<p>Our experiences with RISD differ, Blade. I don’t read the school’s marketing, and I don’t think I’ve yet met an administrator – unless you count the financial aid folks. We’re nowhere near wealthy (understatement of the year), and I haven’t met those snotty kids of whom you speak – although I always hear rumors about a few uber-rich or famous kids there and at Brown. There’s another side to the RISD story. My kid’s had great financial support from RISD each year and won some private scholarships, too. But she chose to go to RISD not just for the stellar teachers, but also for the community, and that hasn’t let her down. For us, RISD was worth the sacrifices she (and we) made for her to go there. She’s grown tremendously as an artist and as a person. Sorry you’ve had a less happy and fruitful experience.</p>
<p>My son will be graduating from RISD this month and I have had much the same experience with the school as Alia has. RISD does have some superior facilities and resources that just aren’t available at many art schools – the RISD Museum, the electronic loom, 3-D copiers, etc. and all that costs money. I am a huge fan of the school, BUT as I have posted on these boards before, there is no way that I would advise anyone to take out $100K+ in loans to attend RISD when there are other fine art schools that cost considerably less. We were indeed fortunate that our son was able to attend RISD by taking out just a very modest amount in loans. And like Alia, we firmly believe that it was worth every penny to us and we have absolutely no regrets.</p>
<p>As for this whole “snotty rich kid” image, let’s just agree to disagree. Every school has some percentage of kids who feel that the world owes them something, and that includes RISD (and MICA and Pratt, too!). But I have come across relatively few of these kids at RISD, and over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to personally interact with 20-25 RISD students so I have a much bigger sample set than most people. Actually, the only two students that I met there who came across as “arrogant” were both Brown students!</p>
<p>As they say, YMMV – your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the thoughtful posts regarding my query. I enjoyed and appreciated the exchange from all viewpoints.</p>
<p>My D has decided to go to RISD. It was NOT an easy choice. The $48K difference is a big deal, especially in lost opportunity costs for other things. We intend to fund her expenses with savings and earnings, and minimize her graduation debt.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, the decision came down to familiarity and her gut. She had done the RISD pre-college program, and has many friends entering into RISD with her. Interestingly, none of her summer friends are starting at MICA. The D thinks MICA has better facilities, outside of RISD’s Museum, Fleet library and Nature Lab.</p>
<p>Not being an art person, I have had to rely on my D, as well as extended friends and relatives offering guidance. There is one family friend who is a practicing and teaching artist who has taught at both RISD and MICA. He was reluctant to say one is “better”, but that both offer excellent educations. Personally, I would have been happy to have her attend MICA, but this is not about me, it is about her. There is also the feeling that it would be a lot easier to transfer from RISD to MICA, than the other way around, should this not be a good experience.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>As another soon to be RISD parent, this thread has been extremely helpful in laying out the different perspectives regarding the whole art school thing.</p>
<p>Hearing both the good and the bad, the bottom line is still the same: what is the best place for the student? I too have concerns about the cost and the proverbial return on investment. When we were there I must have asked every senior I could what they were doing after they graduated. Most said they were planning to be creative and strike out on their own. Naturally this concerned me, but this is a bad year no matter what your major.</p>
<p>I agree with joeshmoe that some of the facilities could use a facelift, especially in my D’s prospective major. But then I realized, this stuff is messy, the buildings are a hundred years old, etc. Did you check out the ID building? That was really nice. So are the new painting studios in the Chace Center. </p>
<p>Since RISD was the only art school my D applied to, her choices were between traditional universities that offer a broader education (which would make me happy) and the opportunity to immerse herself in a concentrated, challenging art education (which would make her happy). In the end, my D is an artist, and to her, the idea of working 40 hours a week on art projects is beyond fantastic. We’ll see how it goes.</p>
<p>Joeschmoe,
