Deleted

Chop Logic

Deleted

VisionOfClarity

Why did you chose illustration in the first place? Are you sure you're not going to switch to music and go through the same thing again? I guess what I'm asking is are you sure the music major would be all that you think it is.

Zek

Out of curiosity, what is it that you do with a music major?

If you're concerned about the marketability of your skills then you should be doing research on the major you choose now rather than later.

matisyahu

Chop Logic wrote: »

Should I just call them up and tell them what I've written here?

Basically, yeah. Although I think you should stop dwelling so much on how much of a waste you found the program to be. Your education is not a tram ride from Tangible Goal Land to Career City. There are many detours and cul-de-sacs and dead ends, etc. It's not the end of the world, you haven't been mired in bullshit, the sun will rise again.

I don't mean to sound completely wishy-washy. Your parents will be more accepting of/comfortable with your choice if they feel like it was made for positive, proactive reasons, and not resentment or bitterness.

The best part is, if your music career fails, you'll have that highly lucrative English degree to fall back on.

Sentry

If you're going to art school, they should have a good idea your major is bullshit anyway.

But seriously, everything you are looking to go into is highly specialized and very very competitive. You should look long and hard at what you plan to accomplish, and the best way to get there. Going to school may not be the best option for what you want to do in life.

Chop Logic

The English degree is really going to be my main degree, but the school I'm in makes it relativley easy to double major and I think I am smart enough to do it, so I want to take advantage of it.

Yes, I am sure that I will not get burned out on music. I see where you're coming from, but I am not one of those people who are "I like music, I should major in it!". I have two solid years of music theory under my belt from High School, I started taking jazz guitar lessons in 7th grade, I played bass in my High School jazz band for three years. I have hungout with some of the music majors here and most of the bass students, frankly, I am better than. We were talking about the Music Theory exam they had to take in the beggining of the year, and it seemed like really basic stuff to me. I have been around music and musicians since I was thirteen or fourteen, I have seen the lives that they lead (from "Yeah, I'm not going to be here next week because they are flying to Austria to play in this pit orchestra" to "Well, I'm kind of living in my car right now") and that is exactly what I want.

Furthermore, with the English degree, I am planning to become an English teacher at some point in my life, so it is not as if I am going to school for music planning on becoming a rock star or even a professional musician.

oldsak

If you're more passionate about music than art, do music.

I just thought I should point out though that the faculty at Parsons probably has a much better idea of what makes a good illustration curriculum than you do. It sounds like they're not worried as much about teaching you specific illustration skills as they are molding the way you think creatively and your approach to illustration. By way of comparison, I studied computer science in college. I learned very little actual programming skills and techniques as part of my curriculum. I didn't even use a computer for some of my classes. What I did learn was theory, math, and ways to approach problems, and those have proven to be infinitely more valuable.

Neaden

Well if you want to become an english teacher and just leave music as a hobby I don't really think you need to pay thousands of dollars for lessons. Why not just single major in English and continue playing the Bass in your free time?

Iruka

There is no reason to stay in art school if its not what you want to do. For some people art school isnt worth it if it is what you want to do. Expensive art schools usually aren't technical programs, they are concept building programs. They teach the process of being creative and building bodies of work so you are an adaptable artist. I learned the in and outs of Photoshop, 3DsMax, and even a lot of my drawing skills on my own.

If you arent enjoying it, and you don't have the drive to do it, you should get out of the program. Its alot of time and money wasted for something you don't have passion for.

The Crowing One

I'd like to point out that bachelor's degrees are just that, a degree. It doesn't matter if you major in Art, Music, English or Business. The fact of the matter is that by holding this degree you already have proven you're a "better candidate" than many others who do not hold the degree. Undergrad really doesn't make much difference in what you majored in. Of course there are small degrees of advantage for completing a program which is specifically in the field you're looking to work in.

The degree isn't worthless. It's a degree. Do what you need and what pursue your interests. If you're really worried about "making it count" go into the sciences or business. No degree from a good school is "worthless." Focus on performing well. An employer is more interested in seeing that you graduated with honors than that you graduated with the correct degree. Schooling teaches a skill-set which prepares you to be a member of the workforce: discipline, effort etc.

corcorigan

You don't go to a prestigious school for the teaching so much as to make contacts and so you can tell people you went there.

Of course some interest in what you're doing is useful.