How important is cash ? ($$$)

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>I ask this, because I've recently received a new offer of $16,000 anually from SAIC. At the same time, I've been accepted to WashU's School of Art, yet there are no funds for transfers. In addition, I don't qualify for financial aid and my parents aren't exactly thrilled about funding a $180,000 or so art education.</p>

<p>At my current institution, I'm receiving nothing but an academic grant from the State for about $3000+. This doesn't even cover the cost of half the projects I've done this semester let alone the $28,000 tuition. </p>

<p>Although I was hoping for a full ride at SAIC, I've come to a comfortable level. As for Washu, it is an awesome school and I am really just glad at my acceptance. Still, it would be nice to be able to actually have a scholarship to fund it.</p>

<p>mackinaw, taxguy...anyone..?</p>

2

<p>As a parent of a HS D who is only applying to art schools, the financial component is important. SAIC is one of my daughter's top three schools. To me it is a value equation: I look at SAIC differently if I am paying full fare vs partial.</p>

<p>My biggest issue with SAIC is that they accept 85% of freshman applicants, and that half of the fresman class is gone by sophomore year. That said, those who push themselves can do well there, especially in painting. The play a couple of students in the Yale MFA painitng program most years and their own MFA painting programs is one of the best in the country.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
As a parent of a HS D who is only applying to art schools, the financial component is important. SAIC is one of my daughter's top three schools. To me it is a value equation: I look at SAIC differently if I am paying full fare vs partial.

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</p>

<p>Yeah, I mean...money is always a factor. It can make or break so many things. But I also want to go into the right program money nothwithstanding, which is why I decided to apply to Wustl anyway. I wanted the feedback (which was very good) and the options necessary to perhaps make a better (best) decision.</p>

<p>
[quote]
My biggest issue with SAIC is that they accept 85% of freshman applicants, and that half of the fresman class is gone by sophomore year.

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</p>

<p>This is bothersome. I'd hate to spend a years worth of time with a group of people and have most of them disappear by the next. Doesn't make me ecstatic, to say the least.</p>

<p>
[quote]
That said, those who push themselves can do well there, especially in painting. The play a couple of students in the Yale MFA painitng program most years and their own MFA painting programs is one of the best in the country.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not really a painter here, although I can't rule out the possibility. I am looking ahead to masters. Since I am a transfer, I know even my time at this next school will eventually end.</p>

<hr>

<p>At this point, I am not interested in waiting for RISD. They have extremely rigid policies for transfer students and I doubt I'd get my best deal there moneywise either. So, I really am just bouncing between staying where I am or going to one of these two schools. Perhaps I am making a mistake...thanks for your reply m&sdad.</p>

4

<p>SAIC said they replace most of the freshman that leave with transfers bysophomore year. Have you already done foundation year at an art school? Where do you go now?</p>

<p>Sounded like things really stabalize at SAIC sophomore year. Students beginning then essentially apply via portfolio for studio space at least for painting and ceramics as I remember it. That may well explain the attrition if students did not work hard foundation year.</p>

<p>My D was really attracted to the fact that SAIC allows the student to take a more generalist view of fine arts, taking classes in any and all aspects taht appeal to the student. She also liked the location, in the center of a large metropolitan area with all the contacts that brings.</p>

<p>professional artists I have spoken to hold the school in high regard.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
SAIC said they replace most of the freshman that leave with transfers bysophomore year. Have you already done foundation year at an art school? Where do you go now?

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<p>I'm a freshman. If I transfer, I'd be there this January (spring). I have not done foundation year at an art school--currently, I attend Rhodes. I had a really supportive professor and the rest of the faculty who knew me supported me immensely. I took Advanced sculpture at Rhodes this semester.</p>

<p>SAIC told me I would not take the first year program at SAIC. They said I placed out of it.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Sounded like things really stabalize at SAIC sophomore year. Students beginning then essentially apply via portfolio for studio space at least for painting and ceramics as I remember it. That may well explain the attrition if students did not work hard foundation year.

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<p>Not sure if I would be considered a sophomore or what, but I did submit a new portfolio--the stuff I did at Rhodes. You can see it here: <a href="http://www.photonorm.com/art%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.photonorm.com/art&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
My D was really attracted to the fact that SAIC allows the student to take a more generalist view of fine arts, taking classes in any and all aspects taht appeal to the student. She also liked the location, in the center of a large metropolitan area with all the contacts that brings.

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</p>

<p>Same reasons. Your daughter and I think alike.</p>

<p>MICA attracted me for this reason, also. However, I decided not to apply there because Baltimore is far away and the scholarship money for spring transfers peaked at $10,000 and didn't seem to be annual.</p>

<p>
[quote]
professional artists I have spoken to hold the school in high regard.

