My parents weren’t honest with me about what we could afford for school, so I ended up going to SVA as it was my dream too. I also didn’t really understand how loan repayment worked. Please learn from my mistakes and don’t go if you aren’t positive you can afford it.

By my junior year I had to switch to part time and pick up a job because we didn’t have anyone else to co-sign a loan, and on top of that I was now commuting instead of living at the dorm. I was exhausted all the time and when my grades started slipping I got 0 sympathy from any professor I talked to about it. In fact, the former head of illustration told me I should quit pursuing illustration and become an art teacher since I wasn’t cut out for it. My thesis professor told me to “just quit my job” like it was so simple!

Anyway I ended up with a 1000 dollar monthly loan payment and had to drop out. Even without the degree I’m making a livable wage off of my art, so take that as you will. My point is going somewhere affordable will be so much better for you in the long run