I've been accepted by ACCD and will start as a trans major in this fall term... 3 of my friends are also accepted for this fall term as trans majors and one of them even starts as a 3rd semester undergraduate upon reviewing their and my portfolios...I wonder if ACCD is that "legendarily" hard and competitive to apply as past times... so im starting to think about how that high tuition paid would be worthy after graduation... I heard that Pforzheim is tuition-free and only charge some fees for like 93 euro per semester(master degree completed in 3 semesters while bachelor one in 7) and obviously the total cost will be less in great amount than what in ACCD... furthermore...Germany is famous for its auto industries(w/ BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi, Porche......) so far as I know, Pforzheim has a close collaboration and connection w/ them (means the abundant opportunity to get a job as that in ACCD) plus...I'll be forced to pass DSH and may gain sufficient German language skills later...a wonderful bonus what u guys think!? only fews days left for me to reconsider and change my mind...closer to school opening needs advises...like is it easy to stay in German for work(averagely...I know everyone outstanding could be hired easily)? or what differences make ACCD so great!?(as years passing by...) my plan is like to stay in German for language courses for the first year...and get a degree within the next 2~3 years...suppose the total cost be less than 60,000... bother~~~plz help tons thanks to those willing to help and those spending time reading over
there are a couple of other concerns that should be considered. ie living expenses= socal vs pforzheim (or surrounding area), cali is $$$$$$. do you have german or EU citizenship, if not its not easy attaining one. transportation expenses= car payments, insurance, gas, all of which are $$$$$$ in socal. compare to germany, do they have mass transit or other. these are all other important things to consider when making this decision. accd and pforzheim are rivals, and both have their fair share of good and bad traits. obviously artcenter costs an arm and a leg, while pforzheim does not. when looking at these schools, you cannot compare by looking at the work of emerging graduates. instead, look at their curiculum, history, influence in today's industry (connections/contacts), etc. you will probably need more than a few days to make any kind of logical decision, but i do suggest you just apply to both schools and see what kind of aid you are offered from artcenter. it also wouldn't hurt to contact a counselor at both schools. hope this helps, and good luck.
btw, this other guy you know who received advanced standing from artcenter, did he also get any kind of scholarship?
actually, because you aren't a german citizen, its just as expensive for you to go to pforzheim in comparison to accd. don't worry about getting a job, people fail when they worry more about getting a job than doing well. just worry about being the best student you can, and pushing yourself as a designer.
also, if the accd doesn't work out, you can always try to go for masters in pforzheim, or if you have the cash, RCA.
that other dude intrigues me too. how do you get into third term at admittence?
from next year all german students have to pay with those fees around 600€, because the state doesn´t support the universities any longer, so compare to england or the usa it´s quiet cheap, but for german students it´s very hards. But I think to become a great cardesigner you should stay at ACCD. But you don´t have to learn even german for the master-course, it´s also tought in english, there are many students from abroad in.
Do not let us influence any of your own decisions. Everyone wants to jump on the ACCD bandwagon. Yes, Art Center is highly regarded but design is no different from any other major whether it be design/art to formal studies like biochemistry. Science is science. If you cannot comprehend it, it does not matter how good a school you go to. Also most schools and universities will have professors who have been around the block, who understand the field.
Pforzheim: will be foreign but you will learn a lot more than design at a school in Germany than you will in California. You will breath in the culture and maybe be heavily inspired by your surroundings if you are the type who loves new adventures.
Europe is small so travelling around is easy. Hitch a ride on a train and visit othe countries, which is much more inspiring than Pasadena will ever be. Think of all the European manufacturers you can visit and do factory tours; Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Ducati, Triumph, Lotus and many many more.
Who cares about the money you will spend because art school is expensive as it is. You do not need to an EU citizen to attend Pforzheim because there is a reason for student visas. If you got accepted to Pforziem I cannot see a reason to turn it down. Sure, I said do not allow any of us to influence your decision but I hope my addition to this topic levels everything for you since just about everyone favors Art Center over everything else.
"The sports car is athlete. An athlete is not a body builder. The Porsche 911 is an athlete." "Nothing in a Lamborghini interior must distract the driver. It's like listening to a great symphony" "A Lamborghini must be like a glove: the driver is the hand that sets it in motion" "We can't underestimate the evolution of techology and remain tied to the past" Luc Donkerwolke, Chief Designer, Lamborghini s.p.A.
