“To create one’s own world takes courage.”
-Georgia O’Keeffe
Welcome! We’re so excited you’re here. You may be reading this because you’re an artist, or you want to be an artist, or you’re not quite sure yet, but you know you love art! These are all wonderful reasons to consider applying to an undergraduate art program. It’s why we’ve compiled a series that introduces you to the world of America’s top undergraduate art programs. Over the next nine blog posts you will gain a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the different personalities and offerings of each program as well as how to identify which might be the best fit for you. We’ve included feedback from artist alumni, admissions faculty, and even current students to create a detailed map of each program’s culture and how it might fit into your life as an artist.
In the beginning of our series, we compare the traits of art schools and university art programs. Then we pose a series of questions meant to help you decide which might be the best option for you and to help you gain some insight into what kind of artist you are or might become (Post 2). After that we move on to the many factors you should consider when choosing which art program is right for you (Post 3). From there we begin our exploratory journey behind the scenes of the country’s top art programs, starting with the New York Experience (Post 4), followed by the top art schools outside of NYC (Post 5). In Post 6, we do a deep dive on Ivy League art programs profiling both Yale and Princeton, which leads us to uncovering those exceptional BFA programs outside of The Ivies, in Post 7. We round out our program exploration in Post 8 by looking at unique combination programs that allow students to study art alongside other, more varied interests. Finally, once you’ve familiarized yourself with the landscape of America’s top art programs, we guide you through the admissions process in Post 9, revealing all the tips and tricks to submitting a successful application.
As we move through the next nine posts, we’ll answer questions such as which school offers a BFA where you can study art alongside cognitive and brain sciences (Post 8)? Or, what are the most important things to consider when choosing an art school (Post 2)? Or even, how could the New York art scene shape your education (Post 4)? But most importantly, we’ll help you get a sense of what you want for your future as an artist (or an art-lover), because you can’t make a decision about your future without having some sense of the landscape you’re entering.
This whole series has been tailored to fit your needs as you move into the next phase of life. The life of an artist. It’s not simply a tutorial to apply to grad schools, but a guidebook to your own creativity. Here, you will find enumerable resources to illuminate, shape, and refine your artistic goals. Congratulations on taking the first step on the road to artistic success. Let’s get started!
The college admissions process can be overwhelming, and it may feel difficult to know where to start. At Collegiate Gateway, we are eager to share our expertise and guide you on your admissions strategy and the path to your “best fit” college. Please feel free to contact us! As always, we’re happy to help!
