also @GnocchiB I forgot to mention that it being a recent decision to go into art was another reason I was considering the gap. It would give me time to change my mind.
Even IF you get accepted to SCAD (Savannah), the school has limited need based and merit aid, AND is very costly. How would you pay for this?
@thumper1 Oh no, I’ve taken SCAD off the list. I just took the opportunity to have a one-on-one with an art school rep. He was already coming to my area.
Let’s stop for a moment. Can you answer these questions:
What’s your GPA (weighted, unweighted)? What AP classes (or IB, AICE, dual enrollment) classes have you taken? What you’re highest ACT, single sitting? superscore?
What your EFC? Your parents’ income?
Have you run the NPC on a meet need college (like Vassar or Grinnell or Wellesley), what was the result?
~3.93 unweighted, 4.13 weighted
~have taken: European History (failed the test, A in the class). will take: Environmental Science, Physics 1 and 2, Literature and Composition, Studio Art.
~single sitting:31, superscore 32
~EFC ranges on the calculators I’ve used, avg of 28k per year
~Income is about 110k, but again they are irresponsible with money and my dad is constantly talking about how much debt they have (the amount of idk). The problem is that I can’t prove my need because they make so much.
~Vassar was about 23k before loans, Grinnell and Wellesley both 32k. I didn’t see any design programs, not even as a concentration within studio art.
@MYOS1634
@gekaia - I have to say that while I think some of your assumptions are naive, I admire your desire to figure out a plan to make your current dream come true. I also am impressed with your maturity - as a parent, trust me when I say you are wise beyond your years because you’ve realized a lot of things (like the need to plan ahead and map out financial scenarios) that many adults don’t really have a grip on.
Keep on batting around ideas and running them by the posters on this thread. CC is a great resource and you are to be commended for asking for and thinking through the advice offered to you by so many experienced posters.
I’m rooting for you!
I’m actually shocked that I can help here. I grew up in New Paltz. It is very artsy. I had my own graphic design business in High School. Some of my former classmates (who did NOT attend SUNY NP) are extremely successful fine artists. One did the cover of Katy Perry’s California Girls album, and consulted in that hilarious video. Many who “start their own businesses “ however do so because they can’t find a paying job. There are SUNY grads allnjver the area designing jewelry, making pottery, weaving. They seem pretty happy with it. It’s a beautiful place.
Yes, you wouldn’t commute to NYC for an internship, so what. People are being so negative. The real question is, could you support yourself during school, and if possible establish residency?
I’d ask the school directly if you could establish residency by being financially independent and living instate for 2 years. Because I have a great idea! There is a beautiful resort hotel on the top of the mountain in New Paltz, Mohonk Mountain House. They are like the hotel in Dirty Dancing. Very seasonal, but they also need staff year-round and - THEY HAVE DORMS. With meals. For $60 a month. I’m not kidding. They hire SUNY kids, moremin the summer, but once you are in, you are in. Several of my sibs worked there starting at age 15, and moved from department to department as they saw opportunities. Some of them lived there while they went to school, others just ate there during work. And you make thousands of dollars over the summer. And in between shifts, you can sleep in the sun by the lake. Worth looking into.
@Gudmom, that is a great suggestion, but the residency requirements are strict:
@Gudmom , How do you recommend that OP pays to attend New Paltz? Even if she should become financially independent, she is not going to be eligible for Federal or state aid. Until OP turns 24, she will need her parent’s info on the FAFSA. Because her parents do not have a physical presence in NYS, she will never get state aid where the age for being independent is 35
Okay guys, just a little update.
I got a private message to look into Kent State. It sounded familiar so sorry if someone said it before. It’s in a small town in Ohio, but is about 45 minutes from Cleveland. The sticker price is about the same as the SUNYs (35k range) but they have a decent merit scholarship pool. The NPC said about 23k before loans and 18k after. These were the numbers after a predicted 11k in merit. They have good alumni and internship results. A plus that even the SUNYs don’t have is 5 different business minors that complement my career plans and several other design/communications majors in case I want to go in a slightly different direction. The price is almost exactly what was calculated for UAB but with much more evidence of what I’m looking for. That makes it the best value OOS I’ve found so far. It’s possibly moved into the slot of top choice for me, at least at the moment.
