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Dear Parents and Families,

I wanted to take this opportunity before the Fall semester begins to reach out to the parents and families of our new students and welcome you to a new school year. We know this is a busy time, so we hope that providing you with some key dates and frequently asked questions may help prepare your family for a new year at the Corcoran.

This new section of our website has been designed specifically for parents and families of current and potential Corcoran College of Art + Design students to provide these key dates and FAQs. This section of our website will continue to grow and evolve over time, and we are always interested in your feedback on how to better communicate with you. Please e-mail any suggestions regarding our website or other information requests to me directly at studentaffairs@corcoran.org. You may also contact me or a member of my staff directly using the e-mail addresses below.

Student Affairs Staff:

John Dickson, Associate Dean of Student Affairs:
jdickson@corcoran.org

Stephanie Moos, Assistant Director of Student Affairs:
smoos@corcoran.org

Lacey Gentry, Coordinator of Student Affairs:
lgentry@corcoran.org

Shahdeh Ammadi, Asst Dir. of Student and Alumni Development:
sammadi@corcoran.org

Melissa Green, Director of Housing and Experiential Education:
mgreen@corcoran.org

Jon Youngs, Director of Academic Advising:
jyoungs@corcoran.org

Sarah Hoff, Georgetown Campus Administrator:
shoff@corcoran.org

More information about orientation will be sent to you and your child.
I look forward to welcoming your family to the Corcoran.

Best regards,

John Dickson, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
John Dickson
Associate Dean of Student Affairs

 

Frequently Asked Questions for Families

Who Should I Contact if I Need Help?

If your child is an applicant, please direct your questions to the Office of Admissions. If your child is currently enrolled, please contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Admissions: (202) 639-1814 (until September 5)
Student Affairs: (202) 639-1801 (after September 8)

The Corcoran Student Handbook also provides answers to the most commonly asked questions, and is located here or under the “Current Students” tab above.

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General Questions

Can you tell me a little about the Corcoran?
The Corcoran, an accredited college of art and design, is an innovative leader in visual arts education and one of only three museum-college partnerships in the nation. Our renowned faculty includes some of the country’s most active and cutting-edge artists, designers, and photographers. The College emphasizes a conservatory approach to education, which means classes are small, professors are accessible, and classmates know one another. The Corcoran’s Washington, D.C., location provides our students with access to other world-class museums, cultural activities, and educational institutions and affords our students an unequaled opportunity to grow both as artists and people.

What are the transportation options/systems in Washington?
Where do students park?
Washington has an excellent public transportation system and a car is not really needed or recommended. Please visit www.metroopensdoors.com for more information on bus and subway systems. BFA students can park at the Georgetown Campus with passes purchased via check or money order from the Georgetown Campus administrator. Students living in Corcoran housing have the option to purchase an assigned parking space in the building’s secure, underground garage for $180 per month (based on availability). School parking is not available at the Downtown Campus.

How do we get to the Corcoran and where do we park?
The Corcoran Downtown campus is located on the corner of Seventeenth Street and New York Avenue NW, across the street from the White House and Old Executive Office Building. The Corcoran is just a few blocks away from two convenient Metro rail stations: Farragut West on the Orange/Blue lines (take the Seventeenth Street exit), and Farragut North on the Red line (take the K Street exit). From either station, walk south down Seventeenth Street to the Corcoran. Metered street parking is available in the area from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Metered parking is free after 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays. Students may reach the Corcoran Georgetown campus via Metrobus Routes 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36, and by the DC Circulator, which stop at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and 34thStreet, and Metrobus Routes D1 and D2, which stop at 35th and S Streets, NW

Where should we stay when we visit the Corcoran?
Below are some local hotels:
Best Western
New Hampshire Suites Hotel
1121 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
(800) 762-3777
Starting at $199 per night		 The Fairmont
2401 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-2400
Starting at $189 per night
Jurys Washington Hotel
1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 483-6000
Starting at $139 per night		 One Washington Circle Hotel
One Washington Circle NW
Washington, DC 20037
(800) 424-9671
Starting at $129 per night
Residence Inn
1199 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 331-3131
Starting at $159 per night

How do I find out what is happening at the Gallery?
Visit the Gallery’s website at www.corcoran.org for the most up-to-date information on what is happening and how you can experience the Corcoran.