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</p>

<p>As did my high school art teacher... she had recommended the school to me.</p>

6

<p>Like the suit...</p>

7

<p>College-ish, I don't quite recall where you are currently attending, and what kind of program you are in. Could you tell us about that, since it seems to be the "default" option, and is also evidently one that you can afford? And are you in your first year there? Also, please remind us of your intended major -- something more applied rather than in fine arts, right?</p>

<p>The fact that SAIC is offering you so much money should tell you that they think you're very talented, and further that you're in the portion of their student body is is very likely to succeed there.</p>

8

<p>It's only money. Tongue in cheek, but I mean it. I'm of the opinion that you either have loans or you don't; if you do, having loans for $30,000 or for $180,000 is irrelevant - as an artist - especially as a fine artist - you will be paying for the rest of your life either way. </p>

<p>I'm also of the, apparantly, very unique opinion that getting a loan for anything, ever, is a very, very bad idea. I group college loans, mortgages, and credit cards in the same chunk - if you can't pay it, then don't buy it.</p>

<p>There are a number of scholarships available at nearly every major university in the country, and you can begin to shop around for both state and national funding.</p>

<p>In your situation as described above, if you like SAIC, take the money and run with it - everyone will benefit in the long run.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
College-ish, I don't quite recall where you are currently attending, and what kind of program you are in. Could you tell us about that, since it seems to be the "default" option, and is also evidently one that you can afford? And are you in your first year there? Also, please remind us of your intended major -- something more applied rather than in fine arts, right?

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</p>

<p>I am currently attending Rhodes College and it is my first year (semester). It's not Harvard, but it is a good school (faculty) and compares itself to others on a national level.</p>

<p>It's the "default" option only because I am a local and it is the best school locally for sure. I can afford it to an extent, but my parents always encourage me to get scholarships--especially when I truly deserve them. I'm not a single child, let's just say.</p>

<p>I'm actually a fine arts person. I like sculpture, film, etc.. anything that catches my eye/interest. Not really into the applied arts, although if you look at this link - <a href="http://www.photonorm.com/art%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.photonorm.com/art&lt;/a> -you can see some "jewelry" art or wearable art, as I call it. Guess it's worth mentioning that I use a lot of fabric, when I feel the need. I have significant experience with printmaking. Although I draw better than most, I haven't done many serious drawings for more than a year. This semester I took Advanced Sculpture, which is pretty much the highest level sculpture class that Rhodes offers.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The fact that SAIC is offering you so much money should tell you that they think you're very talented, and further that you're in the portion of their student body is is very likely to succeed there.

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</p>

<p>Although I'm no slouch, I realize that art is competitive and I actually dislike what I feel is the forgetful nature of the art world. But the world in general has a habit of forgetting, so I can't really blame art/art ppl for doing the same.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
I'm also of the, apparantly, very unique opinion that getting a loan for anything, ever, is a very, very bad idea. I group college loans, mortgages, and credit cards in the same chunk - if you can't pay it, then don't buy it.

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</p>

<p>I feel the same way, believe me. I do not intend on taking on any loans to pay for college. I'm definitely in no mood to bite off more than I can pay for or have been offered. </p>

<p>
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In your situation as described above, if you like SAIC, take the money and run with it - everyone will benefit in the long run.

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</p>

<p>If I am going to continue doing art on any serious level, I just might have to. But before making a final decision I wanted to consult with those of you who know me or recall my previous situation.</p>

<p>It's been a long road to "here".</p>

11

<p>College-ish, I've been reflecting on your situation. I can't put myself in your (or your parents' shoes) but here's what I think. </p>

<p>(1) You do need to switch schools, given your strong desire to focus more on art (Rhodes is a fine school, but. . . .).</p>

<p>(2) If you like SAIC and Chicago, you have been offered a very fine deal financially, and you can get excellent training in art for your BFA at one of the top-3 fine arts schools (by "reputation" at MFA level) in the country (yes, there will be weeding but you're likely to be a flower, not a weed!).</p>

<p>(3) RISD would offer equally fine training opportunities (with a greater variety of majors and also a bit broader outside of studio subjects than at SAIC, given RISD's cooperation with Brown), but you/your parents would accumulate very substantial debt, assuming minimal financial aid.</p>

<p>(4) All debt is not the same in type or amount, and you/your parents may and in my opinion should be willing to incur some long-term debt to "buy" an education now, just as people do when they accept long-term debt (a mortgage) on a house in order to buy it now and reap the benefits of the investment over time. Even with the $16K per year scholarship at SAIC, you will still have to spend that much of your own money and then some to cover total annual costs of >$30k/yr. (Haven't checked real total costs for tuition, housing, travel, etc.).</p>

