<p>I just got my financial aid letters from SVA and SAIC today. I'm very depressed right now. </p>
<p>SAIC offers me $27,560/year in aid (excluding Stafford loan = $22,060/year) while their tuition is $53,486/year. I have to pay $31,426/year to attend.
SVA offers me $22,300/year in aid (excluding Stafford loan = $16,800/year) while their tuition is $56,615/year. I have to pay $39,815/year to attend.</p>
<p>Should I even bother going to either of these schools? I already spent a year at community college in hopes of lowering the cost of going to college. I worked hard to maintain a 4.0 GPA, took all honors classes, including a cognitive neuroscience class at Case Western. I thought that by working hard, I might get some academic scholarships or something. I talked to an admission officer at SVA and they said I have to start out as a freshman again, which basically means I just wasted an entire school year. I could have saved those sleepless nights writing good essays and taught myself how to understand cognitive neuroscience (I took a 102 course). </p>
<p>I'm planning on majoring in photography. Most of the professional photographers that I talked to said that the school does not matter, it's all in the portfolio. A photographer told me that I can learn all the things I need to know about photography in the community college that I'm currently attending. And he was a SCAD graduate. The reason why I want to go to art school is because I hope that in doing so, I could make connections within the field while still in school. It's tough to network on your own, and when you live in my town, it's tough to even find people who are into art. I thought that SAIC or SVA might give me some advantages because they are in big cities...</p>
<p>But after seeing the prices for these schools, I'm really doubting the chances of me going to either of them. I'm a first-generation college student from an immigrant family. My mom had to sacrificed a lot of things in order for my brother and I to receive the best education we can get.I put a lot of pressure on myself to take care of my family after graduating from college. I'm already guilty because I've chosen to follow my passion (art), and now I'm feeling extremely selfish going to these expensive art schools. Being a first-gen, I had no guidance when it comes to college, esp when my mom didn't even go to college. I thought I had it all planned out, but apparently I was wrong.</p>
<p>Hi FloraEscent,
First, congratulations on your drive, dedication, stellar grades, and concern for your family. All of those qualities will serve you well!</p>
<p>You are showing great maturity in considering the overall cost of your education and the sacrifices that you would have to make to achieve your goals. If you are passionate about photography and don’t necessarily need to go to a “big name” school, consider the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies at Daytona State College in Florida. It may not have the cache of the schools to which you’ve been accepted, but it is very inexpensive and there are Pulitzer Prize winning photographers among their alumni. You would have the opportunity to study in NYC if that is something of interest to you. You can get a feel for the program by visiting their public yahoo group, very impressive discussions which show concern for their students and intelligent discourse about art and photography, and business sense as well! The program scouts out all kinds of internships and jobs for its students. You would have to meet directly with the department chair in order to be admitted, but with your qualifications I think you can be confident. If you do well in the 2 year program I believe you gain automatic admission to the Visual Arts and Photography major at UCF (University of Central Florida). My niece is currently studying photography at DSC and one of my kiddos is a recent UCF grad; both my niece and daughter are having (DSC)/had (UCF) wonderful college experiences. If you have talent and drive you will be successful no matter where you attend college. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>I agree with the above comment in that if you have enough passion/drive, it really shouldn’t matter what school you go to. I honestly don’t think its worth that much to attend these schools, especially for a major like photography (Like your professor said, it’s more in the portfolio; same with illustration and fine arts)</p>
<p>However, the numbers you’ve posted for tuition price seems off? SVA tuition really shouldn’t be more than 32k and SAIC tuition should be about 30-35k? Are you saying that the prices you’ve posted are combined with dorm & fees? If not, you may have made a mistake and could be paying substantially less to attend.</p>
<p>Thank you both for responding to my post. I’m so confused right now. I really want to go to an art school in the city because I’m so sick of this place. I have no social life from going to a cc. I’ve always felt like I never belong here. It’s so difficult to find people who are similar to me, and I want it to change in college. I’ve never had the glamourous “high school experience” that people always refer to, so I want my college experiment to be something that I want to remember. I know I sound like an inconsiderate spoil brat right now, but that’s really how I feel. I want to go to college not only to educate myself, but also to “live” for once. Not to mention, the opportunities here are very rare. </p>
<p>Right now we are considering loans. I’m not sure how to approach this, since I’ve never loaned any money in my life. Is education loan similar to car loan? What are some of the things that I should watch out for when taking out loans? What is the “ideal” interest rate? </p>
<p>Arghhh this is all too confusing!! I feel like my head is going to explode!!</p>
<p>naueth:
Yes, the prices I’ve posted are combined with dorms and fees. I apologize for not being clear. I’m not sure if it would cost any less if I rented a place off-campus, and since i’m new to those cities, I thought that it’d be easier to just live on-campus for at least a year.</p>
<p>Oh, ok. I understand where your coming from, but I’m with digmedia on this one. I’m not totally against the idea of loans (I myself am taking out some); I actually think some can be healthy for a person and help a student be responsible in managing their money. But this applies to moderate/reasonable amounts of loans taken out. For any field, I believe loans over 40k over a 4-year period should not be taken out and for photography in particular, 20-25k at most. This is why, in your case, I strongly discourage it unless you can bring it down to that number somehow.
