<p>Are there any stats or does anyone have any experience?</p>
<p>RISD doesn't have a reputation for giving a lot of aid, though my daughter did know some students who received merit scholarships there. I'm sorry I can't come up with any statistics on this. My daughter also worked about 10 hours a week after her foundation year in one of the shops.</p>
<p>Before the college application process started, RISD had been my top choice as to where I wanted to go to college in fall of 2005, but after a lot of thought I'm not really sure anymore. I won't be receiving their decision until April, but I know that with the financial aid they'll provide me with should I get accepted will force me to go to URI. It is because that it's so expensive to attend RISD these days (RISD's representative at a college fair told me that cost of attendance for 2005-2005 is estimated at $38,000-$40,000). In addition, RISD only meets 70% of financial need for students which still leaves a lot of money left. I mean I really wanted to be study either architecture or industrial design there, but I also have to consider my future from a financial standpoint and it looks like RISD would put me in debt once I graduate. Therefore, I would say that anyone who is seriously considering applying to RISD should also think about the financial aspect because despite their reputation for being perhaps the top art college in the nation, maybe even around the world, they just don't have enough funds to distribute to everyone.</p>
<p>LocPhanamus119, the same can be said of many of the LACs and Ivy schools, not to mention others like NYU, Tufts etc.</p>
<p>All I can say is that you have to weigh the advantages for yourself. Does going to a top school warrant the debt? This is a constantly asked question and persistant theme here on CC. There are lots of posts of the advantages of public state schools vs. private top notch schools. It's a tough call, and you are the one that has to make it.</p>
<p>I for one feel that our mind is the number one asset that we have. Anything that gives us the best training and best develpment in various fields is worth it! Certainly as an alternative, you can attend a cheaper school and go to a more expensive graduate school. As I said, it's a tough call.</p>