still haven't gotten responses from...

freakyne55 · 03-25-2008, 05:55 PM

Pratt, Parsons, and RISD. I hope this isn't as frivolous a question as I think it is, but is this a bad sign? My friends have already gotten their replies from Parsons (their both wait-listed), but I still haven't gotten one from them.

I think I saw on the forums that a few people have already received their acceptances, so now I'm afraid. Does anyone know when each of these schools generally sends out the letters?

Thanks to anyone who can offer help.

caressemh · 03-25-2008, 09:30 PM

People who applied ED received their letters.

I didn't apply to Parsons or RISD, but Pratt said they are sending the letters by the end of the month! But yeah I don't understand why they wait so long to give notification, either.

lolita · 03-26-2008, 08:28 PM

I'm still waiting for RISD and Parsons too! Those are my last two.

RISD will send their letters on the last day of March so people should received them by the first week of April -depending on where they live.

I'm nervous about Parsons too. What's taking them so long? A lot of people have already been accepted.

freakyne55 · 03-26-2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the heads-up about Pratt, caressemh! Hopefully we'll both get the replies soon

"What's taking them so long? A lot of people have already been accepted."

Those are my sentiments exactly! Though at least it's comforting to know that since I'm not the only one who hasn't received it yet, it's not that they have overlooked me somehow.

Thanks for the help. I hope we all get them soon agh

kalonity · 03-26-2008, 10:34 PM

what lolita said about the end of March for RISD regular decision is true-- they're mailing everything March 31st.

I'm also still waiting for Parsons and Pratt. My (summer) roommate got into Parsons back in December!! It's crazy. I did apply for their 5-yr program though with Lang, so Idk how that affects it.

Thanks for the info about Pratt! They're the only ones I hadn't heard anything at all about.

(Though I'm going to RISD no matter what :P it'll just be nice to get all my decisions.)

freakyne55 · 03-27-2008, 04:13 PM

kalonity-- I'm curious; what's your major? I'm planning to major in fashion design, and assuming I get into both Parsons and RISD (hopefully!!), I think I would have a difficult time choosing between them.

Just wondering if there's a specific reason you're so set on RISD, especially if you're planning on doing fashion too

lolita · 03-28-2008, 03:13 PM

I forgot to ask.
When did you guys apply to Parsons?
I applied in February.

freakyne55 · 03-28-2008, 04:11 PM

I applied in January, but I had difficulties with getting my transcript sent unfortunately. So my portfolio, app, etc was received in January, and my transcript was received around the middle of February.

caressemh · 03-28-2008, 05:13 PM

I've pretty much been stalking the mailman for the past week and NOTHING! Hurry up Pratt, March is almost over...

I wonder if our late applications have anything to do with us not receiving letters yet? I overnighted my Pratt app. the day before it was due (Feb. 1)

I don't know why I'm in such a hurry to know about them because I still can't make a decision until I hear back from MICA or Ringling regards to scholarship...

lolita · 03-28-2008, 05:41 PM

I checked online and it says that my application was completed on Feb. 22.
Oi. I have a feeling that I won't find out til the end of April.

freakyne55 · 03-28-2008, 07:45 PM

I don't think it should have anything to do with that because my friend submitted it around the same time as me to Parsons, and she received her letter about a week or so ago.

I check the mail everyday too! I think I know my mailman's schedule all too well now haha

kalonity · 03-30-2008, 06:05 PM

freakyne55, I am actually pretty sure I want to do fashion (apparel design at RISD). And for a long time, Parsons and RISD were tied for my top choice.

However, the main things that cinched it for me were:
1) I went to Parsons last summer for pre-college, and while I loved it + fell in love with NYC and everything, the fashion program sort of turned me off it. The girls in fashion pre-college didn't seem very friendly, the fashion campus was nice but only one building regardless (and the dept is HUGE!), and one of our RAs from the dorm was a junior in fashion and she gave a presentation in which the attitude of the school seemed to be: be commercial, design only for rich 20yr old girls, and spend a bajillion dollars in order to make it for the senior fashion show. She was talking about how it wasn't necessary to do things in fashion (like sewing your own buttons!) b/c you'd have people to do it for you in the real world, etc etc...and I just didn't agree with the vision at all.

2) When I visited RISD, I fell in love. I felt at home on the campus, and it's just so much more of a supportive environment. At Parsons, our dorm had no laundry facilities, and we had to walk quite a few blocks to get to the cafeteria, which wasn't always open. At RISD, all the freshmen live in the Quad where in addition to laundry stuff, the main cafeteria is located, along with other supporting facilities like nurses offices and stuff.

3)RISD's apparel dept isn't as crazy reknowned as Parsons's is, but I've heard that in recent years the Parsons program has become a bit..inflated. There are nearly 500 students from each yr who go into it, and project runway has really hiked up those numbers. Think about it-- for the sheer amount of graduates, how many actually become famous/even successful (aka what the school is known for). And how easy would it be to be unnoticed and fly under the radar? Whereas RISD's apparel dept is small and close-knit, and even sophomores have the opportunity to exhibit some pieces in the fashion show. It doesn't have Parsons's dept's prestige, true, but at RISD everyone is passionate about their work and there are virtually no slackers, thus in the presence of so much talent and interest, I think I could really thrive and create meaningful work.

Not to mention that RISD's alumni success rates are v high. My Parsons teacher last summer was actually a RISD grad, and I was in love with her work (illustration + painting) and she was so driven and successful herself. And I met one of her friends who graduated from RISD in textiles, who was now a freelance apparel designer (SUNSHINE & SHADOW) and she was much of the same.

I don't mean to bash Parsons, btw, but these have just been my impressions. I would kill to be in NYC, of course (though providence seems lovely), but that's what post-college is for. College is a time to discover yourself as an artist, and I think RISD's the perfect place for it.

(sorry to the OP for semi-hijacking your post!)

freakyne55 · 03-31-2008, 03:47 AM

kalonity, thank you SO much for that. You have no idea how much that has helped me in determining which school I would prefer to attend. I actually received my acceptance from Parsons on Friday, but I think that if I receive an acceptance from RISD in the coming week, I'll end up going there.

I've been so incredibly conflicted over it for the past few months because I specialize in fine arts (though I'm majoring in fashion); thus, RISD's focus on technical skills really made me gravitate towards it. My friend also attends RISD, and she seems to love it so much.. not to mention that the campus is gorgeous!

I think I was mostly worried over the fact that from all the reviews I've read, the main point everyone stresses is that to be based in New York for apparel design is essential, and that Parsons is the most prestigious school in the US. I, unfortunately, will be unable to visit either New York or Rhode Island to take in the atmosphere of each one, but I love cities (I live near LA & really took a shine to San Francisco when I went), so I would probably like New York. I guess all these factors really had me thrown for a loop haha

I'm definitely getting ahead of myself as well as responding with too long a reply, so once again, thank you!! You've been a major help.

caressemh · 03-31-2008, 04:29 PM

New York is much different than LA or San Francisco, but it is a wonderful city.

Parsons was rude when I visited and just seemed really arrogant and cold all around. (I've elaborated on this in other threads, but PM me if you want my whole impression) I never visited RISD but my friend went there for precollege and loved it. Just in case you still have some lingering doubts about your decision.

Providence is pretty close to NY, anyway. I think you can get into the city easily by train.

Still nothing today >

lolita · 03-31-2008, 06:40 PM

I got into Parsons today

It took 3 days to mail from NY to CA.
Just RISD left.

I visited both RISD and Parsons in October
so I can answer some questions.

and good luck to you guys!!! I'm sure you guys will get it very soon!!!!