<p>MICA's tuition is unbelievably expensive. That said, after graduating I'm going to be in major debt. Matters worse, art isn't a career making "bank" unless of course you're lucky and talented which I am not. I got accepted for financial aid which is $5,550 per year I believe. That's nothing compared to the 4year tuition. [I didn't get accepted to Scholarships]
So my question is.. How do people afford it! Even if I get a small job/freelancing after college, that won't help me overcome such payment.
:'(</p>
<p>My options are going to the other colleges I got accepted to like FIT or Community College/The Art Institutes... [Last last last resort]</p>
<p>I don’t really have any helpful advice, just wanted to say I’m sorry & understand how disappointed you must be. If your family is unable to help in a significant way, you will need to look at less expensive options.</p>
<p>FIT is a good choice–does that work in your budget better? The big thing is not to take on lots of debt. Better to work & save up and put off school than go into big debt.</p>
<p>My daughter experienced the same thing at some top liberal arts colleges–she got in but no merit aid and little FA. We could not afford that so she went to a less expensive school. And, she’s been happy there–but I remember that disappointment of seeing you got in but then realizing there’s no way to make it work.</p>
<p>You must have a lot of potential and talent, to get accepted–so apply yourself where ever you end up & you’ll do great!</p>
<p>My mom who’s unemployed can not afford the tuition what so ever. So I have no choice to degrade myself from where I really want to go to college. I guess I really don’t have an choice than to go to FIT or community college:(</p>
<p>I am sorry goodfornothin, but I am confused. In an earlier post, you said you were committed to RISD. I thought that you meant that you were going there, so you must have known how expensive these schools were. </p>
<p>If you really can’t afford to go to a school and do not want to have debt (not a bad thing at all) then you will need to make a different choice. If you are from NYS, then FIT could be a good choice, also if you can afford to live somewhere why don’t you look at Purchase or New Paltz? Good value for the money and maybe they have scholarships.</p>
<p>Yea I got admitted to RISD. But of course nothing in life is fair. My mother can’t afford the high cost it brings and I don’t want her to struggle more in debt with me… And no, I really really did not considered the cost of these schools, I figured it would be low because it’s an art school. My judgement was wrong. <em>shrugs in disappointment</em>.</p>
<p>If I did go to community college and transfer or FIT, would I be acceptable to other schools that I got accepted too after 2 years?</p>
<p>goodfornothin: I agree with phillyartmom, there are other good schools besides those with the big names. Congrats on your acceptance to FIT. It is a fine school with a selective admissions policy. I wouldn’t consider it “degrading” to go there by any means. Just b/c FIT has low tuition for in-state students doesn’t make it a lesser school; I think out-of-state students pay at least $25K plus room/board. You would make valuable connections in the NY art world if you take advantage of the opportunity and go there with a positive attitude. As for transferring, that will depend on what you do during your first two years. You would probably get credit for your liberal arts credits (depends on the school) but your art credits might not transfer, effectively making you a freshman once again. I think at this point you should pat yourself on the back for considering your mom’s position, getting accepted into some fine schools, and make the most of the opportunities in front of you. Good luck!</p>
<p>OP, while I don’t know anything about how many transfer students MICA accepts, it seems logical to me that you would be likely to be accepted after two years if you show a good portfolio. Work hard where ever you go, and document everything so you have a current portfolio ready. Also, check all the fine print on the transfer policy, and re-check it often in case anything changes.</p>
<p>I would make The Art Institutes my very last choice. My D goes to MCAD and met a guy who went to the Art Institute in Minneapolis. He was trying to transfer to MCAD and none of the Institute classes were going to transfer. He also remarked that the art supplies at MCAD were less than half the price than they were at the Institute. So be VERY careful. You may be better off at the community college.</p>
<p>Also, check out New Hampshire Institute of Art. Their tuition is the most reasonable I’ve run into and they were VERY generous with merit money with my D. Not a big name school, but for the money, might be a viable choice. Another choice is Northern Michigan University - they have a stand alone art building and they too were very good with merit aid (D was OOS). Downside was the fact that it is in a small town,Marquette, Michigan. A poster here had a D there and she liked it.</p>
<p>Are there any good art programs at your state’s public colleges? I imagine that even 4 years of in state tuition and a couple of years in MICA’s graduate program could be cheaper than 4 years at MICA. Or two years at state school and transfer to MICA?</p>