SFUAD Hosts Transfer Fairs

Posted by Kylie Yockey in Students

Representatives wait patiently for prospective students to approach their booths. Photo by Sasha Hill

On April 20, Santa Fe University of Art and Design hosted its first of two transfer fairs in Fogelson Library. The events are intended to help students who need or want to enroll in other schools before the end of the 2017-2018 school year, and included representatives from more than 10 colleges and universities in affiliation agreements with SFUAD.

The fair was quite popular. Many students—especially freshman and sophomores—attended, talked with representatives and started the application process to their schools. Several of the schools offered streamlined applications processes to cross-reference transcripts for applicable credits, waive or discount application fees and even issue acceptances.

Students talk with the New Hampshire Institute of Art representative. Photo by Sasha Hill

Some students talked to most if not all of the schools, not knowing what their plans might be yet. Vishnu Gadavi, a sophomore acting major, was looking for a smaller school with a good acting program and reputable professors, but didn’t have a specific university in mind yet. Others were looking at schools in certain locations: Creative Writing sophomore Judy Ripley, who knows she’s a West coast girl through-and-through, is nonetheless looking into the Institution of American Indian Arts (IAIA) or University of New Mexico (UNM) to stay local until she finishes her degree. Contemporary Music Program sophomore George Morrison Jr. also only prefers the West, though he is considering Columbia College Chicago (CCC), the McNally Smith College of Music or no school at all. Freshman Creative Writing student August Edwards loves the East and was applying to the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA) and was already accepted into CCC, which she’s really excited about. Film School freshman Matt Lower, who was not as taken with his mother’s preference for him to come home to California, is also looking at CCC. Though unsure whether or not she’s transferring for sure, Creative Writing junior Geneva Le Pierrot said that she’s “ready to take a chance and enjoy something new,” especially in a different landscape and climate than she’s already experience here in Santa Fe, and is interested in IAIA, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) or NHIA.

Students talk with the Columbia College of Hollywood representatives. Photo by Sasha Hill

Every booth had students milling around it the whole fair. Schools attending included: IAIA, UNM, CCC, McNally, SCAD, NHIA, Columbia College Hollywood, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, New School of Architecture and Design, Seattle Film Institute, Tribeca Flashpoint and Academy of Art University. SFUAD’s academic advising team also had a booth at the fair to help students with their transcripts, credit evaluations and application assistance.

Students gather around the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design booth to talk about transfer options. Photo by Sasha Hill

Besides CCC, which seemed to be the most popular school at the fair, many students checked out the booths for IAIA and UNM to stay close to the life they’ve made here. UNM representative James Montoya, the Operations Manager of their Admissions & Recruitment Services, said that their university is dedicated to helping transferring Jackalopes be successful and continue their education with as easy and supportive a transition as possible. IAIA’s Assistant Director of Admissions & Recruitment Jonathan Breaker emphasized that, like SFUAD, IAIA is committed to diversity, difference and artists of all backgrounds (not just Native American), and would welcome Jackalopes who want to stay local.

During this uncertain time for many, SFUAD providing this fair has been quite helpful to many students. Ripley said that she appreciated the event and how it provided more information and options for those who definitely need to transfer out. Freshman film student Francois Achan agreed that it was the least the school could do, and that the fair was dope.

SFUAD students can find more transfer information at santafeuniversity.edu/student-life/transfer, and attend a second transfer fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday April 26  in Fogelson Library.

Students are brought to the back tables to talk and show their portfolios with the prospective school representatives. Photo by Sasha Hill