gorr

D got into several art schools. The ones under consideration are SAIC, MICA, Pratt and SVA. I know very little about art schools in general and living in CA, I do not know much about these schools. We hope to find a school with a broad foundation year with exposure to many different types of things. Although D likes to paint, she may want to move into a different area of art - perhaps something more marketable. Any internships etc. are also a factor. Any comments or ideas?

caressemh

I got into all those schools, and I'll be going to MICA next year!! (of course $$ is a big factor in my decision). I'd say MICA and SAIC are the most interdisciplinary of the schools. They let you experiment in a lot of different areas. I've read on many sites that MICA's has been rated the #1 undergraduate painting program in the US.

gorr

Did you get a scholarship to MICA?

AndreCarlos

go to SAIC. out of those four schools, SAIC and Pratt have the best reputations (MICA is becoming popular, but it isn't as well-rounded of a school as SAIC). If your daughter wants to dabble in different arts departments, then SAIC is the p-lace for her. students don't have to declare majors, but can concentrate in as few as one department to as many as three.

m&sdad

"If your daughter wants to dabble in different arts departments, then SAIC is the place for her. students don't have to declare majors"

The above statement also applies to MICA. Students can be a general fine arts (GFA) majors and work across disciplines. D is finishing junior year at MICA and I can speak to the quality of the foundation year there.

I would argue SAIC's reputation is far stronger for grad than undergrad. For undergrad, SAIC accepts approx. 85% of applicants.

caressemh

SAIC is a great school but it differs from others in that there is no grading scale, it's a pass/fail system. Which could be a positive or a negative thing, depending on the person. I think MICA is equally as interdisciplinary and has just as much structural freedom. My advisor said that we'd have personal meetings with faculty and guidance to help us choose our major and career path at the end of freshman year, so you get to dabble in everything but it's not like you're wandering around lost with no direction!

But the best way is to visit and see which one you like best! I visited SAIC and it was absolutely amazing. I never got to see MICA but I hear it's got a wonderful campus as well (I guess It'll be a surprise for me next year )

gorr

Thanks so much for your comments. D and her dad will be visiting MICA next week. We are inclined toward MICA because of what we've read and heard about it and because of scholarship $$ awarded to D. SAIC seems awesome but it may not be the best fit for her at this time in her life.