You don’t need to go to an art school, which are known for their over the top tuition, in order to get a good degree in photography. A state university that offers the program can be just as fulfilling and can be as decent as that of a fancy private school’s (for half the price)</p>
<p>what state do you live in? there might be some local options for you that are cheap and located in a great area. i got into calarts, sva, saic, and sfai as well for undergraduate but the amount i’d have to take out in loans is ridiculous so i went with a state school, UCLA, that costs a fraction of what those other schools cost (ucla is only like 13k a year if you’re a res) and it has a highly reputable program in the fine art field. that said, i think you have valid concerns, networking is important and so is location but work within your means. ALSO, yeah you can really make it without a degree, as portfolio is immensely important and ultimately defines how you are perceived over where you went to school, but how many people actually make it? the only reason i’m getting a degree in art is because i want to be able to teach eventually. my plan is to spend cheaply for my undergrad degree then go all out for my graduate degree.</p>
<p>I’ve heard about OU’s photo department. It’s probably my last resort, if I can’t get out of here. The thing about OU is that it has a “party school” reputation, apparently. And it’s in the middle of nowhere, so I have a feeling that the sport scene is going to be huge. It’s pretty much the exact thing that I’m trying to avoid, after being one of the few lonely art kids in a jock-centric high school. I’m not quite sure of OU’s connections with the art world, since I haven’t done any research about it, but it seems like SAIC and SVA would triumph OU in terms of connections. </p>
<p>SVA is pretty much out of the picture as of now. i was drawn to it because of the location (like everybody else), but their strict major guidelines leave pretty much no room to experiment. I would like to go to SAIC, because of their interdisciplinary approach to education. I feel like SAIC is the best “bang for the buck”, especially when the “buck” is extremely humongous. At SAIC I can explore photography, film, and illustration; all of which are my strength and interests. I still need to talk to both schools’ financial aid departments regarding the possibility of increasing my FA amounts, before resorting to loans.</p>
<p>I live in Ohio. The suburban part of Ohio. Where old people live. You don’t see any college students here, unless it’s during the breaks. Which is why I want to get out of here. The most well-known school in Ohio is Ohio State, and it’s the epitome of everything I do NOT want for my college experiment. Plus it doesn’t have a film department. The other schools are private schools (Case/John Caroll), which I guess would cost pretty much the same for in-state students anyway, and they’re more like engineering/med schools rather than artsy schools.</p>
<p>So even if I go to an out-of-state state school with a reputable art dept, it would cost roughly the same as attending SVA/SAIC. You’re very lucky to live in California because you have the UC’s system. If I had lived in California I wouldn’t apply to any out-of-state schools. </p>
<p>I know for sure that I need a college degree, since it’s tough to network on your own anywhere, let alone in my place. I’m not sure if I’m going to grad school, as many people told me that it’s not necessary, unless I want to be a teacher. Sometimes I feel like a college degree doesn’t even matter anymore, it all depends on who you know and where you are. Especially in the art world. Being in the right place at the right time.</p>
<p>ohio? and you’re interested in film? the first thing that comes to mind is oberlin, it’s artsy and has a great crowd. i have a friend who studied film theory there and loved it. also, i think they just had a recent grad who created that show girls on hbo. look into that (the school not the show). plus, since it’s a liberal arts school, fulfill your general requirements at a community college and you’ll only have to go there for two years saving you money! plus liberal arts schools tend to give out merit scholarships based on one’s academic record as oppose to art schools that give them out based on creative talent.</p>
<p>also, who you know only goes so far, portfolio in and of itself goes only so far as well. what are you interested in fine art or commercial? if the former then you’re going to college not necessarily to just learn technique (and fyi art schools tend to shy away from teaching technique) but to learn how to develop and talk about your ideas, learning how to articulate and extract insight from your work is crucial, i would argue that it’s more important than portfolio even.</p>
<p>I’ve checked the tuition for Oberlin. It’s roughly the same as SVA. Since the transfer deadline have past, I will have to either apply for Spring semester, or stay at cc for 1 more year and transfer. Which brings up another element into this already complicated equation: Should I sacrifice my personal happiness (and perhaps general well-being) and stay for 1 more year at cc, then transfer to an in-state school and go to grad school? Or should I work my butt of this summer, get really good at photography, and transfer to SAIC in the fall, where I’ll hopefully be recognized?
