Boonie U Vs. Top ranked school?

[brown06]

When given the choice between being top pick at a smaller unknown school with tons of personal attention and $$$, or being 1 of the many at a larger top ranked school, what are thoughts on this?

[brown06]

Aww thanks Mick that was so nice and very helpful. I am definitely torn on location, I love faculty at both, im not sure about $$$ yet. I am getting very enthralled with the idea of being sought after for who i currently am as an artist but is that the best thing for my work and my future? idk....

[michaelwebster]

It depends. The school might look expensive at first, but over your career the difference can easily be made up if you play our cards right. I know people can win fellowships at any school, but the 10 people graduating from my program last year made about 50k between them in exiting awards/fellowships (like the Joan Mitchell Award) and that was before graduation. The networking possibilites here are also insane, leading to many good exhibitions and residencies straight out of school.

All of this is possible anywhere, but its just a lot easier at a well-known school.

That doesn't mean that its right for everyone. I nearly tore my hair out deciding between SAIC and UNC, because I am not really that into gallery exhibitions and brown-nosing, but its still been worth it for me for a variety of reasons.

Also, about the "torn down and built back up", I have seen it the other way around. It's the little, less renown schools that want to remodel their students completely, based on the handful of schools I know well.

Not that my school doesn't have issues, but the money question is not the most important one if you are career-driven. Teaching opportunties is a big one, as Mick said, if you plan to teach.

Edited February 25, 2012 by michaelwebster

[brown06]

Good points, would you say you were right about SAIC being into brown-nosing like you thought it might? Potential for grants and residencies and gallery representation is a big concern for me, 2nd only to swallowing insane debt.

I guess its hard for me to grasp the full differences in opportunities, focus, instruction, and culture looking from the outside in.

[LovelyPainter]

I think one could argue that at a top program you are going to have direct contacts and the "right" contacts where as in a less known program you may have to work to get those same benefits or contacts. Unfortunately like any industry it is about who you know. Now where is the best place to be to get to the people you'd like to know….. that is for you to figure out.

Cheers

[losemygrip]

Go for the money. I did, and have never regretted it.

[Fool4nine]

How important do you all think the prestige or rank of a school is to later getting a university teaching position? I mean, isn't it more about your portfolio (like applying to grad school is) and your exhibition record rather than your diploma? Would it be a mistake to pass up a much higher ranked school for a school that feels like a better fit or offers more funds?

I've heard it said that one usually doesn't get a teaching position as a school that is considered more prestigious than the school you attended. Do you think this is true or an urban legend?

[michaelwebster]

I've heard it said that one usually doesn't get a teaching position as a school that is considered more prestigious than the school you attended. Do you think this is true or an urban legend?

From what I have seen this is mostly true. Your exhibition record and portfolio is more important, but it also seems highly unlikely for someone to go to Boonie U. and teach at a highly ranked school later.

The "who you know" can make a big difference if your willing to take advantage of it. Also, the MFAH Core Program or Whitney ISP is only really possible if you go to a top ranked school too.

More importantly is the actual difference in education. While I do not know for sure how I would have developed at another school, I really feel that my education has been much more nuanced than I would have had at another place. I think this in itself has been worth it. Of course in 9 months I will start my $300-something a month payments, but I knew what I was getting myself into. Its really just about your drive and goals, and what you want from education.

[brown06]

Hmm so even with a great exhibition record my choice of a lesser known school could limit my teaching profession? I am looking for an education, the best one for me. The question is would that be lots of attention in a tiny unknown program in the middle of nowhere while I get to teach upper level courses, or at a busier and larger well known school with high standards? the plot thickens..

[sympatico]

It totally depends what your goals are.