Thanks to those of you who gave serious and helpful answers. I've talked with guidance officials, but they have no clue about the design world. I figured I may be able to learn something here from working professionals who have gone through this same thing.
I'm gonna try to contact some local firms to see what kind of people they hire. I definitely agree that an idea-based school would be best. I am more of an art producer than a conceptor, but there's a place for that too, right?