Anyone familiar with Columbus College of Art and Design?

[FINFAN]

Our daughter heads off to college this fall and while waiting to hear if she gets into the Animation program at her top choice school (Ringling in Sarasota ) she has to be thinking of alternatives. She has been accepted to CCAD, her next choice ( and is excited about that as well ). We are making a trip to CCAD in a month or so, but wondering if anyone could "bring it to life" for me. I have tried to seek out photos but keep getting the usual ones like in the school brochure. I am looking for the realities. I know it is urban and somewhat industrial, not at all like Ohio State ( about 20 minutes away ). Please do not sugar coat, and do not hesitate to send me pm's if you do not wish to post negatives. You will really be helping out a future Animator!

Thanks!


Pam

 

[DoeWDW]

No thoughts on CCAD but best wishes to your daughter. My daughter is following the same path, in her freshman year at Savannah College of Art & Design. Her nickname has been Pixar for years.

 

[FINFAN]

Cool! Does she like SCAD? Our daughter was accepted there as well, but prefers the Atlanta campus. It is her 3rd choice. She has been accepted to Ringling for the Illustration program, but Animation is her true love and desire, so she is patiently waiting until March for the yes/no letter...I would love anything you care to share on SCAD...DD's BF id heading into Game Design and also hopes on Ringling for #1, but SCAD is his #2 choice. He is into music as well, and liked the music life at the Savannah campus.
The cost of these schools is insane however....seriously, it is very concerning in todays economy...well, ANY economy!

Pam

 

[powellrj]

I have no information about Columbus College of Art and Design, but my DS has his heart set on Cal Arts or SCAD and I was hoping to find out more information than I am getting from the school. His Drama teacher has been a better resource than his Animation teacher and to be honest I am at a loss where to even start.

He has entered some of his work in local contests, but we haven't heard anything and other than the brochures we really don't have much information about any of the schools.

The cost is a huge eye opener!! My oldest DS is going to a state school and his 4 years aren't as much as 1 year at these schools!

 

[helenabear]

No offense, but unless my daughter was living off campus and commuted, I wouldn't want her living close to the school. The school itself is closer to the edge of downtown itself and not the best area IMO. If it were closer to Nationwide and the like I wouldn't think near as much bad about it. Of course unless you are used to very urban like settings, then it might not be as bad. I personally do not feel that most of the downtown area is good for living. Some has improved, but not all of it. I have had a couple friends go to CCAD, but they were all local who commuted from home. Sadly unfortunately for both friends who did go, neither wound up working in the arts field at all.

 

[FINFAN]

powellrj,

yeah, it's certainly nothing to take lightly...I am going to pm you with some web-sites that are a WEALTH of info on art schools....I don't know if I am allowed to post them here. Your son should look at them and see the type of work that is expected of these kids, go to Portfolio Review day when it comes to yur area. CCAD at least offers some scholarship opportunities, but one of the big downsides is the lack of "campus" set ups fpr a lot of these schools. An upside ( for our DD) is the small size.


Anyway, seriously check out the sites and sit in a comfortable chair, it is almost like finding the DIS of the art world!


Pam

 

[Laura]

My friend Polly attended and lived on campus, and everything went fine for her safety-wise. She is a SAHM now. Another friend went (don't think he lived on campus) and now does game design in California. Very successful.

Downtown Columbus isn't really all that unsafe, there are many nice new condos being built there. But like any city, it has its unsafe areas. I took some Saturday classes at CCAD quite a while ago, and it never felt unsafe to me. It is very urban, not at all a typical campus setting. Industrial? Not so much. Columbus State Community College is a stone's throw away.

There are plenty of great places to live in Columbus. She might like the Short North area. My best friend lived there for a while as a grad student at OSU.

