Advice

Academic advising may be arranged through the Director, Dean, office personnel or individual faculty member, and is available to all students who wish to discuss academic courses, course selection, evaluation of student work, progress, or professional goals. Since many members of our staff have been professional artists and educators for many years they are highly capable to aid students regarding academic or career related concerns. Academic advisors are always available to aid students expressing personal or school related difficulties. If necessary, referral may be made to agencies or professionals within the community.

Students in their last year also work with the placement advisor to set up portfolio reviews, where they discuss portfolio preparation and presentation techniques, writing resumes and cover letters and the interview process. Actual placement occurs as positions become available through telephone and written requests, as well as, those prospective employers directly contacted. Placement services are available, not only for prospective graduates, but also for part-time students and alumni. Periodic questionnaires are sent to alumni which enable the school to maintain contact, determine present locations, personal data, and job status. Many of our alumni come back to the school as guest speakers and/or demonstrators. This not only enables us to keep current on their status, but to also maintain an excellent link between our present students and the alumni. These services enhance the school’s training programs by providing the students with events, activities and a support system that will enable them to fully experience the educational opportunities available at duCret.

In 1992 the School established The duCret School Scholarship / Awards Fund to support and encourage students in their pursuit of an art education. The result of small private donations, awards are limited to insure the continuation of the program. They yearly include two (2) Ottilie Hann Weiss Awards, The Mildred and Furman Finck Memorial Award and the Walter P. Swain Memorial Award. The school offers two (2) one-half tuition scholarships through the New Jersey Cooperative Industrial Education Program. Recipients are selected by the C.I.E. program personnel and they must also follow the same admissions procedures as all other students applying to the school. Presently these scholarships have been partially funded by a private grant from the Arnold A. Schwartz Foundation. No approval letters are required by the State.

In addition to the events sponsored by the Student Council, the students have the opportunity to take part in a number of outside art shows and competitions. Outside shows have included exhibitions at Swain’s Gallery and The Children’s Specialized Hospital Gallery. Juried competitions have included The Society of Illustrators Student Show, Meade Paper Company National Design Competition, The New Jersey Art Directors Club Scholarship Competition and Print Magazine Cover Design Competition.