Can anyone, students or wise parents, speak to the competition picture and vibe at RISD? My daughter is applying and I think may be losing enthusiasm as she’s getting a view that it’s all work work work the first year and I think that’s feeling unnatural. She has the ability for this school but I’m not going to nudge her that way if she really does not choose it. Can one have a “normal-for -an-artist- who -is -still-an -18-year-old” rewarding journey here without undo need to be affected by the art of others? Would really value input because I’d like her to go here. Thank you.
I’ve visited the school and participated in the pre-college program, and can say that I didn’t get a negative competitive vibe at all. Yes, everyone says there is lots of work, and the time has to be put in. From my experience with pre-college that was proven true. But when talking with current students everyone said that it was one big supportive family. They all say that they push each other, not in a competitive way, but a way that’s supporting and positive. I’ve heard some say that they didn’t like how people acted when they visited, but I don’t where they could have gotten that from. Everyone was super nice and all spoke to how much they loved it there. I fell in love with the school both times I was there. I applied ED this year!
Thank you very much for your comments. You have restored a measure of calm and beauty to my point-of-view.
Sending great wishes that you will be accepted at this school and enjoy your life there or alternatively, enjoy very much whatever school you attend.
@Shadeland We visited last year and several people asked the student tour guide about that. It is VERY hard work that first year in particular. I have two friends with kids there now – one freshman and one sophomore. If she’s okay with all art all the time, then she will be fine. My daughter applied ED this year and got rejected. We figured we had about a 50/50 shot. She’s been accepted to SCAD and Pratt and University of Michigan, so she has some great options.
If you haven’t already, follow the RISD admissions facebook page. It was recommended to us when we visited. Lucy answers all questions personally. Of late, a couple of current freshman posted on there, and I corresponded with one when I had concerns about the rigor.
Good luck! It’s really an amazing place.
@Shadeland my D1 did the RISD pre-college program (graphic design major) and really benefitted from it. She did not experience any sort of uber-competitive vibe but they all did work very hard!!! I realize that Pre-College is not quite the same thing as foundation year but they do try to emulate that experience as much as possible (and it was a six week program so longer than most others). Also, D1’s “major” was the most grueling and tough from what she told me. Still, D1 emerged smiling with her plans for art college solidified. It’s an amazing place and the location is unique - the whole thing reminded me of an art student’s version of “Paper Chase” (wrong Ivy though LOL).
I’ve read many, many comments from students on these and other forums about RISD and all of them pretty much say the same thing: ton of work, amazing place, unforgettable experience. The nickname of “Reason I’m Sleep Deprived” is not unearned but I always had the impression it was because it was such a creatively energetic atmosphere that giving up a few hours of sleep was worth it.
If your daughter does a foundation year she will be working very hard regardless of where she ends up. She should definitely attend the school that suits her best and challenges her appropriately. If she loves art and is talented, she might still get turned off to the 24-26 hours of instruction time per week (18 - 20 for studio, 4-6 for academic) with another 24-26 of homework that is expected in the BFA program unless she is 100% committed to that level of work. At twice the workload of a typical college curriculum, the studio degrees tend to attract those kids who have a NEED to be doing art for long periods of time.
But the increased amount of work certainly doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities for other, more traditional college-y stuff. RISD strikes me as being a pretty vibrant college community - lots to do and to get involved in and of course the unique relationship with Brown assists with that. The RISD sports teams are pretty distinct, even for an art college: they have 'Nads hockey (Go Nads!) and of course the RISD Balls (basketball). To say nothing of their mascot Scrotie.
Your D should check with current RISD students to see what they advise for the foundation year - perhaps that’s a question she can ask when you both attend the RISD Accepted Student Reception 
Good luck to her!
D1 is currently applying to art schools, RISD included, and I adjunct at a less competitive art college. The foundation year in any art school is a lot of work, but I think the main issue is that it’s a much different kind and pace then most kids are used to in high school. I think this difference and the time management both in studio and on your own time is what makes the transition hard for a lot of students. If your daughter has already had some college level summer classes, all-day workshops or drawing intensives and LOVED them, then she’s got a good idea of what it’s like to do art all day for ‘school’ and should have no trouble handling it. If she’s not sure, there’s still time to look up classes like this in your community (break camps, figure drawing sessions on a weekend, etc) and help her decide what kind of program is the best fit for her.
I attended the RISD pre-college summer and can fully attest to the no-sleep, intensity of the program. I think they do this to filter out kids who are really not committed to the dedicated art school grind or who just may not know what to expect when attending a dedicated art school as an undergrad. I didn’t get a strong competitive vibe and there is a ton of collaboration between disciplines as well as brainstorming with kids in your own field. While RISD has a rep as being THE most intense place, talking to 1st years at other top art schools, e.g., Pratt and MICA, I get the sense that the foundation year is pretty grueling just about everywhere. My main concern about RISD is the social life and surrounding area. We were pretty limited to the Capitol Center area which is small and pretty tame, and to Thayer Street which gets old really quickly. I have been told there are other areas that may make Providence more interesting including the Federal Hill area. I know there’s Brown, but wonder whether I might be better off at a dedicated art school on a full college campus. Anyone know anything about Tyler? Is it ridiculous to consider turning down RISD for a school like Tyler or other school with a more vibrant city and/or social life?