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks for the replies...as a freshman she would be on campus. I know there is a mission across the street and that there are some concerns with that and theft. It is so frustrating as most of the schools that have true solid foundation courses are in such questionalble areas. She was also interested in College for Creative Studies in Detriot...if I could put a bubble around the campus and she never had to set foot outside of it...maybe...but to many students have reported crime surrounding the immediate area of the school. The campus itself has relatively low reports...personal theft, cars...stuff that happens at all campuses and everywhere...but the numbers of what goes on outside...no way.
I am aware of the job placement issues, that pretty much goes for any art field I'm afaraid...competition is FIERCE and you really do have to look at the connections to the real world that the college offers...it is not the same as University...you really are jusdged on your demo reel much more than the diploma, but to get an interview to even SHOW that demo reel, well, the diploma comes in handy...there are a TON of diploma mill art schools out there...2 year degree, certificate etc., it is hard enough finding a reputable 4 year degree, skilled teachers/school and then the cost! but it is what she sees herself doing for her career, at least at this point. Good thing she is also keeping outr Jr college in mind..she is right on about spending 3 grand vs. 40 grand a year if she is unsure and needs more time to decide.

Thanks for the honesty, any more thoughts out there?

 

[Laura]

Thanks for the replies...as a freshman she would be on campus.

I kinda thought that was the case; it's been a while since my friends graduated. There are bad neighborhoods in Columbus, but CCAD isn't really in a bad one. It's not a residential area, the Columbus Museum of Art is close by (well, it's on campus, really), You can see for yourself when you go, which is why a campus visit is so important. Just don't walk around alone after dark, that's really it, I think. OSU's campus area (the perimeter, not campus itself) is more known for its crime than CCAD or CSCC. But part of that is the large numbers of students who live near OSU campus. Also, CCAD and CSCC are sort of blocked off from other areas by I-670 and I-71. Downtown is really empty after work hours and on the weekends. There's a large push to build condos downtown. There are new developments in the Arena District, near Capitol Square and several not far from Grant Hospital.

As far as academics go, CCAD is excellent. My friend Polly majored in Illustration and initially wanted to be an animator. That never materialized, but honestly, her abilities weren't up to snuff. So much rides on talent, not the degree and the education.

 

[helenabear]

As far as academics go, CCAD is excellent. My friend Polly majored in Illustration and initially wanted to be an animator. That never materialized, but honestly, her abilities weren't up to snuff. So much rides on talent, not the degree and the education.

I do agree with that!!! The two (actually I realized I know three, but forgot) that went that I spoke of, weren't all that talented. They just thought they were. I have had a couple friends go to a state school or a school not specialized in the arts and they wound up doing exactly what they wanted. One works to help create the animation for computer games (last I heard on the west coast somewhere) and another runs and art gallery last I knew in Chicago (we lost track of each other unfortunately). They both had talent and both decided on schools that would give them a different kind of education experience.

I do agree with the PP that parts of downtown are much better than others. I guess I personally don't agree that the location of it is the best. I used to drive by it quite a lot when I was driving home from a summer job. If it were near the arena district or short north, I'd feel different. I personally felt safer on campus at OSU than I did in that area of Columbus. Probably because it isn't all that "busy" and that leaves me feeling I am more vunerable. But that is a personal preference. I really don't know anyone that well who stayed on campus, but just going off of my over all feel.

 

[FINFAN]

Elaine, I think you nailed it by touching on the "empty" feel....and I know that a lot of kids commute (and our DD will not be leaving every weekend when we are about a 6 1/2 hour drive each way) so it is the non class time that I am trying to get a grasp for, and when someone says don't go around after dark...well, art studio classes run about 2 1/2 hours each. If you are scheduled for a 3 pm class it will be dark when you get out, worse if you get a night class...or need a certain lab or building. Sigh.... I know they are building a new dorm set to open in '09... taking the place of a less attractive vacant building on the property. That is the thing with a lot of these private art school, they start as one building in the city, slowly aquiring other buildings that may not be right next door as a University is. Does not mean that the quality of the program lacks, but it does put a different look at the term "campus". You just don't know, I guess, until you are really there day to day. Thanks again for all the helpful replies....it is so hard!

Pam

 

[helenabear]

Pam. I truly think you just need to feel for yourself. As you can see I feel one way and Laura feels another. Neither of us is right or wrong, it's a preference. I wouldn't say don't go to the school, I would just want to live elsewhere IMO. Would she be able to take a car? If so, you could find some nicer apartments near Victorian Village, the Short North or near campus or Grandview that would be nice. I know a lot of students for OSU even try to live that far out.