My lowest in state estimate has been 7k before loans and 2k after. However, I’m weary of that price because they used the absolute MAX scholarship and they’re a small private college. Also that’s without room and board because I would be a commuter. The least expensive non commuter school was UAH at about 11k before aid. However, UAH also happens to be my least favorite of the schools that I’m even considering applying to.
The gap year is still attractive, regardless of the school I pick. Also, the question of establishing residency has already been answered: no, even for Ohio.
@Gudmom if I end up going to New Paltz, I’ll definitely look into that job. Even if not for college, it seems like a place I might want to live in the distant future. Thanks for the info!
I was thinking of mentioning Kent State too, when you mentioned FIT. I know they have a good fashion design program, but wasn’t sure about graphic design.
I think the direct billed costs are about $28,000 a year, so depending on merit, it might come down to $18,000, but that might be hard for you to pay for alone.
If you got full tuition at UAH, the remaining costs should be less than that.
The travel costs to Ohio would be higher too most likely.
I would apply to a few instate options and a few OOS that seem like they might work out with merit, and see how it goes.
@mommdc I am currently planning to apply to least Springhill college, UAB, and UAH as in state schools. the UAH price is the lowest it will be. My current stats already qualify me for the highest reward. Besides, there is a certain point where price isn’t worth the sacrifice of my student experience as a whole. I didn’t really click with the campus life or surrounding city during my tour and this was before I was even thinking about the design program. I’m literally only considering this school in case I can’t afford anything else.
The first thing every student needs to know is their college budget. This means…what can YOU afford to pay after receiving your aid package from the college.
If you can’t pay the bills, you won’t be able to attend…period.
Many students find themselves having to make some compromises because of financial considerations.
As long as you understand that you will need to walk away from schools where the money isn’t forthcoming…you really can apply anywhere.
No one is suggesting you attend a college that you really hate, but you really need to open your mind to affordable options.
The following Alabama schools are accredited by NASAD:
Alabama State
North Alabama
UA
UAB
UAH
Auburn
University of Montevallo
Jacksonville State
Are any close to home, that you could commute to?
I assume at most of them you would get merit for your stats.
So then research their design program.
You should be able to visit most of these, right? I don’t mean a general tour and open house of the college. Set up something with the head of the department, see if you can talk to current students, see if they have any alumni you can contact.
There are several other Ohio schools on the list where you could get merit as well. Youngstown State, U Toledo, U Akron.
You can check into some of their programs too.
23K before loans means you pay over 90K for college plus interest. I don;t know why that would even be in your application pile. Is the merit award even guaranteed?
Your parents $ plus a direct loan means you basically need a full tuition school. That’s your best case scenario that still costs you at least $12 a year plus incidentals.
Again, can you commute to your 4 yr?
Is your ACT comp actually 31, and you are calling it 33 as a SS? SS is not that common. If you need to leverage that SS for merit, you need to make sure your targets even offer it.
@mommdc @Sybylla the lowest in state offers outside of UAH were still 17k or more after merit, which very few guaranteed. None of the listed schools are commuting distance. 31 is my highest comp without studying. 33 is my retake goal after prep, not my SS. My SS is a 32, but the school I was looking at that considered them doesn’t even seem to be accredited so its irrelevant. I have a limited number of schools I can visit because dad has few vacation days left this year.
It is important to work with what you HAVE score wise. So that IS a 31. Never sit a real test without studying. There is maybe 1 sept date that will be suitable for Oct deadlines (particularly some schools merit awards), or are booked in for july’s ACT?
And what IS a commutable school for you? Not a listed school, a commutable 4 yr?
Hammond, LA, is probably not your dream come true but I know somebody who graduated with a Design degree from Southeastern Louisiana U and was employed in her field right out of graduation. Has since relocated to a major metropolitan area. The campus is pleasant and the work produced by graduates was impressive. It’s NASAD accredited and you would be eligible for a full ride with your stats.
It sounds like your parents are not a reliable source of financial support. With that in mind, you should start from a worst case scenario of federal student loan plus work study plus summer earnings - maybe 10-12K per year.