<p>Hii :) I'd like to thank you in advance for taking the time to help me out. I'm a junior in high school and up until recently I had been intending to secure an internship through my school's (Taipei American School) summer activity's program. However, I had been talking to some of the seniors and from what I gathered my parents and I decided that the best way to make use of my summer would be to attend a pre-college program somewhere in the States to develop my portfolio. </p>
<p>I attended Otis Summer of Art last year, and I had a fantastic time, but in my opinion most of my work produced wasn't exactly "portfolio worthy." I've thought about going back, but I also feel like I should try a summer program at some other place.</p>
<p>CSSSA would have been my first choice, but given that this decision was made recently, that's not an option because the deadline has long passed.
I've narrowed it down to two schools that seem to have fairly excellent reputations</p>
<p>RISD and Pratt
However the downside of RISD is that it's far more expensive than Pratt and that it's in Rhode Island. Now I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with Rhode Island, it's just that I don't know much about it and New York has always struck me as sort of a mecca for artists. I've gone through some old forums on College Confidential, and it seems as though RISD is VERY intensive but well worth it. So the question is, is it really worth the ~7 grand it will cost my parents to send me there, or is Pratt the better option?</p>
<p>I don’t know that the perceived prestige of the school translates into the best summer program . RISD costs more because it is longer (I think 6 weeks). Summer programs vary in length. Figure out:
- How long do you want to be away?
- What you want to accomplish?
- Where do you want to be and on what kind of campus?</p>
<p>So for example, you don’t mention SAIC. When we talked to them they said that their Summer programs were all about preparing a portfolio. D didn’t go there or to most places because of a conflicting family trip. SCAD, MICA and Ringling have programs we considered too. I am sure all of them were EXACTLY what the student put into it. In the end, we selected MCAD’s 2 week Comic Arts course. It did not help D with her portfolio. It DID help her see that there is more to life than comics, give her a taste of college life and earn her 2 credits. So it was all good in the end.</p>
<p>My D attended SAIC for the early college program. They have a 3-week and a 2-week option. You take one course for the whole time, Monday thru Friday, 6 hours per day. Plus there are two evening workshops (required) and two workshops in other disciplines from your “major” (elective). You are completely immersed in one area, and she loved it. A friend of hers went to RISD for the 6-week program. Although they had majors, they also had drawing, 3-D, etc. – mimicking a foundation program. Either program would build a portfolio. SAIC gave a merit scholarship which helped with the tuition. It’s true that often the cost will be based on the amount of time you are there. Previous post gives great advice – also look at University of the Arts in Philly. I know a couple of kids who went there and one goes to MICA now and the other SCAD as freshmen.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>@mom4art</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, but I don’t think you really understood what I was asking; or maybe it’s that my initial post was a little unclear. I had already reviewed my options carefully. Meaning that I looked through every one of them to see what types of electives they offer, how long the program lasts, and the like. So when I say that I had narrowed it down to Pratt and RISD, I meant it. Also, when I say “good reputation” I don’t mean in terms of prestige, I meant the feedback those schools get from former pre-college students, but what you said has given me some food for thought, so thank you :)</p>
<p>However, I was hoping that someone could tell me a little bit more about what those two programs are like.</p>
<p>read post#18 by cherrycrush
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/643494-pre-college-summer-art-programs-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/643494-pre-college-summer-art-programs-2.html</a>
she is not active anymore and went to Northwestern U in the end.
it gives good fair picture to me far as I know. but she was sort of attacked by RISD mom in other threads it is “her” not the school; she was not good match to RISD, pre-college or the real thing.
RISD have been strong in mommy defending power, because they have to justify the $$$ they are spending by sending their kids far far far away, such like yours.
take in concideration, but you know the best what kind of kid you are.
Good luck!</p>
<p>My daughter is doing one at Corcoran in Washington DC this summer. Have heard great things about RISD if you can afford it. Also Corcoran does offer merit scholarhsips if that is something that would interest you.</p>
<p>Oh, sorry, see you’ve already made up your mind and need info. specifically from those that have attended RISD or Pratt. Nevermind :)</p>
<p>However, I will tell you that I think you have in incorrect view on Providence, RI. I was just there this summer visiting Brown with my older son and it’s in a very nice area. The entire area has been completely revitalized since the mid-80’s and it’s safe and really lovely. We actually parked right in front of RISD and the building and iron gates are gorgeous. It would be a wonderful place to spend some of your summer!</p>