How can I support the Corcoran?
As a parent, family member, or friend of a Corcoran student, there are a number of ways your support is welcomed and appreciated. Here are a few ideas:

  • Participate in parent activities at the Corcoran
  • Talk to other parents of students considering the Corcoran
  • Offer internships or assist with career opportunities for students
  • Financially support student scholarships and/or academic departments
  • Become a Member of the Corcoran.
    Please click here to learn about membership.
Please send an e-mail to studentaffairs@corcoran.org and let us know how you would like to become involved in our community. We will be in touch shortly!

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Academic Life Questions

Who is my child’s academic advisor?
Each degree student is assigned a faculty advisor who will help them make decisions related to scheduling, registration, internships, and other academic issues. The director of academic advising oversees advising for all degree students and is available to meet with students on an appointment-only basis. The name of each student’s advisor is printed on the top corner of their schedule of classes.

Who are the faculty and alumni, and what are their accomplishments?
Because of the Corcoran’s reputation and museum affiliation, the school attracts some of today’s most prominent and cutting-edge visiting artists and faculty, including Ivan Witenstein, William Christenberry, Neil Ashby, Dorothea Dietrich, and Andy Grundberg. Tara Donovan, Kendell Buster, and Tim Gunn are just some examples of our alumni who have distinguished themselves in countless ways and return to the College often to reconnect with the current student body. Moreover, while the Corcoran has always been known for its high-quality, well-rounded education, programs like fine art photography, photojournalism, and interior design have quickly distinguished themselves. Other areas of study, including fine art and graphic design, have consistently maintained high standards, with graduates going on to some of the top MFA programs at Yale, Cranbrook, UCLA, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Tyler School of Art/Temple University as well as hired by distinguished design firms throughout the country.

Where does my child buy art supplies or books?
Several supply stores are within walking distance of the Corcoran:

  • Utrecht Art and Drafting Supplies
    1250 I Street NW (Metro Center station)
    (202) 898-0555
  • Plaza Artist Materials, Inc.
    1990 K Street NW
    (20% student discount with valid ID)
    (202) 331-7090
  • Chrome
    3247 Q Street NW (Georgetown Connector Bus)
    (202) 333-3270
  • Penn Camera
    1015 18 Street NW
    (10% student discount on certain items with valid ID)
    (202) 785-7366

What are the study abroad or exchange program (mobility) opportunities?
The Mobility Program provides an opportunity for Corcoran students to study at another art college for one semester during their junior year. Students may attend one of the 33 colleges in the United States and Canada that participate in the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). This organization also hosts a New York Studio Program, giving students the opportunity to spend a semester in Manhattan. While credit for mobility study varies by department, the program offers personal enrichment by studying in a new environment with different faculty.

Students can also study abroad for a semester during their junior year. Our students have studied in Ireland, Italy, France, England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Columbia, Germany, and the Netherlands, just to name a few. Information and applications are available from the Office of Student Affairs.

The Corcoran participates in a reciprocal consortium with 12 other universities and colleges in and around D.C. Students can take classes at Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, the University of Maryland and more. Please see the student handbook for more information, and contact the director of academic advising in order to access the website and register for a course.

Where are my child’s grades sent?
How long should it take them to finish their degree?
CORCBOARD, the College’s internal website for information about grades and course descriptions, is the only place where grades for AFA, BFA, BA and MA students are posted—nothing is mailed to any local or permanent address. All students will learn how to access and interact with this site at their orientation beginning August 31.

