charity_goh

<p>Hey Lis,<br>

I posted something similar to your question about a year or more ago and now I can say I have graduated from Hallmark as a proud professional photographer. I couldn't be happier with my choice and whatever I have heard about Brooks or other institutes over the last eleven months, makes me even more glad that I chose Hallmark.<br>

I won't lie though, I gotta say it does suck to come out without a camera and there were definitely glitches in the program. But the good thing is that they are willing to listen to you and fix them. Paying 57k for ten months in my opinion is a lot more worth it than to keep paying through your nose for four years and then be heavily in debt for the rest of your young adult life. At least after we get out of Hallmark, we have a head start on paying back the loan. Housing can be very cheap if you pick the right place and living expenses are not outrageous living in a town like Turners Falls. I paid 630 to a landlord who was basically cheating us but you can definitely find a place for 500+ or 600 including utilities. However, you probably would not be able to juggle a job and school especially in the second half of the year. The first half you have to be in school everyday from 8-5 pm and when the second half comes around, class time gets cut in half but you'll be so busy running around all the time, a job would kill you. Besides, you're only going to be there for ten months, you will want to make use of every single moment you have in that school. Not only is equipment excellent, the community you have with your peers and instructors is invaluable. The instructors become mentors and friends who are more than willing to impart all their knowledge and spend time and effort with your cooperation and willingness. One of the best things I got out of being in Hallmark was the immediate and convenient access to people who could nurture me and give me useful and constructive criticism and that was what helped me improve drastically.<br>

I probably am not the best person to give you numbers and statistics, my brain holds figures as well as a sieve holds water but I will testify that if you are passionate about photography and making a career out of it, Hallmark is the best environment to place yourself in. I have no regrets and I feel equipped to do my job everyday because of it. <br>

All the best Lis!</p>

Hey thanks a lot Mark!

It's really good to hear confirmation like that.

It must be a really really good place to constantly receive raving reviews all the time. I have heard very few complaints about life there and those complaints are considered trivial.

I have been officially accepted into Hallmark so I will enter with the September batch. I am very excited and really looking forward to it.

Hope you do well with your final portfolio and other assignments.

Leave me your website if you have one yeah?

Thanks!

Charity.

Yes, Robert, which is what this thread is about.

But thanks anyway.

Hey Mark, thanks, I needed to hear that!

In fact, I'm waiting for the interviewer to call me soon.

I'm pretty excited about going so I hope it goes well.

Thank you very much Justin!

I'll look into Parsons and see how I like it.

Justin:

Right now I am assisting a fashion/advertising photographer and this is the speciality that I am interested in. Being that I am in the industry, albeit just as an assistant, I am aware of the ups and the downs and this is the best research possible.

I am well aware that photography, especially in the advertising sector, is not all glamour and romance and so I am pretty sure I know what I am getting myself into. I have goals in life, although I don't put them on a "top ten" list but they are simple ones. Right now, my top priority is to give all I can to pursuing photography and build a career for myself in the near future.

Jeff:

Thanks Jeff, I looked at the website but the photographs don't appeal to me. I think one thing important is to attend a school that more or less agrees with your vision and style or else you'll just be forced to conform to another mould. Plus, I think it's more of a fine art course, something I am not looking for. But thanks for your input!

I understand where you're coming from Eric, but it's very easy to say take a degree in business without knowing what it takes or requires from a person. Going into a business degree is asking for trouble personally. You don't know me personally so of course you wouldn't know this. I know for a fact that I would regret and dread everyday in that school of business because I am simply not that kind of person.

However, I completely agree that the business aspect of photography is vital and that's why Hallmark is great. They prepare you with that knowledge. While Brooks does provide business classes, I don't see that they have the same direction that Hallmark has. They prepare you for business and photography so that when they throw you out in the deep end, you don't sink.

And I'm not sure that you are familiar with these two schools. When I say "formal education", I don't mean in Business or Accountancy or what not. This education refers to a photography course as well, simply that you obtain a degree at the end of the day.

Plainly put, I know exactly what I want. I don't know if you've ever had the feeling when you know you are meant to do something and nothing else can come close. People may say it's an idealistic way of thinking and the real world will teach you lessons and change your mind but I know what's a phase and what's not.

I don't just want to "puruse photography now", I want to make it my career and stay with it.

Thank you very much Hector. I have not been reading very stellar reviews about Brooks either but my parents want me to have a proper degree.

I tried explaining to them that a degree in this line doesn't necessarily mean that it gets you a better job the way it does in other industries but they don't really seem to get it.

Anyone who has gone to Brooks care to speak up?

Yes, I found that out when I pulled my all-nighter!

But ultimately it didn't affect what they teach the students and I'm not going to believe everything they tell me. Everything with a pinch of salt yeah?

Thanks for your input Hector! (:

Hi guys,

I'm from Singapore and I just stayed up all night reading forums on a few

schools I've got my eye on.

Basically, I had three choices:

- Brooks Institute of Photography

- The Art Center College of Design

- Hallmark Institute of Photography

I don't see much ravings about The Art Center but I notice there has been a lot

of discussion about Brooks and Hallmark seperately.

I am having a hard time deciding between a formal education or a 10 month boot

camp that honestly quite scares me to hear how crazy it can get.

I know some people say that you don't need the formal degree. But since I'm

coming all the way from Singapore and paying so much, it kind of makes sense

right?

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate all the advice I can get from you!

Thank you!