<p>My D applied to SUNY Purchase, SUNY New Paltz, School of Visual Arts (SVA) and St. John's University for a BFA in PHOTOGRAPHY. D is currently a freshman at Univ. of Denver. She is a CO native, so wanting to go East is a big step, but she fell in love with photography at DU with one class. These were the schools she had time to apply to in March, so please no further suggestions of schools. She's been accepted into all BFA programs, now just waiting on the details from each school, mainly credit transfer (she already has 50 credits). We've heard she might have to start as a freshman at SVA which would be too bad. MAIN QUESTIONS - which of these programs are the strongest? And, which of these are other students happy with - costudents, instructors, classes offered (St. John's does a year at the Center for Photography in NYC), and overall program? D's favorite is SVA, being in NYC, her least is Purchase due to the blandness of the campus. Any feedback? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>My opinion…St John’s sounds good with the study in NYC, though I have never known St. John’s to be revered as a an artsy/communication school, though that may have changed through the years. Between Purchase and New Paltz–I vote NP. Strong academics, artsy, great college town, 'lots of diversity and opportunities. I would even recommend getting art teaching certification there. Purchase does not have an educational program. Very close to NYC, but no place to step off campus in the immediate locale. SVA is the best choice here, but if they won’t accept her college credits, I would nix it. Remember, in addition to tuition, the cost of living in NYC is steep!</p>
<p>Thanks 22wins for feedback. I agree with all you say. Purchase, as a campus, did not impress us and it was hard to get public transport there. She would need a car. The teaching certificate is a good idea at NP. D wants to possibly teach photography, though at a higher education level, but that is yet to be determined because it means more education. D has heart set on SVA, but it may not gel, and yes, the most expensive of the bunch. The weather wasn’t so great visiting NP, rainy and gray, and the town seemed kinda dumpy, but I told her we probably weren’t seeing NP at its best. St. John’s definitely has a very diverse campus body which is appealing, but no, not the artsy feel. She’ll have to find that for herself in other students and what are now only two photography professors that the photo students apparently really love.</p>