Expert: Peter Gabany - 8/25/2009

Question
I have been trying to narrow down portfolio schools over the summer for fall 2009. I am going into the copywriting track. After visiting each school I have narrowed it down to Miami Ad School and Portfolio Center. I chose Miami Ad School and then a hesitated after the admissions representative at Portfolio Center sent me this:

" I really urge to you contact some of the places there where you hope to work eventually and ask them how they view grads from Miami Ad as opposed to Portfolio Center.  I think you will find that PC grads are hired much more often and obtain jobs in higher positions".


how would i go about conducting the proper research to confirm this?

thanks so much


Answer
Elyse,

I would prefer to have an idea of what you are after. One can only assume a career in graphic design or advertising. And with either of those being radically different it is difficult to recommend. Also where are you and where are you willing to relocate to attend school.

If I was doing it all over again and the USA was my destination I would be looking into the best possible schools. For advertising, I might consider Northwestern or U of Texas in Austin. For design (the best route to take for either graphic design or advertising I would look into the Rhode Island School of Art and Design. Here are some links to explore - http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/education - and this is the graphic design program at Rhode Island, watch the film - http://www.risd.edu/graphic.cfm . Also, while know one ever wants to hear this when pursuing an arts education - learn to write and learn the language of business. You won't care for it (probably) but you will thank me later - big trust now.

And finally, have some fun time and explore the many agency sites that reside here - http://advertising.utexas.edu/world/ .

As for portfolio schools versus a full program education - I would agree with the response. A diploma or degree will serve you better for all kinds of reasons. I would heed the advice and try and attend the absolute best I could afford. It's an adventure.

Pete