<p>I've been accepted to Pratt, Parsons, University of the Art, and Tyler School of Art. Parsons is simply too expensive period. University of the Arts is good, but I've narrowed my decision down to Tyler and Pratt.</p>
<p>Now, I've visited both schools, and I have to say I really fell in love with Pratt, and I've always known of its reputation and notariety. The problem is that is just so expensive. I got a merit scholarship which knocks down the tuition a chunk, but the overall cost is still very high. Enough that I'd probably be paying off the loans for years and years.</p>
<p>Tyler School of Art, from what I've heard, is a very good school, maybe even at Pratt level, but I'm doubtful somehow. I respect the school, but it just doesn't have the same ring to it as Pratt. I didn't get a great impression from my visit, either. It was in the middle of a less-than-desirable run-down suburban location outside of Philadelphi. It IS however, much less than half the price of Pratt which is why I'm am so torn. I could afford to go to this school without paying much at all in loans.</p>
<p>So my question is this:</p>
<p>How does Tyler compare to Pratt? Is it worth it to go to Pratt paying 35 grand a year rather than about 12 grand at Tyler? I would really like to go to Pratt but I just have this guilt over the financial burden. Should I be sweating it so much?</p>
<p>We visited the Tyler School of Art and actually spoke with the Dean. Both I and my wife liked the school and the Dean. HOWEVER, it was not in a great area and not part of the Temple campus,which was a big turnoff to us. However, once they move onto the Temple Campus, we may well have had a different feeling about them.</p>
<p>I must admit that I'm a trifle offended by your description of Tyler as being "in the middle of a less-than-desirable run-down suburban location outside of Philadelphia," as I live about a mile-and-a-half away from that location. Yes, the Lynnwood Gardens apartment complex across the street is not the highlight of Cheltenham township, but I would hardly describe it as "less-than-desirable." Be that as it may, Tyler will be moving into the city, to be reunited with the main campus of Temple U., it's parent school. The move has been in the works for years and years (with both the Tyler faculty and Chelteham township trying desperately to keep it where it is), and as of the last article I read in the local paper it appears that the move is finally set in stone and will occur as soon as construction of the new arts complex is complete. I have no idea what the status of construction is, if in fact it has even begun, but I do know that Temple is adament about bringing Tyler "home" to the main campus. So if you don't like the Elkins Park location, wait a year or so, and you'll get to move to North Philadelphia.</p>
<p>Sorry, didnt mean to offend. The only part of the town that I really saw was the business route off the exit from 276 (or whichever highway it is) that leads to elkins park. Based on that area alone I got a bad impression, I guess I should have looked around more. I live in Lancaster, PA, which is a beautiful place, but even here there are some dull areas. I know that Hana Ruem Market (sp?) is only a few blocks away, and I love going there (good food!). The actual campus of Tyler is really nice as well (but yes that apartment complex did dampen my initial impression).</p>
<p>The location really isn't all that important though. What I'm interested in is if anyone knows if Tyler really prepares its students for a career. I know Pratt is good with job placement, partly because its so "prestigious". I mean, I know that Tyler is a fantastic school for fine arts, but is it as practicle in getting a good job?</p>
<p>The reason I'm so concerned is that I'm feeling a lot of pressure from my dad, an accomplished graphic designer, to go to Tyler. He insists that it is just as reputable as Pratt, but a lot of his pressuring is based on saving money. I know debt can be a nightmare, but I don't want to end up in a mediocre job when I could have had more opportunities. I trust my dad's opinions, but I think they also might be heavily influenced by the money, if you get my drift.</p>
<p>Tyler is a great school for graphic design. Just as good if not better than pratt. The classes are small, the teachers are well established and well respected. The portfolio that you will graduated with will be top notch, seriously. Out of school, Tyler Students with a BFA in Graphic design, from what I hear, have a 90 per cent job placement in the field. As a Tyler grad I speak from experience in saying that you will have no regrets if thats the path you choose.</p>
<p>As for it being in a bad neigborhood, you're crazy. The campus is beautiful and safe. If they make the move down to main campus than start worrying about it being in a bad neighborhood. </p>
<p>One point for pratt though... its in New York. Philadelphia is not where the industry is, thats for sure. But this is also an advantage for Tyler, because a lot of grads move when they're done school. So you can find Tyler Grads spread accross the country from Florida to Maine, from New York to LA. The portfolio you graduate with will allow you to pick up and move anywhere. </p>
<p>When comparing Pratt and Tyler, really its not a matter of where you go to school, its about what you make of it once you're there.</p>