Minneapolis College of Art and Design Top Questions

I've learned so much and acquired more technical skills in just the first year. I've also grown as a person, this is definitely a good way to move on to adulthood.

My College experience has been amazing and fufilling, I have learned much about what I want in life and how I want to live my life in the future. College gives me lotsof opportunity to grow and meet new people. I'm excited to be transfering to a 4 year university and finishing up my bachelors degree. Western Washington Uiversity has a fantastic campus and is perfect for what I need. Being under 18 makes it dfficult to pay for college and scholarships are a much needed break from paying. By continuing my college education I will be the first in my family to graduate with a degree, I'm looking forward to that honor!

My experience at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design has unbelievably changed my life in a positive direction. From the first moment I walked into MCAD as a freshman, I have been building skills and gaining experience that has largely reshaped what I knew to be possible in my life. MCAD trains students in what it takes to be an artist in contemporary times, but enables us as creative professionals capable of applying our experience in any field and tackling some of the most pressing issues our world faces. Through studying fine art, design, philosophy and literature, environmental issues, and opportunities at hands-on experience in my career field, I have been given the confidence, knowledge, and goals necessary to achieve my dreams. If I were asked to choose the single greatest thing that MCAD has done for me, I would respond that MCAD has extinguished all my doubts about how I am going to get where I want to go, and how I am going to help others do the same.

If I were able to talk to myself as a senior in high school I would mainly tell myself not to be so stressed about this whole process. I constantly underestimated my abilities when applying for schools and scholarships, and when I first arrived at MCAD I underestimated my ability to make friends and connect with my peers and with my teachers. I would tell myself to not worry so much about the transition in terms of building a social structure for myself, but focus more on time management and pushing through the first year. Getting distracted with social situations was a downfall for me my freshman year, and although my grades didn't suffer, my well-being did. I would certainly tell myself to not forget my roots, and not to forget why I am here. I didn't come to MCAD for old friends or for the concerts or parties, I came for school. I would tell my high school self that to suceed, I should never loose track of that fact.

I would obviously advise myself to save every single penny I would earn that year. Also, to apply to as many schools as I could and to visit each campus. To visit a classroom as a sit in. As far as the transition goes I would tell myself that it just takes time but to do you best to be as open to new people as I could, to have tried more things, and to not have been afraid. I would remind myself to be more outgoing. The work load I feel I?ve handled very well but to work on my researching skills. To make sure and keep up my healthly habits as far as diet and exercise. Also going to an art school make you come to terms with the fact that you are no longer "the best" at photography, or drawing, or whatever your medium is and that you should not only accept it but embrace it as an opportunity to really learn from your peers.

In a travel through time to only four short years ago, I would find a radically different individual with viewpoints that would seem like polar opposites of those that I have generated today. I would have a bounty of information about what the future of my life would hold. Whether or not the ignorant and relatively apathetic high school rebel would listen to any of the information gifted to him is uncertain, but I would attempt to inform him of the limitless possibilities that lie before him. As a high school student, one cannot fathom the knowledge and understanding that is gained from attending college. From taking even one course at a local college, a student leaves with a drive to go further, to do better. To learn as much as you can and prove to yourself that you can achieve anything. Although it is not possible to travel back in time to inform myself of my life ahead, it is possible to inform others who are in high school that they can write their own success story. We are the determining factors of our own success.

Never underestimate the value of simply showing up and putting in the time. Remember the great feats of your life: learning to crawl, tying your shoes, riding a bicycle. Each of these triumphs were achieved through determination and a sense of hope. Greate innovations are often a product of many failures. Don't be afraid to fall once in awhile.

I would suggest touring the campus and also trying to meet individually with professors for your intended major or who are currently teaching other subjects you may be interested in. KNowing the professors is a way to rate the elevl of involvement they will have in your career. You will be benefitting from thier expertise, so make sure you can work with them and they could offer you a valuable education. Look thoroughly at the classes offered at the school and the flexibility of degrees and coursework that you can choose. Living four years in a place is a dedication to the community, so it is also important that you feel comfortable living in the area of the chosen school. It is likely that you may make connections at the college that could lead to a professional career in that community, so it is important to consider this prospect.

To the paents, listen. The school for your child may not be in your top ten list, It may not be the school you went to, and it may not be in your home city or state, but it is not your future either. Your child is making a decision about the rest of their lives and if that decision is taken away from them, what type of life can they expect? No one wants to live someone elses dream. If your child decides to do underwater basket weaving, then you have to trust that their end goal is to become the best at it, and that will only be possible with your support. To all the upcomming students out there, listen and learn for yourselves. College is not where your best friend or even your parents thinks you should go. It is a stepping stone on the way to getting where you want to be, wherever that is. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, it is that division between the twenty-something year old who plays video games all day long, and the twenty-something year old who designs and programs video games all day long.

First you should know what you want to get out of your time at college. You need to make the most of your experience, school won't thrust an education on you, it's up to you to do the work. Unlike highschool, most everybody at college is there because they want to be there -- the whole academic attitude is different. College is expensive so use the facility and the professors expertise as much as you can while you're there. Make friends, they're the social network you'll need to succeed. Think about wether you're style is best suited to a small or large campus in a city or smaller town. That can make you comfortable and best able to absorb the knowledge that is your education. Good luck!