@BrooklynRye my D just had a portfolio review at Tyler this week. Then we toured the art building. Overall, she was impressed with what she saw. The building is beautifully designed for art studios. Tyler’s location and relatively reasonable tuition make it an even more desirable option. We’ve visited RISD, Pratt, UArts and a quite a few other over the past few years. RISD definitely has the name but without any merit aid it doesn’t seem sensible unless money isn’t an issue.
@veehee - I agree about the money. On the other hand, to me, RISD is kind of a 2 for 1 deal. With 100% placement within 6 months of graduation, I will almost certainly not need a graduate degree. Also, while RISD offers strong majors in just about everything across the board, Tyler lacks some pretty important ones, including Industrial Design. They fudge on this a bit through their Graphic Design program, e.g., doing letters on packaging rather than designing the packaging itself, but this is a clear lack.There is also no Ilustration or Animation departments. They offer some classes, but no majors. For someone like me, going in somewhere between Drawing & Painting and Undecided, the lack of such hardcore majors is an important factor. I visited all of the schools you mentioned. Pratt was by far the most impressive, 2nd to RISD. UofArts is way down the list and, although strong in Animation and Illustration, is just not in the upper-tier of schools on which I am focusing. Once the dust settles and I know where I got in and what kind of money (if any) they offer, I will probably revisit some schools with eye toward actually living there for 4 years.
@BrooklynRye you´ve done plenty of research on what you are looking for in a school. Best of luck!
@BrooklynRye my D1 is in her foundation year at Pratt and loves it. No lack of hardcore majors there! Beautiful campus and the area is definitely better than Providence in terms of stuff to see and do - although she’s been kinda busy this year so far LOL. Good luck to you and let us know what you decide!
I have heard from just about every top school that the work load is larger than most of these kids are accustomed to
EVERYWHERE. With Cooper Union taking the prize for most difficult/rewarding. D visited Pratt and like it a lot,
didn’t care for RISD at all but found CU incredible impressive/challenging. Good luck to all.
That makes sense. Thanks.
Above comment in response to Art Angst.
Well, circling in on the , for now, conclusion to this endless college journey, our child is choosing between Cooper Union and MICA. Was not accepted at RISD and we’re over it. Getting used to the fact of the urban settings of the above two, and are excited about those schools. Now that the smoke is clearing, I will say that, truly without bitter grapes, both her Dad and I were underwhelmed by the painting, inspiration, as well as the “fun” aspect, at RISD. Sometimes shocked in fact at the low caliber of what I saw and don’t understand that nor do I understand her not getting in. This recharged my sense of mystery to be sure, and I’m moved at the turn this road has taken. I have huge respect for the schools she’s considering and that is a nice feeling in these mad times.
@shadeland if she was accepted to Cooper that’s really awesome!!! Very difficult to get in. Art schools are probably one of the most subjective decisions and when the selectivity rate is high then the subjectivity is mutual. We’ve known lots of talented kids who were accepted to top art/design schools as well as some of the best universities - but didn’t get into RISD. And we’ve known many talented artists who did get in. So it really depends on the class that they are trying to build that year, I think. Which means it can be a crap shoot. CU and MICA produce amazingly talented artists. I’ve seen some incredible work at MICA (haven’t visited CU). Your D is in very good shape.
Definitely post what she chooses. Good luck to her!
Mamelot you are wonderful. I always enjoy your vision, and so true about the subjectivity of art schools. And
the education of artists. I was prepared to sign on w RISD 60% for its "pleasant "location! For real. AND so true about MICA - we lived in Balto for a time and I bought a lot of art at their student sales that I framed and live with. Thank you molto molto for your summation that she is in good shape, that feels good to hear and in particularly from YOU. I’ll finally visit CU next week (she put me off saying wait until I get in) and am anxious to fill in my blanks. Obviously my dreams of wonderful campus life are dashed ( the only university she got into is Purchase and though she admires it, doesn’t choose it) but am re- calibrating my perspective to a strong- meant to be. Will let you know what she chooses. Thanks so much to you and great happy wishes to you and your children.
beware of CU.
Please do tell about CU, Stones3! Also I forgot Carnegie-Mellon whose facilities she liked but not the school itself.
We visited SAIC twice, MICA twice, pre college at CCA, and Tyler once. She loved Tyler, but in the end it actually would have cost us significantly more than SAIC or MICA (out of state, little merit money). This caused us to go back to visit other schools a second time, which was very valuable. She was going to apply to RISD, but I know they don’t give aid based only on merit, so we didn’t bother. Plus, she finished one of the RISD drawings, and the idea of folding it, and never seeing it again was just too much for her! I just can’t wrap my brain around putting my kid in more than $80,000 worth of debt for undergrad. She now really loves MICA, and will attend in the fall. Great community, vibrant city, awesome merit aid and an excellent textile program.