[viedeluxe]

I'm going to college this fall and I'm having a really hard time choosing between these colleges (mostly east coast). I need some comments or recommendations on these schools. I've asked around, but the people I know don't know anything about art schools... I've researched and talked to people, but I still feel as if I'm missing something. Here's my info so far:

My major is Interior Design

Pratt-Brooklyn - I got into Pratt with a $6000 scholarship (with financial aid that hasn't come in yet). The tuition is about 47k. I haven't visited this school yet.
Syracuse University (Visual Arts) - I don't even know if the art college is good. I want to go because it's diverse and I feel that I'd go less crazy because I'm around non-art students. The thing is, I haven't recieved any scholarships yet and I'm still waiting for financial aid. The tuition is 49k. I'm visiting this school friday... from what i heard, it's a pretty good school, but I still need some feedback on it.
Art Institute of Chicago - I read on someone's thread that this was a good art school? It's offering me 20k with financial aid. I want to go because I don't want to have the burden of paying back student loans, but I don't want to go to a college that might not be so good.
I also got into School of Visual Arts. I probably won't go there, but if I got some info, that'd be great.

I'm going to be deciding on my own, but I want some info, recommendations, or feedback from art students who know anything or attending these colleges.

[COUNTERACT]

Hmm what are you thinking of majoring in?

[chairya]

umm the Arts Institute of Chicago is REALLY good.. i dont know why you should even think it might not be as good.. it's world known and the city's really nice too plus they're offering a good amount of money...

[viedeluxe]

Hmm what are you thinking of majoring in?

I'm trying to major in Interior Design. I might transfer to architecture.

umm the Arts Institute of Chicago is REALLY good.. i dont know why you should even think it might not be as good.. it's world known and the city's really nice too plus they're offering a good amount of money...

Because I haven't heard a lot about it until my art teacher recommended me to apply to a list of schools--Art Institute of Chicago being one of them. She didn't say much about it and no one I know goes there or they hardly know anything about it.

[krit]

aesthete, go for SVA or Chicago!

SVA has a terrific alumni networking, plus alot of your professors are working professionals, so if you do great in your classes, chances are you'll get a good job, either w/ their company, or by word of mouth. Ah, they have great employment resources in general and great classes, fantastic instructors (my mother adored the late jack potter), & zangy alumni. I'd write more, but you probably get the point. If your parents don't have a problem w/ you being in nyc, go for it.

Pratt is very good too, and I'd ...........avoid Syracuse. Being around art students isn't bad There are many types of creatives.

edit - if you're looking at interior design, then perhaps SVA wouldn't be the best place - I'd then say SAIC or Pratt (esp pratt if you're considering arch.)

[COUNTERACT]

Syracuse is known to be really good for interior design...same with Pratt and SVA...

SAIC, it IS a really good school but they're more known for their fine arts more than their design...But you're getting a great scholarship! I'm going to be majoring in Graphic Design, so I don't know if I can be a ton of help but my friend who applied to all the schools you did (she's also going into interior) she's choosing either SVA or Pratt...

Visiting the schools really help, I'm going to visit RISD this weekend before I make my final decision, and you really get the "feel" of the school and what they expect from the students. In terms of reputation I think they are on a similar level, expect SAIC is suppose to be a really good school but their acceptance rate is ridiculously high..

In terms of reputation, all the schools you listed are on a similar level (relatively) and there isn't a huge difference between cost (excluding SAIC). I don't know, I wouldn't really recommend SAIC, I just see TOO many people getting accepted (although their graduate school is a different story) so I would say either Pratt/SVA/ or Syracuse.

Since Syracuse is a university, it would allow opportunities for you to minor in something like business or marketing, since that will help you not only get jobs and function as a designer.

You can go on to the Art Major forum in College Confidential and read the posts about the schools, or ask for people's opinions, most people on their are very helpful. Sorry I wasn't much of a help, but good luck with your decision!

[viedeluxe]

Thanks. Your comments helped me a lot.
It helped narrow my choices a little.

[eeyusunx3]

I think SAIC is suchhhhhhhh an amazing school. it was my number one choice lol and you got such good scholarship. it was the number one school for design in 2005........ plus chicago is a nice city, kinda cold but saic has a great location and nice dorms lolllll i dont know if that helps, but i wish I could go... if not saic i agree with counteract. Syracuse has a really good art program too :]

[daveeran]

Arts Institute of Chicago is awesome!!!! iam attending AI right now altough not in chicago... (family wouldt let me move away.. although close to home!) iam attending the Art Institute of Cincinnati, but hopeing to transfer there in my last quarter.
Did you know after you graduate AI helps you find a job in your field???
Iam a interior design major too!!!!!

I think SAIC is suchhhhhhhh an amazing school. it was my number one choice lol and you got such good scholarship. it was the number one school for design in 2005........ plus chicago is a nice city, kinda cold but saic has a great location and nice dorms lolllll i dont know if that helps, but i wish I could go... if not saic i agree with counteract. Syracuse has a really good art program too :]

Talking about dorms!!!! the school has a hotel!!

[RococoBaby]

I got the 20k for SAIC too, but if you look at their overall tuition + housing, etc. (over 50k) That 20k is really not that much, you'll still have tons of loans to pay for (unless you've got tons of money lol). SAIC is a great school, but I think for interior design I would go for SVA or Pratt. I was told many times too that SAIC is a lot more focused and known for their fine arts and not so much their design now a days, like counteract said. Plus SVA is in the heart of new york city which is an excelent place for interior design majors. & SVA's career program, I hear is also one of the nation's top. So getting a job afterwards will be quite easy (also depending on your talent, of course).

good luck on your decisions!