by George Marron

Created on: May 21, 2008

The mission of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) exists to prepare students for professional careers, emphasizing learning through individual attention in a positively oriented university environment. It is recognized as a leader in defining art and design education. SCAD enrolls more than nine thousand students. International student enrollment is between ten to twelve percent. Located in Savannah, Georgia, the Savannah campus has seven schools. They are the School of Building Arts, School of Communication Arts, School of Design, School of Film and Digital Media, School of Fine Arts, School of Liberal Arts, and the School of Performing Arts. SCAD is a fairly new college as compared to other prominent liberal arts colleges around the country. It was founded in 1978.

As for the undergraduate admission requirements, there are eight. An application for admission must be completed. An application fee must be paid. High school transcripts and SAT scores must be turned in. The average SAT score by entering freshman is one thousand one hundred and eighty three points. Recommendations from three people are required. A statement of purpose which is a five hundred word overview of the applicant's academic and personal experience especially his or her commitment to further study at SCAD. A portfolio, audition, or writing submission is part of the admission process only for those students who want scholarship consideration. Lastly, an interview could be arranged, but it usually is not required for the admissions process.

The graduate admission requirement is quite similar to those of undergraduate admission except for several differences. A completed application and fee are still required. An official transcript from each college attended and three letters of recommendations still needs to be submitted. However, the length of the statement of purpose is different from that of undergraduates. This statement has to be between five hundred and seven hundred and fifty words. Portfolios are still required. An interview is encouraged, but not necessary. Two other requirements that are dissimilar to those of undergrad applicants are GRE scores and a resume.

The Savannah College of Art and Design offers thirty eight program areas of study. Several of these majors are architecture, fashion, sound design, design management, and interior design. Minors are also available. Graduate degrees and certificates are available as well. In 2007, the top five undergraduate majors were graphic design, animation, film and television, fashion, and photography. As to the most popular minors, they are graphic design, photography, business management and entrepreneurship, creative writing, and sequential art.

SCAD employs more than five hundred full-time and part-time faculty. As for exhibition space, the Savannah campus has eleven galleries. Class size is small and its faculty has distinguished backgrounds in their fields.

If you are looking for a prominent Southern liberal arts college to pursue your art or design education, then the Savannah College of Art and Design is the place for you. So, if you can stand those really humid days of the South, then do not miss this valued opportunity.

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