Information about SVA, Otis?

[costelle]

Among other schools my daughter's portfolio has been accepted by SVA and Otis. Do any of you, guys, know anything about these schools as far as fine arts major? Do they offer any financial assistance? Have dorms, or how else can students live in NYC and LA?

Thank you guys for any information.

[Elwell]

Among other schools my daughter's portfolio has been accepted by SVA and Otis.
Congratulations. What does she want to study?
Do any of you, guys, know anything about these schools?
SVA, yes.
Do they offer any financial assistance?
Yes.
Have dorms,
Yes.
or how else can students live in NYC and LA?
Apartments with roommates.
Thank you guys for any information.
SVA admissions: (212) 592-2100

[costelle]

Thank you, Elwell, for such a quick answer. She'll study painting, is this a good school for that?

[DSillustration]

i am an sva alumni...

if your daughter is considering sva,
i highly recommend her staying at a dorm.
renting an apartment in manhatten is an INCREDIBLE pain in the butt!
the cost is a fair price, and what it will save you in aggrevation is worth the money.

as for the fine arts department...
its the only department i ever felt was lacking at sva.
but it is due to the major, not the school.

in a fine arts major,
the emphasis will be on self-expression, and learning to use a variety of different mediums (ie. clay, paint, wood, metal, video).
the fine art curiculum is suprising devoid of classical drawing and painting classes (though there are a few).

if you daughter has any interest in painting representationally at all...
i suggest the illustration classes.
the illustration classes place a strong emphasis on classic approaches.
(whether she wants to do illustration, or gallery work is irrelevant)

if your daughter is leaning toward a more self-expressive/experimental approach...
$150,000 is a lot to spend on sva (though she will undoubtedly benefit from it.)
on the other hand,
the illustration department was worth every cent to me.

[costelle]

Thank you, Dan, for your response, very helpful - some important things to think about.