lacultpop

So I got into two schools for a PhD in Visual Communication in London, England (London College of Communication and Royal College of Art). After two weeks of trying to make a decision mostly based on the huge difference in tuition prices, I chose to go with RCA and sent in my papers. The next day (which was the deadline to give RCA a decision), I received an email from my initial top choice Goldsmiths for an interview. Now I know that an interview doesn't mean you're in, but say I get into Goldsmiths, do I take it over RCA? Both are reputable schools and the tuition difference is another 20,000$. If I choose RCA, I don't think I can secure the funds in time and would have to defer for a year to apply for scholarships. Help?!

Sigh, if my choices were so easy. School A seems like a given. I am having the same dilemma and I can't decide. One is my top choice, awesome program but in a shitty location, the other is in an awesome location, great program (not my top) but I know because of the location I have lots of opportunities. Both programs are very different, both provided funding, although my top choice gave me less than the other, and the other thing is time. Top choice's program is 1 year, the other is two. Top choice is inaugural year, choice 2 is established. Top choice has interviewed me, been in constant touch and really wants me. Choice 2 just sent me a package. Although it looks like I'm leaning towards choice 1 because it is my top choice, I can't help but think of the city I'd be turning down with choice 2. I'm going to go visit the campuses and attempt to decide. I'm also eagerly waiting for packages from other schools.

Fido's got a pretty decent plan going on right now. More modern places around that area would be Yonge and Eglington, although it may be higher than your price range. Roncesvalles is a cool neighbourhood - older homes but pretty far out. Ryerson is at Dundas Subway Station basically so it's convenient if you live near a Subway stop. Around the campus, you can find some housing, not sure about pricing though. Modern, new condos you have to look at "Condoville" which is like a stretch near Union Station to like a bit past Spadina. But they are quite expensive.

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa - I grew up in the city. It's one of those places that you can't really fall in love with unless you've grown up there and it's kind of boring, but that depends where you're from too. U of O is located downtown close to the market and the Rideau Centre so it's quite convenient and the campus, despite having rarely any greenery, isn't bad. It has a lot of students and a major university vibe and there's always something going on (especially with the Telfer School of Management Kids and the Communications Students Association). In terms of going out, Ottawa's nightlife is meh. I used to venture out to Bank Street to Babylon and Barrymore's. Sometimes for shows, sometimes for Mod Night. There's also Zaphod's (although I heard lately it's been pretty awful), the Manx on Elgin and The Dominion. You should avoid the market clubs at all costs, unless you like guys with spiky hair, white shoes, and too much testosterone. Centretown is a nice neighbourhood. Ottawa has loads of coffee shops - try Bridgehead, everything they serve is fantastic. Other ones of note: Wellington West Village is really up and coming, lots of theatre, nice shops, walkable (unlike most of Ottawa). Preston (Little Italy) is also great. Sussex Drive is nice for a walk and there's some nice shopping there. Stop by the courtyard and go to my favourite cafe in the entire city "Planet Coffee". It's well known, kind of hidden, nice patio, but the bad part is they have no internet. Go for the vibe not the coffee. If you're looking for some shopping, there's a few shops down Dalhousie Street. The area is still in the midst of gentrification but you may find some great pieces by some Canadian and other intl designers at Victoire Boutique. The one great thing about Ottawa is galleries - there are tons of them. The National Art Gallery, Cube Gallery, Gallery 101, SPAO, there are so many out there and sometimes you have to dig to find them but that's part of the fun Another great thing about Ottawa is food: Le Cordon Bleu school ups the standards of the place, and chefs here are wonderful. I know you're a student but if you'd like to indulge once in awhile, head over to Beckta, Domus, Wellington Gastro Pub, Absinthe Cafe, and Black Cat Bistro. These places are fantastic! Ottawa has a large population of Lebanese and so the shawarma is considered to be the top in Canada (I can attest to this, I've tried it almost everywhere!). There's one place that you MUST visit. It's known in the city as the best place. It's known across Canada actually, it's called SHAWARMA PALACE, on the corner of Rideau and Chapel. Everything on the menu is awesome and well priced for the amount of food you get. In the summer, stop at Piccolo Grande in the Market for some gelato. Make sure to go watch a movie at the Bytowne. Think that's my list. One thing I loved about growing up in Ottawa is the ability to be bilingual. It is truly the only city in Canada where you'll hear the same amount of English as French. Ottawa is really a beautiful city scenery wise. It's great for cycling, has tons of parks and greenery and festivals in the summer. But you really have to go out and discover for yourself. Hope that helps!!

I received an acceptance (with a scholarship) to the Master of Arts in Social Design at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). It is the program's inaugural year and I was really excited to get in - the program looks amazing. A few days later, I receive an acceptance to the New School for an MA in Media Studies, which is also an awesome program. New School also gave me a scholarship. Now I am torn - MICA's program is one year and really tempting but the New School is in NYC and to have the opportunity to live there, even though it is very costly, is equally as tempting. Friends aren't helping - they think of NYC, not of programs, and I need some advice on this...so, help?? I'm also waiting to hear from a few more schools, including Pratt.

Hi Anastasya, I'm also interested in applying to the MA in Media Studies at the New School for Fall 2011. Any tips for the statement of purpose? thanks!

Hello, I am in the midst of applying for a Masters in Journalism. The statement of purpose has specific questions and one is to provide a brief overview of a project I would be interested in pursuing if accepted to the program. Currently, I am working on launching a specifically targeted magazine and was wondering if it is okay to propose working on something that is already in the process and to mention that it is so in the statement? I think I would be able to better achieve to achieve this project research by pursuing a Masters in Journalism. Would love some insight!