<p>Do to some late decision-making of mine, I am only now in the process of applying to these schools for the Spring 2006 semester. I've got tons of info on Pratt and Parsons and have heard mostly good things about them and their reputation. However, I've heard very little about the School of Visual Arts in NY. I know it is accredited by the NASAD, but other than that, I know nothing about its reputation.</p>
<p>I am interested in majoring in advertising design, or alternatively the communications majors at Parsons and Pratt.</p>
<p>I have done a lot of investigation into design programs for my daughter. I too looked at SVA. My impression, and this is only my impression, is that SVA is a good school. It certainly has a number of interesting courses fouind in any design major. </p>
<p>Moreover,I should note that I do believe that SVA is one of the better stand alone art programs out there. They do have reduced tuition compared to other schools and some graduate programs are highly rated by US News and World Report.For example, it is rated 9th ( tied with mighty Pratt Institute) for graphic design and overall is tied for 10th spot ( with Carnegie Mellon , which is no small feat) for the overall MFA rating. It is rated 5th in the nation by US News for "multimedia and visual communication," and has a well-known strong program in cartooning since it was started by cartoonists. US News does not rate Cartooning specialties ,but I am sure that SVA would be well up in the rating if there was a rating.</p>
<p>Despite what I said above,I have only two gripes:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you live on campus, you are staying in dorms that are usually several blocks away from the main campus. Imagine walking in Manhattan every evening late at night. I am not sure of the safety of that daily walk.</p></li>
<li><p>SVA is not a tax exempt organization but a "for profit" corporation. Although, they have some very good pricing for tuition( infact, they are cheaper than almost any other stand alone art school), I strongly distrust any college that is "for profit." They have no incentive to give a top quality education but rather to economize and put as much money in the pockets of the owners. In addition, "for profit" entitities don't usually get charitable donations since such donations aren't deductible. Thus, there won't be a significant buildup over the years of an endowment. Finally, being a non profit, results in lower postal costs than being a "for profit" and results in no income tax being paid by the corporation. As you can see I am not simply trivializing this difference.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Bottom line: the only reason that a school is "for profit" is to put as much money in the pocket of its owners. For individual tutors, I don't have a problem with "for profit" status. For colleges, this status does bother me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Since it has Advertising Design and Pratt and Parsons don't, so far SVA is my top choice. However, that "for profit" part did get me thinking.</p>
<p>Charlangas, Don't get all caught up in schools that provide "advertising design." Communication Design, which Pratt does have, includes Advertising Design.</p>
<p>I don't think you really need to worry about safety issues as far as walking home is concerned. At least, not anymore than you would at any other uban campus. All three schools are urban, although Pratt has more of a 'campus' in Brooklyn. Parsons and SVA will have the same urban feel. Also, isn't Parsons part of New School? Does that mean access to those classes and facilities?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. I am still seriously considering the Communicatons majors at Parsons and Pratt, but after looking at the sample curriculum in the advertising program at SVA it is my first choice.</p>
<p>I'm not from NY, whoknows?, I'm actually from Guadalajara, Mexico.</p>