bhavika.aggarwal
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Posts posted by bhavika.aggarwal
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Hey,
I was in the same situation - same $30k scholarship offer too. I just paid my SVA deposit - they're different programmes, buy the course and faculty at SVA seemed much better. I also emailed some students and spoke to a lot of people and no one really really recommended Pratt. Maybe it was pretty stupid to choose the more expensive option (by $20k) but I feel happier with the choice. Will go with SVA unless I get an external scholarship to RCA.
Hi you guys,
I need some advice!
I've applied to SVA and Pratt , and after the interviews and some additional research, I felt confident that SVA was the right choice for me,
but only hours after I paid the enrollment fee...... I get a letter from pratt offering me a $30 000 scholarship (divided over the two years)
And now I feel really conflicted... Feels really stupid turning down that offer, but at the same time my gut feeling is leaning towards SVA...
Anyone have any input? knows about these different programs? (SVA FIne Arts vs Pratt Fine arts(new forms)
All input is appreciated!
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I'd say go for Aalto! No tuition must mean a whole lot money difference.
Hi,
Can anybody tell what to choose from VCU MFA visual communication and MA graphic design in Aalto University (University of art and design finland). Currently I am waitlist #1 in VCU and they want to know do i want to continue with the application. Aalto doesn't have tuition fees and is in finland so I am a little more inclined toward Aalto (but not sure about the reputation of the university since it is less known).
Please let me know your opinion.
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Wow, that's an intense discussion. I think there should be no room for rudeness / snarkyness here!
@advicefortheywhoneedit: The discussion on the worth or value of an expensive MFA degree can have no end. Clearly you believe that its absolute financial suicide - which I agree with, to some extent. But remember: your opinion is yours alone, and your advice is not just for those who need it, but those who want it too. Not to say you can't share it, but maybe not so aggressively? Honestly, what you wrote is nothing new - most of us are aware of this unfortunate reality - so a gentle reminder would have gone down much better than a you-idiotic-people-are-so-stupid rant.
I agree totally with @klp. I probably won't go to Yale, or to RCA, but just knowing I got in is a great feeling. As an international student, I obviously don't want to spend a little less to go to a more local school when it's already such an investment for me to go outside to study. Honestly, reputation matters, especially when you're moving out of your comfort zone. And hope lives eternal - as long as there's the slightest chance to get some funding why won't you try? You might have a problem with the inherent "value" of an expensive degree, but there's no denying that they do offer better infrastructure and faculty and exposure (in most cases) and definitely increase (initially at least) your own sense of self-worth. You know, a bit like Apple vs everything else
cheers!
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Yes, I will let the forum know my final decision! Whenever I pay the deposit
Yesterday I also declined my offer from Yale, so someone on the waitlist might have a chance.You can see her work here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anugraha/595580513786205
Sorry, the end parenthesis got hyperlinked as well!
No worries! I actually went to visit some friends there at the RCA the other day and actually something I didn't say – the campus is amazing. Bit OTT on the health and safety but we managed to sit on the balcony overlooking Hyde Park (for 15 min before getting kicked out), and the cafe looks over the garden and Royal Albert Hall. Pretty amazing and the atmosphere with the students follows.
Let us know what you decide. I'd be curious to know about SVA (or Pratt) if you end up going – for next year application!
Good luck!
R
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Happyland, klp, ros - and everyone else - thank you so much for your advice!
klp - I plan to head back home and practice in Delhi, so I'm looking for an incredible environment, and great faculty for the experience of being in their compass rather than for networking per se. I am though very interested in summer internships - but that might be difficult as an international student anyway (no work visa).
ros - thanks for the very detailed RCA review! This was incredible helpful, and sort of corroborated my understanding - that RCA might be too conceptual and not so grounded / practical. That's my worst fear - to be in some kind of bull-shitting environment where everything is very "high-brow" and not applicable in the real world outside of the institute (which is why I've sort of moved away from Pratt too). However, I absolutely love their focus on historical and critical studies, and research / writing as a basis for studio practice. The RCA graduate I mentioned earlier, she has an amazing practice in Mumbai and she says she's applying everything she learnt at RCA, so obviously the final experience is very different for everyone. (If you want to see her work: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anugraha/595580513786205)
Both SVA and RCA are incredible. I'd rather be in London, and I think that the student environment at RCA is much better, but the programme structure at SVA is more appealing. I've decided on SVA (as of now, two more weeks to deadline, so you never know) but since the probability of an external scholarship is much higher with RCA I'll fill in those applications too. Let's see where it takes me.
