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My homeschooled son wants to major in Art history and possibly minor in Studio Art.
He has a combined SAT of 1420 (790 verbal) and 3 SAT II's in the low 700's. He is an excellent illustrator and his work has been published.
We need some reach and fit schools.

By Marite (Marite) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 06:41 am: Edit

For art history, Williams is wonderful. For art illustration, look into the Rhode Island School of Design.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:44 pm: Edit

In addition to Wiliams, take a look at Vassar, NYU, Oberlin, Brown. Syracuse might make a good safety with its fine art school.

By Mini (Mini) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 01:03 pm: Edit

After Williams of course, Vassar is a really excellent choice. The Pres. is a well-known art historian. And while art history is not quite up to Williams (none is), studio arts are probably even better. And unlike Williams, Vassar has an open curriculum, which means he can do art to his heart's content! Also, much better study abroad options. NYU is also a very fine choice, with all the resources that NYC has to offer, and (which might be worth even more) potential for working world contacts in the fast-paced New York universe of illustration.

By Notgollum (Notgollum) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 02:36 pm: Edit

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.
One correction that my son pointed out is his SAT II writing score is 760.
Also he has been accepted to RISD and has deferred until 2005, as he is taking a gap year to work on some illustration projects.

By Mistrale (Mistrale) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 05:23 pm: Edit

Notgollum - I'm interested in why your son has changed his focus from illustration/studio art to art history? My kid is a very talented artist but will not be applying to art schools, yet would like a college that has a strong studio art program available.

By Notgollum (Notgollum) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 12:24 am: Edit

My son visited a University this past February. He stayed over night in the dorm, attended a drawing class, a dinner party, and a lecture. All the students he met had different majors. He had great discussions and found the atmosphere intellectually stimulating. When he came home he announced that he wasn’t sure if he would be happy attending a school with only artists in the student body. He was also concerned about the quality of Liberal Arts courses in an art school.
He began to consider Art History as a major because it involves Literature, Religion, Science, Philosophy, Politics, Music, etc. - as well as Art. My son really has been involved with Art History all his life. His mother started taking him to museums when he was under two and allowed him free reign with her Art History books (it had been her major). He had always studied images, their criticism, and the history surrounding them for entertainment and later as background for his illustrations. He now feels that studying Art History will give him a more well rounded education and make him a better artist/illustrator.

By Momrath (Momrath) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:20 am: Edit

Notgollum, Just to continue our conversation from the other board. . . Your son's interest, background and talent sound very much like my son's. (I am also a former Art History major, and my husband is an artist.) This semester my son is taking Art history (Flemish 15/16C), History (European 15-18C) and Introduction to Religion -- plus Art Studio Printmaking -- and he is also delighted at the intellectual overlap from class to class. I think your son would love Williams. Great Art History department and world class museums (the Clark, MassMOCA and Williams College art museum). The art department although small is well funded and has excellent artist/instructors. They also offer a joint Art History/Art Studio major.

They don't actually have a fixed curriculum, but they do have a general distribution requirement. It still allows a great deal of lattitude.

By Mistrale (Mistrale) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:10 pm: Edit

Mine is another kid who sounds similar to both of yours, Notgollum and Momrath, except that neither parent majored in art history. Thanks for relating your stories. By the way, what does an art history major lead to practically speaking other than curating, criticism, and teaching?

By Mini (Mini) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:22 pm: Edit

An informed, educated, and intelligent citizen (increasingly rare and in demand these days.)

By Pyewacket (Pyewacket) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:27 pm: Edit

Consider Brown as a reach-- could also do some work at neighboring RISD.

Cornell -- Ithaca has an active art scene

Brandeis --near Boston

By Notgollum (Notgollum) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 11:53 pm: Edit

"By the way, what does an art history major lead to practically speaking other than curating, criticism, and teaching? "

Maybe even politics!

His concern with Williams is it's distance from NY's museums. NYU seems to be at the top of his list along with other reaches...Columbia and Princeton (the latter has an excellent museum).
Question...He hasn't taken SAT II in math and any opinions on whether that would be important for him being he will not be majoring in a science or math related field. His other SAT II scores are
Eng Lit 740
Am His 700
Globe His 730
He is hoping to use his drawing as "his hook".

By Mistrale (Mistrale) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:28 pm: Edit

Other parents further along in this process with their kids could offer you more informed advice, but my understanding is that some colleges specifically require a quantitative SAT II. So you and he should look at the requirements of the prospective schools on his list.

By Achat (Achat) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:55 pm: Edit

Notgollum, there are many museums near Williamstown, so if he wants to be near a museum, he will have that there. The museums near Williams College are: Clarke Museum of Art with a huge collection of impressionist paintings as well as modern painters, MassMOCA (museum of contemporary art) and the Williams College art museum as well. But if he wants a more urban location or even just NYC, then of course, Williams is not it.

By Notgollum (Notgollum) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:33 pm: Edit

bump