Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Hi everyone.

I'd like some review-type information on the below colleges and/or suggestions for the type of college I'm looking for (read below). I've been researching colleges for a while with the help of College Board's advanced search engine and right now, I'm considering:

American University
Champlain College
Clark University (Haven't taken SAT IIs..)
Newbury College
University of Maryland: Baltimore County
University of Hartford
University of New Haven

Unlike everyone else I know, I've decided not to apply for any UCs or CSUs (except maybe as a safety). I live in digustingly sunny Southern California, I'm Asian and introverted. That and I have not-so-spectacular grades--GPA was 1.9 for 2nd semester of 11th grade, eek! but 3.2 cumalative)--and I haven't taken the SAT IIs and I don't think I plan to (SAT I is 1280). I'm set on a small college with a friendly atmosphere.

I'm looking for a good, small, co-ed college (between a pop. of 1,000 and 10,000) that has a pretty decent program in art (specially Graphics Design, I plan to go into college undecided, so this may change), and an urban/suburban setting in the Northeast and Washington State with (at least) some diversity.

Thanks in advance!

Sandy

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 11:50 am: Edit

Alfred University in upstate NY has a very good graphic design program in their school of art. Alfred has about 2,000 undergraduates and your stats would be in their range. Not sure how diverse the student body is, however, but it's a good school for graphic design. (It's also not in an urban area)www.alfred.edu

In California, the University of the Pacific also has a good art/graphic design program.

By Sarcasmgirl (Sarcasmgirl) on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 12:09 pm: Edit

Hi, thanks for the reply!

I'm a little iffy about going to a school in upstate NY mainly because I've heard how terrible and boring it is up there, but I'll check out those suggestions anyway.

Sandy

By Mike (Mike) on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 01:19 pm: Edit

If you are considering Washington State why not Oregon. They have a lot in common. I don't know much about graphic design but Seattle U, Portland U, Linfield, Pacific U, Pacific Lutheran, are all near or in urban areas.


Mike's Dad

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 12:57 pm: Edit

Sandy,
Thought of another school you should look at: Skidmore in New York. They have an excellent art department and "communications design/graphic design" is one of the concentrations. Your stats should be close to a match. Skidmore is upstate but not tooo upstate - in the town of Saratoga which has a lot going on.
www.skidmore.edu

By Sacredangelisse (Sacredangelisse) on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 01:37 pm: Edit

I live in upstate NY, and if you live in a college town, its not all that boring

By Billy14_007 (Billy14_007) on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 03:18 pm: Edit

I would also like to find out information about University of Maryland Baltimore County. Any help would be good.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 10:44 am: Edit

Sandy, if you're looking at art schools, add the California College for the Arts, north of LA, to your list - excellent school with dorm facilities.

And, you really should look at the Univeristy of the Pacific in Stockton. It fits what you're looking for to a tee - small school, great art department with a graphic design focus available. Tuition is high but son't be put off by that --- they are good with financial aid. US News & World report has them on their list of great deals at great prices.

By Sarcasmgirl (Sarcasmgirl) on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 12:33 pm: Edit

Can you tell me anything about University of the Pacific or Pacific University (I've been to their site, they don't give too much information on what majors they offer..), espescially campus/setting and admission (What's their criteria? I notice a lot of college websites are providing this info) wise?

I don't really have to funds to visit any colleges that are outside the Orange/LA County area...

Thanks,
Sandy

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 03:25 pm: Edit

The University of the Pacific is in Stockton, about an hour east of San Francisco. I've talked with several people who've visited and they all rave about how attractive the campus is. The Fiske Guide says: "Students who like the feel of both the nation's coasts may want to check out UOP. UOP looks like several hundred acres of New England plunked down in the midst of California wine country. With its stately combination of red brick and ivy, its appearance is like that of an East Coast liberal arts school." They have about 3000 undergraduates.

Mike and Mike's dad - two posters to CC have visited and reported that they were surprised and pleased by the campus and its friendliness. If you do a search for "University of the Pacific" you should be able to find that post somewhere in the archives. I'm sure either Mike or Mike's dad will also see this and post.

Academically, UOP has a good reputation. There is a core curriculum but its fairly flexible. There is also an honors program. To find out about the art program, click on academic programs, then on college of the pacific. You'll see a list of majors - click on the art major and you'll see about their program and the graphic design minor.
One thing that I liked about UOP in looking at their information is that there's a good mix of liberal arts courses and the chance to take more
practical courses, like business or computer science. They also seem to have a very good internship program. The Fiske Guide says the academic climate is fairly laid back.

UOP guarantees you'll graduate in 4 years or they'll pay the tuition for the 5th year. Compared to similiar east coast schools, their tuition and fees are somewhat less expensive but they know they're competing with the UC system so they are good about financial aid and merit scholarships - US News Report just listed them on its list of good schools for financial aid. I know one person who didn't receive any aid from Boston U but received a nice package from UOP.

Their SAT ranges from 520-610 for both verbal and math so your scores will put you towards the top and your GPA problem last year may be overlooked. After you click on college of the pacific, look under admissions and you'll see more details.

Again, check out the art department - I think you will be pleased with what you see. And, shouldn't be too hard/expensive to schedule a visit up there. From Orange County you could do it in a weekend by driving and hotels in STockton appear fairly reasonable. Mike and Mike's dad might have some suggestions for hotels.

Carolyn

By Baltodad (Baltodad) on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 05:56 pm: Edit

UMBC is a medium-size "honors" public university in a suburban setting. A very dynamic college president and a diverse student body. In the last 10 years or so UMBC has made significant strides to increase its out-of-state reputation.

Lots of new buildings on campus... a bunch of new dorms, a good student center, etc.

Excellent Visual Arts Dept.

Get their viewbook.

By Mike (Mike) on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 06:47 pm: Edit

Sandy: We visted U of the Pacific this summer and it does have a very nice campus. Like most privates they are a bit vague about what is required. We had two guides (one in training) and one ting that impressed me was how they greeted service employees with respect. Seems unimportant but I have been on other campuses where they seem to not notice those folks. Speaks well of sudent attitudes in my opinion. The admission office bent over backwards to show us what we needed to see. Mike had not made an appointment with the Geology dept and they got him in to see the dept head right away. It seems to have many of the LAC traits along with professional degrees. They mentioned their music Dept. was among the west's best. The school has a loose (like most Methodist related schools) church connection and the Chapel is gorgeous. Guide mentioned that more then 300 wedding per year are held there. We found a list of majors on the web site and they are fairly broad. The Stockton is suburb boring but the college activty office arranges trips to everything from the beach to SF, Tahoe and at least one Disney trip per year. I liked the college a lot but I am not sure it will be right for Mike. And yes UoP has a Ivy look and looks more Northeast then any I have seen in CA

Pacific University is a smaller college on the Columbia river about 30 minutes from Portland, Or by car or there is a regular bus schedule. I haven't been their but Mike has on track and CC meets and he thinks it is one of the best looking he has seen. Our next door neighbor graduated from their 3 years ago and loved it. She says the faculty is everything you see advirtised at LAC's interessted and supportive. They have a more limited list of majors so it isn't on Mike's radar becasue he wants to have Geology on the menu.


Mike's Dad

By Sarcasmgirl (Sarcasmgirl) on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 11:42 pm: Edit

Yeah, I understand the big problem with not visiting campuses, especially since I have a bad habit of trusting my conceptions most of the time. And right now, I get the idea Stockton = Fresno.