Is it worthwhile to take out about 25k more overall in private loans to study illustration at Pratt rather than MECA (Maine College of Art)?
That’s a hard question a lot of us face. First off, what’s the intended major? There are certain fields where the instructors your child will have at SVA are currently working in those fields and have lots of connections in the NYC and larger art communities. I’ve heard great things about MECA’s programs, but both of my aspiring artist kids have avoided it because they felt it was too small and remote & weren’t sure what kind of alumni/networking will come out of it and they want to work in fields centered on East/West coast cities.
This is NOT knocking that school at all. Also my kids come from a big high school so weren’t really interested in small art schools or program (I actually teach in a small art department and big isn’t always better either!).
We got lucky and our oldest received generous scholarships, so her dream school was only slightly more than the competitors. But as a case study of the ‘non-tangible’ benefits: she’s bonded with one prof this semester who’s noted that despite her illustration major she does a lot of 3D work and they’ve given her contacts at Hasbro and Jim Henson’s studio to followup with for internships. I feel like that’s why we’ve stretched a little…so she’d have exposure to those people who can help her make those job connections.