Thanks again!
Okay, just a note before this, I'm not at the RCA, this is only from friends who have been there or are there at the moment. ALSO – reading back, this is definitely marred by my locality to the college, having did my undergrad here, living here, having a LOT of friends who went/are there. It's really just not for me. Though this is what friends have said.
I think klp is right though – it's a good place to ask: where do you want to be when it's over? (and can you stay there afterwards?) I can firmly say that London is an amazing place to be, the opportunities, resources, people, possibilities... And I get the feeling that that's what the RCA is good for: the environment. That the students make the course, and the students are amongst the best. A lot of international students making an interesting environment. You'll meet people and start things and get a reputation that I think will definitely help in the future. This sounds like of lame, but actually, I think about all of the opportunities I've had and they've been directly from the University I was at, affiliates of that, friends and communities made... It could be a very wise tactical move.
I think though (some) of my friends find the lack of criticality frustrating, one in particular who has spoken about the real reluctance to address any facet of feminism or sexism there. Often she finds an imbalance and no real desire to question it. That the majority of the faculty are of a very particular perspective (read: a lot of old white guys) and have also been there for a long time. (So apparently someone like Teal Triggs, it SOUNDS good, but she doesn't really DO anything. Like, I think some people are actually confused about what her job is!) And talking to another friend who graduated a few years previous, she said the same thing. Her example was that one person had been doing the same work for two years and at the end of the two years everyone was still congratulating him and in no way interrogating what it was or why it was that he was doing. He went on to work at the RCA. Though I think that's why you see things like Department 21 (http://www.department21.net/). Maybe that's a good thing in a way, it really prompts people to ask what they are doing and react against it. And I don't think that's something across all departments – another friend is on the critical writing course and says it's amazing.
Then another thing I've heard is the first year you take 2 (?) electives, but then the year after that you're pretty much left alone. I think that can work for people, but can also feel a bit limitless (in a bad way).
Though – most or all of my friends who went there or are there did/do think it was an amazing place! That's something that I can never really get based on conversations, but I think that the environment is very special somehow, and they're all working really hard, learning, challenging themselves – having a great time!
I hope I'm not throwing you off, but maybe good to have another perspective... I hope it's in some way useful. Let me know if I can help / elaborate. Maybe you should just email some people who are there right now also?
R
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Thanks klp and Designgeek
Just to clarify: I emailed the department asking for a status update, and then heard back from them about the informal offer. So if anyone out here is curious, do send them an enquiry email!
Hey Designgeek & bhavika.aggarwal
Congrats on your offer, bhavika.aggarwal !
I got an offer via email (same wording as bhavika.aggarwal received), last Friday 21st -- I applied for Fine Art (Printmaking).
Designgeek, I'm certain that the different schools are replying at different times. Especially as there was a full week between my offer and bhavika.aggarwal's. Best of luck!
Thanks ros - I didn't come across this thread earlier so this is a great resource! From what I've read here (as well as elsewhere) Pratt doesn't seem to be as well regarded as SVA - and now I do need to choose between SVA, Pratt and RCA (which is even more crazy expensive). I know someone who did the MA Visual Communication at RCA and absolutely LOVED it, and highly recommends it. She says there's a very good focus on the critical and historical bits, and they're always encouraging you to experiment and do new things - I was concerned as a self-directed designer of floundering a bit but she assured me that everyone who comes in does something new which they don't have prior experience in. I would love to hear your take on the program / institute! Thanks
Hi!
