Is it better to go to an art college, or an arts and sciences college?

Hi Kelly,

The decision of which college to apply to/attend is a very complex and difficult question to answer. Primarily it will come down to you and what your priorities are.

I can give you my perspective and I hope that will help to inform you on your decision. I went to UC Berkeley for my undergraduate degree where I majored in Integrative Biology. Personally, I feel that I got a more well-rounded education and life experience by getting to know a wide range of people and take many different classes. While I did take a couple of art classes at Berkeley, it was neither my major or minor. It did expose me to more formalized art instruction and so after graduation, I pursued my Master of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA.

I feel like I got the best of both worlds. Experiencing the breadth of people and classes at UC Berkeley really helped me to become a more open-minded and conscientious individual. Perhaps I would be a better artist if I had focused on my craft early on but I am in a good place now.

From my perspective, I feel that if you're passionate about your art, it's certainly something that you can continue to pursue while experiencing the breadth of college life. It will give you more life experience from which to draw upon.

That being said, diving fully into your art and passion might get you to where you want to be faster. And you'll build mutual learning relationships with other artists at an art school. I know great people and great artists who went straight into art school. So there's no one right answer.

Sorry if this isn't very helpful. But I hope that it was informative. Please feel free to ask additional questions in the comments and I'll attempt to answer as best I can.

Good luck with your decision. Whichever path you choose will give you different opportunities. Be open to exploring many subjects and remember, learning doesn't end after graduation.

Good for you taking this long range thinking on your future! You've got time between now and high school graduation to think about this and to do some research, like what you are doing now--- going on Career Village and getting opinions. I strongly suggest you follow through with the advice of the previous volunteer, Ken Simmons, and check out those websites, talk to school counselors, art teachers and so on. Your question is an excellent one to ask of people already in an art field of your choice---what was their education, and what would they suggest---so keep asking it.

As a retired teacher, my take on the Liberal Arts vs. Art School is this. A Liberal Arts college or university (what I think you are calling "Arts and Sciences" school) will give you a well-rounded education, which will make you more of a well-rounded artist. You'll meet other students studying other fields and that will broaden your knowledge of the world. You'll also have the opportunity to take classes in other fields that might be of interest to you, and that will broaden your ideas. Please remember, being an artist in any area is not just about skills, but also having original and creative ideas.

In a Liberal Arts College, you also might discover you have other interests or passions that you would like to combine with your art, or take the place of your interest in art. Also remember a career in any art field takes commitment and passion, so you want to make sure a career in art is right for you.

I attended a Liberal Arts school where I took some studio art classes, but I actually majored in Art History and had a minor in Humanities. I would not trade that experience for anything. After college I attended an art school for 2 years (then dropped out), and while I appreciated the opportunity to focus only on studio art and on improving my art skills, I was glad to have had the experience of a Liberal Arts college before art school. That was my experience; other people you talk to might have a different take. Eventually, I went to a university to get a masters in art education, and I became an art teacher.

So check out Liberal Arts colleges with strong art departments, and also look at art schools; some do allow you (or even require you) to take Liberal Arts type courses. Try to narrow down what type of art field you are looking at--Fine Art painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design, fashion design, interior design, computer graphics, and so on. In all of these areas, once again, creative and original ideas are needed, not just art skills.

Hi Kelly:

Well, I think you should investigate more than just 2 schools. Yale University has a fabulous art department, at least it has a wonderful reputation, but, as I'm sure you know, getting into Yale is very very competitive. If you want to go to Yale, be prepared to work hard in high school in terms of your grades and your art portfolio. I am not familiar with the other college you mentioned. You seem to have already investigated both schools already, which is good. But, widen your net; you've got time to investigate other schools; talk to your guidance counselor, your art teacher, and any recent graduates of your school, and look into the schools they recommend. I don't have specific schools to recommend, sorry. Also, please keep in mind that over the course of the next 3.5 years, your interests may change, so keep an open eye and an open mind. Best wishes!

Hey Kelly, well, it's quite simple. Are you passionate about art? Does it drive you? Do you create art, drawings, paintings, sketches, in your free time? Just really think it over. I would recommend art school for sure. Like others have said above, gives you a good foundation of somewhere to start and exposure to vast amounts of art from various mediums. I started out from HS into college as an illustrator and found my way to Animation. The most important path to focus on is what you're into. In college, hard to find your way and figure out which career my be best for you. For me, I always knew, art was my passion and drive so I pursued different avenues and artistic projects. Schools, there are so many. I like Parsons, Pratt, School of Visual Arts in NYC, Cal Arts, Sheridan College to name a few. But again, it really depends on what you're going to go after and money of course. The path will be a struggle, no doubt. You need the basics and the principles foundations for whatever artistic path you will follow. Experience is key. Get as much as you can, start now. Volunteer, draw for your High school yearbook, play around with photography, learn software. With the internet, so many tutorials and ways to do anything really, for free. Don't worry about a large master plan, baby steps and start with a core path, what drives you? If you don't eat, drink, breath art, I don't recommend it as a career. Graphic design and other creative paths are available but anything creative will not be easy. Think about competition as well, what makes you stand out? I am not going to lay out my path to you, it's doesn't matter since we are different. I have been fortunate of working on great projects but I made the most out of every situation I was in. So, push yourself, be creative now! Research, read, read more.

Simple way to think of it, if you were born with a skill, let's say, to play the music, you would play music. The desire, the drive, the nature skill is inside you, just needs to be fine tuned. So, find that desire, that gift, that passion and fine tune it. Good luck, push it and carpe diem. .... 'Seize the day'

Hi Kelly!

You are beginning a very interesting research project.

One thing to keep in mind about going to an "arts and sciences" school vs an art school: If you decide to change majors along the way, it is much easier if you are not going to an art school.

Let me know if and how this might be helpful. Keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress.