The decision to enroll in one of the many graduate art programs allows you to enhance your knowledge, network with similar individuals and potentially procure a position working in your desired field. As you’re preparing to start the program, you’ll need to decide if you want to attend school on the part-time or full-time basis.
Financial Aid
A major deciding factor could be your eligibility for financial aid. Each school has its policy; however, students who attend part-time usually have fewer options for financial aid. You also must proceed with caution if withdrawing from a class would drop you to part-time status. You may no longer be entitled to financial aid that you were previously receiving.
Time Commitment
One major difference between undergraduate and graduate programs is that many students in the latter situation are already working full-time. With a full-time job schedule, taking on the responsibility of too many classes could lead to decreased productivity in both. Consider starting your graduate program as a part-time student and taking on more classes in future semesters if possible.
Duration of the Program
If you’re thinking about attending on a part-time basis, calculate how long it will take you to complete the program. You may discover that you’ll end up in school three or four times longer than you would otherwise. This realization may lead you to take on more classes.
Your Cohort
Part of graduate school is having the support of your cohort. If the majority of the students in your cohort are part-time and you’re full-time or if the opposite situation exists, you may lose out on that experience.
Your choice to enroll in graduate art programs means you’ll have other decisions to make too. When you’re trying to determine if a part-time or a full-time program is the right answer, speak with an adviser at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
