Thread for answering questions about RVA POD housing?

[drd]

Ok. I think that, if I work hard at it, I can get everything in order to attend the RVA POD after my first year at Ringling College of Art and Design. The only problem I have now is, housing. That's a big expense that I have to consider when totaling up costs.

I plan on doing the per month payment of $500, 90 payments, and I'm going to try to pay as much as I can of it myself, and plead with my parents to help me pay for the rest. It may cost more now, because we can't get loans, but it will end up costing much less in the future (with interest, Ringling is going to end up costing me at least 100k, and that's even if I can snag an RA position and have Room and Board waived).

I am going to just ask all of you, currently in the RVA POD, or considering it, what are you guys doing for housing or plan on doing for housing? Cause if anyone needs a roomie to split the cost...Yo!

Thanks for any and all replies.

[Jason Manley]

The first place I would look, and how the ATX POD has done it is www.craigslist.org If you download the add on Surf Canyon you can also see the thumbnails for each one before clicking in, which will save you says of search time.

I used CL to find a room and roommate situation years and years ago.

The locals in RVA will be of more direct assistance but the above should be done regardless as you may find a really good deal in there. I would get as close to the POD as you can. There are some areas in that part of the city, before it heads out to Rocketts Landing which seemed like there may be affordable housing.

also.. sterlingATtheartdepartment.org will get you to Sterling Hundley who can perhaps give some input as well.


Cheers,


Jason

[drd]

E-mail sent; Thanks for your input Jason, I really appreciate it. I've been trolling around craigslist today and I've found some places that don't look too far away, but I'm still trying to get a grasp of the city and the names of areas so as to search specifically for places closest to Rocketts Landing.

[Josh George]

Richmond is a very affordable place to live and an easy place to love. I moved here one year ago after living in NYC for 10 years. The rent here in comparison is cheap, cheap, cheap, the neighborhoods are easy to navigate, the POD is accessible, and there is a lot of culture. Craigslist is a great resource and if you have any questions about neighborhoods shoot me an email. When you are ready to come look for a place myself or one of the other POD people can be your tour guide. We can put out the word to other prospective students looking for housing as well.

[John English]

Drd-

I am very excited that you are considering our program!

I have watched your decision making process for over a year on how/where to go for your education. It is a difficult decision for a student to make a commitment to attend any institution, especially an alternative such as TAD. The lack of financial assistance and a degree makes it even more difficult, but for the student that wants the best opportunities in pursuing a career, you will not be disappointed!

To ease your mind or help make your decision please go to our new website and just look at the student work from our first semester. The work speaks for itself, but I will add, there is nothing that comes close. Our students are exposed to information (even at the foundation level) that is just not offered anywhere else, period!

I hope to see you in class in the near future!

John

[drd]

Thanks so much Josh, John, for your speedy responses and care.

To John: I am the last person you need to convince! Haha. Since signing up with this website over 4 years ago, I've watched people rise to the top that have inspired me, such as Francis and others. What specifically interested me was Francis telling me that he learned more at his two Academies than he did during his entirety of Ringling; and he certainly doesn't speak well of the debt he incurred there. I respect Francis incredibly and I admire his skill and drive, as I do all of the instructors at the academy. As TAD is an extension of the Academy (same instructors, same instruction, etc), except with added majors such as 2D and 3D Entertainment Design and Fine Arts, I have no doubt that my education at TAD would be above what I could learn at Ringling.

And even if the amount of learning was the same, I would still want to choose TAD; it's cheaper even considering living expenses, as Ringling is going to cost me, at the least, $120,000 after my 4 years there, and that's if I am lucky enough to become an RA and save 10k a year. If I can't, make it 160k.

I spoke again with my mother concerning it, and she immediately became slightly aloof, as I was prepared for. But I laid out my current understanding of the situation, told her of the $500/month payment option, and let her think about it. The monthly payment option puts aside one of her biggest turn-offs, which was that we couldn't get loans. Though she is stubborn, I do think that I can make her understand that this is a financially possible option If I explain that I am going to get a roommate(s) to split costs with, and get a local job, so I'll be able to pay more than half of the monthly payment myself, with luck.

The only thing left for me to do, then, is convince her that I do not need a degree; she refuses to accept that I do not need one.

~~~~

So if anyone is reading this that is thinking of a similar plan and needs roommates, reply here or send me a pm, at least notifying me of your existence! Haha. I think a small group of people cranking out art near TAD sounds killer. I can only imagine how fast we'll all improve.


To all who have helped me through this and listened to me whine and complain over and over: Thank you so much. You're drive is inspirational.

[John English]

Drd-

Thanks for the kind words and keep in contact. TAD students will pave the way and settle the debate over a degree! Although a degree is not a bad thing.

I am looking forward to the day you are in a TAD classroom,

John