<p>LovePratt: Success in the field of art takes more than talent it takes drive. I wonder when you say that your son is dependent, etc. if he has the kind of drive that it would take to really make the kind of money in a field that is so hard to make money in. You really do have to be realistic. Unless you have the financial resources to back up his loans if he cannot pay them back, going into debt for $100,000, especially in the field of art, and with a person whom you describe as being dependent and perhaps ?passive? may be a real set up.</p>
<p>I went to Pratt for only one semester a long long time ago. No doubt things have changed but way back then the core curriculum was the same for all art majors. We had classes about light, color and design, form and shape and drawing, there was also a required writing class. I don’t remember a single class devoted to painting. I am telling you this because this was the core curriculum for all fine arts majors. One year as a painting major isn’t likely to be about painting. With regard to the work load I will say that while it isn’t impossible to work it wasn’t unusual for me to stay up all night working on projects. A fine arts curriculum is very different than an academic one. Just so you know after one semester I had some real concerns about my ability to gain employment after graduation after watching some of my teachers express some genuine concern about their own employment and fear about being laid off with budget cuts. I am not saying that getting a BFA is not a great plan but it has more risks than other degrees have and even with college costs much less back then I selected a thriftier and more secure direction. (I’m not saying that is right for everyone, it was right for me.) </p>
<p>As many here have already indicated in different ways you need to go into this with your eyes open. You don’t want to dig yourselves into a hole that is hard to get out of. From several things you have said from borrowing 100K without much worry and the plan to major in one thing the first year and another in subsequent years, it doesn’t sound like you and he have done your homework.</p>
<p>If he does want to get a BFA if you try the CC route you really need to get a handle on what classes are required that can be taken at a CC and transferred. Again I’m sure things have changed but there really weren’t very many academic classes requried for BFA majors at Pratt back then.</p>
<p>I have not worked in the field but I suspect that with fine arts unlike other professions it is what is in your portfolio that will get you a job and not the school you attended. IMO your son should find a more affordable route. Even back then some of the choices that others have mentioned, SUNY Purchase, FIT etc were well respected. </p>
<p>If it comes down to it, taking a gap year, doing some research about schools and their curriculums and working to accumulate some funds for school could end up to be a better option then going to a school that will get him deep in debt. Particularly when I suspect his expectations about the curriculum are likely to be very different than the reality.</p>
<p>Whatever you and he do, know what you are getting into. Examine the school’s curriculum, talk to other students and counselors at the school about your plan and understand the risks and obligations of the loans that you and he are signing</p>
<p>they told me there is no way the finantial aid can be adjusted.</p>
<p>For most schools, you have until May 1st to change your mind about matriculating.
If you are having second thoughts because of the huge financial burden, can’t you simply respond in writing to the admission’s department with an email that says:</p>
<p>I previously sent in my deposit for the fall 2010. Unfortunately, after re-evaluating the financial aspect of matriculating into the program, my parents and I have decided to decline the offer of acceptance. If any portion of my deposit is refundable, I would greatly appreciate that it be returned to the address below.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
xxxxx</p>
<p>Put your mailing address here.
