I think that might shut off photography-related careers that would require a degree. You might want to see if she could go talk to some college photography faculty about this issue.
Would you pay for your child to major in photography or would you also require them to have a more steady backup career?
Well, yes. If they were looking at a B.A. in photography I’d fully support it. Getting a B.A. includes a body of academic general eds. They’d still be getting the broad education we want for them. You can still get an office job with a photography degree if need be. I admit, since we’re from an arts family with kids who spent much of their lives working in the field professionally, we’ve been open since they were little about our feelings on the non-academic BFA (and I say non-academic because there are some BFA’s that still require some academic courses.) I can’t say I wouldn’t still support my kids if they were committed to a conservatory or BFA program but sure, I’d be actively encouraging the continued development of academic skills.
“really no merit scholarships to think of” at BU? My son applied for merit scholarships at BU, not sure what you mean by that.
What does she want to do? Does she want to go to college right after high school? Are you worried that if she doesn’t, she’ll never go?
Being a photographer is generally not what it is cracked up to be. If she wants to be a field photographer or journalist photographer, she should look up bios of some of her favorites and see how they got there.
I think the main reason she might want to go to college to pursue photography is if she could latch on to research projects and do photography for them. She should look at photography portfolios online and see if that is what she wants to do.
Going out of state could possibly increase the cost of college for you. One possible college to keep an eye on if you are interested in NC is Elon. With her grades and stats, she may qualify for the Fellows Program and possible merit aid, but Elon’s tuition in general is lower than many private schools.
She may or may not decide to major in photography, or double major, or have it as a minor. It makes sense to have photography as part of an art major, as principles of art would apply to that.
On money: Run the Net Price Calculator at each college/university website. Some are designed to automatically factor in guaranteed merit-aid for specific stats. But even if they are more basic than that, looking at these numbers will help your daughter better understand how money affects her application list.
Your daughter already knows that she needs to improve her grasp of business issues in order to make a success of her profession. If she is serious about studying photography, then help her find a program that will also include the business courses she needs.
I can’t think of any recession-proof job except perhaps for funeral director - and even then a person would need to be able to adapt to continually changing fads. Encourage your daughter to look at her dad’s experience as an example of successful response to changing job markets. She will almost certainly see many changes in her own working life. Being able to accept change, and to roll with it when it comes, is a true blessing.
Our daughters sound eerily similar. My daughter is more a straight math geek than a science kid, did a bit better on her sophomore PSAT than your daughter, marching band instead of orchestra, and her interest is theater rather than photography. But probably pretty similar kids.
The tack my wife and I have taken is that we will provide the same level of support for undergraduate work regardless of major. However, we want two things. One, pick a major/double major that will provide a relatively stable “fall back” and two, look for schools where she can graduate debt free or very close to it so that she will have some time to pursue theater as a career with as minimal a financial burden as possible. Maybe a similar plan would work for a budding photographer?
As far as college visits, we took one trip this summer with her specifically to try and give her some context of what is out there. We visited a larger school (Yale), a smaller school in a city (Fordham) a smaller school in the middle of nowhere (Bucknell) and a really small artsy school (Vassar). That trip really helped her get some context on what she liked/disliked and has helped us to start to build a “possibles” list. I would recommend something similar if at all possible
In our family, the guidance we have offered to our son is not to pursue his passion (music) as a major, but as a minor.
Of course we do not know how this will turn out but we will support him as long as he is working towards his goals as they develop and change.
As well, we took a tour closer to home that exposed our kids to a variety of schools so they could get the flavor of different types and see which appealed most. We did not travel far but also looked at a few schools when we were visiting family out of state.
Such as…?
I’m not implying a photography career will be lucrative or free of financial stress. It doesn’t seem easy. You need to be passionate about photography (the entire process) to make a career of it. You might need to be a wedding photographer for several years to make money. Your work should be unique and of high quality, and one needs to network heavily. Not sure what a college degree brings to the table here, except a drain on money. I daresay all of photography can be learned with a combination of reading online, talking to experienced photographers for both the technical and business aspects, and getting out and taking pictures.
