i'd like to get my masters in my major of choice and become a professor.

"dr. childress"

I didn't want to say anything either. I don't want to be a downer. But I'm of the believer that city schools work just as well as private ones. Paying all this money is crazy.

a lot of financial aid is not based on any type of academic performance, as long as you graduated and are enrolled in an accredited institution. what sucks is that a lot of your aid (at least initially) will be based on your parents income. my advice: one, get in touch with pratt's financial aid office immediatly. two, don't do work study in college. instead wait tables or bartend as close to full time as you can handle. it sucks in certain ways, but by paying 10-15K a year (if you work at a decent place you can swing this) of your tuition while you're in school will lower those nasty loan payments once you graduate. as someone that went insanely into debt for the same reasons, i highly reccomend this option. also, if you do have to take out the big private loans (like me), once you've graduated you can petition to have them changed from the standard 10-15 year payoff to the thirty if you're sufficiently in debt. hopefully you won't be, but if you are there are options...

i'm not going to say i'm rich but i'm not even close to being destitute.

we have a pool in our backyard, a 7 room house, a brand new truck and a brand new corvette (as far as i know) and my dad was just talking about buying a 3,000 dollar television.

i think my parents can afford college. but they just don't want to.
i don't blame them. it's an incredible amount of money.

CHOWGURT. i need you. pratt is a four year school like all others, right? my mom is trying to convince me it's 5 because of how many credits you are required to have per semester, and per year.

yes, yes it is. although i've made some good friends from people who went there who are not hipsters, so they do exist.

thank god.

i'm worried about the corcoran, if i go there.. because everyone i saw during my interview the other day looked so "hip" and i couldn't handle it. can i get someone in a t-shirt and jeans with normal hair?

Honest question. Art school graduates don't have career oppurtunities? I mean is it basically be starving artist and hope some rich dude falls in love with you and gives tons of cash. I just assumed there would be opptunites for people who pay 200 grand to go to school like with Disney or something. I also have no idea how much said job would pay. Honestly if there isn't earning potential then I agree with Cemeterypolka's mom.

Good Luck with the money thing. I was in a similar sitiguation last year when I got accepted into Berklee, which was my top school. Unfortunately it cost 35,000 a year and they didn't give me any money, nor would my parents. Also my dad refused to cosign any loan due to bad experinces he had with them. Now I'm at my last choice school but its only 8,000 a year. Although your parents financial sitguation seems to be better then mine so just bug them until they give in.

probably, but it might take a while. however, this is the case at almost any school you go to. it takes a little while to find your peeps, but if you're patient, it happens.

Congrats! And welcome to the 6- figure debt club!

if you become a professor don't you make like 60 thousand and up?

depending on where you teach..

But you'll have to get your Master's. That's not included in Pratt's 4 Year Program.

going and then regretting the cost for a few years later after you're finished

is better than

not going and regretting it your entire life

Thats the thing about art schools, the only real job they can prepare you for is a job as an art teacher. The world of a professional artist is not easy, my dad went to art school and the only job he has managed to get is teaching art in public schools. He tried to make it in the professional, hes been in art shows though out the southeast and won a couple of awards but that really r=make much money, plus most galleries and shows charge a showing fee. very few people actually manage to squeeze a living out of it.

I think Pratt might be a different story. It's like getting accepted to Parsons, RISD or Art Center. I think she'd have access to a lot more networking at these prestigious schools vs. some state-run liberal arts college. Plus, as shallow as it sounds, the name Pratt conjures up positive images for people who are looking to hire art students.

But with all that said, CP, I think you need to wait and see if you hear from your other options. If your parents aren't willing to pay more than X amount of dollars, then unfortunately, that might have to play into your decision.

DIng



Ding.

I disagree. I've seen so many kids who have gone to NYU, among other schools, and now regret it due to the money they owe, when they could've gone to a city school like Hunter College and owe a few thousand dollars.

I don't know about CP's situation because she's pursuing art so I don't know what city schools would offer that program.

CP, have you looked into the School of Visual Arts?

That is f*ckin wicked, CP!!!!!! I'm so happy for you.

I do agree with those that say to watch out for big loans.
I finished up my MA almost 2 years ago and was paying nearly $200 a month afterwards. It was a pretty heavy burden, especially since I wasn't sure I wanted to continue in that field (which would have allowed me to pay it off) and was working at a record store. In the end I inherited some money and was able to pay it off... I also ended up working in my field and making a decent wage. I was really really lucky.

In the end it made me seriously re-think higher education and how it works. At the time I should have tried harder to get scholarships.

I'd say give yourself a HUGE pat on the back for getting in. I'm so happy for you. ...But then spend the time you need to make sure you've explored all your options: e.g. grants, scholarships, and your second-choice schools who might cost less. Just know what your options are, then make a decision.

Good luck and congrats!!!!

I would say probably so, in most parts of the north. I make about 35K/year as a high school teacher in Louisiana, and we're near the bottom in teacher salaries. Do what mr. mister and Daystar said and get yourself busy researching grants, etc. Yes, most are based on household income, but you have to dig. You really have to weigh how much this school is really going to mean to you in the long run. My wife and I just finished paying off her loans from school. It took us about 15 yrs. Don't kill your dream, but be realistic, too. yeah, it's a paradox. Welcome to life.

Oh....there's always Canada... (it's cheaper)

tee hee

Firstly, I should say congrats. I'm sure you are in exclusive company.

However, I agree completely with Jewelz. I know people with Masters in other areas other than art that got $100k in student loans that have trouble paying them back. Cemetary, you're looking at probably $1k+ a month payments when you get out of school. Granted you can defer them if you're annual income can't sustain the payments.
Art is an amazing thing, but unless you are the next Chuck Close, $200k on school seems insane. Doctors/Lawyers/MBAs can take on those huge financial aid plans because they know they can pay them back with what they make starting out. Art is a little different.
What Pratt doesn't tell you is that most of their students are probably trust-fund babies that never have to worry about student loans. Your parents may have a point. Even if you choose to support yourself, please consider the big picture. I think maybe the old adage "Be Careful What You Wish For" may be applicable here.

Honestly, you need to be careful not to saddle yourself with too much debt if it doesn't make financial sense for the future. Be sure that 4 years of Pratt is worth 15-30 years of pinching pennies. It is easy to say that you will simply 'pay $600-700 / month' for next umpteen years, but when you get that bill and the dollars aren't there it is gonna be tough.

really? Sounds more like they are willing to support a portion of college, but do not want to mortgage the house with a $50,000 annual tuition. Thye told you they will not support your college under any terms?

also, interest free loans here now