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RISD - Rhode Island School of Design (often called RISD, pronounced RIZ-dee).

RISD is one of the best art schools in the nation, located in Providence.

Take my advice , I'm just trying to help someone out. I'm currently a student at CalArts, I have among the highest scholarship in my program (I don't want to brag but I just want to say this so you can know I have some experience in what I'm talking about). If you are interested in photography you got to ask what type of photography. For journalism I would really look into Corcoran, it is worth the experience. RISD is another fine choice that can be worth your time, I have friends that left that school and felt very prepared (and also got a good job afterwards). Another question you got to ask yourself is the school worth the money? I know if I didn't have the scholarship I have today I would never be attending CalArts. And another thing, from my experience here, I would never dare attend CalArts for photography, here there is too much hanging-out and not much professionalism (not until the students are on their last year or so of college). Schools like Art Center, even though they are expensive, give you a real world experience that is worth it (I went to visit the school and even considered transferring).

The truth in the end is that YOU will improve yourself as a photographer, the program is nothing more than a soulless curriculum that you now a days can look online and probably learn things yourself. I interned for a couple of years every summer while in high school at a photography studio and when I got to CalArts to take classes with MFA and upper class students in the photography and film program the students though I was some sort of genius or something. I learned in a couple of months, years of experience and still got some business skills built-up as well....So, I am a personal believer that photography is really learn on the job. I got some job offers to work in a photography studio after I graduate but thats not what I came to college for. I do understand there are some more advanced classes out there but the truth of the matter is, I just go to a friend or photographer instructor I know to teach me something. Something else, many top photographers today never even studied photography in college, they learned on the job and studied along the way . I do understand that for some people sometimes moving out of their environment is the best way to learn, but finding contacts I believe is even better. You won't believe how many people graduate from CalArts and get the same job I got two years ago without a degree.

To conclude. I hope I helped you out. Please ask me questions if you like to know anything about art schools. I have a bunch of things I wanted to say and didn't even get to them. I am not sure if I sounded bias on some issues but I can clarify later. Later (I gotta go back to working in my studio).

Good luck!! get a good portfolio together.

P.S.: RIT is a good school too. Only heard good things from it. Oh, yeah NCSA (North Carolina School for the Arts) is a good school for Filmaking. Many people are not familiar with the school, but it is new and top of the line. You can major in Cinematography, I personally would like to do that. Look it up. The tuition is a bargain for schools that compare to it. I have another two people I know that went there and are now Art Directors.

Here is a link for you to look at:

http://www.photographyschools.com/

Kevin