I really don't know anything about SVA or Pratt (I'm from the UK, could help a bit with the RCA though!?), but – and you've probably seen this – I just saw this thread from last year, which could help?
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Just heard back on my enquiry: I'm being offered a place at RCA!
The email says: I am very pleased to tell you that we are offering you a place on the MA in Visual Communication starting in September 2014. Please note that the offer is subject to approval by the Academic Board. The College will send out formal offer letters on 16 April 2014 once all the College interviews have been completed and the Academic Board has confirmed the results. Until then please consider this a firm offer from the Programme, subject to appropriate terms and conditions which will be explained in the formal offer letter.
Hey thanks for responding!
One of my friends got in for Painting but thats the only department I've heard sending out responses so far...April 16th is so far away and March is quickly turning into the longest month ever..
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I sent them an email enquiring about my status earlier this week but haven't heard back.
However, I got another email from the admin to notify me of a scholarship opportunity (not to imply at all of my chances) which said: Your official results letter will be emailed and sent to you on 16 April 2014, after the meeting of the Academic Board which confirms the results.
Hi everyone, Long time lurker here! just wondering if anyone has heard anything from The Royal College of Art? I thought I would have heard back by now and I'm starting to get a little worried..
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Does anyone have advice on SVA vs Pratt for an international student who can't visit? Thanks!
Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances, and best of luck for the decision making! I was actually hoping for some advice on my choices.
I've decided to forego Yale - the major factor for me is the three years - in terms of expense definitely but also just time. I've spent five years at architecture school already.
I have offers from MFA Design at SVA, and MFA Communications Design at Pratt. While SVA is much more structured than Pratt (I am interested in cross-disciplinary learning so this is something we spoke of during my interviews) - Pratt allows its students to take electives from across the college. Pratt also has a great focus on design as an agent of social change (which I guess the MFA Design for Social Innovation at SVA must offer). On the other hand, the faculty at SVA have been published a lot more - they're always talking about design and society in interesting ways, and their seminars and lecture series seem much, much more exciting. In terms of intellectual content (not the end product or skill development) I suspect (purely from the program websites and faculty profiles) that SVA might have an edge. However, with funding, Pratt is cheaper by about 10k a year. Since I can't visit, I have no idea on the students and environment. Am I judging the two institutes correctly? Even if SVA is better, should I just go with the funding?
Many thanks!
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I was notified of my MFA acceptance at Pratt by email on March 11. If you haven't heard, maybe you're on the waitlist? Offer holders have till May 1 to secure their place.
Has anyone heard something from CCA Design and Pratt Communication programs?
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Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances, and best of luck for the decision making! I was actually hoping for some advice on my choices.
I've decided to forego Yale - the major factor for me is the three years - in terms of expense definitely but also just time. I've spent five years at architecture school already. Plus, the extra year is just very very hard to sell to my parents, and ultimately they're the ones who're funding this.
I have offers from MFA Design at SVA, and MFA Communications Design at Pratt. While SVA is much more structured than Pratt (I am interested in cross-disciplinary learning so this is something we spoke of during my interviews) - Pratt allows its students to take electives from across the college. Pratt also has a great focus on design as an agent of social change (which I guess the MFA Design for Social Innovation at SVA must offer). On the other hand, the faculty at SVA have been published a lot more - they're always talking about design and society in interesting ways, and their seminars and lecture series seem much, much more exciting. In terms of intellectual content (not the end product or skill development) I suspect (purely from the program websites and faculty profiles) that SVA might have an edge. However, with funding, Pratt is cheaper by about 10k a year, or about 20% of the total cost - which is quite a bit of money if I convert it to INR. Since I can't visit, I have no idea on the students and environment. Am I judging the two institutes correctly? Even if SVA is better, should I just go with the funding?
Many thanks!
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Thanks!
