UNDERGRADUATE FAQ

Students gather in the hallway for freshman orientation.

About the Program

What Majors does the school offer? Can I major in Industrial Design? Photography?

There is only one major at A&D: art/design. The School of Art & Design has one of the most interdisciplinary programs in the country. While there are ample opportunities to study specific fields such as graphic design, painting, video, etc., our educational goal is to provide a broad base of technical and conceptual skills that you can apply to a wide range of creative activities.

Read about a student's experience with A&D’s core curriculum.

Read about a student's experience studying design at A&D.

Read about what it's like to have no majors.

Do you have any dual degree programs?

Yes, we do! You can pursue a degree in any of the following schools or colleges at UM in addition to an A&D degree: LSA, Engineering, Kinesiology, Nursing, Architecture, and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Can I minor in Art & Design?

It depends on the school or college you enroll in. Although A&D offers a minor, it is up to individual schools or colleges to approve that minor for their students.

Can I major in Art & Design and minor in another program?

Absolutely! If a minor is offered at UM, then any A&D student can pursue it.

What is the difference between a BFA and a BA?

A BFA is a studio-intensive degree in which the majority of courses are studio courses (72 credits of studio out of 128 total credits). A BA in Art & Design is a liberal arts degree with more credits devoted to academic work and a broad introduction to studio work (42 credits of studio out of 128 total credits). The non-studio credits for both degrees are mostly taken in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

How many students are in the School of Art & Design?

We have about 500 undergraduate students and about 25 graduate students.

What is I.P.?

Many students refer to their final thesis project as IP which stands for Integrated Project. During your final year you get a studio of your own where you conceive, develop and execute a complex project of your own choosing. Although a challenging part of the curriculum, it's an experience that prepares you for developing independent creative work outside of a class structure.

Read about four A&D seniors and their Integrative Projects.

Check out the work featured in the 2010 Senior Show.

Read a student blog post about the Integrated Project experience.

About Your Classes

Will most studio courses be taught by faculty members?

All studio courses are taught by faculty members.

Read a student’s account of faculty mentorship.

How big will my classes be?

All our studios are capped at 20 students, and since each studio meets for 6 hours a week, you get to know your professors well.

Academic classes outside of A&D vary in size, but 84% of all UM undergraduate classes have fewer than 50 students, and only 6% of undergraduate classes have more than 100 students.

Read a student blog post about the size of A&D.

Do students have access to the building after hours?

Our students have access to the Art & Architecture building 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Building doors are locked from 10pm to 7am, but students have key card access after hours.

Read about A&D's Studios.

How many hours should students expect to spend on class projects outside of class?

Typically, students are expected to work outside of class at least the same number of hours they spend in class.

Applying to A&D

What is National Portfolio Day and why should I attend?

National Portfolio Day is like a college fair for art and design schools, with the added benefit that students can get their portfolios reviewed by college representatives. It is a great opportunity to have access to dozens of schools from around the country in one place. There are many National Portfolio Day events all over the country from September to January.

Visit the NPDA website for schedules and info.

What kind of grades do I need to have to get into A&D?

You need an average GPA of 3.5, an average ACT of 26 and an average SAT of 1280 (verbal and math). Don’t forget, these are averages, not minimums - and academics are only part of our admissions evaluation. Your portfolio is going to count for about 50% of our admissions decision.

What do I put in my portfolio and how do I submit it?

Your portfolio is an expresssion of who you are as a creative thinker and maker. Choose pieces that best reflect that. Feel free to include a variety of media in your portfolio. Your portfolio must include a few pieces of observational drawing.

All applicants must submit their portfolio online at um.slideroom.com.

Read about A&D's portfolio requirements.

Can I visit and get a tour of the School of Art & Design?

Yes, we’d love to have you visit! In fact, visiting is one of the best ways to get a feel for the school. When you visit us, you'll get to meet with an advisor and tour our facilities.

Click here to schedule a visit.

Are there any summer programs for High School students at A&D?

Yes, we have multiple summer programs for high school students. BFA Prep is our 2-week residential program. Portfolio Prep is our 1-week residential program. Summer Portfolio Day is our half-day free program. We also have a program for middle schoolers called In the Middle.

Jobs and Careers

What kind of jobs can you get after going to school here?

All kinds. Literally. For a partial list of the types of careers, take a look at the PDF "What Can I Do with My BFA?" which can be found on our website along with many other career related handouts: http://art-design.umich.edu/career/handouts.

Read about one student’s post-graduation work experience.

Alumna Linda Holliday describes the value of a creative education.

Alumna Joan Sugihara talks about the power of a creative life.

Read A&D's newsletter about the changing world of Art & Work.

Do you find internships for students?

Well, we don’t find them for you. However, A&D has a Career Development Coordinator who can help you with all your career development needs including finding internships. He emails our students every day with opportunities.

Read about one student's experience with internships.

Is it possible for students to have a part-time job while in A&D?

Yes, it’s possible. Many students have part-time jobs but you’ll need to be extra-organized to juggle school and work.

Find part-time jobs at the Student Employment Office.

What kind of opportunities are there for students to exhibit and sell their work?

A&D has 4 dedicated exhibition spaces in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Students also show work in the many exhibition spaces and venues in the Ann Arbor area and Southeast Michigan. In addition, students are sent emails almost daily alerting them to opportunities, including calls for art, calls for design, and more.

Read a student's account of finding exhibition opportunities.

Read about a student's experience setting up a group show.

Submit your work to open A&D exhibitions.

Find external calls for work in the Career Opportunities section.

Do you have any statistics for job placement?

At A&D, students learn how to job search, write resumes, write cover letters, create a portfolio, network, etc. and then get themselves jobs.

Statistics on the percentage of A&D students who have a job in a field they enjoy: between 65 and 85%.

Living on North Campus

How do I get from north campus to central campus, or around Ann Arbor?

UM has a great bus system, and buses that travel between the North and Central campuses stop right outside the A&D building every few minutes. UM students can also ride free on the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's bus system, which travels extensively throughout Washtenaw county, including stops at many retail and grocery stores.

Learn about bus routes from UM Transportation. Services.

Find out more about Ann Arbor area buses.

If I’m a student in Art & Design, do I have to live on North Campus?

Not necessarily: students have an opportunity to make requests about where they want to live, but can't be guaranteed a specific campus location, hall or room type. However, approximately 45% of all UM freshmen do live on North Campus.

Learn about applying for housing at a UM Residence Hall.

Read about one student's experiences with campus housing.

Can I have a car on campus?

Yes, but be prepared to pay for parking and wait for spaces - parking for students is very limited, and students are strongly encouraged to leave their vehicles at home. The UM parking lot located behind the Art & Architecture building does have a limited number of metered parking spaces, but they fill up fast.