[BabyK]

Okay so the woman at FIDM in LA just sent me like a book based on their school and first thing I check is the tuition and wow o___o It's like $30,000 cheaper for an AA degree than Art Institute in OC. I was planning on going to AI in OC but hmm.... FIDM is cheaper... And then I should just transfer for my BA right? Which art school would be best? Because I plan on moving to Orange County for my college. I currently live here in Fresno, CA x___x I've spoken and gotten to know the guy at AI for a while now. He knows alot about me but ehh... the woman at FIDM barely knows any info on me and she doesn't understand my financial situation dude.

Fashion Institute of Merchandising (the one in Orange County, even though the woman in LA called me)

or

Art Institute of California: Orange County?

[Lovenotwar]

Yeah, you could always start somewhere and then transfer, therefore saving yourself thousands and thousands of dollars. To be real, financial aid offices never "understand" your situation, so I wouldn't put too much stock in your capacity to make the FA office understand why they should give you money.

I'm not familiar with the credentials of either school, so I couldn't give you any words of wisdom besides the pricing situation. ;D

Are you studying fashion merchandising??

[Brusky]

If you're considering the route of transferring between art schools, I strongly suggest you talk to both schools you're transferring from/to to be absolutely certain you know which credits will or won't transfer. A lot of times the school you're transferring to won't accept the credits from your previous art college. In that case, you might end up spending more having to stay longer at the new school to make up for the credits that didn't transfer.

What is your intended field of study? You should base your choice of school on the strengths/weaknesses of their programs. Consider which schools will be best for you if you want to do graphic design, photography, fashion, etc. Just because a particular school is (or isn't) prestigious should not be reason alone to choose that school. Photography at Art Center is a lot different than Photography at Otis or RISD. I don't deny that money is a big factor, but however much you can afford, I'd suggest shooting for the big schools; often times the quality of education is a world of difference.

[BabyK]

I'm trying to get into the field of Graphic Design

AI has like EVERYTHING!

But the FIDM in OC has graphic design also but I can only do 1 year there and then transfer over to the LA one. So that's soooooo tedious man!

[Brusky]

I'm trying to get into the field of Graphic Design

AI has like EVERYTHING!

But the FIDM in OC has graphic design also but I can only do 1 year there and then transfer over to the LA one. So that's soooooo tedious man!

I was only suggesting to be more open-minded to other schools. There are a number of other alternative solutions that, I think, yield much more potential to turning you into a substantial graphic designer.

Consider what kind of degree you want as well. Schools such as FIDM only offer an AA and not a BFA. Consider not only the cost and majors of the school, but their quality and reputations as well.

[BabyK]

I have. I made a list of like 15 art colleges in california. Checked out the majors they offer and everything. I made like a 4 page list of the 15 schools with the info. I've been thinking this over for about 2-3 months now and AI I know for sure but ugh.... My mom just wants me to go to City college first for a business degree. And I just feel disappointed all the time because it's a really hard goal you know? You wanna go here but they want you to come there it's so crazy! And i'm thinking... Should I just wait it out until I have money?

Is it best to head for college like right after high school? And why do I have to go to city first because of what my mom says. Isn't the choice of college solely on the person who WANTS to go? Geez there's so many questions to ask man.....

[0417*]

I'll help you!

I'm at FIDM-majoring in Graphic Design.

What major are you going into? Art is not just Art alone.

I'll tell you about FIDM--but what would you like to know?

----

Anyway, have you consider Otis? So far, I know some amazing artists from that school and I wished I could have taken that route instead. FIDM is great but it's really their IMAGE that makes them look great. As for AI, I can't say much.

[Meenuh]

If you're considering the route of transferring between art schools, I strongly suggest you talk to both schools you're transferring from/to to be absolutely certain you know which credits will or won't transfer. A lot of times the school you're transferring to won't accept the credits from your previous art college. In that case, you might end up spending more having to stay longer at the new school to make up for the credits that didn't transfer.

What is your intended field of study? You should base your choice of school on the strengths/weaknesses of their programs. Consider which schools will be best for you if you want to do graphic design, photography, fashion, etc. Just because a particular school is (or isn't) prestigious should not be reason alone to choose that school. Photography at Art Center is a lot different than Photography at Otis or RISD. I don't deny that money is a big factor, but however much you can afford, I'd suggest shooting for the big schools; often times the quality of education is a world of difference.

I completely agree. You need to find out which credits will transfer. It's not the same. There are a lot of classes from AI:OC that will not transfer over so to think that you can just transfer over to another school for your BA probably isn't the case. Talk to them about it thoroughly if you're really set on going to these schools.

I actually was about to attend AI:OC but decided not to. They are giving me time to decide whether I want to attend or not. I'm still kinda debating on it but I think i'm still leaning more towards "no". At the same time... I feel that maybe AI will be more helpful towards the students in finding jobs than other non profit schools will considering their class sizes. Or maybe i'm just naive.

Honestly, the way I see it, the school is only there to help you grow. As long as you have the determination and your end product is great... it doesn't matter much what school you come out of. School is there to guide you towards the direction you wanna go and teach you so it's really up to you. Your choices shouldn't be guided so much on a school's reputation (but if you see a bunch of people saying the same thing about a school about how horrible it is .. then i'd say something is up". It's really what you put into it.