RISD VS SAIC (scholarship) (fine arts/sculpture)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>hey guys! </p>

<p>I'm not sure if you've already seen this in another thread but i'm on the fence between the two schools, risd and saic, for my bfa fine arts major because I got a presidential merit scholarship from SAIC so roughly around (98,100) dollars total. </p>

<p>I want to major in painting, but I'm also planning on getting a minor or maybe even a double major in sculpture (i'm interested). I like to approach art projects in a more conceptual/abstract matter but I also enjoy focusing on the technical aspects when it comes to drawing..
I heard SAIC's fine arts curriculum is pretty good and they also approach things in a more abstract/conceptual matter and have a pretty flexible curriculum..on the other hand..RISD did not offer me any financial aid/scholarship but at the same time...it is a very well known art school ...ugh..i just don't know where to go..why can't schools be free..</p>

2

<p>Who is going to help you pay for your education? Does that person care about the cost? Neither of these places is cheap, and neither is known for affordability. I’d say take the money and go to SAIC.</p>

<p>For a more qualitative analysis of the differences between the two programs, repost here:
[Visual</a> Arts and Film Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/]Visual”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/)</p>

<p>To see just how the two financial scenarios compare, run the numbers here:
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid)</p>

3

<p>98K is a lot of money especially for an artist. There’s nothing wrong with the Art Institute of Chicago’s reputation. SAIC doesn’t have as tight a residential community as the Brown/RISD one on Providence’s East Side, but SAIC students band together in a few spots in Chicago’s Near North and elsewhere.</p>

<p>Monet makes the world go round. Take the 98K!</p>

4

<p>However, you did mention you want to major in painting and sculpture. Did you know that SAIC doesn’t offer such majors? RISD does field-specific majors, like the kind you’re looking for, but if you research SAIC more you’ll see that they don’t offer field-specific majors, rather they believe in a more open-ended, interdisciplinary system where you can pursue either a B.A. or a B.F.A.</p>

<p>[SAIC</a> - Undergraduate Degrees - School of the Art Institute of Chicago](<a href=“http://www.saic.edu/academics/undergraduatedegrees/]SAIC”>Best Undergraduate Art Schools - Undergraduate Degrees at SAIC)</p>

5

<p>Let’s be real… the job market the way it is, most art majors are going to struggle after graduation to establish themselves. If one of these schools is giving you close to $100,000 in merit aid, your decision is made.</p>