SVA vs RISD (Cartooning VS Illustration)

College Search & Selection
1

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I just got accepted by both SVA and RISD, and I am really struggling to make a decision.

Personally, I am really interested in graphic novels or comics, therefore I think that maybe the Cartooning major in SVA would be a good fit for me. However, I have also heard good things about RISD’s illustration major.

Additionally, I would like to know what’s the stress level in both colleges. I heard that the foundation year in RISD is extremely intensive and I fear that I might feel inferior compare to other students. I have visited SVA before, and I feel like the atmosphere seems to be quite relaxed and fun. But I have not personally been to RISD before, so I don’t know how stressful it would be to study there.

Furthermore, RISD seems to insist on making students to live on campus for the first and second year. And since I am not very comfortable with sharing a room with another, that’s a huge disappointment. If I goto SVA, at least I have the option to rent an apartment to live on my own.

However, I would still like to ask if anyone is familiar with the living condition in RISD campus? Maybe it is possible to get a single room housing plan?

2

Best to move this over to http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/ where there’s parents and students at both school.

But while I’m here I’ll share that my oldest is a senior at RISD and yes the work ethic/vibe is very intense. For some that’s good and they like the challenge but others find it can take a toll on their mental health etc.

My senior is fairly introverted and preferred a single and had one first year and junior year. First year was considered a single in a suite, but was a weird basement ‘hallway’ in the freshman quad so was set up more like typical singles in a row. Sophomore year had a roommate in a Hill House and that went fine. Junior year chose to stay in same Hill Houses but opted for a single. Senior year had her own apartment (there was a flatmate and they shared bathroom and kitchen but had own big rooms/loft like spaces) in a Benefit St house so within easy walking distance to campus.