<p>Hello all,
If you guys would be willing I would like some advice on choosing between Pratt and Sva for a person who plans to study Interior Design. I'm getting rather anxious as the deadline for deciding is approaching.
I know what your thinking "Interior Design??! Pratt all the way" as its program is ranked number 2 in the country. However, to me, they both have their pros and cons.
Pratt-
Pros:
-Ranked #2 in Undergraduate Interior Design
-Selective/Good academics
-Prestige
Cons:
-Located in Brooklyn (not biased about the area, anywhere outside Manhattan would be a con)
-Campus is too quiet/boring</p>
<p>SVA-
Pros:
-Located in Manhattan (My dream place to study)
-Cheap(er)
-It seems like a fun school (Although I have yet to visit the campus; I will visit next week, but if anyone can give there input about it, that would be nice.)
Cons:
-The curriculum in subjects not related to art could be better (No languages I can study)
-I haven't really heard anything about their ID program (Is it just me?)
-Doesn't have the traditional foundation year (In case I wanted to change my mind about my area of study)</p>
<p>With financial aid and merit scholarships, I would be paying about 8500 (out of 33000) for SVA and 16000 (out of 39000) for Pratt (plus 3000 for a laptop and software in my sophomore year). So what do you guys think would be best? I want your input! xD
It would be greatly appreciated ^^</p>
<p>Pratt is #2 interior design for a reason and recognized for than SVA. Should take that as a great consideration. Yea the campus is similar like MICA and RISD where there isn’t much at campus and out but you can still visit NYC which is only minutes away.</p>
<p>First, Pratt is higher rated than SVA for Interior Design, although I think SVA’s program is quite good, and they are well connected being in Manhattan. However, for most design subjects, I would think Pratt trumps SVA.</p>
<p>Second, Pratt has a real campus and trees. SVA has no campus. Manhattan is your campus. Manhattan is fine for the right person. You really need to be mature. SVA won’t give you a typical college experience.</p>
<p>Third, I didn’t get a feeling of cohesiveness to SVA. It was more akin to a trade school. Pratt has lots of clubs and associations.</p>
<p>Fourth: Pratt is non profit while SVA is a for profit school. This means that Pratt will probably offer more money for scholarships.</p>
<p>Hi, I am actually having the same questions as you, I am transferring from Community College of Philadelphia with a AA in ID and was accepted into both schools. I have been searching trying to figure out which school seems the best for me.</p>
<p>I agree with everything that people have been saying, but I have found that SVA has been more helpful throughout the process of applying and answering questions, (meaning that they might be more helpful and in the class room setting?).</p>
<p>Another thing to look at is which school has the latest technology/ will have the latest technology when you start class. I have found with my time at CCP and graduates above me that using the newest technology is the best because firms are always looking for the new employee that knows the most up to date software. </p>
<p>DCJPHIL, I would imagine that both schools use up to date technology. I certainly know that SVA does. Of course they charge high technology fees for this.</p>
<p>@goodfornothin Yes that is true, but taking cost into account, SVA and Pratt are pretty even to me. If Pratt had cost the same as SVA, I wouldn’t really be contemplating this as much. But maybe you’re right; Pratt’s name and ability would probably make up for that in the end? And I could endure the hour and half commute it takes to get to that school and the environment if I absolutely needed to…</p>
<p>@taxguy If the campus is anything like Parsons I think I may like it. Being born and raised in the 5 boroughs I’ve always been attracted to the city and I know my way around quite well. I also believe SVA’s setting is great for connections. But I’m glad you brought up the for profit thing, I didn’t really think of that even though it may greatly affect my stay there. What makes you think SVA’s program is good, can you elaborate? I know it can’t be bad, but I’m curious because I haven’t seen much about it. SVA seems more focused in art than design (as the name suggests). </p>
<p>@Djcphil Yeah, I believe both school’s would be up to date in technology also. And I’m sorry, what was the question? I didn’t catch it.</p>
<p>@naueth is that with Dorms included? SVA’s dorms cost more than Pratt. I feel like you are more in favor of SVA tho by the way you’re replying. Why not just go there and ignore Pratt’s reputation of your major more than the surroundings of the schools.</p>
<p>@goodfornothin No, I wouldn’t be living on campus for either. And does it really sound like I’m in favor of SVA? Actually, I’ve had a crush on that school for awhile (since sophomore year), but I feel as if I might be making a mistake in turning down a high caliber school like Pratt (I’ve already abandoned Parsons because of money). And I’m pretty sure I may come back to SVA for my masters (in illustration). Of course, my dad would probably be in favor of SVA because of the money. It’s all a bit confusing to me ^^;;</p>
<p>Naueth asks,“What makes you think SVA’s program is good, can you elaborate?”</p>
<p>Response: Read over the reviews found about SVA. Although you will get mixed reviews, most of the kids rating the academics there really appreciated the SVA program. Most thought that the teachers were quite good in their major since they MUST be working professionals.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong. I love the Pratt campus and generally prefer Pratt to that of SVA for undergraduate studies. I think you have to be a special kid to thrive in Manhattan at age 18 or 19. However, SVA does have a lot of connections being in Manhattan. They also have a lot of well ranked programs. Finally, I saw the work product produced by designers at SVA. It was quite good,but I also liked the work that I saw at Pratt too. Honestly, I don’t think you could go wrong at either school. Just make sure to visit both of them and talk to the students. Get a feel for the culture at each school.</p>
<p>I decided on Pratt.
After looking at Pratt’s campus thoroughly a second time, taking tours and looking at the facilities, I compared it to that of SVA’s. On the second time around, I saw that Pratt was just as “fun” as SVA, just in very different ways. I honestly did like the sense of a community I saw and the diversity the school offered. Unlike SVA, it offered a diversity of classes and curriculum outside of art and has a great liberal arts program (I like to dabble a bit) and it’s not as hard to navigate around. Although being in brooklyn is a minus, I came to think of it as a plus too (cheaper restaurants, not as noisy, etc.). I think the pulling factor in deciding for me was its foundation year/overall curriculum and the school’s accolades.Its foundation year is ALOT freer than SVA’s interior design foundation and for me, this was a major plus. I’m still not quite sure if I would like to stay in the ID program, and Pratt’s foundation year makes it so much easier to decide (You learn all kinds of stuff from animation to Light/color design) and transfer if I need to. Even if I was completely set on the idea of being an ID major, I’d still want to freelance in other areas and I believe the school best prepares me for this. In SVA’s id program, foundation year is basically classes pertaining only to ID with no other art electives. (However, I am still fairly impressed with SVA senior’s final work).
Adding this together with Pratt’s prestige, rank in my area (and most other areas), and internship opportunities, I finally decided on Pratt.</p>
<p>Congrats Neueth. As I said, I don’t think you would go wrong at either schools. However, don’t let the liberal arts interest of your bias your decision. With SVA you are in Manhattan. There are lot of schools that you can take courses at such as Baruch that is about one block away and is a LOT cheaper if you establish NY residency.</p>
<p>@taxguy
Thank you for your help. I was able to resolve it quickly thanks to your suggestions.
Don’t worry, my choice was not based heavily on liberal arts (I’m not THAT interested). SVA probably fit me more personality-wise, but when I considered Pratt’s curriculum and learning environment I felt that Pratt fit what I wanted to do in the future better. It also gave me the feeling that I would really enjoy learning and added a sense of motivation I did not get from SVA (if that makes sense). Basically the pros of pratt outweighed the pros of sva for me.</p>