Schooling Online

[anya_angie]

I'm seriously considering going to school online, at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I'm thinking of a Bachelor's in Graphic Arts, It's a 3 and a half year program with career assistance and optional internship. 90% of graduates have jobs which average $26k a year within 6 months of graduation.

I like making wallpapers and graphics and stuff, and my writing career is a bit on hold at the moment. There is financial aid available, and it's entirely online from I think one of the nation's best art schools.

Should I go for it?

 

[SeaniBu]

The Art institutes do have good reputations, and I can attest to the job placement and income, but ONLY in the 6-month terminology. Some of the jobs they place are questionable and not many "stay" at the jobs they get placed with.

I am curious how some of the classes might work online??? Like Anatomy or ID design / package design. So much of that was tactile and the interactions / brainstorming of fellow classmates would be missed. The whole "social scene" of "collage" is has it's benefits, lunch after class and discuss ideas, etc....

If on-line is the best option for you, I think it is still worth it, but if you have the opportunity to go to "campus," do. IMO

 

[anya_angie]

Thanks for the reply! Well from what I understand it would be just the same as a message board, you would comment on other students' work and they would comment on yours, and the professors would comment on you as well, and you'd have a personal consultant of sorts whom you could call and talk with about advice and such.

It's just more of a hassle to go to a campus because transportation for me is so unreliable and full of complaints from the people I count on. So I go for this option where I don't have to rely on anyone for that.

 

[flying camel]

Of course go for it. I have taken many on line classes, and believe me you work harder in online classes then regular classes. That is the only draw back for me. Just try to stay ahead of those deadlines.:agree:

 

[anya_angie]

Yeah deadlines are hard for me but I really think if I push myself that I can meet them! Thanks so much for the encouragement!!!!

 

[flying camel]

Also, make sure you understand the penalty for not meeting a deadline. I had to end up dropping a class because I was going to fail because I turned something in late. It was worth half the grade. The teacher would not take anything late. I did not understand that at first. There are some teachers who won't give you a break and some who will just take points off if something is late. So, just make sure you understand that up front.

 

[anya_angie]

Oooh thanks! Good advice!

 

[SeaniBu]

Sounds like the on-line option would work really well for you. Tjose deadlines, eesh. I did receive a "extra" alloted time once, fortunately the only time I needed it. But I was crying, they knew the situation and the poster was good so they were lenient.

I still wonder how drawing anatomy is going to work on-line. Maybe the course is done away with? That was a favorite of mine - classmates said I looked possessed when drawing the human figure. I was also told to hit the farm and draw some horses I could never get a grasp of hands or noses until I drew from a 3D subject. Then I was able to understand when drawing from images much easier and with satisfactory results.

Anyhoo, best of luck. And don't forget to keep skating!!!!

 

[anya_angie]

Thanks! Well I don't know how it works but there IS a class called Life Drawing in which the final project is a full-length self-portrait which sounds awesome. I need to pass a few preliminary courses before I get to that one though! But it is in the first year. I don't know how it will work online either, I may end up having to leave the house for that one but that won't be a big deal because at least I know I can count on my dad to take me if need be... well on second thought, it IS in Pittsburgh so... maybe I'll have to rely on someone else... maybe my best friend. Usually here you say anything about having to go to Pittsburgh and you're met with *GROANS* and COMPLAINTS about what a hassle it is.

I was actually extremely bad at art in school, at least when it came to drawing on real paper. Now for the past several years I have been very gifted with Paint Shop Pro and I think I can do well with a degree. I think I can go places! Perhaps I'll design websites for a living... I made the banner you see in my signature.

I don't skate myself LOL but I am obviously a huge fan. Looking forward to Worlds being broadcasted tonight!!! I don't plan on abandoning my following of the sport anytime soon, especially now that Zhenya's returning LOL.

 

[Ptichka]

Well, I went to an Art School (Massachusetts College of Art), and I think that nothing can replace class experience. Even from purely motivational point of view, you need the encouragement of classmates and teachers all the time to put up with the workload (at MassArt, Graphic design is one of the toughest programs). We had this rather weird schedule, where our studio classes lasted 4 hours straight, with just a break in the middle (at RISD, they have classes that last 7 hours). The point is that each class had many things about it that could only be achieved in class. So, bottom line, IMHO paying for this program you get a lot less for your money than you do if you actually go to classes.