I had a chance to get down to Savannah, Georgia to visit Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD is a fascinating institution unlike any other I've ever visited. Students are not expected to know anything about what they want to study and they don't need to bring any equipment with them. All students enter undecided, and they choose a major sophomore year. SCAD simply is trying to make thinkers that the world so desperately needs. They consider themselves the university for creative careers, and there are more design programs at SCAD than any other institution in the United States. Interestingly, SCAD will accept the common application but they don't like it. They prefer their own application and if you submit one, you'll get an advisor in 1 to 2 weeks who will lead you through the process and help you to submit the best application you can. Portfolios are not required, but you must write a statement of purpose, and this counts very heavily for admission as well as merit scholarships. All of this speaks to the value of artistic potential, not proven performance. Also, this university of 15,000 students is all over Savannah, not a contiguous campus. They keep buying real estate as they grow, and the facilities are very impressive! There are university shuttle buses that bring students from one building or neighborhood to another. Lastly, SCAD operates on a quarter system. They do this intentionally because the shorter academic term mimics industry where projects need to get done quickly. They feel this primes students for working in the arts and I think that makes sense! The alumni network is powerful, hundreds of companies recruit here and professors are experienced professionals in their field. With majors like Architectural History, Business of Beauty and Fragrance, Fibers, Production Design, Creative Business Leadership, and Animation, I think I want to go to SCAD!