Everything is still way way too expensive. Even with the scholarship Pratt (with full tuition + fees close to 95k) is absofrickinlutely crazy. The three year at Yale ($108k) is so much more affordable. Never thought that Pratt (or SVA) would be more expensive than Yale, with it's brilliant list of faculty and reputation.
congratulations, it seemed like you were going to get a few options.
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Just got an email from SVA: offer for the MFA Design
Now to decide! Deadline to deposit is again April 15. -
Thanks! So excited
Congrats on the Yale acceptance!
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I got accepted to the three year programme at Yale! Checked my status online, no email yet. I have time till April 15 to respond, so I'm really now waiting to hear back from the other schools. But getting an offer from Yale is unbelievable - I've always been very self critical so it's a crazy amount of validation.
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Congratulations to everyone getting acceptances! The end is in sight
JoJoYang, how did your committee interview go? Curious about the panel - my other experience, at Yale, wasn't exactly the best.
I had my first Pratt interview yesterday and it was pretty much how you described. We actually ended up discussing the political situation in India!
My interview was through Skype
I had an interview with Pratt on Feb 13th, and am invited for a second interview for March 7th.
The interview was pretty casual, I had it with one of their associate professor. He asked me what I did after I graduated, how long I worked, what I did, why I want to go back to grad school, why I want to go to Pratt, told me a little about the program, and asked me how I can contribute to their program.
Depending how you answer your questions, it might lead to a completely different set of questions, so, I think all you need to do to prepare is to be yourself. One of my friend reminded me yesterday, that not only they are learning about you, you are learning about them too. This is a chance for you to ask some questions. The worst thing is at the end when they ask you if you have any questions, and you go "ermm......nope".
Think of something you would like to know about the program, and see if Pratt is a good fit for YOU, not only if you are a good fit for THEM.
I'm a bit more nervous about the committee interview, there will be 4~5 professors, and students are invited to sit in as well. my nerves
Anyone has any experience interviewing with a panel?
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Hey Bhavika! Yeah, I think there are some threads about the graphic design interview in the forum. I had my interview yesterday, and I'm in India so it was later in the night for me (giving me a lot of time to freak out). My advice would be to try as hard as possible to not get too anxious because the interviews so far (mine and whatever I gleaned from older threads) are not so much a series of fixed/predictable questions (other than knowing your influences in contemporary art/design) but more about you talking about your work and the faculty asking questions based on your answer, making the conversation go further. It would help to know where your work falls in realm of current art/design, influences, subjects you think about, going over things/topics related to your work that make you uncomfortable, why they do that, how you'll address them without sounding defensive...I think that's the worst thing, to sound too defensive...things like that. Good luck!!
Thanks Lola! Yeah, I slept off too, waiting for my 3am interview - bad idea, since I woke up yawning and with bed hair.
Maybe it was because I wasn't fully awake, but I'm pretty sure I messed up. I think I was repetitive, and very blah overall. Oh well.
They were concerned that much of the work I had sent in (the hard copies) was group/ collaborative work - and they couldn't understand my skill set fully. I understand, but much of the work I've done is collaborative, and I actually consider that to be a very strong skill (I wish I had described it this way then!
) Anyways, we mostly had a discussion on the work I'd sent in. I answered some questions on bridging from architecture to graphic design, and they explained a bit about the preliminary year. Near the end they did have some good things to say, but honestly I don't hold out much hope.Two down, two more to go!
edit: Just had the second half of my interview, with current students of the MFA. It went much, much better. I'm more awake and articulate
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Call them! It seems like some kinda glitch on their part.
Thanks kafralal, I did that - turns out they weren't getting any of my emails!
Hope to resolve this now - and have my interview!
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Does anyone has any idea what do they ask in interview for Graphic design in Yale
Anyone? Interview in 6 hours!
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The weirdest and most disturbing stuff has been happening regarding my Pratt application!
