<p>Looks like it's a choice between these two for Graphic Design/Photography/Comm Design type major. Any thoughts on these schools? Perhaps someone has first hand info (better than just reading websites,etc). Have visited RIT. Will be visiting SU next week.</p>
<p>Just in case you didn't know, RIT is like 70% male... I don't know if that will have an impact on the decision.</p>
<p>RIT having more guys isn't a problem for her. But that's not really the case in the School of Design. She toured the Art House (dorm) and it's 50/50 with kids that she seemed to fit in with (a feeling she didn't get at RISD). The Art House seemed to have lots of out-going, socially adjusted kids - can't say that about everyone we encountered though.</p>
<p>Will be visiting SU next.</p>
<p>She spoke with some magazine people (photographers, fashion editor, etc) who spoke highly of RIT. Even suggested my d intern at their magazine to see if this is what she really wants to do. I'd love her to set up a summer job now (she can commute into NYC for the summer).</p>
<p>One plus at Syracuse is the chance to take classes in the Newhouse school of communications - great magazine program with specific graphic design and photo journalism classes. Newhouse has a great internship program as well. The art school at Syracuse does as well. The art school at Syracuse is excellent and more well rounded than RIT in my opinion, but RIT is great for graphic design. Really, she won't go wrong with either program so it might just come down to fit for her. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks carolyn. I think she might also like the more active environment since she had originally been interested in going to school in Boston. She was turned off to Northeastern due to some poor dealings with the art dept.. Didn't like BU's lack of campus, but did like how close Fenway Park was (although she'd be rooting for the Yankees and probably killed). BC didn't offer the type of pgm she's looking for.</p>
<p>Both schools seem to have multiple housing options so it's not dorms or move off campus. Other schools she looked into only guaranteed housing to freshman and that was a negative. </p>
<p>Don't want to make too big a deal about any one thing because she'll probably change her mind about stuff. I know I did. It's so hard to predict what she'll want over the next 4 yrs so a school with options is good. She's changed her thinking quite a bit from just last yr. I'm sure she'll be fine wherever she winds up. Most kids are happy just to be on their own. RIT & SU offer more options within Design. Her safeties (JMU, Towson) have screened programs that don't guarantee her GD so she was reluctant to go that route.</p>
<p>Well, our mid-April visit to SU revealed a few facts that weren't on the website. Turns out that Communications Design, Advertising Design, and Architecture are being moved 10 minutes off campus to a warehouse that SU hopes to have renovated by next year. Architecture students will move back on campus in a few yrs when their on campus building is ready for their return. No plans for the other majors to move back. This move will definitely impact these students who spend countless hours in studio (often late at night). </p>
<p>Apparently SU didn't feel this news was important enough to inform design parents of at the OPen House. We heard about it from the grapevine (several different people) and immediately asked for more info in the Design admissions office. The receptionist told us that it was early and little info was known. When I pressed for more, I was told that the move was indeed going to happen, that the building had to be redone, but SU was "very excited" by this news. So excited they forgot to tell the incoming students. Although my d could handle taking a bus (she would probably have to take a bus to the ArtStudio building also, we were put off by the administrative attitude and wonder if this is how they handle parents. </p>
<p>Another thing we found out about was the poor relationship the Design School has with Newhouse. My d had hoped to take some Graphic Arts classes through Newhouse, but we were told from numerous people (and in the official presentation) that Newhouse doesn't like outsiders (from other majors) taking classes there and only allows it if the student is granted special permission (which numerous sources agreed isn't easy to do). I was surprised to hear that a communications design major (Design School) would have trouble taking a Graphic Arts class (Newhouse) without gaining special permission. Again, this didn't sound too promising... </p>
<p>Since this was sprung on my d with less than 2 weeks to decide, she said she didn't feel comfortable with the unknown so she decided on RIT. Hope it works out.</p>