Hey Newbie!
When I was applying, I didn't look at the schools before, with the exception of the University of San Diego, because one of my best friends was already going there, so I visited her.
I knew that I wanted to go away from home (Las Vegas) but not THAT far away, I looked at the various programs I was interested in, I talked alot with the college counselor at my school and I made sure to attend the meetings of the schools I was interested in when their admissions reps came to my school.
Initially I was looking at, USC, USanDiego, UCLA, Cal State Long Beach, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Chapman, ASU. I axed Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine because their art programs were weak/nonexistent.
Then I decided I would only apply to one L.A. school and axed UCLA because I liked USC's essay better (such 17 yr old logic! LOL)
So then I decided I'd apply to CSULB--one of the BEST univ based art programs in country, USC and USD on early decision and if I didn't get into any of them by the time deadlines for regular decison came in, I'd apply to ASU and Chapman--I knew I'd get in there.
Once I applied, my Dad and I took a road trip to visit the three schools I'd already applied to. I LOVED USCs Campus, hands down it was my favorite campus. CSULB did not give me high hopes for getting in, becasue while I had a 3.7 GPA, I was out of state student applying to an impacted major. USD I loved too, but viewed this as my 'back-up' school because several friends were going there and if I chickened out of going away I could go there with them.
By Feb 1 I had gotten into both USC and USD so my ASU and Chapman apps were unnecessary. I did eventually get into Long Beach AND into the program that I wanted, but not until after commitment deposits were due at USC. And I was pissed then, cause LB was my #1 choice for its art program, but BOY was I glad later as USC was the PERFECT place for me. LB was a commuter school, and once I changed my major to creative writing/film critical studies--I would have been miserable.
Good luck!
Amy
[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited July 16, 2001).]