bearman33
May 31st, 2009, 08:16 PM
This year I was accepted to both Ringling and CCS in Detroit. I was offered a $10k/year scholarship to CCS but nothing from Ringling. Yes there was financial aid that I received and yes they have excellent programs, but I ended choosing a smaller art school where the tuition was 1/3 less than the others and because of that I received a full ride. My decision is to go there for a year of foundation, save some money, then transfer to a school like art center, ringling, etc., when the schools program begins to pick up.
Given the economic condition we are in currently I felt it was the best decision for me. But even given money and the economy, do art schools really differ from each other in their first year of foundation and portfolio development? Don't programs really shine in their third and fourth years?
I understand that there are schools like Calarts and others that believe in a sequential four year program. But is it necessary to bury yourself in debt the first or second years when you can finish foundations at another, less expensive program? Do the professors really define the level of individual performance that a student has the first couple of years?
I guess I have seen students from lesser known art schools go on and be more successful than those that did go to an expensive well known program, and because of that is a foundation year really necessary at a more expensive school.
Given the economic condition we are in currently I felt it was the best decision for me. But even given money and the economy, do art schools really differ from each other in their first year of foundation and portfolio development? Don't programs really shine in their third and fourth years?
I understand that there are schools like Calarts and others that believe in a sequential four year program. But is it necessary to bury yourself in debt the first or second years when you can finish foundations at another, less expensive program? Do the professors really define the level of individual performance that a student has the first couple of years?
I guess I have seen students from lesser known art schools go on and be more successful than those that did go to an expensive well known program, and because of that is a foundation year really necessary at a more expensive school.