The AFA is a part-time program that allows students up to six years to complete 66 credits. The BA and BFA are full-time, four-year programs requiring 120 credits.

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Financial Questions

What is the cost of attendance?
The 2008–2009 BFA full-time tuition cost is $27,180, which includes both the Fall and Spring semesters and is based on full-time enrollment of 12–18 academic credits per semester. A $200 tuition deposit is required for all new students. There is a mandatory $200 activity fee charged during the student’s first semester of each academic year. A graduation fee of $150 is charged in the student’s final semester.

For information on AFA and graduate student tuition please click here.

What financial aid and scholarships are available?
The Corcoran offers a number of merit and need-based scholarships to make a high-quality, private art education affordable to as many students as possible. The Corcoran also participates in all major Federal financial aid programs. A list of opportunities, procedures, and deadlines can be found by clicking here. If you would like to help support student scholarships for promising art students, please click here.

What are my options for paying tuition?
Payments may be made in the form of personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). All credit card payments must have the cardholder’s name, signature, address, and telephone number. Cash payments of $100 or less are also accepted. Payments may be mailed to:

Office of Student Accounts
Corcoran College of Art + Design
500 Seventeenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

Payment Plan Option: Students may enroll in a monthly payment plan administered by Sallie Mae/Academic Management Services (AMS) to pay their housing and Fall and Spring semester tuition. Multiple monthly payment plans are available. For more information or to enroll in this program, please visit www.tuitionpay.com or call AMS at (800) 635-0120. The activity fee, housing damage deposit, and graduation fee must be paid directly to the Corcoran Office of Student Accounts.

What help is available to students with financial emergencies?
The Kurtz student loan is a short-term, interest-free emergency loan made available to Corcoran BFA students through the kind generosity of the Evelyn Stefansson Nef Foundation. The loan is intended for students who face temporary personal, financial, or medical emergencies. Students may borrow up to $1,000 at a time, and the loan must be paid within 90 days of receipt. Students interested in applying for a Kurtz Loan should contact the Office of Student Affairs to complete a loan contract. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Affairs or studentaffairs@corcoran.org.

How can parents best assist students in managing their finances?
Parents should encourage their children to maximize their resources by investigating work-study (contact: Diane Morris at dmorris@corcoran.org), searching the employer’s job bank or inquiring about a paid internship (contact: Shahdeh Ammadi at sammadi@corcoran.org). Encouraging students to create a monthly budget showing their resources against their supply, food, and personal expenses is a great way to begin managing their money.

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Career Path Questions

What services are available to help students in their career development?
The Office of Student Affairs is committed to helping our degree students and alumni with their career development by providing a variety of resources including up-to-date listings of jobs and internships, on-campus recruiting, resume and cover letter critique, portfolio reviews, interview preparation, networking opportunities, graduate school fairs, fellowship information, and grant writing assistance.

We provide career workshops and seminars for all majors. These seminars provide students with valuable information for their future career plans. Depending on the future interests of each student, they will be helped with graduate school applications, grant proposals, scholarship information or resume and cover letter critique.

What types of internships do students complete?
An internship is a structured learning experience in a work setting. Internships are a great way to explore a career field before committing to it while gaining valuable workplace skills. Organizations sometimes use internships to recruit and hire potential candidates. Internship opportunities have included well-known national museums, government agencies, media companies, newspapers, and institutions such as Apple Computers, The Smithsonian Institution, The Washington Post, Chesapeake Bay Candle, Dumbarton Oaks Museum, American Greeting Card Association, America’s Most Wanted, The Washington Times, WUSA-TV Channel 9, The Nature Conservancy, Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic Society, as well as galleries such as Irvine Contemporary, G Fine Art, Meat Market Gallery, Transformer Gallery, The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the District of Columbia Arts Center.