'We don't build the GT3 for bad drivers,' Andreas Preuninger, Project Manager High Performance Cars: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Originally posted by richardp996: Yes, Art Center is highly regarded but design is no different from any other major whether it be design/art to formal studies like biochemistry. Science is science. If you cannot comprehend it, it does not matter how good a school you go to.
I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Formal studies ARE different in their very nature from creative/subjective fields such as design, as you show in the very next statement. "Science is science", not automotive design. And if you can comprehend it? YES, then it would matter which institution you decide to enroll in.
And the whole thing about going to school in Germany because of the culture and whatnot is great, but to imply California has no culture nor inspirational surroundings is simply ludicrous. The point is rather weak anyway since he will be way too busy with schoolwork (especially if it's art center, or pforzheim) to actually have outdoor adventures.
Wabiso,
I'm not going to try to sell you on either school, because both are probably equally great. But I will tell you what going to each school may result in. If you really want to work for german manufacturers and would also love to live in germany, pforzheim is probably your best bet. If you love California and wouldn't mind working for non-german studios, then go to art center. Obviously you may still end up working in germany while graduating from art center and vice versa, but graduates tend to go to the studios that are close to their respective school. About employment rates, I think the best thing to do would be to get in contact with recent graduates from each school and ask them if possible. Students tend to be more honest and well-informed than the counselors.
CCS Automotive Senior "Use no way as way, Have no limitation as limitation" - Bruce Lee "Take notes on the world, there will be a test" - Chris Bangle
Modsquad, I like you given that you are willing to discuss. Yes, going on trips is a moot point but despite being deprived of practical significance, I think being on continental Europe has its advantages over California. For one there are an astonishing amount of manufacturers and studios all located in such short amount of travel. Sure he will not be able to travel everyday but the time he may have off he has the option to set up a trip to check one out. Second, as you know, there are multiple cars and makes not seen in America, which I think is inspirational in itself.
I did not make a direct statement claiming California has no culture and is not inspirational but in comparision, the United States has only existed for how many years and how about Europe? You may want to reanalyze what I typed; Pforzheim: will be foreign but you will learn a lot more than design at a school in Germany than you will in California. You will breath in the culture and maybe be heavily inspired by your surroundings if you are the type who loves new adventures. Having lived in Korea, Japan and Germany, in my humble opinion, I always find more inspiration than I have ever had in the United States. I am just bringing this case to the table. If he feels comfortable in America and chooses to attend Art Center then it does not matter but alteast I brought a different perspective.
I agree with your closing statements: I think the best thing to do would be to get in contact with recent graduates from each school and ask them if possible. Students tend to be more honest and well-informed than the counselors. I have convinced a friend to try out Art Center while living in Hawaii. Since then he has came across many Art Center graduates who loved their experiences there, which prompted focus his attention on enrolling.
"The sports car is athlete. An athlete is not a body builder. The Porsche 911 is an athlete." "Nothing in a Lamborghini interior must distract the driver. It's like listening to a great symphony" "A Lamborghini must be like a glove: the driver is the hand that sets it in motion" "We can't underestimate the evolution of techology and remain tied to the past" Luc Donkerwolke, Chief Designer, Lamborghini s.p.A.
'We don't build the GT3 for bad drivers,' Andreas Preuninger, Project Manager High Performance Cars: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
This message has been edited. Last edited by: richardp996,
"The sports car is athlete. An athlete is not a body builder. The Porsche 911 is an athlete." "Nothing in a Lamborghini interior must distract the driver. It's like listening to a great symphony" "A Lamborghini must be like a glove: the driver is the hand that sets it in motion" "We can't underestimate the evolution of techology and remain tied to the past" Luc Donkerwolke, Chief Designer, Lamborghini s.p.A.
'We don't build the GT3 for bad drivers,' Andreas Preuninger, Project Manager High Performance Cars: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
who says that you only can work for german manufactures if you studied in pforzheim, there are also a lot of designer from abroad, and if you studied in pasadena you will get jobs around the world, because it´s the most known school in the world. And if you studied in Pforzheim you can also work in the USA.
