I am currently searching for photography schools and I am newly married. My question: is there anyone out there who is/was married while attending a photography school and had a spouse interested in a different major who attended a different school? If so, where and how did you do it? My husband and I are trying to figure out what will work for both of us, but it's dang hard to find a school that provides high-class programs in photography and visual effects at a reasonable price. We know that there is financial aid, but we all know how difficult getting financial aid is. Especially when it's for two people. Anyway, any opinions or whatever would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

Well, I can tell you my story at least. I attend School of Visual Arts in NYC for photography. It is a very hard school, depending on how much effort you put into it. If you want to be the best, then this is the school for you. Money should never be a deterent for your college education. And I should know, because my parents didn't help and I wasn't eligible for financial aid. I've been paying with private loans and credit cards. Not the best situation, but it was something I had to do. I find that paying an arm and a leg definatly propells you to do your best at school. I wasn't wasting my time and money by not showing up for class and such. I just married last july, and suddenly my priorities got a little switched around. I was really tempted to drop out. At the last minute, I enrolled for my senior year. Best thing I ever did. I will be graduating in May - finally! Now, my husband is in the Navy and lives 3 hours away from NYC in south jersey. SO, as a working adult I had to arrange my schedule for night classes or pile all of them in one long day. I've been doing it for two years now. Its VERY hard, but rewarding when May finally comes. My husband is taking college classes as well, but here's the kicker- he's taking online classes. And the Navy is paying for all of his schooling. So luckly we have a decent paycheck to support ourselves with. Best thing I can advise you is to look into your Associates degree from a cheap community college then transfer to that more expensive school and only have to attend for 2 or three years instead of 4. It saved me 15k. And look into online colleges. Plus it won't hurt to join the military for that GI bill!

One of my former assistants went to school while the husband worked and then swapped when done, she worked and he went to school. Prat in NYC, Brooks in California, RIT in Rochester all are good programs. What you get out of it is what you put into it. I see alot of slackers just getting by. The photo biz is VERY competitive and the return on investment tends to be very low.