<p>(5) I wouldn't make any decision until WashU and RISD report on their financial awards; I would also consider telling both WashU and RISD about the SAIC offer, as they may prod them a bit if they really want you and if you are willing to commit to them.</p>

<p>(6) If you think you/your parents cannot absorb the financial risk/costs at WashU or RISD -- and if you prefer SAIC to RISD or are indifferent between them -- I would take the SAIC offer if you choose to go to an art school. But if you're finding at Rhodes that you really like your non-art subject matter, then I would keep WashU in the mix until and unless they indicate that they can't provide you with enough funding to reduce if not totally close the gap in costs with SAIC/RISD. In part, then, your decision hinges on how much you value focusing 70% on art courses (SAIC, RISD, and other art schools), as against 40-50% at WashU or probably 35-40% at Rhodes.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
College-ish, I've been reflecting on your situation. I can't put myself in your (or your parents' shoes) but here's what I think. </p>

<p>(1) You do need to switch schools, given your strong desire to focus more on art (Rhodes is a fine school, but. . . .).

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</p>

<p>You know, mackinaw...</p>

<p>What you say is true. And I guess I've been resisting it because I didn't want to move and leave my family. I mean, I realized early on that my type of art, although appreciated by my professor and some others, isn't really going to prosper fully at Rhodes. It's just not being supported by the institution and if I stay, I'd likely end up not being successful in art or in other things, because the curriculum isn't setup to be flexible with people like me. I might be wrong, but I think with even a tad more flexibility I could do great things in my chosen areas.</p>

<p><a href="2">quote</a> If you like SAIC and Chicago, you have been offered a very fine deal financially, and you can get excellent training in art for your BFA at one of the top-3 fine arts schools (by "reputation" at MFA level) in the country (yes, there will be weeding but you're likely to be a flower, not a weed!).

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</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>I'm actually interested in hearing your opinion about the work in the link I posted. If you could pm me perhaps... Don't really get too many opportunities to have someone experienced look at my work.</p>

<p><a href="3">quote</a> RISD would offer equally fine training opportunities (with a greater variety of majors and also a bit broader outside of studio subjects than at SAIC, given RISD's cooperation with Brown), but you/your parents would accumulate very substantial debt, assuming minimal financial aid.

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</p>

<p>I'm sure I could get some sort of scholarship there, but like I said just to get accepted as a transfer to RISD is so onerous. I don't want to waste any more time waiting for a BFA degree at RISD, when I could attain one now elsewhere.</p>

<p><a href="4">quote</a> All debt is not the same in type or amount, and you/your parents may and in my opinion should be willing to incur some long-term debt to "buy" an education now, just as people do when they accept long-term debt (a mortgage) on a house in order to buy it now and reap the benefits of the investment over time. Even with the $16K per year scholarship at SAIC, you will still have to spend that much of your own money and then some to cover total annual costs of >$30k/yr. (Haven't checked real total costs for tuition, housing, travel, etc.).

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</p>

<p>I understand that art is a big financial commitment and I think my parents do too. Still, getting the best deal at whatever school is important... why pay more than you should?</p>

<p><a href="5">quote</a> I wouldn't make any decision until WashU and RISD report on their financial awards; I would also consider telling both WashU and RISD about the SAIC offer, as they may prod them a bit if they really want you and if you are willing to commit to them.

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</p>

<p>I think I need to get in touch with WashU's aid dept. </p>

<p><a href="6">quote</a> If you think you/your parents cannot absorb the financial risk/costs at WashU or RISD -- and if you prefer SAIC to RISD or are indifferent between them -- I would take the SAIC offer if you choose to go to an art school. But if you're finding at Rhodes that you really like your non-art subject matter, then I would keep WashU in the mix until and unless they indicate that they can't provide you with enough funding to reduce if not totally close the gap in costs with SAIC/RISD. In part, then, your decision hinges on how much you value focusing 70% on art courses (SAIC, RISD, and other art schools), as against 40-50% at WashU or probably 35-40% at Rhodes.

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</p>

<p>I sort of like my non-art subject matter... it keeps me informed both in and outside my art. It's something that I can source from and gives me multiple ways of looking at my surroundings and responding to them.</p>

<h2>I think 35-40 at Rhodes is unacceptable for a person as serious about art as I am. Still need a little longer to know if WashU or SAIC is the right choice.</h2>

<p>Feel free to chime in and I thank everyone who is giving me their time and input.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>