I got into the schools above. I recently did a semester at Haverford College because I thought that I didn’t want to go to art school. However, I realized that maybe it is for me so I reapplied and was accepted to the schools above. I realize Skidmore isn’t an art school, but I heard it has a strong art program. Also, not sure if I want to give up the option to take liberal arts completely. I also have the option to return to Haverford.
I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on the schools above. After scholarships, all of them come to about the same price (Except Temple). Luckily that isn’t something I have to worry about.
I’m hoping to study fine arts (obviously) but with a focus in sculpture, ceramics and maybe even glass. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the programs above.
I am being told by everyone that the obvious choice is RISD, but after burning out at Haverford (where I wasn’t even studying art), I’m worried about burn out during their rigorous foundation year. Pratt is very appealing because I already have many friends there and it’s not far from Philadelphia. I’ve fallen in love with the music scene in Philly, so leaving it will be really hard for me. However, it doesn’t have a strong glass program. I also think I’d be much less stressed there, and the campus was gorgeous.
Name wise I’m tempted to choose RISD. However, I worry about being in Rhode Island. I was told being in the city Pratt is great for gallery connections and internships. I also heard that the getting work with a RISD degree is hard, though some disagree.
Anyways enough blabbering from me, I know decision day is tomorrow and I’m still so torn. I visited all the schools and liked them all so equally. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about the schools above.
I don’t think you are ready to make a decision OR head off to any of these institutions in the Fall.
Do not attend RISD or Pratt unless you are passionate about the fine arts, can’t see yourself studying anything else, and are prepared to spend most of your time in the studio. These programs aren’t like a summer camp where you can dabble or drift in and out of the arts. They are professional training grounds for professional artists, and yes, along with the contacts and the serious study, they will be stressful. There will always be someone more talented than you, always someone who works harder than you. This stress will make you a better artist-- but only if you let it.
I think Skidmore and Tyler give you more flexibility since you seem ambivalent about an exclusive arts education… but again, there are trade-offs and both programs require more confidence in the path than you seem to exhibit right now.
Why not ask each of these if you can defer for a year? And hold your current spot as well while you figure things out? But if a semester at Haverford burnt you out, perhaps that door should close behind you? The work gets more intense, not less, regardless of your discipline.
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Congratulations 
on getting into terrific colleges!
Skidmore could be a good midpoint - artsy but still offers liberal arts classes, less intense than Haverford.
RISD will be stressful, it’ll be art 24/7. If that sounds like heaven then it’s the right place for you but I didn’t get that “necessity of 24/7 art” from your post.
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I agreed with the other posters’ advice to you. First congrats to your acceptances and I understand why you may not want to drop the liberal arts education just yet because my daughter was in a similar situation. We visited Skidmore back in 2019 and there were lots of things we liked about Skidmore and the small art department. One of the drawing professors was very welcoming. RISD was definitely my D’s top choice initially and she was ready to make it her final choice that last week in April. Some of her observations made her reconsider attending RISD - daily mental stress of producing art at the highest level, competition stress among highly talented students, long studio classes really didn’t align with taking liberal art courses at Brown, and very little specifics about internships student pursued (many said they heard there were opportunities at NYTimes). Lastly, my D wanted a more balanced student population so she can find her people.
She attended our flagship and majored in Industrial Design. Her decision was heavily weighted at the end to the flagship because they offered a full ride from a named scholarship. It was a gift that she just couldn’t pass. She never regretted her decision not to attend RISD. Her peer art students were not as skilled and talented like RISD students, so my D had to find inspiration within herself. On the flip side, she had more opportunities at a large research university outside of the art college for internships and part time jobs for students with design skills. She landed a job post college in her desired industry and role right away. She also made many new friends who were not in the art school. Having a social balance made her experience manageable.
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RISD has the additional benefit of cross registration privileges at brown
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It is hard to do this for more than one class a year (or maybe one a semester if a kid has exceptional time management skills). So it’s a nice benefit but not a reason to go to RISD.
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RISD is the obvious choice as you already noted if you want to major in the fine arts. They do have the courses you want to study.
When you go to a dedicated art school it is 24/7 art. You have to LOVE art–the students are prepared to make it a career rather than an “I like art” hobby. Time management and organization is critical if you want to succeed (just like in the real world). The final result of your degree and if you succeed will still depend on your talent and willingness to put in the work.