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As an aside, I'd strongly recommend against going to any of The Art Institutes schools, largely on the basis that they are not accredited by the NASAD, which is pretty much the standard accrediting agency for Art Schools, and as such have totally non-transferable credits. Plus for the cost of attendance, you might as well just try your hand at Pratt or The School of Visual Arts. The School of Visual Arts and FIT (which is a SUNY School and is thus cheaper after you establish your residency) are both better schools, in my opinion, than The Art Institutes, and don't have a bad reputations within the profession like The Art Institues or Full Sail Academy. And both aren't really all that difficult to get into.
I agree about the Art Institutes, I would also advise against them. Stick to reputable schools like Pratt, SVA, Parsons. You might want to look into cheaper options such as FIT and Purchase (SUNY state schools), and also Lehman college (CUNY school), and maybe Mercy. Some of these schools have on-campus housing so that's probably your best bet (around maybe $600 a month depending on the school). Plus this can be covered by your student loans, if you are filing Fafsa.
Whatever you do, don't live in Manhattan - not affordable, period. Look for cheaper options in Queens and maybe north Bronx, but be prepared for a long subway commute.
Good luck!
-Expenses for subway/cab rides
-Food, especially wheat bread and turkey lunch meat (I eat only a meal a day already, by choice, so I can absolutely go small on food expenses)
-Phone, Electricity, Internet, Cable, Water, etc
Also:
- You should forget about cab rides (stick to subway/buses)!
- Don't need a land line (cell phone is sufficient)
- Can totally live without Cable, just get internet and watch everything online (I get DSL internet for $29/month).
Washington Heights west of Dyckman Subway stop has affordable apartments and lots of artists moving there that I know. Stay in city, takes subways. Avoid bridge tunnel commutes if possible. Many also move to Williamsburg Brooklyn but can't stand that L subway line. I too was art student in NYC, but also real estate agent weekends to get by and did other odd jobs like painting apartments, etc. Search Craigslist under neighborhood Inwood / Washington Heights. The A or the 1 subway will get you home from the places you need to go like Chelsea, Tribeca, mid-town garment district,etc.
You will learn the most about fashion photography not from institute but from real photographers, so my suggestion is start by being a Stylist first so you can get that exposure.
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