2 vs 4 yr college

Just a throw up Q:

4 year vs a 2 year degree in graphic design or web design, what are your thoughts?

I feel a 2 year is great since you get to do the stuff you wanna learn (technical skills) and I've noticed its pretty much all about your portfolio, what are your thoughts? Are your a 4 year student that feels like it wasnt worth it? I wanna hear views on this.
Thanks
Michael

well right now i am on my 2nd year of a 4 year program, and i really dont like. I think its just the way my school teaches, is my main problem. So I really dont know if i would want to be in a 4 year program somewhere else or not. But i know people in my class that went to a 2 year program and they are graduating this year and i still have 2 years to go (probably more). A down side to university is that you must take all the other dumb classes that have nothing to do with your major but are a requirement for graduation. I am not 100% certain but Im pretty sure 2 year school dont do that. At this moment in time i wish i had gone to art institute instead of ASU i would only have a semester left and no need to dumb classes that you dont need. But be aware of the 2 year schools, there is a lot of crappy ones out there. well i guess you can say that about universities, but if you can find a university that actually has a graphic design major, it most likely will be pretty good. but if you want the best check out art center of pasedena. Very tough to get into but its well worth it, and if you have the $$$. Money is really the thing that made my decision on where to go. ASU was the cheapest, closest, and pretty decent school for graphic design and right now it is a huge pain in the ass... HUGE. Anyway i hope my rambling helped you out a bit, im sure others here will defiantly help you out.

yea thats why I'm looking towards 2 year, to get the **** I wanna learn. I'm looking at seattle central community college. I've been hearing better stuff has been coming out of there then the seattle art institute, also this 2 year reviews portfolios before they let you into the program, that tells me something good! And I guess The since the University of washinton cuts hella people out of there program (150 start and by the end cut 25 move on) then students come flocking over!


sure would suck to pay for 2 years of a 4 year then get cut out of a program you really wanna do lol.

yeah that is how asu does it, first year is your base classes, design principles and other basic stuff, then at the end of the year you have to submit a portfolio, write two short essays about two designs,do 6 other design assignments and an application. They cut 170 students down to 35. I was thinking if i didnt get in i would move on to industrial design, but i got in so i dont really need to worry about changing majors right now, unless i get kicked out for ever reason =). Are you able to get a BA at the community college?

You have to understand than ANY boos will hire someone with 4 years of study before someone with only 2!

Also,a 4 year program will go much depper than a simple 2 years program, you may also see more stuff!

I study in a 3 year program, but where I live there is a lot of 1 year program to, but it as benn proven than 3 year program (college program) compare to Profesional program (1 year private) have much better salary and het hire much faster!

I'd go for a 4 year, personally, but it depends on your age. Seriously. This might be hard to swallow for some of ya, but it's just my experience.

I graduated from a 4 yr at age 22. Then, I promptly got *SHAFTED* on pay, hours and common courtesy for over 2 years following that. I have a buddy who went to Al Collins Graphic Design Institute (now called Collins College) in Tempe, AZ. He was out by age 20, and got the same treatment I got, maybe worse.

my advice. take your time. grow up a little while you learn graphic design. The professional world ain't easy, prepare yourself for it. Take some other courses, too. In case you burn out on graphics at age 25, you still know some other routes to take.

al collins is not very good graphic design school. the 2 years sure does tempt you to go but if a school that teaches graphic design, doesnt even do its own design work, i think there is a problem. But i do think the 2 extra years has to benefit you in some way. if you have the chance to goto a 4 year take it, but if 2 year is all you can get it will do fine.

I'll probably be taking one or two classes next year, and I'm definitely going for a 4 year degree. I don't see the point in only getting a two year. I've never seen a job requirement say "Must have an associate's degree in graphic design". It's a Batchelor's or nothing. I'm sure a 2 year would be better than nothing, but it could also make a huge difference in what kind of jobs/money you get.

My dad has a 2 year degree (not computer related) and a very impressive resume' full of great experience. But he is still unable to get a surprising number of jobs, just because he doesn't have a 4 year degree. He regrets not having a 4 year degree every single day.

So if I was gonna go, I'd go for real.

al collins is not very good graphic design school.

I almost went there out of high school. I opted for a community college with a very intense graphics program in Colorado instead. (Got better financial aid, too) My friend who went there is pretty good, and their website is really impressive - at least to me.

Does anyone in this forum have any experience with Collins College?

as far as them outsourcing their design work, I'd prefer it that way. Most colleges do that - I think it's an ethical thing. I'd rather my college not take advantage of my skills or create such a distraction while I'm studying there. I'm sure that whomever does their site and printed material are alumni, though - hell, they finished the program. The students haven't yet.

I am about to be doing a 4 year degree in graphic design and i really do recommend the 4 year course because of the sheer amount of knowledge you'll have. Yeah, so you know how to open Photoshop and most people don't but the essence in the 4 year course is design ideas and getting your brain to communicate with the world in a visual manner.