So You Want to Go to Art School - Advice for Art Students

Are you an aspiring high school artist looking to go to an art college after you graduate? Do you have sons or daughters in that position right now? Choosing a college is definitely a tricky situation for everyone. After all, it's a huge investment for a degree that promises a fulfilling future (and hopefully a fulfilling living). But many people wonder if art school is a good idea.

There are so many qualms about art schools. High price of tuition and art supplies, the very specialized curriculum, and the eccentric crowd of students may turn people off from the idea of art school, especially the parents who would be dishing out the bucks for their kids to get an art education. I myself have been in that same situation a year ago as a high school senior with artistic aspirations, a pile of college applications, and a hurdle of life changing decisions to make.

So how can you be sure that art school is right for you?

1. Know that a future in art is for you. Throughout my life, I was very passionate about making art, and I know I would find great happiness to be able to formally study art and have a career in the field of art. If you're doubtful about committing at least the next four years of your life to art (and perhaps the rest of your life), then you might consider studying at a general institution like a state university and taking art courses on the side to satisfy your interests.

2. Know what you are aiming for. Are you hoping to make big bucks after you graduate from college? Are you looking to become famous? To tell the truth, not every art student will become the next Pablo Picasso or the next Georgia O'Keeffe. Nor will every art student be able to produce a masterpiece that will make them instant millionaires. Make sure you have realistic goals that can fit in the world of art. If you just so happen to have the artistic skills and all you want to do is make money, then go be a business major and paint for fun at home. I have a friend who had an amazing talent in drawing and painting worthy of winning her art awards, yet she chose to go to University of Texas to pursue a more "stable" career. And there's nothing wrong with that, because she knows what she is aiming for.

3. Have a strong portfolio. In the art college application, the most important part is the portfolio. After all, you need to have the
talent to go to a college of art. Doubtful about your skills in art? It's okay, you might just be better than you think. Pull together a portfolio and head on over to your friendly high school art teacher for some advice on bringing out your strengths.

4. Which art school? There are many choices for an art degree, ranging from the local Art Institute to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Of course, choosing to go to one of the more distinguished art colleges will be a difficult journey. Not only is tuition significantly higher, the workload is more rigorous, expectations are greater, and the application process is more competitive and selective. However, you can expect high quality art instruction from these institutions and better career prospects from the many connections these schools have.

5. Be prepared for a very different college experience. There is virtually none of the typical college frat party atmosphere at an art school. Nor is there a strong sense of school spirit - you won't see the school colors, painted faces and cars, and mascot iconography at an art school. In fact, there is no distinctive mascot or school color at all, let alone a sports team to cheer for. However, you will definitely see a more liberal, eclectic atmosphere that you will either love or hate. It's true that artists are indeed a very different type of people. Homophobes most definitely should not go to an art school.

6. Be prepared to commit to a very specialized curriculum. You won't be taking much (or any) math and science courses at an art school. Many art colleges offer liberal arts programs so that the artist who might be a writer at heart will still be satisfied. When choosing an art school, make sure you look into the programs they offer. If you still want to keep all your academic skills in practice, consider attending a general university with a strong art program to make the most out of your college experience.

Overall, these were the big guidelines I lived by during that tumultuous college-choosing time. As you can tell, I made my choice to pursue art, and I am very satisfied with my life right now as a student at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). I hope my ideas and experiences will encourage you to follow your artistic endeavors, or maybe think twice about going into art. After all, it's your life, your choice.