Marionette

Sorry everyone for posting another of these vs. threads~ (May 1 is getting closer). But I really don't want to make a decision that I wants to regret. I have about the same amount of financial aid from both schools (Partt gave more more scholarship but less grant and work study money) and costs about the same (both ridiculous), and I love both of the city. And I don't really have to worry about the liberal art courses because I'm transferring from a university and already got most of those out of the way.

SAIC pros: prestige, especially for Fine Art majors which is what I'm signing up for right now.

Graduate classes/facilities accessible to undergraduate students - what my touring guide told me.

Cons: have to be self motivated - not saying that I'm just paying a more than 20K to slack off, but the low percentage of students who graduates in four years is a bit worrying. Also there's that thing I heard about, how SAIC focuses on the 20% percent and the rest just kind of floats around (I was stupid enough to bring this up in a meeting with one of their counselor, who probably hates me now, another con I guess?)

Too conceptual? I became more interested in conceptual art after being exposed to more of them in college, but I'm definately still exploring how I ultimately want to make art (which is why the fact that they are interdisciplinary is a another huge pro), so if the black box in the middle of the room thing is the only way they go, I can imagine myself quite miserable there.

And also, I'm still not dead set on this fine artist thing, and if I later decided that I want something more commercial, going to SAIC would be a bit of a waste of resources (and I'm not transferring again!)

Basically, all those cons of SAIC would be a pro to Pratt, considering how they are more of a design school.

caressemh

Wow what did their counselor say about the 20% thing? See I was told that buy a SCAD professor who used to teach at SAIC (and graduated from SAIC as well). He loved his alma mater though.

Sounds like you're leaning toward Pratt? Pratt doesn't have a bad fine arts program by any means

Marionette

I think it was your post that I saw :P she sounded kind of defensive, basically saying there so such thing as far as she knows. I don't know much about Pratt and never visited, that's the problem. So how is their fine art program (compared to SAIC)? Or their reputation in general? They aren't ranked as high as MICA and RISD but everyone seems to talk about them just as much.

I was pretty set on SAIC until recently T_T I just really don't want to realize there that this isn't the right place for me and be miserable again, I spent too much effort on transferring.

caressemh

I don't know, despite all the cons you mentioned I still think SAIC would be great... Chicago is such a fun city and has plenty of inspiration to provide. To be honest I never really delved into the individual department quality of the schools I applied to (I assumed they were all good haha), but I really liked all the Pratt student work I saw- in all departments. It seems to me you're in a great place with two awesome schools to choose from. I say go with your gut feeling.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help

Marionette

No, your opinion helps a lot. You are right, I'm lucky to have two great schools to choose from, either way I think I'll be getting a great education so I shouldn't be too troubled.

Marionette

Gah! Still can't make decision! Right now I really need to know more about the SAIC only focuses on top 20% thing and know more about Pratt in general (how respected is it compared to other famous art schools?)