anticonfusion

So, I got into all my schools (yay!) but I don't know where to go. I have a very short time to decide but I really want to make the right choice. I am probably going to go into Illustration or Graphic Design but at this point I am really unsure.

My top 3 choices as of right now are:
RISD
Pratt
Syracuse


Let me know what you think?

niftydesign

First, congrats on your acceptances.

You don't say if you've visited all three schools and whether or not FINAID is a deciding factor.

You have to ask yourself first of all, do you want an art school, or do you want options in addition to art.

If you want more options, then Syracuse might be a good choice.

If you're set on an art school, you've got to visit both art schools. Both have great reps in illustration and GD. Do you like New York, or do you prefer a smaller town like Providence? Check out the curriculum at Pratt and RISD to see if you have flexibility in course selection after foundation year.

Good luck with your decision making.

anticonfusion

Pratt gave me 11000 which is really nice but Syracuse and RISD didn't give me a penny.

The nice thing about RISD is its strong link with Brown, so Im not really trapped in art per say. So i'll have a strong liberal arts program to rely on, which is also really important to me.

The thing is that I really want a really strong art program but I want the whole liberal arts type college experience.

The city type isn't really a big problem. Ive lived in NY my whole life and have been in the city enough so I wont necessarily feel deprived. I also really like the whole feel of Providence, its really nice and there are a few other colleges which is also a beneficial factor.

I just don't know. I don't want to make the wrong decision.

niftydesign

Don't overestimate the Brown/Risd connection. Students can't always fit classes into their schedules, the two schools are on different schedules, and you can't do Brown classes freshman year. That said, it is still possible to take classes at Brown, as long as you are proactive about it. RISD also has liberal arts "concentrations" in english, social sciences and one other area that escapes me. (Check out their website for details.)

If you want a true liberal arts experience, Syracuse would give you more of an opportunity to explore than either RISD or Pratt.

If you have to go into debt to go to RISD or Syr, it's probably a good argument for going to Pratt.