<p>Hey everyone! I'm an aspiring fashion designer and I am from Chicago, so SAIC is automatically way cheaper than Parsons. However, my dream school is Parsons. My style is a blend between experimental and commercial, I feel like Parsons best fits my criteria, and they offered me about 40,000 a year with financial aid and all, but I would still need to take out a 20,000 loan for living expenses and such. I also love Parsons because it challenges their students to be creative while thinking about their customer, its a different environment, its seen as the most prestigious fashion school in the U.S, and I feel like I am much more likely to get a good job after I graduate versus SAIC. However, I come from a low-income household and to even have these opportunities are unexpected. I cannot take out a big parent loan for various reasons. What do you think I should do? Thanks for reading!</p>
<p>I think if you feel more comfortable with the learning environment at Parsons, you should try to go for that even if it means taking out a loan. If Parsons really has that upper hand in preparing you for the commercial demands of the field, then you can use that to your advantage when you graduate, get a better job, and slowly pay back your loan. Also, if you can, pay a trip to both schools to get a vibe of the campus and of the people so you can make a more informed decision.</p>
<p>I looked into Parson’s a while back. The school sounds amazing and if you know you’ll work hard and make the most of the money then it should be worth it. I would be weary of taking out loans though. $20,000 is just for one year, making when you graduate you would leave with $80,000 in debt. I’m currently going through the same situation, trying to decide where I should go based on cost and price. I ruled out Parson’s because of the cost but I don’t have a passion for design as you would.</p>
<p>You can’t take out $20,000 in loans every year unless your parents co-sign private loans for you or take out Parent Plus loans for you. The federal student loan limits are far less. Apart from the practical limitations, going into that much debt for a career where you will not be earning a lot of money for many years would be lunacy.</p>
<p>old thread alert</p>