SCAD MFA vs. SAIC Post-Bacc

[captn]

After a long, hard run of being denied entrance to almost all of the schools that I applied for, I got accepted to both SAIC's Post-Bacc program and SCAD's MFA program. SAIC is offering me $20,000 (including work study) and SCAD is offering me a $24,000 fellowship. As far as the money goes, if I go to SAIC and then grad school it's going to put me about $100,000 in debt. If I go to SCAD, I'll finish with about $50,000 in debt.

I know that SAIC is a better school, and will offer me better opportunities, not to mention that Chicago has a better art scene, better museums, etc. But I won't be getting an MFA, and won't have any guarantee that when I finish the Post-Bacc program that I'll get into an MFA program.

SCAD is a guaranteed MFA, and at half the cost. But in talking to the Dean today, I felt like I would be an outsider in my program, since I utilize digital processes in my paintings, and it doesn't seem like I'll have access to the right facilities or the same amount of support as I would get at SAIC. Savannah is hours away from any real area of influence.

If money wasn't involved, I would go to SAIC, hands down. But since it is, I have to decide between the two. If anyone has any experience with either of those schools, or advice on where I should go, I would really appreciate it.

[leee]

When I was looking at SCAD's MFA program I had similar concerns about support. All I could find for painting was a low-residency program and I did not want that experience. I think at SAIC you have a more cohesive, group element with your peers. Where at SCAD, and I may be mistaken...It may be more like you and your mentor. Unless there is an option that isn't low-res. I understand your concerns about the post-bac not leading to acceptance into the MFA program. But these are some risks one may just have to make. Go where you are really pumped about going and your energy will help your work.

[bond]

Even I'm having the same dilemma. I wasn't accepted for the MFA prgram at SAIC, instead they gave me a Bachelor's degree offer with 48 credits waived off (as I already have a bachelor degree in civil engg) with 3000$ scholarship. Considering the fact that I'm an international student my tution+other expenses would be really high. thinking of applying to SCAD for the MFA.... Not so sure about it, (considering the Art scene in chicago vs art scene in Savanah or atlanta, saic wins the race). I'm more inclined towards SAIC but cost is keeping me off the waters...

[michaelwebster]

There is also a huge difference between SCAD and SAIC in quality, as SCAD is not known for their MFA program at all. Since all private art schools are expensive, I would not advise to go to SCAD ever (regardless of how much scholarship you get), I would wait another year and reapply to more schools, or do the SAIC post-bac and reapply to more schools. You could easily get a lot more money at a state school that has a better program than SCAD.

[tbrace]

I was a post-bacc this year at SAIC and it helped me improve upon my practice in so many ways. If you were excepted into post-bacc painting, it is very competitive when you reapply for the MFA program at SAIC because they only except a certain number of post-baccs back into the program, BUT it also makes you more competitive for other programs. It is a more expensive option, but I wouldn't change the path i've taken at all. Being a post-bacc at SAIC basically gives you a 3 yr MFA program.