Is the massive amounts of debt worth the prestige?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rhode Island School of Design
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<p>Hi everybody, a bit of back-story: I went to Cornell for a year and a half, originally as an engineer. I hated it. I loved Cornell, but I hated the engineering curriculum. Turns out, I'm definitely not an engineer. I ended up within their Design and Environmental Analysis major after a lot of soul-searching and although I did very well in the program, my low GPA from engineering was not accepted and I was rejected from the College of Human Ecology that it was centered in and also the College of Engineering because I had not taken any engineering classes that semester. Therefore, I was kicked out of Cornell because I took a risk towards my happiness.</p>

<p>This past spring semester, I have stayed at home and worked diligently on my portfolio and applications for various colleges for my major of INTERIOR DESIGN (remember this fact). I ended up getting accepted to Syracuse University, School of Visual Arts in NYC and RISD. RISD was my long-shot and dream school. I wasn't expecting that news but I was thrilled to hear that I was accepted as a sophomore. My concern now is that I am literally not receiving any financial aid from RISD because there was a problem with my FAFSA when I submitted it. Now, as an interior designer, I know that the School of Visual Arts doesn't have that great of a program and Syracuse's is more of a conceptual program than a real-world application, which worries me. However, Syracuse did give me a good amount of financial aid. I very much like the fact that RISD is centered on Interior Architecture, which is the process of taking pre-existing old buildings and re-doing the inside, something seen on the up and up in the Philadelphia Navy Yard and is increasing in popularity as it is highly sustainable. My question is whether the huge amount of loans and debts worth it to go to an arguably better education? I really want to go to RISD, but I don't know if I should follow what my heart wants to do or be reasonable instead.</p>

<p>Side-note: I'm still waiting to hear from Parsons but I don't know if they will give me any financial aid or if their program is even accredited. I would much rather go to an artistic atmosphere as well, something I did not get with Cornell and I fear I will not get with Syracuse.</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Did you contact RISD about the issue with your FASFA yet? Also, RISD has a work-study program that can help you pay for tuition. I don’t know much about Syracuse’s interior design program, but I feel like if you are extremely motivated and determined, you will do well at almost any school. Think about whether a better education or a better financial situation after graduating is more desirable to you.</p>

<p>RISD isn’t necessarily just about the prestige; it is an art school that makes you think differently, so you will be immersed in a group of people who will be dedicated at art, which pushes the student to do better. I’m not sure if you will be taking the foundation year during the summer if you go, but most people do take it since it is something that makes you think differently while gaining technical skills. Personally, I think the foundation year is one of the strongest aspects about RISD, no matter what major you end up studying.</p>

<p>I’d see what kind of internships students can get over the summer and the jobs upon graduating. RISD has a great alumni network and career services (around 70% of the students get a job in their field within a year).</p>