In the end, OP, your question seems to be about risk and passion. Is your D passionate enough about photography to make it a viable career? Is she willing to take the financial risk to make it a career… if not, then getting a degree in another field seems like the prudent move. Photography can be a very enjoyable hobby or part time job.
You might need a college degree to teach photography in a school.
Has she considered linking photography and journalism?
Also:
I read this a lot here, and it always makes me sad. It may be prudent for many kids, especially if it doesn’t appear they have the kind of talent (and drive) that is likely to lead to success in their passion. But mankind probably misses out on some great art because of this approach.
On the other hand, having a liberal arts education may give you some context/perspective in which to create your art.
In response @hunt, the jury is still out…that is, he is only 18 and passionate about music, so no need to feel sad as he is not squelched (is that a word?) in any way. If he ends up changing his mind and being a music major, we will encourage that too, even if it takes a little longer.
Architects who run small business focusing on remodeling, decks and additions are all doing fine around here. My income varies from year to year, but I am never without work. It was easy to part time when the kids were small, and since most of my clients wanted to meet me in the evening or on weekends my dh could look after the kids. You are unlikely to get rich, but it’s a decent living.
I know quite a few unhappy lawyers that wished they had pursued the arts and don’t really have time to do it on the side with any facility.
Back when aol had Artist boards the artists there used to frequently recommend taking business courses. One as I recall was a blacksmith in Williamsburg part of the year and worked for H and R Block during tax season. I am very well connected with the local art scene - most artist have to make money doing something art related, like designing book covers, teaching or doing art therapy.
He is a full time photographer now, more of an artist, using old technologies to make one of a kind prints (etched copper, etc). His work is featured in local and state art shows. He is very thankful with the way things worked out. He was able to incubate his hobby over time.
I forgot to add my former BIL has a degree in photography from an art school. He is now working fishing boats in Alaska for a living.
So many photographers in a professional level must work weekends for wedding and other events. That doesn’t bother the young and single, but sure is a problem with Mims.
I think it is fine to major in photography. This discussion happens all the time on the music forum (passion vs practicality) and I think it is sad and unnecessary to prevent a young person from doing what they love on the undergrad level.
Here is a thread from the music forum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1577495-busting-the-myth-that-fine-arts-degrees-lead-to-the-poorhouse.html
Students who graduate in the arts (and I know several) may or may not work in that field. College still does not have to be that strictly vocational. A person with a BA or BFA or BS or whatever in an art like photography has access to grad school, med/law/business.nursing school, like anyone else with a bachelor’s (with some prereq’s done). And access to many jobs in many fields just like any other graduate. I would also suggest that internships during college make a big difference.
For variety you might take her to Bennington, Sarah Lawrence, Hampshire. She sounds like a self-starter and these schools offer more independent, interdisciplinary work and are relativelly artsy. Vassar, Skidmore. Not sure about merit aid but I do know some of these offer some. Clark U. in Worcester is one of the Colleges that Change Lives (check that book and website out) and offers merit aid.
Ivies offer financial aid to those with incomes as high as $150K making them cheaper than some privates for many. But if you are in that middle group with income higher than that but difficulty paying, the in-state or merit through privates would be the thing.
I’m going to PM you too 
I will PM you.
This sounds a lot like my daughter: grades/scores/interests/photography. We are a year further in the process and my advice echoes some of the above posts.
- don't give up on the PSAT. we didn't think my daughter had a chance but she jumped from a 187 to a 216 in one year and will (likely?) make the National Merit cut in our state. As noted, that would open up many options for great merit money. (Among her other schools, our rising senior is eyeing Drexel -- deep photo program, free tuition guaranteed for NMF -- and ASU -- free tuition and a strong journalism program. See below)
- definitely have her take a look at photojournalism as a major (or part of a double major). There is lots of overlap with other humanities but still lots of technical things learned too. With her scores she would very likely get good merit money at Mizzou (a great photoJ program). Nebraska-Lincoln is an up-and-coming program with special funding for international trips (paid for by son of Warren Buffett) and out-of-staters with high scores/GPA get generous merit aid. They have a scholarship calculator on their site.
