Enrollment: 459
Average SAT: 514
Average ACT: 20
Most Popular Majors: Fine/Studio Arts, General,Graphic Design,Photography,
Student Faculty Ratio: 4:1

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $8,356.00

School Says - General Information
The Corcoran College of Art + Design is dedicated to providing an excellent education in the visual arts and to promoting the value of the visual arts in the human experience. Through degree programs, continuing education, and community outreach, the College prepares students to become productive artists and designers. In pursuit of its philosophy, the College is inextricably linked to the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The symbiotic partnership between the College and the Gallery benefits both institutions by presenting unique educational opportunities and creating a vibrant community of artists, scholars, designers, museum professionals, and educators. As the only museum-school in Washington, and the only accredited art college in the District of Columbia, the Corcoran plays a distinct role in the artistic life of the nationÂ's Capital. There is a long tradition of partnership between art schools and museums; a logical relationship when one considers the extraordinary opportunity shared by students and faculty in a museum environment. Surrounded by great art and frequently by the contemporary masters whose work is regularly exhibited, the atmosphere of a museum art school is charged by the excitement of direct contact with the world of art. The Corcoran College of Art + Design is special, for it remains one of AmericaÂ's very few examples of a Â"pureÂ" museum art school by maintaining its original relationship to one of WashingtonÂ's greatest museums.

School Says - Student Body
The Office of Student Affairs helps students take advantage of this unique city-campus and career life as a student-artist. Career services, medical insurance, housing, international student services, a job bank, special need services, and personal as well as professional counseling are available. In addition, Student Services sponsors a wide variety of educational, career, cultural, and social events and activities throughout the year, including the Student Activities Programming Board, the publication of an online student newsletter, and student-sponsored art shows and sales. As museum Members from the outset, students are able to take advantage of numerous special opportunities in the arts offered by the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

School Says - Academics
In the first year of study, students follow a unified and structured Foundation Program developing essential visual and technical skills in a wide variety of media. A distinctive aspect of the Corcoran's Foundation program is team-teaching in several studio courses, encouraging maximum participation, interchange, and dialogue between students and faculty. Students are exposed to multiple points of view to promote independent thinking, expand perceptual phenomena, and build an artistic vocabulary. Students select a major in the second year choosing between fine art, graphic design, interior design, teaching (art education), photojournalism, and photography. Sophomore studio courses are designed to bridge the ongoing development of technical skills and the increasing personal knowledge of artistic expression. Conceptual abilities are also challenged by academic requirements in art history and humanities. In the junior and senior year, the focus shifts towards oneÂ's personal vision, individual initiative, and professional development. Internships, individual projects, directed studies, and advanced academic and studio electives hone each student's specific career goals. The degree studies culminate in formal exhibitions of senior thesis projects in a formal gallery of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

School Says - Admissions
The Corcoran College of Art + Design enrolls approximately 350 full-time students in the four-year BFA program. Students from more than 20 countries and 25 states attend the Corcoran, contributing to the cultural, ethnic, and artistic diversity of the College community. We seek applications from candidates who are committed to the professional study of the visual arts and demonstrate artistic, as well as intellectual talent. As a rolling admission institution, we review applications year-round for programs beginning in the Fall or Spring semesters. The Admissions Committee prioritizes their review of applications beginning with the candidateÂ's academic record (high school and college/university); a portfolio of artwork; personal attributes (interview, recommendations, essays, extracurricular activities); and official results of standardized tests such as the SAT I, ACT, or the TOEFL. All applicants are encouraged to contact our office to arrange for a campus tour, personal interview, and portfolio review. Portfolios may be submitted on slides, CD, or DVD. Candidates may also meet with our representatives for interviews and portfolio reviews during National Portfolio Days, which are held nationally (www.npda.org), or by appointment as we travel across the country for high school visits and college fairs.

School Says - Campus Life
Washington is a city of monuments, set off by the classical architecture of government buildings, parks, trees, and greenery, all enhanced by a climate of long, balmy fall and spring seasons. With 16 major colleges and universities in the metropolitan area, there exists a feeling of a giant Â"campusÂ" in which restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, and nightspots are intermingled with bookstores, clothing boutiques, and academic facilities. A short walk from the Corcoran leads to the world-famous National Mall, ringed by museums, galleries, and the countryÂ's most distinguished monuments. Not only is the Mall the physical center of our nationÂ's cultural history, it is one of the worldÂ's largest playgrounds: an ideal spot for jogging, biking, picnicking, kite-flying, or a simple morning stroll. Within a mile, there exist numerous beacons of quality and innovation in the performing arts, such as the Kennedy Center, FordÂ's Theater, and the National Theater. Washington remains the center of world power as well as a cultural and intellectual capital.

School Says - Cost Aid
Tuition for the 2007Ââ€"2008 academic year is $25,890 for all full-time students taking 12 to 18 credits per semester. Room and board is $10,795 and required fees are $200. Expenses for books and art supplies are estimated at $2,500 annually but will vary with personal preference. The Corcoran participates in many federal and state loan and grant programs. Our merit scholarship program awards a wide range of awards to students based on academic and artistic achievement.Admission to Corcoran is need-blind, and we are committed to assisting students with their educational expenses throughout their undergraduate careers. More than 70 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, including need- and merit-based scholarships. Corcoran participates in all of the major financial aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education and provides institutional funds to supplement federal or state financial aid. We provide a payment plan through Academic Management Services as well as information about other options for our students to meet their educational expenses. The Corcoran College of Art + Design is committed to helping students meet their educational expenses and encourages potentially eligible students to apply for financial aid as soon after January 1 as possible. Application for financial aid must be made each year. While there is no deadline for application, priority consideration is given to new and continuing students who apply by March 1. Given the complex nature of the financial aid system, assumptions about eligibility should not be made prior to a consultation and careful review with the Director of Financial Aid, who may be reached at (202) 639-1851.

Maryland Institute College of Art
Virginia Commonwealth University

More at PrincetonReview.com