Pratt Institute

There’s a prestige to attending Pratt Institute, a design-oriented school with unique teaching methods located right in the heart of Brooklyn. Known among the art world as “one of the best art schools in the country,� students here enjoy the reputation and quality of a major art school, with “a slightly more affordable tuition than other prestigious art schools, due to its scholarships.�

This mix of kids come together from all over the world to hone their craft and make connections, all while “surrounded by encouraging mentors and an environment that inspires creativity.� All are—duh—“artsy,� but since everyone’s really into the same thing, “it’s easy to make friends.� “If you try to be sociable in the least bit, you’re bound to fit in,� says a student. Yet, “they all have their quirks, so it doesn’t get boring.� Most of the students are “very liberal,� and there are “clearly a lot of rich kids here,� but in the end, “differences are completely normal here, and that’s almost how people fit in.�

Students here enjoy being in New York City and yet somewhat removed from it, and “there is never a boring night here, unless you choose to have one.� The city offers “an incredible variety of opportunities and allows us to learn more about culture and art,� says a student. “A group of friends going to see the latest exhibits at any one of the hundreds of museums is normal.� Art shows and readings “tend to disperse into full-on parties,� but the real fun is in the work: talking about everyone’s work, and “existing in a creative community.�

The campus grounds in Brooklyn are “beautiful� and “it doesn’t feel like a campus, more like a park, which is a great environment.� A lot of everyone’s time is spent “in the studio, in class, or at an internship,� but “fun activities can be endless if you can spare the time away from your work.� Also, the school tends to skew female with a high LGBT quotient, so “if you are a straight male it is a paradise.