xxxx xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx, xx xxxxx</p>
<p>From the Pratt website:</p>
<p>“Deferring to another term or withdrawing: If for some reason, you must withdraw from Pratt or wish to request a deferral to the following year, please contact admissions in order that we may stop the early registration process for you and avoid billing you. Send an email to William Swan at <a href=“mailto:wswan@pratt.edu”>wswan@pratt.edu</a> to let us know or send a letter to the Office of Admissions. Only freshmen may defer admission, and they may not attend another school during that year. Transfers may request to have their application reconsidered for the following semester.”</p>
<p>We decided not to go to the Pratt Institute.</p>
<p>We are getting back the $300 housing deposit fee. But they told me they cannot refund the other $300 enrollment fee.</p>
<p>My son is going to have a break and try again next year.</p>
<p>Is he deferring enrollment for a year, or just “not going”? What is he planning to do next year?</p>
<p>I do feel sorry for you son, thinking he had a full scholarship to Pratt. That must be such a disappointment.</p>
<p>This isn’t my area, except that my husband attended Pratt a long time ago and dropped out in his sophomore year, in part due to money.</p>
<p>The parents here are very savvy and knowledgeable. They can help you and your son if you answer a couple more questions:</p>
<p>Was is your EFC?</p>
<p>What is your home state? Did he apply to his state university?</p>
<p>Did you look into the Pratt affiliate programs? The link was posted for you earlier in this thread. According to the website, the tuition (for the Delaware program) is half the cost of Pratt. </p>
<p>What are his other acceptances?</p>
<p>Maybe your son has more options than he realizes. If he takes a gap year, those colleges will still be expensive next year!</p>
<p>For instance, are you near New York City? There are lots of options to study painting in a more casual setting. For instance, the Art Students League has a good reputation. I don’t think it grants degrees, though. And your son may not be ready for it, maturity wise. But it’s certainly a cheaper option!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.theartstudentsleague.org/index.html[/url]”>http://www.theartstudentsleague.org/index.html</a></p>
<p>Best of luck to your son!</p>
<p>This must be disappointing and difficult. Sometimes doing the right thing is really hard. I encourage you both to take a little break in the process but there is no reason to wait and do this all over again next year. </p>
<p>Part of this process for your son is going to be learning that there are many ways to reach a goal. Typically, and certainly in this case, doing it all over again next year will most likely get the same results. </p>
<p>I encourage both of you to carefully reread the links and information provided in this thread. Your son can maximize his chances of making a living as an artist, not just going to art college, if he makes smart choices and now the slate is clear for that to happen.</p>
<p>I wish you both the very best of luck.</p>
<p>I am sure the decision to pull out before he entered was very difficult. I think hearing about that kind of debt for a young person in todays economy, and with an art major is tough to swallow. What are your sons plans now?</p>
<p>Here is my advice and experience as an art professional. These schools like Pratt merely offer a brand. It is an insane brand at that. I studied Art in college concentrating in furniture design. I went to a state school and had a great experience at a bargain. I even landed a job in the field in NYC after graduation.
My state school (not my home state) had a craft department that would rival any of the big schools. We had an intimate faculty and student body and overall it was a positive experience. Our foundation courses were exactly like the big art schools. In fact many kids transferred from them to our program and were SHOCKED at what they were missing. Even out of state I paid not even half of what a private Uni would have cost.</p>
<p>I was SHOCKED when I took a course at a CC in digital design (which I minored in) at how GOOD THAT program was. A CC with a great instructor (from cranbrook mind you)? Yea, its out there. In the industry unless you plan on teaching college level, no one cares where you went, its what you can do. I have heard far more horror stories about Pratt than positive. They want to nurture their best while the rest fend for their lives. State schools are less pretentious and will develop your skills. So, maybe try and get an Associates in digital design or fine arts, than transfer to a solid state or regional school. Skip the art schools if money and jobs are a concern. </p>
<p>If you are interested in a non-college but technical drawing and digital school check out The Joe Kubert School of Graphic and Cartoon Art. It is in NJ a train ride from manhattan. they churn out comic book artists and animators and graphic designers. amazing facility, tight student body, professional teachers. The work load is high, but they prepare you for the rigors of being a working artist. THe facility is brand new. It is like 15k/year for three years. They are accredited as a trade school. Established in the 70’s. I took private art classes from one of their instructors in the early 90’s and I sincerely regret never going there. Check it out for sure.</p>
<p>Another viable option would be to get a digital media degree from a university, and take advantage of weekend and summer painting workshops. there are hundreds out there, and way cheaper than pratt.</p>
<p>things to think about, good luck, and make sure you defer your pratt, don’t just not show up. you legally can defer for a year.</p>
<p>This thread was from the Spring. Hopefully, the OP decided wisely.</p>
<p>I could not see to incurr a $100,000 debt to attend Pratt, the same is true that I could not see to send my DD to NYU to incurr a $250,000 debt, which is offered to me.</p>
<p>However, there are successful Pratt grads. We visited my wife’s HS classmate in Pratt 20 years ago, she was pregnant and pennyless. She was artsy and a band leader, worked at Pratt in a graduate graphic art program. 20 years later, next week they are having their 30th HS re-union. She could not even have the time to be there and she lives 30 min from the re-union venue. She owns a realestate development company and is working on several mega-million dollar projects in LA. She is the top dog in her HS class, even though a lot of her classmates are MD’s.</p>
<p>I think the OP said her son was going to take a year off and try again next year.</p>