

Towi: I know you want advice on colleges, but as a piece of unsolicited advice...

Make sure, whatever you choose, to do what you like doing and are gifted at, regardless of what the market conditions are. Sure, you do need to pay attention to job stability, and are wise to do so, but don't close any doors needlessly.

So... wherever you go... whatever you finally choose to do.... if you really like graphic arts, find a school where the curriculum allows you to take a few courses in it while you're focusing on your other major (whatever that might be), and long-term you'll be happier for it.

I went to school to study molecular biology, but took lots of courses in computer science as electives because I really liked computers more than biology. Now, many years later, I have a job and career in IM/IT that I love, and have those computer courses to thank for it.

That's not to say that my major doesn't play a role -- without it, I wouldn't be in the medical field, so both things worked out well.

So, I can't recommend where you should go, as I don't know much about the colleges in your area (although I have been to U of M at Ann Arbor, and can say you probably couldn't go wrong there if you can tolerate the liberal atmosphere). But I can say that, if graphic arts are your first love, you should make sure you go to a place where you can explore that side of yourself as well.

[agasfas]

Your heart shall guide you, and in the end you'll make the right choice. It's hard one someone eles to pick your college b/c it's for you, not us. But which ever you pick i believe you'll love it there. I goto Texas State and i like it a lot. Are you a senior in High School or do you have another year before choosing? Keep us updated on your choice.
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[AsterlonKnight]

The best advice I can think of when it comes to college.....be prepared to end up with a major or degree completely opposite from what you're thinking of right now. You may find out that just because you're good at something it doesn't mean your good enough at everything it would take to attain a degree in it. I started out as a bio major aiming for med school, and am currently a double major (history and poli sci) aiming for law school. And even that might change as a professor has suggested I try for a Ph. D in poli sci. Not sure what I'll do there, but I'm open to the option.

But since you *have* identified what you're particularly good at and have an idea of what you'd like to do, that's one part of the search down. Look for a college that has a good program in that. The next important part is teh size of the school. Do you learn best when the classes are small enough for reasonable amounts of discussion and where you can hear everything and clearly see the board/overhead? Or are auditorium style classrooms with literally hundreds of students in attendance, more lecturing than discussion, and where you need opera glasses to see the prof and board more your style? Is being able to walk into your profs office without an appointment and having them know you by sight outside of the classroom important to you? Or is it okay if you can't get a hold of your professor on the spot or even see him/her outside of the classroom?

Those are big and very important factors, too. I went to a huge school my first year, was swamped, and tanked. Went to a smaller school and flourished because the classes were small enough that the profs knew me and cared how I did. It kinda spooked me that they knew my name the first time. That and it's so nice to be able to just stop by their offices and say hey or get help without needing to make an appointment first. In fact, some of the profs here will ask you to come by their offices just to chat. It's really nifty. ^_^ But then again, that's sort of environment where I learn best.

Other things to consider: orientation of school to stores and the church of your choice, dorm or apartment living, student life activity and organizations, bible study groups, etc. etc.

And cost. That's another big factor. Are you expecting many scholarships or grants? Or are you going to be like me and depend on student loans? Regarding scholarships and grants, does the school offer any departmental scholarships that you can apply for?

Unless your guidance councillor is an idiot like mine were, s/he should be able to help you with some of these concerns. They have big books of scholarships and schools to look through.

[Azier the Swordsman]

It all really depends on what you want to do with your life. If you know what future career you want to pursue, then you may consider searching around for colleges that specialize in the field you want to pursue.

For instance, I hope to be a game designer one day, so I'll be heading to Full Sail in a few years. (I want to save up some good money first).

Of course, nothing beats prayer when trying to decide.

[Towi Wakka]

Okay Azier, so when you come out with some totally awesome game I'll be the first to test it. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about colleges, and I think this is what I am going to do: I feel that it would be best for me to go to an inexpensive local college for my first year. By doing this I can get my required classes out of the way without spending a fortune and then have some time to think about where to transfer to. If this does end up being the case, I will either go to GVSU or Grand Rapids Community College (tuition is from $2500-$6000). Does this sound like a smart plan? Please leave some feedback.

[AsterlonKnight]

Sounds very good and quite responsible. To correct something in my previous post, or add, one of the reasons I said be prepared to end up doing something completely different is that you'll be different. You're gonna be growing *alot* during this time and your interests will as well. Might find something completely different that you want.

[Esoteric]

Gee, that is a hard question to answer. I guess it really depends on how badly you want a career in art. Try to narrow it down.. fine art? illustration? Computer graphics? Graphic design? If you believe this is what you're supposed to do, then go for it all the way.

Research school programs for what you've chosen. For any real art school, you'll likely have to show a student portfolio before they decide to admit you (they want to know that you're serious). It will be expensive yes, but that shouldn't be the deciding factor. There are all sorts of scholarships and loans, and the people at the school you decide to attend should be able to help you find as many funds as possible.

Weigh all the pros and cons, that's all I can tell you. The best decison is the one you have no regrets over.


Note: yes, it is much better to your GE out of the way at a regular college. You'll pay through the nose at an art school, and they won't be the same sort of classes. Just make sure what you take is transferable to where you want to go.

[Azier the Swordsman]

[quote="Towi Wakka"]Okay Azier, so when you come out with some totally awesome game I'll be the first to test it. ]

My motivation is to create 'The American Capcom'. (This is a figure of speach, refering to the fact that Capcom is originally a Japanese comany and they are essentially my role model)

I want to dabble in all kinds of genres, and perhaps improve on some of them. But I also want to focus on story and gameplay most of all. Deep, provoking stories with immersive gameplay, with level of high quality you would expect from Capcom or Squaresoft. It's a dream I hope to make come true someday.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

hahah! lucky thing that I checked if there were other topics like this!

I want to have a degree in psychology or psychiatry. I feel that my observation, conclusion, logic, knowledge of health is higher than other's my age. And I LOVE helping others.