I know option 2 is so far-fetched. But people have put random vids on youtube and became millionaires, why can’t I work hard and be rewarded, right?</p>
<p>It’s tough to make these life-changing decisions on my own. Thank you guys so much for offering your opinions regarding my situation. I really appreciate your time and effort.</p>
<p>It’s too bad that Ohio U. has such a bad reputation in Ohio. My son went there from Colorado and applied to two schools with the Honors Tutorial College: Film Production (only available to undergrads within HTC) and TCOM (which then became Media Arts). He graduated in 2009 with a major in Video Production in the Media Arts Department of Scripps College of Communications. He (and almost all of the “gang” he hung out with at OU) now have very successful Hollywood careers. He is a visual effects artist and two of the films he worked on last year as part of the vfx crew were nominated for Oscars in Visual Effects: Real Steel and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. At least in the film industry, Ohio has very good connections. Photography is his second love and he often has paid shoots in that area as well. OU’s Media Arts School is very well regarded and of course Scripps School of Journalism is always in the top 5 or 10 J-Schools. Unfortunately, I do not know about the Fine Arts side of the university.</p>
<p>One of the best things about OU is that they consistently rank among the highest in “Friendliest Students.” It does have that party reputation but I think that’s mostly because of one night: Halloween.</p>
<p>I too thought Athens, Ohio was the end of the Earth… after all, it <em>is</em> Appalachia! But he did not seem to let that confine him. He seemed to be all over Ohio, the US, and the world - doing a film in Nicaragua and doing photos in rural Romania (one of which ended up in National Geographic). We were in New Zealand when we ran into a classmate of his… she had a grant to do a documentary film in NZ and we just happened to cross paths there.</p>
<p>All any school can do is provide opportunities for you. It’s up to you to go after them.</p>
<p>Wow that is amazing, what you’re son is doing! You must be so proud. I hope that I can be as accomplished as him after I graduate. I’m already worried going into the arts, because of the job prospect… </p>
<p>Do you think he got those jobs because he was already talented on his own, or because of the education and connections that OU provided? I’m not trying to be offensive… It’s just that some students are already gifted when entering college so when they graduate, it’s not that tough for them to find jobs. I don’t think I’m entirely bad, but I do need a lot of work in order to be good. </p>
<p>I know for sure that if I’m moving to a big city now, I will be facing a lot of competition, within the school and outside of the school. It might be a lot more difficult to be recognized and to “make it” in a prestigious art school. I’m not sure of the level of competitiveness within the art major/field in OU, but judging by its location, it might be easier to catch someone’s attention… I’m just afraid that the big places will not bother looking into OU for employees, but after learning about your son’s accomplishments, I guess things work differently… Again, I’m not sure if your son and his friends are a few of those “rare” cases who are already good on their own…</p>
<p>What are some of the advantages that you think OU has over big brand-name art schools and schools in the city in general? I’ve only done researches on big-city school, and connections and education quality were my biggest concerns, social life is the second. I know social life might be tough at OU, me being an un-sporty, non-Greek kind of girl, but social life is just going to have to wait for now I guess. Hey, I was fine in high school and first year in college, I can survive the next 3 years, right? ^^</p>
<p>Whatever you do please take your time and research your choices carefully before taking out any kind of loan. I totally disagree with the person who said it’s good to carry some amount of loan. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Carrying loan debt will affect your future choices tremendously and limit those choices. Also be careful in assuming that going to any particular school will expand your “connections.” Remember that these schools survive on enrollment so it’s their need to expand upon their virtues and sometimes it is just that, expansion. Make sure you enroll at a school that has a good photography department and reputation. Look at the 2nd year drop rate carefully, it does mean something. And please hold off even if it means waiting another year and really look carefully at your options. But whatever you do DON’T GET TIED DOWN TO LOANS and DEBTS. . . especially if you are majoring in art and/or photography. How about going to a city and getting yourself interned on your own to a working photographer. That might be a heck of a lot more useful in terms of knowledge about running a business not to mention connections. Look up the photographers who are working whose work you admire and send them a letter/note regarding interning or working for them. Use those writing skills to make it a bang-up letter. Personally I really don’t think going into debt to the tune of $80-100,000 for an art degree makes sense. Go out in the field and work instead.</p>
