<p>Hi, I just recently applied to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as a transfer student and got accepted, but as most of you who've applied there know, that doesn't mean much if you're not financially able to pay without scholarships and aid grants. I'm pretty unhappy with the program that I'm in now (I'm at University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign majoring in Painting) so I'm really relying on this to go through well...</p>
<p>I'm just wondering if there is anyone else who is depending on a really good amount of financial aid/scholarship money to be able to go to the school, and to current students/alumni, how soon after the deadline did you get a response about the merit competition and how much money did you receive from the school for your merit portfolio, if any at all?</p>
<p>I'd really appreciate any feedback, it'd be nice to know that others are as anxious about this as I am.</p>
<p>SAIC is not my first choice, it's probably my 3rd, but I'd still love to go there if I could afford it... I got in and am waiting to get $$ info back as well. I'd need at least a $25-30K scholarship, so it's definitely a long shot! Especially since I don't qualify for need-based aid. I feel your pain, lol.</p>
<p>Did they send you just an acceptance letter and no housing forms/fee papers too? I thought that was weird. Well at any rate best of luck and I hope they let us know soon.</p>
<p>Yeah, that was weird. I think the housing information gets sent after you send in that $300 deposit, or after a specific date. But it was a very tiny acceptance letter, usually colleges send a big packet or something! </p>
<p>Thanks for replying :) It makes me feel a lot better that I'm not the only one in this situation! Art schools are so expensive!</p>
<p>Yep I was just telling my mom, that it's more painful to know you got in but not knowing if you can go than it is to even wait for the acceptance letter!</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what didn't you like about the U of Illinois program? Was it that it is a university and not an art school? Because I got a full ride to a local state university and I just really want to go to an art school! But if it comes down to money I will sadly go to university rather than accrue mountains of debt.</p>
<p>Well, the U of I Champaign/Urbana is a really amazing school. One of the best parts of going here is that it's a university and their programs are all fairly strong, so if you have interests outside of art (which most artists should!) a University is a great place to go to to get strong academic classes and a well rounded college education. </p>
<p>The thing that is weak about my school in particular is their painting program. There are a lot of people that are happy here, and there are a lot that aren't. The introductory painting classes and figure drawing classes are taught by grad students and not professors, and through my experience this hasn't been good. They don't push you with interesting assignments, classes are dull, and the expectations aren't high. Also, compared to art schools, there are very very few classes to take in painting and drawing besides independent studio (which happens junior and senior year) - only three painting courses (Painting I, II, and Advanced Painting) and only one life drawing class. Also, it's hard to balance studio classes alongside rigorous academic courses. I end up putting more effort in to my academic classes because they interest me more than my studio classes, which sucks because painting is my major! I'm also the type of person who needs a lot of time in the studio and I actually find that the studio classes here are too short, only two and a half hours long compared to art schools which are usually 6 or more hours long. I'm very interested in learning as much as I can from experienced artists and I want to work amongst driven students - there aren't too many of those here. This program is really focused more on the design aspects of art - I've heard the graphic design and industrial design programs are strong from students in those programs, and our metals program is one of the best. But the painting program, at least for me, has been hard to get through. Simply put, I don't feel inspired here. </p>
<p>Haha, so I guess in short, I do like that it's a university, the quality of the painting program here is the reason why I'm looking to transfer.</p>
<p>Just some advice, look in to every nook and cranny of the art program at that university that you got a full ride to. There are some universities with amazing art programs, you just have know before you go. Talk to students there! Read as much as you can about the program on every website you can find that has information about it. :) I didn't do enough research when I made my college choice, which I totally regret now. Good luck!</p>
<p>Facebook? Were they friends of yours who also applied or is there a group or something that I could check out?</p>
<p>o_o I'm getting scared, I didn't get anything today. Then again, I'm a transfer student. I'm so freaked out now! Congrats on the money, it's still great that you've received some even though it wont be enough for you to go :( Good luck with your choice, I hope SVA works out for you!</p>
<p>I joined a facebook group called SAIC '12, for students entering next year.</p>
<p>I think the packets they've been sending out are for freshmen students, so I don't know what the deal is for transfers. You might want to call and find out though!</p>
<p>Yeah I don't know about SVA... I'm getting pretty discouraged with all these schools. I worked hard, for what? To not be able to afford college anyway?!? Argh.</p>
<p>I know it has nothing to do with SAIC but thanks for digging up this thread.
caressemh was such a hard working good kid with mad traditional skill, leveled head plus care for her mom always always.
I think she had to ditch SVA even after max merit, went to MICA.
dunno what happened after that.
how you doing?
hope you are doing fine, junior by now?</p>
<p>@dianahan: 55K for a year??? Or is that the total for 4 years? When I called in the fall and asked what the top merit award was at SAIC, they told me $18K a year. On that basis I knew we couldn’t afford it…</p>
<p>I think it must be for four years. MICA does that too, you open the envelope and your heart leaps, and then… you read the rest of the sentence. It’s still good, but your heart is left on the floor, jumping around like a crazed kitten!</p>
<p>dianahan-hey if you’re still looking at this i got the same amount as you from SAIC this year so just curious where did you apply? did you apply/ get a good scholarship to MICA or RISD? are there any tips you could give me as to how to the most aid from these schools/ any others?</p>
<p>Congratulations! That’s a hefty scholarship. Will it be enough, you ask. The cost of SAIC is roughly $50k/yr. Art schools are very expensive. That $79K will take a nice dent out of the 4-year total , but you still need to come up with about $120k. My daughter is in a similar situation and is trying to justify the money. I hope she follows her dream.</p>
<p>Congratulations! My D applied for the merit scholarhsip as well, but has not heard any yet. May I ask when you submitted your merit scholarship portfolio?</p>