I do understand the fear of a 3 pm class and getting out after dark though. Though personally I wouldn't fear walking from class to my car in that area. I just wouldn't want to walk around there as a living place at various hours. I also don't know how the "campus life" would be there being a small school like that. Again I know of one person who stayed on campus, but I have no clue what her thoughts were. No one else I personally know wanted to live in that part of town.

Good luck though. I remember how much fun it was to do the college search. I personally got lazy and went to OSU

 

[Laura]

when someone says don't go around after dark...well, art studio classes run about 2 1/2 hours each. If you are scheduled for a 3 pm class it will be dark when you get out, worse if you get a night class...or need a certain lab or building.

I didn't mean to indicate it's even that bad on campus after dark. But "don't go out alone at night" is a pretty basic safety rule. I never once heard my friends at CCAD complain about the safety levels on campus, and I'd say downtown Columbus is safer since they graduated.

But this is why you need to go and see it for yourselves.

 

[DoeWDW]

As I posted, DD is in her freshman year in Savannah at SCAD. It's also a "distributed campus" - not one campus, but many buildings all over Savannah. The college has their own bus system, which makes her feel safer when getting out of class at 7:30 PM or going to a lab to work in the evening.

The safety department is very conscientious about letting the students know when there is an "incident" anywhere near the school. There have been muggings at knife-point or gun-point but DD says the kids involved are out late at night and in areas where they shouldn't be.

She never goes anywhere alone, but she isn't afraid. She says the kids figure out quickly where they should and shouldn't be and what times of the day and night are safe.

Oh, and she said she would NOT want a car. She says it's easier and safer to wait inside the lobby of a building with a security guard at night than to walk to a car in a parking lot without an escort.

This all sounds a bit scary, but honestly she is having the time of her life and loving her classes. She is still amazed that her friends at "regular" college are taking biology and calculus and she's getting graded on her drawings and art work. Most kids at SCAD get scholarships based on their art portfolios and if you misbehave, you lose your scholarship, so there really aren't wild parties in the dorms.

Let me know if you have any other questions about SCAD.

 

[bunnyscootles]

I went to CCAD. Graduated Class of '03. As far as safety goes, I think it's far safer than downtown. If you are anywhere on High St (that runs at the end of OSU campus) there are a lot of drunk students, homeless folks, and people looking for trouble. This is true of most weekend nights!
You must stay in the dorms the first year, I think this is good, I was a little frustrated you couldn't stay past that. You aren't allowed a car that year either (there's just NO parking - another issue I hope they've resolved) but you don't need one really, off campus friends get you where you need to go. There is NO getting into that building either without a key card, I never went in there again after freshman year.
I think you might be surprised how homey it feels, even though it's "up-town" there's a church, art museum, CS campus, and office buildings surrounding it.
It's a pretty small campus, there are no vast spread out area's, it's a very close knit type of place.

There's a lot more to say, let me know if you want specifics about things. I've gotta go pick up my kiddo!

 

[bunnyscootles]

Ok I just read all the posts!

After dark from your class to car or dorm was never an issue. There are always kids hanging out in front of the dorm, a big banquet going on at the museum, and plenty of kids going to and from.

I think the "dead" part that a PP referenced was outside the campus. Downtown SHUTS down at 5, really. There's not even a place to eat. Everyone goes home, it's not because the scary people invade it at night!

Since when I went you could only live in the dorms freshman year, I lived near OSU (SCARY!!) in German village (very nice but $$$) and outside of GV on high (not so nice but not so $$) - there are a lot of nice places to live outside the "city" and commute in though. I have lots of friends in the area who love where they live.

I have a BFA in Ad and Graphic design, I'm a senior graphic designer, so I made something of myself! Go me

 

[powellrj]

powellrj,

yeah, it's certainly nothing to take lightly...I am going to pm you with some web-sites that are a WEALTH of info on art schools....I don't know if I am allowed to post them here. Your son should look at them and see the type of work that is expected of these kids, go to Portfolio Review day when it comes to yur area. CCAD at least offers some scholarship opportunities, but one of the big downsides is the lack of "campus" set ups fpr a lot of these schools. An upside ( for our DD) is the small size.


