<p>For year, my dd has been interested in photography. She went to 2 pre-college summer programs - one at Tisch and 1 at SVA.
She is a senior this year. Apllied to
Tisch - rejected
SVA- accepted
Parsons - waiting</p>
<p>Also, applied to several local NC universties and colleges which she has been accepted to. None of those, however, have a strong, photo program- some not even a photo concentration.</p>
<p>Now, here is the thing. Dd has just begun to worry if she is going to get burned out from art if she goes to an art school - SVA. Is it too much art? Will she have any type of a life or take any class that is not all about art? Another concern she has is that she will be a "starving artist". She wants to be able to support herself, of course, and go forward with a career in her field. </p>
<p>It would be less expensive for us, way more less expensive, if she chose a local school but that is not the point. We will be happy to pay for her to be at SVA if she chooses this. However, we are having a hard time reconciling ourselves to the fact that she is changing her mind after 4 years of wanting to be in NY studying photography. Afraid she will regret not doing it. </p>
<p>I have thought about suggesting that she go ahead with SVa and commit to one year. She is a littel ahead of the game becasue by the time she graduates form high school in June, she will already have 18 college credits (form pre-college and dual enrollment). If after a year she decides SVA is not for her she can transfer to somewhere else. Don't know if this is smart or not.
So, here we are at the last minute - and she is having 2nd thoughts about everything. I guess this is normal but we need some advice.</p>
<p>You guys can only decide that for yourselves. My particular philosophy is that one purpose of college is to give you the opportunities to explore what you THINK you want to do, but then have the opportunity to move in a different direction, if needed. Going to a regular college/university (vs an art school) will not only provide those opportunities if you decide to change, but will also give you a good grounding in the basics so that when you do change, you don't have to start over. A very high percentage of people change majors, because they find out that as they grow as people, their direction can change.</p>
<p>My dermatologist began as an art major. You're not sure where life will take you. My feeling is that you need to keep as many options open as you possibly can. In addition, on a personal level, I think it is important to meet and hang out with a variety of people, not just "artsy" types.</p>
<p>Again, not my decision, but you may want to think of these things.</p>
<p>btw, if she does go to a local school, I HIGHLY recommend that she NOT live at home.</p>
<p>Why not consider going to State University route first? It's considerably cheaper, and her credits will most likely transfer. If it's not what she wants, she can apply again to art school and probably have a better portfolio to get in. If she discovers she likes a public university then money won't have been wasted and she can stay.</p>
<p>It sounds like she is under a lot of pressure. Art school can be and should be fun. Ask her if she would rather study math, count money or go out and take pictures.</p>
<p>She should go to a community college first.</p>
<p>"Ask her if she would rather study math, count money or go out and take pictures."</p>
<p>...or have the photos lead to an interest in journalism via participation on a school newspaper or other publications (does SVA even have a school newspaper, other than VO, which is strictly about the arts?)... or to an interest in politics or history ... or an interest in nature photograpjy after getting involved with the outdoors club and going hiking or skiing or sailing (does SVA have interest clubs like these?) ... or maybe even into the science of imaging.... or, or, or, ....</p>
<p>btw, I supplemented my grad school with a photography business (weddings, local fashion, modeling schools, art shows, school kids, portraits, etc). I loved photography before I did it for money....</p>
<p>what about a regular college that has a good photography progam like RIT?</p>
<p>My niece spent her freshman year at a reputable state school, but decided that her heart was in photo-journalism which her school didn't offer. She transferred to RIT and is loving it. She liked the state school too, but it didn't have the program she was looking for.</p>