What to consider while looking into the ranking of art schools?

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of exploring some potential Art schools for my journey post high school. I've been checking the rankings of various schools. My question is, does the ranking of an art school matter as much as it does for traditional colleges? Also, how important are specialty rankings? Let's chat about it!

It's important to remember that while rankings can help you get a general idea of the perceived reputation of a school, they should not be the sole determiner of your college choice, especially when it comes to art schools.

Firstly, consider the methodology of the ranking. Some rankings may focus on aspects that are not highly relevant to your desired art field. For instance, they might prioritize university reputation, faculty qualifications, or financial resources, rather than focusing on the quality of the actual art programs or student outcomes.

Specifically for art schools, some ranking systems don't put as much weight on the elements that truly form a strong foundation for an art student like studio access, exhibition opportunities, or industry connections. Therefore, make sure to explore the school's resources, support for students, and the impact of the program.

Secondly, specialty rankings can indeed be important. If you have a clear idea of your interests and career path, such as painting, sculpture, graphics, etc., looking at specialty rankings can help you find a program with strong resources and faculty in those particular areas. Remember, a strong general rank doesn't necessarily mean every program within the college is equally robust.

Lastly, rankings are not always reflective of the personal fit and comfort of the school's environment which can have a profound influence on your overall college experience. Consider factors such as location, campus culture, availability of extracurriculars, class size, and course structure to gauge whether the school would be a good fit for you.

In conclusion, while rankings can give you a starting point in your search, delve deeper into aspects like program specifics, faculty, student outcomes, and personal fit to determine if an art school is truly the right place for you to thrive.