<p>I got accepted to both risd, pratt but I have no idea where to go.
I'd love to visit both campuses, but due to family problems, I can't.
I've heard that both schools are wonderful.. but I've heard that although RISD is #1 art school, its kinda lyk a jail... nothing to do outside school, not much of a social life. On the other hand, since pratt is located in ny, theres more resources available outside the school.
But I liked how risd focuses on not only prac but theory and the basis of art too.</p>
<p>I just can't get a picture of living in providence.. is it that boring?
Can someone please tell me what its like in providence?
Also, I didn't get a chance to apply for financial aid ........so stupid but anyway I've heard that pratt gives out more (often?) sholarship to students than risd. Is this true?</p>
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<li>I got accepted for interior design but since ita foundation course, doesn't really matter but I'm thinking either interior design or jewellery design.</li>
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<p>Hey, i just visited both of those schools this week because I was facing the same dilemma. Without even visiting them, you kinda got the picture right. RISD is more like a “jail” but at the same time, there is a lot to do because you’re really in a college environment thanks to Brown. Also, you might feel like though you might have a more confortable lifestyle at Pratt its perhaps not challenging enough. I picked RISD over Pratt because though you’ll be somewhat locked up at first, there are social activities and its really only bad the 1st year. So as long as you can hang in there I think youll have a great experience. In terms of financial aid, RISD is pretty terrible with it, Pratt scholarships are often given out and you can even ask them for more, as weird as that sounds so I guess it depends on how important or how bad you need the money. In fact, I got a presidential scholarship from Pratt without requesting any financial aid. </p>
@theothabri - curious when you say “you can even ask them for more…” did you actually do this and, if so, did you get more. my daughter received pratt’s top presidential scholarship but only very modest financial aid. curious if there is more to be had. thanks.
In terms of opportunities for connecting with a broader artistic community, Pratt may not have a direct rival.
As a university with a selection of liberal arts offerings, Pratt would appear to be strong in at least certain aspects of theory. After researching their course offerings, have you not found this to be the case?
@merc81 - The big pluses for RISD are its reputation, proximity to Brown and other local colleges, less challenging city. Pluses for Pratt are its proximity to NYC, placement in and around the NYC area, more dynamic location life. Obviously seeing these as plus or minus depends on one’s taste. My daughter is afraid that the smaller town Providence area will be boring (no worries about this at Pratt). But she is worried that Pratt will be too isolated socially (something RISD is very strong in with Brown, URI, etc.). Since she is currently a Fine Arts (drawing and painting) major, there are not much differences between the two. If anything she leans toward Industrial Design; again, not much difference. As a parent, the big difference-maker may well be money. Pratt has offered a nearly 40% discount in tuition through scholarships and financial aid (without us asking for more). We are waiting on RISD, but understand that the school is notoriously ungenerous with aid and that scholarships, if any, are hard to come by. RISD may well be worth the money, but is it worth it if Pratt is so much less? The social and location challenges are something my daughter will have to figure out for herself.
frankly I would see if its still possible , check out VCUarts. It’s the #2 ranked fine arts program in the country . Ahead of both Pratt and RISD , only behind Yale . Don’t know why more on this board don’t know about it. It is veryvery selective however. Also, it is the #1 public art program in US.