Hi, (I made this account just to start this thread haha) I’m a senior that is considering FIT, New Paltz, and Syracuse. I was also accepted to SVA, RIT, Binghamton, VCUarts, and others. I feel like, personally, job placement, internships, and study abroad programs matter the most. My EFC is $0 so cost does factor into my choices. RISD is still my dream school and I want to choose a school that if I ever want to transfer, my credits will be able to transfer smoothly.
FIT (accepted to their Communications Design AAS): only $2k in loans
Saw that their job placement for art and design programs are under 50% (and 27% employed in their field)??
Student work was kind of underwhelming
But I am considering their program because it is affordable. However, I feel like their credits will be hard to transfer out of because the curriculum is so different. (Also if I were to get my AAS, how would that work if I want to transfer to a BFA later??)
SUNY New Paltz: $10k in loans
85% Graphic design graduates employed in their field
When I visited tho, I didn’t really like the campus and nightlife seemed dead.
Syracuse: $25k in loans (planning to appeal)
69% employment rate (according to class of 2016)
Loved the campus and student life but the! cost!
I’m not sure what to do. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!!
vcurts is one of the top art/design programs in the nation and specifically a top GD program. D is a gd major and loves it plus has had many opportunities
@stones3 VCU would be a great option for me but I’m not looking to go out of state for financial reasons.
I actually met someone today who said his D is a graphic design major at New Paltz. He said that she loves the school and the program. I know my D chose not to attend NP because she thought it was too much like our town but I know a number of students who have attended in the past 10 years and most of them had a good experience.
Blue, have you spoken with financial aid at RISD? My D was accepted to RISD, initially with no $$. The school has been increasing money over the past several years due, I believe, to losing students to other top art schools, e.g., MICA and Pratt, that were prepared to give more. As an “academic art school” the school considers academics more than other dedicated art schools and merit aid may be available as well. RISD is a very intense place in a quaint New England city. Easy access to Boston and Newport. Outrageous placement stats. I believe they place 100%, in the major field, within 6 months of graduation.
New Paltz has a really well regarded art program and some great ties to NYC, but I understand what you’re saying. It is a very rural campus and small community. My daughter’s good friend is graduating with a BFA in photography from there and has loved her experience but she’s also an outdoorsy kid who really loved hiking, running etc and the school and surrounding area was a really good fit for her.
My DD almost went to Syracuse but dropped it for some of the reasons why it might appeal to you - she was really overwhelmed that it had TOO much going on & a huge school and it wasn’t a good fit for her socially etc. Fingers crossed that you might get a good package from RISD. That happened for us and made the decision a no-brainer for her.
And we’re visiting FIT Friday with kid2 so I haven’t yet formed an opinion on that. So um…I guess I’m not much help! 
@techmom99 Seems like most people that have heard of New Paltz say it’s a good school. I’m glad to hear that!
@ArtAngst Congrats to your D! And I’m hoping haha I think right now I’m leaning more towards NP simply because their student work was impressive, it is affordable, and the curriculum is similar to an art school’s curriculum so if I have any doubts, I’ll be able to seamlessly transfer. I visited the FIT campus today and I really enjoyed it but it seemed like a girls majority school and the student work for the AAS did not quite impress me as much. Every college has its pros and cons.
It’d still be great for others to weigh in as there is still time until decision day.