art college help

[Robert Zunigha]

hi,
i'm 17 years old, and this next year i will be applying at different
art schools. the only problem is that i have no idea which art
schools are good and which are bad. i live in arizona, so art schools
here would be my first choice but i'll concider art schools in other
states.

i could also use some help in which art field i should go into
(painting, graphic, computer) etc... i want something i can make a
living at but money isn't to important.

any thoughts?

Robert Zunigha

[William O. Barrett]

If, by "art schools" you mean colleges of art & design that offer four year programs
leading to degrees like the BFA, then there are none in Arizona. Nore in NM, NV, UT,
CO, or Tx. Closest are California and Missouri (KC, MO). Visit <http://
www.aicad.org> for a closer look at art & design colleges.

If you mean any colleges that happen to teach art and design, then the list is too
huge to go into here. Start with any college guide (online or in your high school
guidance office).

Which are bad? Generally, if they are accredited by a regional association and by the
NASAD (art accrediting body), you can be pretty sure they are not bad. Meeting
those two criteria will assure you that they are reputable places that know what
they're doing. Stay away from places that are not accredited by one of the above.

Which are best? The place wher you FIT best and which you like the most. Most of
these places are good at what they do and can turn out qualified alumni. Think about
what you like to do, what kind of person you are, what kind of learning environemt
you like, and what you expect out of a college. Then go looking for that. Forget top
ten lists and all that garbage. None of that tells you anything about whather the
faculty love to teach and whether you will like the atmosphere. And these last two
items are the only two things that matter!!!!!!

Top Ten? Start making your own list by thinking about yourself and doing research
into the colleges.