California College of the Arts Top Questions

Particpate in everything you can before its too late. Time flys and the more education you make available to yourself the better because soon enough it will be time to get a fulltime job and particpate in the working world where the quality of learning is different and far less concentrated. Enjoy the time spent and the people who surround you.

I would tell myself not to worry, and to hang in there, because all the suffering and misery is going to be worth it. I almost didn't apply to any art school at all because of our family's financial situation, but I did any way. Just the thought that I almost didn't make it here scares me so much because I can't picture myself anywhere else. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for CCA's generous financial aid, and I can't thank them enough for offering me such a great opportunity. My life has completly turned around since I left high school and I have never been happier. The friends I've made here are some of the best I've ever had, and I am amazing and so proudof the work I'm creating and how much I've learned. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Whatever you think you know about life right now is not even close to what your life is really about. The priorities in your life are completely different from what they really should be and sometimes you need to stop and think about why you are really doing something in your life. College is the greatest experience and chance you have; so don't waste your time with the things that don't matter in life, you need to focus on what will benfit yourself and your career in the future. Your future as an artist is solely based on how hard you work and push yourself to create the art you want to create. Do not let yourself get put down by anyone or anything because this is your education and your future, nobody elses. When your stuck and feeling down just remember what you really came here for and never forget where you came from. In the long run your family are the people who will really be there for you through everything you go through, that's the really one of the things I forgot that nobody should ever forget.

just know that everything will work out somehow

Hey Adoria don?t be so nervous, your going to make great friends and your creativity is going to get a great big boot in the behind from being around so many other creative people like you! Work hard and have fun, yeah you can do both at the same time believe it or not.

At California College of the Arts, you are directed to try and experiment with many different artistic diciplines. Your advisor wants you to succeed, and will help you choose the medium that is right for you, usually during your sophomore year. The academics are not all that challenging for most, but that is mainly to keep students focused on their artistic field of intrest. There are some true characters at this school, everyone it seems is an individual in their own uinque way, expressed in how they live, dress, talk, and make art. This is a fun school to be at becaue there are always people sitting in the common areas to chat with or interesting happenings to sketch. Oakland is a great place to be, full of different cultures and a plethora of shops, restuarants and woods to walk through. San Francisco is only a BART (public transit) ride away, and it is a great place to explore on weekends with endless possiblities for activities and fun.

Never give up. Stay motiviated when faced with the reality of the huge financial responsibility that comes with college. Listen to your teachers and fellow peers about potential college choices. Search online for reviews from students who attend a college you're interested in. Research the area, school credititials and instructor quality for added confidence in your choice. Visit the campus with your family and know the area/neighboorhood before deciding to attend. Rate the statistics, know the facts and trust your instincts.

just go for what it looks good to you. dont worry about the name of school.

When choosing where you are going to spend the next 4 or 5 years of your life, you need to both trust yourself but also be able to take a little leap of faith. What I mean by that is to be honest with yourself about the reason for picking a school, I knew exactly what my major was going to be, and so my choice was based on finding the program that matched that goal. But other people are different and will have different criteria, but deep down somewhere there is proabably some idea of what you are looking for in a school, a program, an ambiance, a size. So the honesty is to yourself about what that character is. The leap of faith is trusting yourself that, A you made the right choice, and B to try things that are different from those predetermined expectations. Some of my favorite college experiences were when I took a gamble and tried something new. Taking a class that had nothing to do with my major Freshman year, became one of my favorite classes and completely challenged me moving into my major. So the trick is to look for those potential experiences.

If a student is unsure of what career they want to pursue I would advise the student to take required classes and classes they are interested in at a community college first. Do not feel pressured to get into a big university or college immediately after high school. They should know what they want to study before spending money on their desired university or college. The student should choose one they feel they will be comfortable attending, whether its a big campus or small campus. They should keep academic quality in mind and have a good plan for paying for their tuition so they will not be stressed or have to consider dropping out. Most of all it is up to the student to choose a school they find suitable for themselves and not for anyone else.