Congratulations on the decision! I know how difficult that is. My son was in the same situation just 2 years ago and it was not an easy one to make.</p>
<p>On a positive note, he is finishing his second year at RISD and is loving it. The work has been challenging and he has made some wonderful friends. My husband and I are far from wealthy and while some students may have extra “pocket money”, he hasn’t witnessed students buying condos or throwing money around. (Most are too busy in studio!) Furthermore, my son has found the students and faculty to be very supportive. Of course there are students with attitudes, they are found at all schools and in all majors - - once you realize who they are, you avoid them. He has a great group of friends!</p>
<p>One suggestion I have to help make up a bit of the financial difference is for your daughter to look into becoming a resident advisor. (This is not an option until soph year.) That helps cover the cost of room and part of board as well. There are also many jobs available on campus. Many are jobs that allow students to read or complete homework during part of their shifts. (Working in museums, libraries, etc.) Just a thought…</p>
<p>My experience and impressions of RISD are similar to Alia’s and Worried-mom’s. RISD has been a wonderful match for my son and I look forward to each visit. I hope your daughter will have a wonderful experience as well!</p>
<p>I’m coming to this discussion a bit late, but have a few thoughts to share. My daughter will finish her freshman year at RISD in two days, and she not only survived the eclectic student body, the rigors of day-long studios, and the endless winter in Providence … she thrived! She found plenty of peers with a similar level of artistic commitment, traditional value systems, and yes, modest financial means. I’m not sure where all the negative impressions expressed in this thread have come from. Honestly, some of these comments sound like attempts to minimize the first-class education offered at RISD – you know, diminish it sufficiently so it won’t feel so bad to not attend. It’s one thing to ask people for opinions and impressions … it’s something else to rip into a place that is working very hard to give kids an amazing art education. Needed to be said.</p>
<p>I am more able to discuss MICA rather than RISD as my daughter is a rising junior at MICA. MICA students have a huge choice of liberal arts classes. My daughter is taking many History and Literature classes. However, they can also take courses at Johns Hopkins which has a terrific Liberal Arts curriculum, not just Science, like most people believe. MICA is part of an inter-collegiate program in Baltimore. Many of my daughter’s friends take Math and Foreign Language classes at JH as they are not offered at MICA. Also, my daughter chose MICA over RISD based on one very important factor: student artwork. Go to both college websites and look at the student work. See what speaks to you best and your own goals.</p>
<p>A recent MICA student worked on Tim Burton’s movie, Coralie, drawing storyboards. Mica’s painting department is exceptional, they have a studio in Florence where the students can study. According to U.S. News and World Report, their M.A. program in paintings is ranked with Yale. </p>
<p>My daughter loves her classes, professors, friends and she has had both sophomore and junior year, a brand-new spacious apartment that includes a kitchen, living area, bathroom and 3 single bedrooms with ceiling to floor windows. The dorm also includes all-glass studios, as well as a snack bar. Freshmen live together in the Commons, a large building with apartments and a green common area. The Walters Art Museum is within walking distance and Baltimore has many other museums, like the Baltimore Museum of Art, and a fabulous aquarium</p>
<p>The course work is very demanding at MICA and is not for the faint of heart. My daughter took 6 courses last semester. Her digital media class was from 4pm to 10pm.</p>
<p>When we visited RISD, the admissions office was surrounded by students waving us away from the building. We were not permitted to visit any dorms, and RISD students on the green heckled the visiting H.S. students. We had the impression that so many students apply there, that they were sick of all the applicants. MICA is very transparent about what they offer students. They are second and so they try harder. The President is a former RISD president, and the VIce-President is the President of the association that accredits art schools We were frustrated trying to get a feel for RISD, its professors and classes. I think RISD is probably still a great art school, but it just doesn’t try anymore because it is resting on the laurels of its former reputation and is overwhelmed with too many applicants.</p>
