TAD or Degree?

**blazingdimensions** · November 19th, 2011, 01:25 PM

Hi ive been debating this for a little lately and right now i'm a high school senior and im completely serious about art- concept design, illustration- the works. and my foster parents are pushing a college degree because they don't believe i can get a job without it. I know in art though that portfolio<degree and I want to go to TAD much more than any other school- but they reccomend an art university. I really don't have money or anything like that but i hope to pay for college through grants and scholarships and stuff plus funding is always helped by the foster care system. Because of my situation and stuff I dont want to fear having a stable job that sometimes having a degree can give you even though its just a piece of paper basically. I am completely passionate about art and basically what Im trying to say is should I go for TAD or should I go for some Art Degree? and as a last question i know TAD is not accredited but is there any way of showing that you went there- like a certificate or something? thanx for any comments

**Broderick** · November 30th, 2011, 04:15 PM

Basically my understanding is the guy who has the better portfolio will beat out the one with the degree every time. Thus, I do believe that TAD would be the wiser choice. Plus what is tuition at AI now? $90,000 for a bachelors? Sheesh. Also, though not always a bad thing, but you'll have to sit through tons of art history classes, do essays on ancient artists and the like. Not exactly what I had in mind when paying to become a better artist...especially in conceptual/ entertainment design. Through a good friend who has attended the KC POD, as well as starting with TAD next semester, he gave me a good idea about how the education is there. All the things you've heard are true...the GOOD things that is. I've watched him grow as an artist just by attending the POD over the summer. I'm in the process of pulling things together to attend TAD myself. IMO there's no better decision.

**sarahanne** · January 6th, 2012, 04:22 AM

The biggest concern I can think of between TAD and a regular degree is the pre-paid tuition. Anyone know if you get a partial refund if you have to drop out?