Questions

Pretty sure this is me... All day!

I offer my standard disclaimer, which I seem to have offered dozens of times during my visit to campus. I tend to collect information furiously, ponder, consider, work through the emotions (fear/anxiety/etc) then decide. Once the decision is made, action is a foregone conclusion and execution follows shortly. A great example of this was our wedding… Two weeks to ask for her hand, another seven to have it in marriage. A furious pace, but worth every exciting moment.

Anyhow, I say that because I’m going to use this post to list all of the various questions that I had jotted down in my notebook prior to visiting campus. I’m authoring this post in SeaTac, but will back-date it to tuesday morning for proper placement in the blog sequence.

Here’s the list as written, though in no particular order:

• What equipment do we receive?
• Do we get to keep it?
• What is available for loan?
• How long are loaner’s given?
• What software is used and/or needed for coursework?
• Is there any personal computer or technology needs?
• What purchases are students making beyond tuition/fees?
• How are expectations for assignments communicated?
• In the instance of miscommunication, is there ample opportunity to clarify/correct?
• Where do students typically find models or props?
• What kinds of community networks are available in the area? (i.e. church, business, sports, arts, etc.)
• As a spouse, to what extent can Heather be involved? (school/events/excursions/etc.)
• What other equipment would be useful? (i.e. remote triggers, vertical grip, speedlights, etc.)
• What are students doing post-HIP?
• Any tips for success?
• What questions should I be asking?
• What questions did you ask?
• What questions did others ask?
• Instructor’s have vast experience; why do they teach at the school if they’re so “successful”?
• I’ve seen flagrant opposition from students and faculty to the Hallmark program suggesting that experience is preferred and the school is overpriced and hyped; what’s your take?
• Is there any delineation of prior experience to fast-track students who have prior experience in photography, Lightroom, or Photoshop?
• How do the elite excel if all are brought up from a rudimentary baseline?
• What has set apart the presidential award winners?
• What styles of photography technique and expertise are available? (i.e. scenic/stock/event/corporate/portraiture/photojournalism/commercial/etc.)
• Any opportunities to (l)earn passive income techniques?
• What is the hardest part of the program?
• What is the easiest part of the program?
• Was there anything unfair/problematic?
• How were challenges resolved?
• Were there any opportunities for photographic income during school?
• How are the market prices in the surrounding community?
• Where does my tuition go?
• Can I get an annual report?
• What is the compensation range for faculty and/or staff?
• What traits do the best performing students possess?
• What kinds of absences are allowed?
• The “Resource Center” is it a library style (for checkout) collection, or more of a reference scenario?
• What kind of remote triggers are used in the studio? (i.e. Pocket wizards/etc.)
• What demographics does the incoming class look like at this point?
• Were there any time-wasters that you noticed and would recommend that I ought to cut out?
• Any school related things to invest/divest in/from?
• When a technique/unit does not resonate, are there alternatives?
• When a technique/unit does resonate, is there opportunity for deeper development?
• Are guest speakers compensated?
• What kinds of opportunities are available for student speaking scenarios?
• What is the school equipment refresh plan?
• $500 “spending” acct – enough? not enough? is there any refund?
• When was the last refresh of equipment?
• High Achievement Awards (Photography, Digital Imaging, Design, Professional Attitude and Bearning, Improvement, Academic Credit, Attendance, & President’s Award) – what do the recipients exhibit?
• Coursework on creating professional websites: what about existing sites or utilizing services such as Smugmug, WHCC, Collages, PhotoBiz, etc.?
• How much free time is available?
• How many days per year does Turners Falls receive precipitation?
• What are HIP’s demographics/tuitions/fees in the last 5 years?
• Students are broken into sections of 40 students; how are they chosen?
• What are common graduate incomes?
• How many students start their own studios?
• How many become assistants to others?
• What are common expenses at graduation?
• Are there any supplemental subscriptions, resources, books or other items that it would be good to have during or even prior to school?
• Is there any content (coursework or otherwise) that would be valuable to review prior to courses?
• What companies have come to recruit in the past years?
• Are there any professional affiliations granted through enrollment?
• Are there options for extra credit?
• Are there any options for additional income through HIP employment, etc?
• Is moving ahead in course work allowed/encouraged?
• Does the school have CS5 yet?
• Will they have CS5 by fall?
• How common is computer/internet access within the community?
• What is the community impression of Hallmark?