<p>Baltimore is full of interesting things to do, lots of history, art, opera, etc. The harborfront has a huge Barnes and Noble in an old factory, there is a Hard Rock Cafe etc. If students have any free time, which is rare, they party at Johns Hopkins, Annapolis, Goucher and Loyola. But they love to party best, dressing up and going to the student run Cabaret, where artists get crazy.</p>
<p>I am so sick of the “ RISD sucks” postings. (Disclaimer: My daughter goes to RISD) I just want to say something and then I doubt I will ever come back to this forum again. I use to love to read the posting from the students on why they were picking their school and what they did to make those choices. I got a lot of information about schools from some great parents who were objective and entertaining. I enjoyed hearing from the freshman on what their 1st year was like. I’m a pretty positive person, so ripping on schools reputations is not what I’m here for. Everyone makes their decisions based on complex data points, having to do with their particular families. I have seen some people go to other areas at CC and do nothing but dish dirt on RISD. Why? Some of these people’s children did not get in to RISD. I don’t really know what other people problems are at this point. </p>
<p>I think (I’ve said this before) that we should bring information to this site so the kids and parents can help each other. You can debate forever if a school is worth the cost, but it doesn’t change the cost. You can afford it or not. The cost was worth it for my daughter; it may not be worth it for you. </p>
<p>My daughter is going to Rome for five months, has been accepted for a fellowship, taken classes at Brown University, has had a graphic design on the cover of a magazine, worked for two years at a museum and has had two internships. She will be a Junior next year. This is a reflection of her and the quality of the school program. One needs to find a school where they can be successful. Find a school that you can be challenged at and pushes you toward excellence. RISD may not be the school for you, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great school for someone else. Is it worth the reputation? It is to my student. </p>
<p>My thought for anyone reading this post is that RISD is an excellent school. Reflect on what you want from a school. Don’t go for the name only. Find a school that will make you work, make you successful and make you happy. I’m so glad we did. Our school is Rhode Island School of Design. Congratulations, class of 2013!</p>
<p>There’s an interesting article in the “Providence Phoenix” about John Maeda and his first year as president of RISD:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://thephoenix.com/tools/Print/?id=84171]thePhoenix.com[/url”>http://thephoenix.com/tools/Print/?id=84171]thePhoenix.com[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I went to RISD. RISD is worth every penny. Period.</p>
<p>where is Jake going?</p>
<p>I was the one who wrote the ,“Overview of my Visit to RISD” found at the top of the RISD forum. As you can tell, I really liked the school. I loved the facilities, their programs, their location etc. I am and was clearly a fan. HOWEVER< despite this, I would NOT recommend RISD over other top schools for several types of people.</p>
<p>First, if money is a problem, don’t go there. You won’t get a merit based scholarship and very little need based money is available too. If you can get a great scholarship from a top school like MICA or Pratt, take it!</p>
<p>Second, RISD doesn’t have every art and design major. For example, their graphic design program,which is considered to be among the best in the country, is as digitally and web based as other programs such as the New Media program at RIT or what is offered at Pratt. RISD’s animation program is subpar compared to that of Ringling and Calarts. </p>
<p>Bottom line: Don’t go to RISD thinking, “I"ll pay anything.” Moreover, check out the majors of your interest. It can be somewhat limiting.</p>
<p>taxguy and bears!!! together again :)</p>
<p>and you, too !!
I think taxguy is avoiding me because I am not DAAP bread eater.</p>
<p>I think he may be done with me now that we might be accepting need based aid )P</p>
<p>nooo, taxguy you can dump me but not drae, honestly, you will regret.</p>
<p>I would never dump anyone named, Bears and Dogs. It’s just too cute.</p>
<p>awwww
though FYI, drae is related to doraemon, which is much hot/cooler than my kind of animals!</p>
<p><a href=“http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=doraemon&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi[/url]”>http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=doraemon&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi</a></p>
<p>I’m surprised that when comparing RISD to MICA, nobody is talking about what a dangerous city Baltimore is. Its homicide rate is just below Detroit’s. That’s a big factor in the equation for a lot of us.</p>
<p>Oh crappola, spoiled moment. Bummer duuuuuude!</p>