phd program in (Atlanta, Albany: car insurance, loans, how much)

[skip2000]

I am a filmmaking student, looking for a technical/practical phd program in media design. I have been considering Georgia Tech, UCSB, North Carolina Central University or Rensselaer Polytechnique Institue.
Anyone has experience with any of these schools?
How competitive is it to get into one of these schools? I am planning to earn my master degree with a 4.00.

[ss20ts]

I actually live in upstate NY about 15 minutes from RPI. RPI is NOT easy to get into and it's REALLY expensive. Last time I checked, it was well over $30K a year.

If you're from the South, can you deal with the cold, snow, and ice? It's something to SERIOUSLY think about. It's about 10 degrees as I type this and we have had a few feet of snow already. We have had a few ice storms also. Some areas were without power for a week because of it.

Have you ever driven in snow? Things here do not close down like they do in NC when we get weather. We go on with life otherwise we would be huddled in our homes from November through April.

Things cost more here including car insurance, DMV fees, rent, food, gas, etc. And I mean A LOT more. I have a cousin who rents a house in NC for $600 a month and a similiar house here is $1250. My grandmother's house rents for that much and it's VERY similar to what my cousin in NC rents. Last time I was in Charlotte (in May), gas was over 20 cents a gallon cheaper than here. Utilies are a boatload higher here. Heat alone in the winter can break your bank.

Have you ever visited this area? If you are considering going to RPI, you HAVE to check out the area. There's several areas around and near the college that are not what I would call great enighborhoods. There's some streets where I wouldn't let my dog walk alone.

Are you looking for a nightlife? We are NOT Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, etc. The capitol of NY is Albany and people around the country including here call it Smallbany for a reason!

Where do you want to go in your career? How will each of those schools get you there?

[skip2000]

Just need a serious program in Media Design that I will complete in 3 years, provided I can get a Teaching/Garduate Assistantship... There is no way I can afford Grad school anywhere. I am currently a Master student and I pay 0 ct.
Wheather, Nightlife etc... dont matter as long as I dont have to worry about tuition and I can relocate without problem I have been twice in New York, I lived in DC and also lived abroad (Europe). Lot of snow...
But right, I dont like it cold.
I am interested in Media technologies (animation and design). Unfortun. the PhD in this field is kinda new and the only few universities that offer a similar program are very expensive. And I found out that since this program is new, people who apply have already been working in the field for years. hmmm I am just 24, so it is kinda
If I could afford CA, I would dfn go for it!

[skip2000]

Any tips?

[ss20ts]

Have you contacted RPI about being a TA? They do have some, but it's not like a major university that has 10's of thousands of students.

What state do you live? I ask because of financial aid. If you aren't a resident of NY, you won't get crap. They'll give you loans. Not that NY gives much $$$ to grad students. God forbid someone further their education and with grad school being so cheap who needs $$$? Please add a boatload of sarcasm!

When you say you've been to NY, where in NY? I ask because of people think all there is to NY is NYC and there's NOTHING like it in the rest of the state. You really would need to visit Troy and the RPI campus before committing to moving here. I'm not saying this place is a dump, but you don't want to move here and be miserable for 3 years. Since you're looking at mostly schools in the South, I'm guessing that's where you are currently located. NY total is NOT the South. LOL

Are you looking into the Electronic Arts PhD? I was looking at their admission requirements for the program and holy cow! Law school has an easier application here. Have you done any research? That's on there and RPI is REALLY REALLY REALLY into research.

Just throwing this out there in case you struggle to find what you need/want.....maybe find a job doing this and then go for the PhD. The programs would be more established then. It's definitely an interesting and growing field. Good luck!

[skip2000]

tx, honnestly i wont mind living anywhere, the degree is the only thing that matters.
But you are right, i have only seen nyc and oh... Chinatown
Yes I am interested in the Electronic Arts PhD.

[rxlynn]

Originally Posted by emscie

I am a filmmaking student, looking for a technical/practical phd program in media design. I have been considering Georgia Tech, UCSB, North Carolina Central University or Rensselaer Polytechnique Institue.
Anyone has experience with any of these schools?
How competitive is it to get into one of these schools? I am planning to earn my master degree with a 4.00.

Having gone to Ga Tech for a graduate program myself (although nothing related to what you are interested in), it might not be the place to go if you are dead set on all A's. Tech is a very difficult school with less grade inflation than many other places. However, it has an excellent reputation - I felt that the reputation made up for my drop in GPA, even though I was not in an engineering program.

[skip2000]

"it might not be the place to go if you are dead set on all A's." what do you mean?

Georgia Tech is also one of my top choices, actually it is the cheapest I found but it seemed to me that the school has a strong program even though the entrance requirements are lower. And they have high qualified professors!!! I could not believe my eyes. It is a shame how much more expensive the tuition is for out of state students. But since I am going for a Phd the tuition should not matter if I can get an assistantship. (And this is the reason why I am also considering top expensive Universities, because if you can get in, it is really worth it)
My goal is to pay 0ct to earn my degree, so if I have a chance to get into Georgia Tech for nothing I will!!!
Thanks for your answer
How did you like the school? Did you live on campus?