Anyway, seriously check out the sites and sit in a comfortable chair, it is almost like finding the DIS of the art world!


Pam

Thanks for the links! I had sometime to read today and I really learning a lot! Thanks again!

 

[FINFAN]

sorry about the after dark topic..I didn't think that the scary folk emerged then specifically...but sort of like what you are describing, it does empty out other than the few dorm kids, and DD would not have a car, and she is the type to prefer being on campus even after freshman year for the activity and company. That is an issue if students cannot remain on campus after Freshman year. I do know they are building another dorm, so maybe that will house older students? Seems like a lot of long distance kids would be in that boat
Studio classes and homework time can lead to a lot of hours of isolation. Since she is up late a lot on projects etc., she was hoping that maybe kids would hang at certain places to work, common areas, coffee shops etc but it does not sound as if anything is around. I found a CVS not too far off campus, but that was about it. Sounds like a gold mine for a Starbucks etc! Can't you just picture some artsy place opening? Maybe one is on the way!

 

[bunnyscootles]

sorry about the after dark topic..I didn't think that the scary folk emerged then specifically...but sort of like what you are describing, it does empty out other than the few dorm kids, and DD would not have a car, and she is the type to prefer being on campus even after freshman year for the activity and company. That is an issue if students cannot remain on campus after Freshman year. I do know they are building another dorm, so maybe that will house older students? Seems like a lot of long distance kids would be in that boat
Studio classes and homework time can lead to a lot of hours of isolation. Since she is up late a lot on projects etc., she was hoping that maybe kids would hang at certain places to work, common areas, coffee shops etc but it does not sound as if anything is around. I found a CVS not too far off campus, but that was about it. Sounds like a gold mine for a Starbucks etc! Can't you just picture some artsy place opening? Maybe one is on the way!

I think I might have given you the wrong idea
When I went, only Freshman could live on campus, meaning sleep there. The rest of us come at 7am and stay until sometimes 1am when the labs closed. I heard about the new dorm, I'm not sure what they are doing with it. If it's the building I'm thinking of I imagine it's going to house quite a lot of people. I'd ask about that for sure.
I think a lot of homework in high school can lead to a lot of isolation, but believe me, she will not be alone in college!! At least at an art school, everyone is there and everyone is doing homework. Most everyone uses the labs because no one can afford the software or equipment at home. That's why I kind of liked CCAD, everyone is on campus a lot of the time.
Really, there's not like a hang out around there because everyone is doing homework!! I mean they have the student center (which was recently redone) and there is plenty to do around OSU (which the action is really only about 10-15 mins away) there's the short north which has art gallery's. A ton of stuff to do on High street, north and south of downtown. There is stuff to do outside of school, but most people just hang out there.
It's an interesting city, almost a big city that doesn't realize it and is still a "small town" OSU is it's own world, the business district (which is what I call downtown) is really quite small compared to the rest of Columbus. You've got to go see it, kinda hard to describe.
The public library is within walking distance and is HUGE - the topiary garden behind it is nice, and there's a good place to get coffee on the opposite corner.
If you guys can, I'd go check it out.

 

[FINFAN]

We are hoping to go visit mid Feb...but if that weekend does not work out we will have to wait 'till the first week of April, which is really cutting things close. Hopefully she will have word on if she has been awarded any scholarships by then, I know at National Portfolio Day the CCAD reps approved her stuff for admission then and there, and were "quite certain" of scholarship opportunities. I know CCAD is able to provide a decent amount to students, between 10 and 40K spread out over the 4 years if you show your portfolio is worthy...but man, do you need it! The cost would be the main reason she will not have a car ( and if Freshman plain are just not allowed),yet it sounds like you really need one. I guess we will see. Any suggestion on a hotel to stay at? I saw there is an Embassy Suites not to far away...and not too expensive.