Pratt Institute vs. SAIC

<p>Hi, I'm a high school senior who got accepted into "Pratt" and "SAIC". I was so excited at the first but now I'm very concerned. I applied "Pratt" for painting and "SAIC" for visual communication art. I'm very certain that i will change my major later( maybe design?). For now, I got more scholarships and financial aids from "Pratt" and, as everyone knows, cost is a very important part when I choose the college. The costs of both schools are almost same.</p>

<p>So my questions are:
-Can someone tell me about the quality of education (+ professors) and campus of those two schools?
- What are some differences in terms of curriculum (ex. focus on interdisciplinary) and school atmosphere?
-Which school has a better reputation?</p>

<p>I can only tell you about Pratt where my daughter is a junior in communications design having changed her major from photography. She loves is and has been accepted to 7 other universities but this has been the best fit for her. Her professors have been mostly great - interesting, experienced in their field, influential. First year is foundation for everyone with drawing, lighting, color, art history (classes at many art museums), etc. Second year was foundation in your major - 3D, 4D, graphic design, along with literature, history thrown in. She works very hard taking 18 hours each semester to get our money’s worth plus she has taken several internships. Some of her advertising classes are at the Manhattan branch campus, then she scoots over to her internship at one of the largest magazines in the world. </p>

<p>She also works hard in the summers and this year to make money for art supplies and living expenses as we don’t want loans. She cut costs by sharing an apartment with three other people. You do what you have to do if you are motivated. Many of Pratt’s program are top ranked in the country. Even though her program is not one that is ranked top 10, she has found that in NYC the perception of Pratt’s graduates is very high and she is glad she chose there instead of other schools she liked at first glance. Also, the campus is beautiful and Brooklyn is a rising star in the city. </p>

<p>The most important thing is that the school is a good fit for you. Visit, talk admissions counselors and professors, and most important, try not to take loans. Also, if you want to take interior design, you should really start out in it since your first year will be different than the rest. Good luck.</p>