emeryshores

Where did you decide to go?

Did you read this ddsdevil? This is probably a better source of info than what I could give. Just FYI.

Sorry to hear about SCAD. I visited Columbia for an open house last fall and decided then and there that it was a done deal. I was accepted in March and I can't wait to go this fall!

Well as a native of NC, I'm going to be a little biased towards encouraging someone to stay in my beautiful home state. SCAD will definitely have connections with what's going on in GA. UNCG does have a program and I've heard excellent things about it. If I were choosing between the two I would probably pick UNCG. It's a great school and it's under the umbrella of a nationally renowned university system. Also, UNCG is located in an area rich in history (unfortunately, maybe not as tourist-centric as Savannah) and the benefits of living inside the research triangle cannot be overlooked. Take a look through the faculty pages on each program's website and see where the faculty have received their training. Are you guys residents of NC by now or are you still GA residents? I'm asking because if she's an NC resident and attending UNCG she may come out much cheaper in terms of funding. SCAD is very very expensive and I worry that the benefits of attending the program may not outweigh the cost or debt load required for attendance. I'd say attending UNCG, she'll come out with more money in her pocket and a more academically sound education. BUT, if your goal is to get back to GA then it may make more sense that she receive her training in the area where she plans to work. Ultimately, it's a decision your wife will have to make. I'd strongly encourage her to visit both programs and talk to the faculty and students. Ask the faculty what makes their program so special! I don't want to say anything publicly that is just hearsay. I've never visited or been enrolled in the SCAD program so it's not fair for me to just spout off rumors.

+1

Also, any HP program at the Ivy League level is going to have a lot of international connections and more than likely will be situated in a "very culturally stimulating place." Check all of them out.

I wouldn't worry about the acceptance rate at SCAD. You wife would technically be receiving a Master of Arts from an Arts school so it is technically an art based program. She should get in contact with someone in the admissions department and they will essentially walk her through the entire process. But, I will warn you that once you give them your mailing address, the emails and physical mail will keep coming. Unfortunately, I've heard more bad things about the program than good. Most of the professionals I encountered in the preservation field over the last few years encouraged me to look elsewhere. Apparently they've had a hard time keeping faculty there. I met an admissions person from SCAD at a Preservation Conference a couple of years ago and they gave me a card with a coupon code to waive the application fee. That was the first red flag for me. If online training is her only absolute option then I would say that she should go for SCAD. However, if she is able to physically attend a program I would definitely look elsewhere. Here is a GREAT resource as to what's out there. It's a database of programs that grants degrees in Historic Preservation: http://www.preserven...u/edu/ncpe.html Sorry if these ideas are choppy. I don't want to flood you with information.

I'm applying this year. Whatever happened? Did you get in?