<p>I am a current Senior and am trying to decide between 3 seemingly different Photo programs at SCAD, Parsons, and Ryerson (in Toronto). I am eventually interested in going into fashion photography and was wondering how important location of the college is to my future career? I have received all my financial information, and I am not sure if taking out twice the amounts in loans for Parsons is worth it compared to what I'd need to take out for SCAD. While SCAD seems to have a strong program, I am worried about the location and how focused on fine arts it is. At the same time, I am not sure if Parsons balances the technical, business, and creative sides of photography harmoniously. As for Ryerson, I have heard it's an excellent program, but based on the work provided online, I am not impressed. Does anyone know more about the program? I know these questions are scattered every which way, but I'm just trying to make a decision...thanks :)!</p>
<p>If SCAD is half the price I’d say go for it. Yes, connections are important but you could always intern in NYC or elsewhere for the summer. At SCAD with the lower key atmosphere you could really take the time to hone your vision. I’m sure they have all of the facilities, equipment and know how to get you off to a good start. Breaking into the fashion photo world takes a while. You do not want to have debt to pay back as you establish yourself. Plus SCAD has a fashion design program. Those designers would really appreciate your skills and you’d get portfolio pieces out of it. The world is shrinking. Make the internet work for you. Get your work out there. If it’s great people will be calling you to come to them.</p>
<p>Actually, you really need to just go to college that gives you access to models/studios/studio equipment. Fashion photography is about imagination, and no school can teach that. </p>
<p>Parsons is very expensive, but it’s prestigious (or WAS prestigious, idk) and they have good photography alumni like Ryan McGinley. And it has an unbeatable location. I don’t know anything about SCAD or Ryerson though. But the location of SCAD may hinder your opportunities.</p>
<p>Have you considered SVA or Pratt?</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I’m leaning towards SCAD I think. I visited and hated Pratt…and JUST discovered SVA last night! I’m really upset! I think it would’ve been perfect and the tuition isn’t horrendous. It isn’t as academically challenging as SCAD though (not that SCAD is all that academic) so I think it’s alright.</p>
<p>that’s a good choice 
so if you end up going to SCAD, you might meet two girls Jill Wilcott and Rockie Nolan. Jill’s a transfer student and going this fall, and Rockie is currently a sophomore. </p>
<p>and if you do go, tell Jill ‘Valerie Chiang’ said hi 
:D</p>
<p>I think Savannah is an amazing location for photography!
It’s so beautiful! If you’re serious about fashion photography chances are you’ll want to live in a big city (NYC) after graduation, so I say take the time in undergrad to enjoy a smaller, prettier town. Like others have said there’s a fashion design program at SCAD where you could make connections, collaborate, build a portfolio, etc. You may even end up not wanting to focus on fashion, and you would be able to work in all areas of photography at SCAD.
You can also easily transfer between campuses – Savannah, Atlanta, and now Hong Kong. And if you like fashion, Hong Kong is incredible. Especially the street fashion there!</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Ryerson, but I’m going to check it out.
I love Toronto, it’s just so cold and I’m sick of cold. =[ (I’m transferring somewhere for photo from Chicago. blah winter.)</p>
<p>I was a faculty member at SCAD up until 2007. I knew a good number of the faculty and have some insight into the program, but it could be a little dated as well. I also spent a lot of time in the photo building in 2003 working on my thesis. </p>
<p>Up until 2005ish SCAD’s photo program emphasized fine art photography and photojournalism. Around 2005 - just 5 years ago - they hired a couple of faculty to strengthen their commercial photography courses and I know that one faculty member’s area of expertise was in product photography.</p>
<p>Still, a couple of years ago they moved the photo program from the school of Communication Arts to the School of Fine Arts. I do not know the justification.</p>
<p>I saw very very very little fashion photography at SCAD while I was there. AS it stands now, review their course catalog, and compare it to other schools. Note that SCAD only offers one course committed to Fashion Photography directly.</p>
<p>[SCAD</a> > Programs > Photography > Courses](<a href=“Photography Degree Programs: On Campus and Online Photography Degrees | SCAD.edu”>Photography Degree Programs: On Campus and Online Photography Degrees | SCAD.edu)</p>
<p>If I were you I’d look deeper into the program and try to contact the program Chair to discover if it is the right program for your interests.</p>