For SVA peeps: What's it like there?

[jelanen]

Heya,

I just got accepted to SVA for painting w007. I was just kind of curious what is acually like being a student there. I am a female, so safety at night is kind of important to me, as well as are the students friendly or kinda bleh? How is the facuilty? Housing conditions? Is it close to the school or long commute? *shrugs* I am trying to figure out if I want to head there or not. Currently, it is my first choice but being that one can't tell what a school is like without acually being there, I was wondering if it is yay or nay.

Any feedback would be helpful, thanks. =D

[jrr]

ok, i hope you're going for illustration and not for fine art, because the fine art dept is pretty terrible.
there's a few dorms one in Jersey.... a few right next to the school. the teachers for the most part are very ok. find your people and stick to them. i've learn more from teh students than the teachers. good luck!

[jelanen]

Heh. Would it make sense getting a place in Jersey then and commuting? =B Sounds terrible acually. Bleh. Going for painting if I am gonna go. Don't know. Bleh.

[Elwell]

If you want to learn how to paint, the illustration dept. is what you want (there's no "painting" major as such). I wouldn't say the fine art dept. is any worse than anywhere else, but it is a fine arts department, whith all that entails. Either way, foundation year is the same for illustration, fine arts, and graphic design.

I'm not sure if they still have the Jersey dorm. The man housing is the GW, which is a block and a half way from the main building. There's also a new dorm right next door to the main building, and women's only housing a few blocks away on Gramercy park.

[jelanen]

I must be accepted in the fine arts department then. I am a transfer student. *shrugs* I just know I am currently a painting major at my old school. ;) *nods* Well, not too bad if I am not living in Jersey. Fine arts isn't that hot then? Bleh. I would probably try illustration but I can't draw. =B I can paint but not the drawing bit. I am working on learning to draw though. Heh. Overall, would you recommand going there? This is my third school I'll be transferring too. I've been rather disheartened with my first two attempts. I just don't want to be disappointed when I show up at the door. The admission's office always tells you one thing, whether it is true or not can only learn via experience. Thanks for your replies.

[Elwell]

If you are a tansfer I assume they'll give you credit for all or most of foundation year. Like I said, its the same for fine arts and illustration. Even if you've been accepted as a fine arts major you can probably transfer if you want, people switch departments all the time. Your electives arent limited to your major, either. But the fine arts dept. might be what you want. The only way to tell is to check out as much recent work by students and faculty as you can and see who is doing work that seems sympathetic with what you want to do. The web sight has faculty listings for each dept, you can start looking there (you'll see at least one familiar name ;) ). The illustration dept. publishes an annual portfolio book of the senior class's work that you should be able to get a copy of. And bug the admissions office for as much info as you can. Yes, their job is to sell the school, but the more questions you ask the clearer a picture you'll get.

[jelanen]

Wow. Niiiiiice work. =D I hope to get credit for most of the first year. I do need all the help I can in foundations though. My problem is that... I am a really strange art student. =B See, I was a theater major and then decided, "I want to paint!" Thus, I began my journey as a painter. So, unlike people who done art all through high school, I just started umm... last year. *goofy grin* I am... in a way behind and I have weak foundations BUT I have creativity coming out of my ears and I learn extremely fast. Thus, I baffled my old art teachers. ;) I'll have to ask the admissions office for a copy of the book. I am hoping to drop by the school and check it out next month. I have been by SVA once before but it was more of a random drop in. The secruity guard at the front was very nice. *shrugs* Also should check out the housing too. Doesn't sound too bad if I live close to the school. I just like the whole idea at wandering the streets of new york alone at night. =/ Thanks for the insight into the school. =D

[darth massacre]

I've got a friend going in for Animation this upcoming school term too. Good luck dude.

[winjer]

If you go to fine arts can you tell me about any cool parties. Im gonna be too busy drawing to socialize i think.

[Gory]

It sounds like you're concerned about security in NYC. Which is funny, because NYC is actually safer than other parts of New York state. There's a city in upstate New York called Rochester (my home town) that has more than three times the homicide rate per capita than New York.

Back to lurking.

[jelanen]

Gory - I've acually been to Rochester before. *grins* *comfort* It's cold there, I've been told.

winjer - who's says I am not going to be drawing too and missing all the parties? ;p Partying isn't my style. *shrugs* I am boring.