Applying for an art university.

[Philip Ho Zhi Yang]

Hi, I know that somebody else already posted a discussion about art school but I wanted to ask about something more specific.

 

I am interested in taking up a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art, most probably to major in ceramics.

 

The only problem is that I live in Singapore and there are (to the best of my knowledge), no undergraduate degrees for fine arts with ceramics as a major, except at the national academy of fine arts. 

 

However, there is a prerequisite of a diploma to take that, and I just went through my 'a' levels and don't want to spend a few more years taking a diploma.

 

So I'm considering three countries at this point, America, Australia, and England.

 

Australia's kinda pricey at the moment because of the exchange rate.

 

Hopefully someone could enlighten me as to which universities would be great to pursue a degree at. (they don't really need to be in those three countries I mentioned)

 

Thanks.

 

 

[Caroline LM]

Check out the UCAS website for UK universities.

[Philip Ho Zhi Yang]

I did but there are a LOT of universities and I don't know which to choose because I got a lot of conflicting opinions. Some websites say the league ratings are inaccurate, and some swear by them. I'm stumped.

[Caroline LM]

The best way would be to make a short list of the ones that look the best and then try to visit their open days. Some universities sound great on paper but once you're there you hate it.

[Natalie Linden]

MICA is a great university in Maryland, USA.

[Rachel Braun]

Check http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/ for a list of art schools, universities, and liberal arts colleges with art programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (This is for the U.S.).

 

For independent art colleges, check  http://aicad.org/. AICAD stands for Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design.

[Philip Ho Zhi Yang]

thanks for the suggestions guys :) Sorry if this is a really late reply.

[Molly Ann Walker]

One of the top universities in the U.S. for ceramics is Alfred. I have a friend who transferred there after going to Pratt for two years. =]

[Sam Cooke]

I apologize for the far-away-ness problem of the US but i only know universities that i've looked at.  I'm in the process of applying to school as well, only as a fiber and textiles major, however most schools that offer a major in the fine arts offer textiles and i'm pretty sure they offer ceramics.  I was looking to apply at the Art Institute of Boston @ Lesley University, but they were to big for me.  My number one school is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, and while they don't have a fiber major they do offer a foundation year in which you work in all fields you want to so that you "get your toes wet" (so to speak) in as many mediums as you wish.  Their fine arts program is really great and they have small class sizes.  The only problem is that they only have 250 students total, which makes it very exclusive and hard to get in.

Their BFA degree programs are located here: http://www.pcad.edu/DegreePrograms/BFADegreeDepartments/tabid/166/D...

Another school i was looking at is also in Pennsylvania; University of the Arts in Philadelphia has great programs and i'm absolutely positive that they offer a ceramics/sculptural BA.  They also have a foundation year and are located in the heart of the city, but i found some aspects of Philly too coarse and concrete.  I kindof need green trees and grass to function as a sane human being.  Uarts website: http://www.uarts.edu

APPLYING TO ART SCHOOL IS SO STRESSFUL I AM DYING.  Not actually dying but sincerely worried about the course of my future.  I hope you're doing okay, i can't even imagine crossing an ocean to get the education i wanted.  (that sounded like a terribly first-world problem, didn't it?)

I hope these personal reccomendations help, are you looking to go to a smaller school or a larger one in a city? I don't want to give too many suggestions for fear of subjecting you/other prospects/myself to the wormhole that is the internet.  Maybe choosing an urban school vs a rural one can help you narrow it down.

[Philip Ho Zhi Yang]

Thanks Sam. I realise this reply is REALLY late. Due to financial/familial issues, I may probably have to stay in Singapore, which is a little sad because it is quite... difficult to get down to creative work here.

Of course, the work always comes from within, but having a nice environment helps a lot too.

And as for the urban/rural issue, I think I kind of prefer a quiet town. Too far out from civilization and I think I'd go mad. Being too close is very tiring.