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i spent my first year of college at a private school (ithaca college) in upstate new york, majoring in photojournalism and minoring in art. this year i'm at a university in germany, and ive come to the decision that i'd rather not go back to the college i was at before, for a number of reasons (like the tuition, fees and travel costs being way beyond the means of my family; the distance from home; and the large population of wealthy kids who didnt seem to have to work at all for anything that they wanted).
i enjoyed the facilities and one on one advising that came with being at a mid sized private school (around 6,000 students), but im considering transfering to a public school in the state where my parents live (ohio) in order to be closer to home and save money, and to have a little more diversity in the student body.
I had a 3.7 GPA at ithaca, and i take my studies very seriously. the things i most often hear about most public schools is that they're "party schools" (though i doubt they'd have anything on the kids at IC), or that the advising isn't as great, or that the programs arent as challenging. what i'm looking for is a school (in ohio preferably) that has strong journalism/writing programs AND a strong art department, as im considering switching to art as a major with journalism or writing as a minor. i dont really want to go to an art school because i want to get more of a liberal arts education, the kind that comes with being at a large university. but at the same time, i dont want to be completely isolated on a giant campus.
i'm looking at Kent State right now, but i was hoping that some of you might have some other suggestions for me too.

By mominva on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 01:24 pm: Edit

Gracie,
If you are willing to consider a state school in a state other than Ohio I'd suggest you look at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond VA. It is a state school with an urban campus; the art department is well respected (US News top 20, I believe). Current out of state cost to attend is about $19,000.

By gracie sparkles on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 04:42 pm: Edit

mominva
thanks for your suggestion. commonwealth looked good, but since it is out of state, i'd have to get some hefty scholarships to combat the tuition and my travel costs if i went there. not to say that i wouldnt go out of state, i'd just have to really be sold on the school and get good financial aid.