<p>OP, it’s really entirely up to you how you go about the situation, I was just giving my input. I understand people avoid loans like the plague, but with a reasonable amount, I honestly don’t think it’s that bad. I mean people expect a person to be tied down by their loans for 10+ years, and I really don’t understand the concept. A 20k loan can be payed in a year if you live with your parents for a year and have a decent job (This is my approach). I don’t think its a method that should embarrass the person, but a smart and well thought out method. However, I agree with artsmarts that 80-100k does not make sense; not only for an art degree, but for any degree.</p>
<p>I really think you should go to your state university. It is definitely a step-up from your position at a cc and the financial solution to your problem. I find your reliance on the big art schools to be peculiar; if you believe that you can be great anywhere, then you can. If I were in your situation, I don’t believe I would let my environment bother me so much. I would be doing what I love with peers who love what their doing too. Even if the majority of the school is made up of meatheads, there will be others who chose to go to the school for photography too, others you could relate to. In regards to networking, I would urge you to look for internship opportunities in the big city during your summer break. However, again, this is just my opinion.</p>
<p>I know loans and debts should be avoided as much as possible, especially for a degree in art. This is why I’m so torn between going and staying. For some reason, I’m under the impression that going to a big-city school might cut my time in school down, because all the big companies are out there, and it would be somehow easier to find jobs after I graduate… I’m so skeptical about the rural-ness of these in-state schools that I’m considering (OU, Miami, Oberlin)… OU is even more rural than the place I’m currently living in.</p>
<p>But being a member of FlickR, and seeing how there are so many people who probably didn’t even go to art school (or have a degree in photography), but still capable of creating such beautiful images, really makes me wonder if art school is necessary. I guess the things that keeps pushing me toward art school is the environment, and the prestige. Subconsciously, I’m not willing to let go of these things, even though I know it would be smarter to attend an in-state school, and save money in case I want to go to grad school or if I’m lucky enough to land a job somewhere which requires me to travel to a different place. </p>
<p>I guess the reason why I’m resisting in-state school so much is because I can’t “brag” about them. It’s ridiculous, but it’s true. I feel so embarrassed admitting this, but when all your friends are living it up at some expensive schools in the cities, it’s hard not to compare yourself with them, and try to keep up with them.</p>
<p>I think I just need to get over my pride. As I’m sorting this out and exchanging thoughts with you all, I realize that it’s my pride that’s keeping me away from thinking straight.</p>
<p>My daughter is interested in an arts-related career and loved Ohio U, even despite its rural/small town setting. She’d definitely like to be in a city, but is planning to apply to OU. OU is much, much less ‘preppy’ than Miami. And even at Miami, it’s a big enough school that you will find your people. Especially given that you will be in an artistic major. Those students will tend to be a bit offbeat (usually). The thing about being at a state school in a rural setting is that there will be enough people your age there to feel like a small city. There are lots of events, concerts, groups, etc to join that you can make a vibrant social life, and try out new things.</p>
<p>I agree with the poster who said OU’s party rep comes mostly from Halloween! ALL schools have some party scene. You don’t have to get into that part if you don’t want to.</p>
<p>If my daughter ends up at OU, I’ll encourage her to explore possible study abroad or study in NYC or intern in NYC or other large city. It will be enough less expense than most art schools that she will be able to afford those extras. And those extras will help her find her way as a professional artist.</p>
<p>You are smart to see that you are being influenced by other people’s choices. You are not other people. Go with what you can afford, and MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU. OU and Miami are both great schools that many people pay OOS tuition for.</p>
<p>Ah… the power of belief. If only I had that. ^^
I’m very insecure about my ability. I’m one of those average people who are not exceptionally talented, but not ridiculously bad either. This is why I’m so drawn to well-known art schools. I keep thinking that the “brand name” is going to somehow makes me a better artist. I know they might be more well-known because they have excellent marketing teams, but it’s like one of those weird psychological things that makes people think the more expensive something is, the more it’s worth…</p>
<p>This is turning into a big therapy session haha!! I never knew I had so much issues that I need to deal with until now! Thanks for being patience with me!</p>
<p>As a parent and also as someone who went to art school/college at a time when it was affordable I fear I looked a bit like a clone of Munch’s “The Scream” as I posted that DO NOT TAKE OUT LOANS message. But I meant it. One thing to think about is that you’ll be less distracted at a small rural school and can totally focus on your work. Nothing’s more prestigious than graduating with a drop 'em dead portfolio and a good strong work ethic. And no debt.</p>
<p>“it’s like one of those weird psychological things that makes people think the more expensive something is, the more it’s worth…”
I’m glad you have the insight to recognize this in yourself. And that it’s not always so.</p>