The Otis College of Art and Design

Date: Apr 03 2006
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I am close to finishing my first year(foundation) at Otis, and it has been a real true workout. In your first year you take 6-7 classes per semester, 4 of which are studio classes and 2-3 of them being liberal art classes. I think the first semester is the hardest. Teachers expect a lot from you and work you up to get you at a level where you understand what its like to be a hard working designer/artist. The second semester in my opinion is easier. or maybe it just seems easier because you're already familiar with the courseload and whats expected.

You have to know how to manage your time, because you only have each class once a week spread out throughout the week. You get homework every day and have homework due everyday, there is no such thing as slacking off at this school, if you start to slip it can be really hard to get back on track.

the school staff is very supportive and look after your well being. if you're not doing well or feel you need help there is always counseling and tutoring available.

there is almost no social life at school and that is mainly because of the courseload you will have and get. a lot of the kids you befriend and meet are the kids within your section. the way otis is structured for foundation year is by section, so all the kids in your section(usually no more than 18 kids) end up having the same studio classes with you.

The one cool thing about Otis is that you will never be treated as a number here. You can call your teachers by their first names and you can be sure they'll know yours.

Overall the first year and foundation has been a positive experiance. I came into the school dreading foundation, because i wanted to already enter into my major, but having gone through it I cannot emphasize its importance. The fact that foundation teaches you all the basics of what you need to know and prepares you for entry into your major is priceless. This is coming from a kid who hated and didn't know how to draw or never cared to learn.

One last bit of advice is that here at Otis, once you are a student, you cannot take english or art history outside of Otis, so if you dread or hate english and art history, my advice is to get that done at a community college and transfer the credits prior to coming. Doing so will open up your schedule and allow you to concentrate more on your studio work.