<p>Yep I visited SVA last November which I think I posted in your other thread. I don't have much else to add there, but I really liked it an it seemed like a great place to me. Good vibes.</p>
<p>I visited Parsons on that trip too, and ended up with a really bad taste in my mouth. We had scheduled a tour and an interview weeks in advance but when we got there for the tour the secretary informed us that we weren't on the list. My mom asked her if she could put us on it and she basically told us that it wasn't her fault that we didn't make it on the list, and she didn't seem at all interested in trying to fix it, but we did convince her because we had printed emails of our reservation. </p>
<p>After the info session and tour (great facilities, wish I could have seen Tim Gunn) we DOUBLE CHECKED at the front desk that we were on the list for the "portfolio workshop" the next day. The same secretary told us that it was not a personal review, but rather more of a portfolio lecture and that I wouldn't need to bring my portfolio. So the next day I came sans portfolio and lo and behold, we weren't on the list AGAIN and the SAME woman wanted to know why I didn't have any artwork with me. I answered that I had been told it was just an information session and that I wouldn't get to see anyone personally, but she was like "No, it's a REVIEW." So needless to say we were pretty disgusted at that point (especially since I had to abandon my tour at SVA early to get there on time!) and went to the Human Bodies exhibit instead. lol</p>
<p>So basically I was really turned off by Parsons. They have a great reputation and I am sure they are an excellent school, but I thought that if that is what I had to deal with as a visitor, how does the administration deal with students?? Also none of the students really stopped to talk to us or were friendly like those at SVA.</p>
<p>I'd be interested to see if anyone had a different experience, or if the secretary was just having a really bad week when we went.</p>
<p>Dated August 2007 so pretty recent. Complaining about facilities and professors....</p>
<p>************** isn't a very trusted source, at all, every school has tons and tons of negative comments, but sometimes the comments can hint towards potential negatives. This is why I really want to confirm this.</p>
<p>Anybody know any current SVA students I can talk to?</p>
<p>I think it's probably censored due to the type of site it is, and is not a statemnst on its quality. As I understand it, CC censors competing college message type boards.</p>
<p>Okay I can respond specifically to a few of those reviews:</p>
<p>The "Design Lab" only has two color printers for the entire graphic design, advertising, and illustration departments, a large format printer, and four computers that occassionaly crash. There are a few computer labs but they are only equipped with b&w printers and are usually reserved for classes.</p>
<p>I can definitely assert that that is not true... I saw quite a few computer labs and lots of up-to-date computers. One lab was even entirely devoted to editing and sound mixing with specialized equipment. I didn't look out for printers but they did have a really big nice full-color printer that was about the size of a kitchen table to print super large scale work. So I'm assuming that they would have many regular-sized printers too.</p>
<p>In regards to using photography equipment, one student told us that they have to be in higher level classes to use the more complicated/expensive machinery. Our tour guide said that most of his teachers were great but like any school there are some bad ones. Specifically he said one of his animation teachers was like 70 years old and used to animate for Walt Disney... so a little biased for traditional methods. If it helps, the professor I talked with at SCAD who used to teach at SAIC mentioned that SVA was a very good school; similar to SCAD in several regards. It's definitely more commercial than probably Pratt or Parsons. I don't mean that negatively I just mean that they are very focused on helping students build careers.</p>
<p>If our local private high school was willing to buy one of those super duper printers for a program that maybe 5 kids are concentrating in, they can't be that expensive, so I wouldn't think that a school like SVA which is known for photography would skimp in this department, and risk jeopardizing their reputation, etc.</p>
<p>caressemh,
D is graduating from Pratt in May. Had a similar experience at Parsons about 4yrs. ago. Her negative experience had to do with the atittude of the portfolio reviewer and actually D did not have a good feel about the school including the secretary also...a bit snobby.
She ended up with a great experience at Pratt, so all's well that ends well.</p>
<p>Thanks for your opinions all, It really helps clear doubts.
cama, even I'm getting a very snooty feel from Parsons right now. Through people I've talked to and here.... maybe its just a gut feeling.</p>
<p>For the benefit of others I'll share this , I talked to a graduate who has an MFA in photography from SVA, her overall opinion is that it is a fantastic place with great programs, the comp. labs were a bit crowded though. No comment on BFA photo facilities from her, but from another person I talked to who visited 3 weeks ago, the studios look "nice" and have up to date equipment. Some are large and some are small. Comp labs have on average 2.5 yr old stuff though, but each comp has an inkjet printer.</p>
<p>caressemh,
D is graduating from Pratt in May. Had a similar experience at Parsons about 4yrs. ago. Her negative experience had to do with the atittude of the portfolio reviewer and actually D did not have a good feel about the school including the secretary also...a bit snobby.
She ended up with a great experience at Pratt, so all's well that ends well.</p>
<p>I'm glad I wasn't the only one. But then it is also a shame since Parsons is supposed to be a great school. Maybe Project Runway is getting to their head. Haha. I'm also glad to hear that your daughter liked Pratt, since they're one of my top choices and I'm nervously waiting to hear back from them :)</p>
<p>Yeah I forgot to mention that the labs at SVA are small, in fact the whole building was very narrow and everything and everyone was kind of on top of each other. I kind of liked it though, everyone working so closely together. I didn't get to see the building that housed illustration, so I'd like to hear how that one is.</p>
<p>I don't think comp labs will be a problem since I plan to bring my own laptop with all the software I'll even need. Was worried more about the photo facilities but I've had that doubt cleared.</p>