College Considerations

[lightguy2k6]

Hey everyone. Wow, it's been a while since I've been here. Right now i'm considering colleges for lighting design. I have a few in mind here in Kansas, but i've also been looking out of state. I've looked at Purchase College SUNY and North Carolina School of the Arts. I would welcome anyone's opinion on these schools, or any other suggested ones.

Thanks

[TheJeanieness]

I'm in the exact same search and looking at those two schools, also, plus Emerson College, Ithaca College, DePaul University, and Carnegie Mellon University. CMU is supposed to have the highest level of lighting technology out of any of the schools, which is why I'm applying. It was recommended to me by a friend who's looking at lighting design grad school.

I just visited Emerson yesterday. I loved everything they had except the weather, but I was hoping that they'd show us more of their theatrical facilities in the same way as they show all of their communications and film facilities, which I am told, are incredible. But they are getting two new theaters soon, and their building a new residence hall to open next year so that all the on campus students are in the same area. They do have a wonderful program, of course. They said that last year they accepted 19 out of 87 design/tech applicants, which is a much better percentage than the 70 out of 1400 performance based applicants. And another nice thing is that there are no design/tech grad students, so the undergrads get to work on everything, and you also get to branch out and assist with the film and television productions. So yeah, its cool.

--Jeanie

[LX-88]

what about University of Montana in Missoula? I have been told this is a good school. Im applying and think I will probably go there.

[propmonkey]

im looking into university of wisconsin: milwaukee. anyone have anything thign to say about there?

[jfbach]

how about depaul... they seem kinda stodgy... I'm looking for progressive.

Ross, if UWM doesn't offer design as a BFA, check out Stevens Point. Really, they have a great reputation, great staff, and really nice facilities. I'm talkin source fours, emphasis, all the nice things.

[SketchyCroftPpl]

I have a friend who goes to Emerson and is doing specifically what your thinking about there. He is an amazingly brilliant kid and says that he loves it there and it is so awesome. Lol. Based on what he has told me I would deff make it a consideration.

~Nick

[propmonkey]

i know this isnt soemthing to care about but im more inclinde with strand system. what colleges have them?

University of NC Charlotte Campus...they have few requirements to get in, but their tech program is high-quality, they have four guys who know lighting, five who know set, and a few more others floating around. (All four light guys also do set). They have 3 Strand 530i's in 2 performance spaces, and an ETC Obsession II in another. All of their racks are strand racks. The performance space is only 2 years old, and is very nice. Well, that's my choice for colleges. Private, go for Lehigh or Bucknell. Bucknell has Heath Hansum, an awesome professor. But for me it is somewhat financially limiting. Lehigh has three or four levels in most areas of tech theater. Bucknell is all ETC based, but still a good school.

[sound_nerd]

If you're more inclined to use Strand systems, may I ask why? If it's because that's what you're used to, I suggest learning others.
Most colleges will have Strand or ETC boards, and of course there are exceptions to that.
Our school, Sheridan College in Oakville Ontario, has a variety of control/fixtures by: Strand, ETC, Altman, ElectroControls, FE Lighting, Colortran and others.

[jonhirsh]

Have you thought about calarts?


Ill Leave it at that.

JH

ps. Our mascot is mickey mouse!! and we have no foot ball team what more could a candian want.

pss. but seriously we have some great designers coming out of here check it out.