An assistant professor at the Pratt MFA Communications Design programme contacted me (via email on February 13) for a Skype interview, with several scheduling options. I replied the same day, choosing to schedule the interview on February 24, 2pm - 3.30pm EST. However, I didn't get a confirmation, and so sent an email on February 18, and another one on February 24.I haven't heard back from Pratt, and I'm very concerned about the interview. Sent them another email today.I don't know what to make of this - the interview didn't happen yesterday. Will my interview be rescheduled?More importantly, why haven't I heard back from Pratt?Does anyone have any idea about this / similar experiences? -
I just had my Skype interview with the co-chair of the MFA Design program at SVA! And halfway through the skype call, I developed this random tick and kept shaking my leg! Thank god it was hidden under the table. I think I realized and stopped what I was doing only a good 5 minutes after. God. The nervousness.
It was like a conversation, though - no grilling involved. Lita was really friendly, and she kept smiling
She asked me about my reasons for applying, the kind of practice I want to be in, my strengths and weaknesses as a designer, my ideas for the final thesis (basically my interests at this point), as well as what I believe I would contribute to the small class of 20. It was a good 40 minutes, and she gave me a lot of background about the course/ curriculum. She told me that SVA receives over 250 applications, and since they're choosing only 20, its really important for them to make sure that they believe in the student and his/her potential. So, of course, the interview is really important. She was also taking notes intermittently.SVA lets applicants know by early April. That's over a month of waiting - aaaaaaaaah.
Phew, one down, three more to go. Oh well, if nothing else I guess I'll be better prepared for the following interviews - though from what I read here, no two are alike.
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Hi Hi.
In terms of my own experience, I would say that the course work is mainly independently directed and that the bond between students is the core element of the school. If you are looking for a lot of engagement, while I can't speak for the program in specific that you are applying to, I would suggest looking elsewhere than Glasgow.
I hope this was somewhat helpful. I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining a practice post-degree in the location you choose to study. This will be a problem from international students, as was my experience.
Thank you! It's great to get some first hand accounts. To be honest, I am keen to get back home and practice here, which is where I see myself in the long term. But maybe graduate school will change my mind!
marzipanned and JoJoYang, thanks for letting me know! I've sent GSA an email, waiting to hear back.
I have my first interview tomorrow! An approximately hour long one with the co-chair of MFA Design at SVA. They said that I don't need to prepare for it at all, and that she would have already seen my work, so no need to have some of that ready. Very, very nervous - especially about being on the spot for 60 minutes!
Going through all the interview tips now
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Hi JoJoYang.
Yes, I was an international student. I graduated from the BA (Hons) Fine Art in Sculpture and Environmental Art--the UK's equivalent to a BFA.
I don't have experience studying Communication Design, however, I did have friends in that department. From what I gather, it was more service industry and less technical.
Glasgow as a city is an amazing place to be an artist, however, in all honestly, I am not sure I would recommend studying design there. Something to consider--perhaps as a designer--is the likelihood of job placement post-degree. I know a lot of designers eventually moved down to London, because the jobs are not there. And yet, the art community is small, growing and quite strong. Glasgow has an incredible energy for production, however, the departments are stretched because of finances.
MFA Fine Art applicants, I really recommend looking further into your resources as students, faculty involvement etc.
Yes, I had less student debt than if I were to get the same degree in the US (I received a US BA degree prior to), however, my access to things as a student felt compromised. Glasgow's strength lies in its DIY scene and its reputation which it has maintained despite some strain. You really have to be quite strategic in order to figure out how to stay, visa wise, post degree. The loss of community in the inevitable return stateside, perhaps, is the biggest compromise you make as a US citizen studying abroad.
Hi things_x2,
Great to hear from someone who studied at GSA! Like JoJoYang, I've also been very curious about their M.Des. Communication Design programme. I just got an acceptance yesterday!
I understand that you were in a different programme, but what did you think about the course work in general, and student satisfaction and growth? For me this is really the most important aspect.
JoJoYang - were you asked to respond (decline / accept + pay deposit) within two weeks of receiving your offer? I feel that this is really too little time, especially when I'm looking at funding options and also considering other programmes.
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Haha, no worries, I trust your observations
I declined my offer long ago. The deadline was April 15, I think.
Best of luck!