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Student Support Questions

Which times of the year do students need more support from families and friends?
Exam periods and major project deadlines are always stressful times for students, and small efforts like check-in calls and care packages are always appreciated. In addition, families may want to check in a few weeks into the Fall semester when the newness may have worn off and the reality of a new location and being away from home may have set in. Food is always appreciated.

What do I need to know about safety and security at the Corcoran and in Washington?
The Corcoran is located in Washington, D.C.—a major metropolitan area. As with all major metropolitan areas, students need to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions. The Corcoran’s campuses are located in some of the safest areas of the city, but we take student security very seriously. To view more information on our security policies please click here. To learn more about campus safety statistics at all schools, you can visit the Department of Education website at http://ope.ed.gov/security/search.asp.

The Corcoran offers free emergency text messaging alerts. The Alert DC system provides immediate text notification and update information during a major crisis or emergency. This system delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates on a range of devices including e-mail account, cell phone and wireless PDAs. It is free to sign up, however standard text messaging rates apply. To sign up please go to the Alert DC website https://textalert.ema.dc.gov or studentaffairs@corcoran.org for more detailed instructions.

What happens if my child gets sick or needs urgent medical attention?
It is strongly suggested that you contact your health insurance first for the most up to date list of in network area medical help. The Office of Student Affairs provides a range of referrals for students. At orientation, students will receive a listing of medical options including instructions on what to do in case of an emergency. One of the benefits of our location in a major metropolitan area is quick access to high-quality medical services.

What counseling and other professional treatment services are available?
The Associate Dean of Student Affairs assists with psychological or psychiatric referrals.

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Housing Questions

Where do Corcoran students live?
The College provides new BFA students with the option to rent attractive, spacious, furnished, affordable, and secure apartments at The Pennsylvania House, located at 2424 Pennsylvania Ave, within walking distance of both the Downtown campus and the Georgetown campus. The building features fully-furnished apartments with full kitchens, a fitness center and a Corcoran Community room on-site. The building has one college Resident Director and Resident Assistant, plus a 24-hour security desk.

What off-campus housing options are available?
Although research and care has gone into the preparation of this list, Corcoran College of Art + Design cannot attest to the quality or reputation of the organizations that follow. We provide this information in an effort to assist you with your search for non-Corcoran housing.

Disclaimer: All external sites listed below are provided solely for informational purposes. Inclusion in this list does not constitute an endorsement by or an affiliation with Corcoran College of Art + Design. Corcoran College of Art + Design specifically disclaims any liability or responsibility, whatsoever, for the content thereof, and any direct, indirect or consequential damages related to, or arising from, the use of the information contained therein.


What are the grocery and food options near campus?
While the Corcoran does not offer an official meal plan, Corcoran student housing features full kitchens for students to prepare their own meals. The Café des Artistes inside the Corcoran Museum of Art offers students a 10 percent discount. In addition, students with a valid ID may take advantage of discounts offered by restaurants near the Downtown campus. Several grocery stores within walking distance of Corcoran facilities, such as Safeway and Trader Joe’s, make it relatively easy for students to make healthy and economical eating choices. Students are provided with a list of restaurants and grocery stores in the area at their new student orientation.

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Key Dates for Fall 2008

Tuition Payment Due:
August 15, 2008 (Fall 2008)
December 15, 2008 (Spring 2009)
May 15, 2009 (Summer 2009)

FAFSA deadline:
Applicants for need-based financial aid must submit the Corcoran Application for Institutional Aid. This form is required for all AFA and BFA students interested in need-based aid. Priority Corcoran and FAFSA filing dates are March 1 for new students entering in the Fall semester, March 15 for continuing students returning for the Fall semester, and November 15 for new and transfer students entering for the Spring semester.

Orientation:
Undergraduate: August 31–September 2, 2008
Graduate: August 28, 2008

Move-in:
August 30, 2008 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
If additional accommodations are needed, please contact
Melissa Green, director of housing, at mgreen@corcoran.org.

First Day of Class:
September 3, 2008

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