- we, too, are suggesting a double major, because although our daughter is laser-focused on photography now, things can evolve over the college years and with a little planning, having another major isn't all that had for a strong student.
- many professional photographers do suggest business classes ... if she's going to really strike out on her own
- although you don't need a degree, I work in media, and most recent hires do have degrees and are coming through photojournalism or in-depth photography programs (like RIT -- in Rochester, NY).
- don't be too hasty to narrow things down. Just a year ago, I would have pegged my daughter for an urban LAC with a top mock trial team, her obsession then. As she enters senior year, so much has changed. She's still doing mock trial but photography has taken center stage. Also, a summer job with co-workers from around the world has opened her eyes and really made her focus on a school's cost -- and whether it would allow her the financial freedom to do a semester abroad or travel some in summer. Although we will do one round of east coast LAC visits and she will apply to some of them, she's strongly leaning toward a photoJ or journalism program where she'll get good merit aid, honors college acceptance and likely pursue a double major, graduating with little or no debt. (We're can pay about 20k a year, and she has earned quite a bit of money over summers).
Best of luck on your journey. She sounds like a great kid!
Maybe consider looking at RIT. They have a number of specialties in photography and imaging, some of which seem more commercial. They offer merit money based on SAT score level so you can see the likely award levels.
http://cias.rit.edu/schools/photographic-arts-sciences
Rochester has a lot of expertise in photography due to the long history with Kodak and George Eastman. It’s not the prettiest school, but academically, it has a lot to offer.
Maybe photography and entrepreneurism as a joint major - mix it with a business degree that would be helpful for other endeavors, as well as creating her own business. This will be a tricky search for schools, b/c both majors are not as common.
As a side note, one of our office bldgs has a tenant that is a photography company - they have a popular app and create digital plugins for professional photographers. The founder is a former wedding and bar mitzvah photographer who always pursued his passion, and they’ve now raised over $70MM in B round VC money (for those of you outside the Bay Area or tech world, this is a lot of early stage money). For smart people, you can figure out a way to pursue your passions and still make a $ or two. You just need to have the will and you can find the way. But it will never be as comfortable or “easy” as pursuing a more traditional discipline with strong job prospects.
BTW, your daughter’s view of your husband’s engineering career is warped and she should be corrected on that - no job is secure today, in virtually any industry. Especially those that pay well or have strong upside - not only are you an easy target to cut costs, but there is always someone else willing to take your spot.
I’m going to second @amarylandmom 's suggestion to look at RIT. They have a great photography school. While you can choose a BFA, they also have things like a BS in Biomedical Photography (http://www.rit.edu/programs/photographic-and-imaging-technologies-options-biomedical-photographic-communications-imaging-and-bs) and Imaging Science (http://www.rit.edu/programs/imaging-science-bs)
I disagree with this. Trust me, I’ve been married to an engineer working in both manufacturing (private sector) and defense X 20 years and you are at the whim of the economy and the political wind of the time. When times are good, times are really good. But there are layoff threats every 3-5 years in both of these industries and with all types of engineers (mechanical, electrical, etc.) . On the other hand, I work in healthcare and I’ve never once felt even the whiff of a job threat or layoff (although I’ve seen it happen with upper level management). And this isn’t just my husband…this involves the whole 30+ engineers we’ve known throughout the years who work across the board in different engineering industries. Plus, I’ve yet to meet an engineer who is not a slave to the 9-5 + daily grind and I don’t think any of them are particularly happy…all knowing they can be replaced with a younger version or axed when the economy tanks. On the other hand, she has watched family members with healthcare jobs (we have a CRNA, an anesthesiologist, a lab tech and an FNP in the family) enjoy wonderful job stability and flexibility with their careers.