I grew up in a relatively small town and considered myself a relatively big fish in a small pond. I chose Pratt because of its location NYC and Frank Sinatra. “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” I wanted a challenge, and a bigger pond. I got it and a good but non-traditional education. I would not trade the experience, but yes, I promptly left NYC after school. When I decided to go to graduate school, I had a different set of criteria. 