RISD Class of 2013?

joeschmoe
Sat, 16 May 2009 17:43:58 +0000

Thanks for all the thoughtful posts regarding my query. I enjoyed and appreciated the exchange from all viewpoints.

My D has decided to go to RISD. It was NOT an easy choice. The $48K difference is a big deal, especially in lost opportunity costs for other things. We intend to fund her expenses with savings and earnings, and minimize her graduation debt.

At the end of the day, the decision came down to familiarity and her gut. She had done the RISD pre-college program, and has many friends entering into RISD with her. Interestingly, none of her summer friends are starting at MICA. The D thinks MICA has better facilities, outside of RISD’s Museum, Fleet library and Nature Lab.

Not being an art person, I have had to rely on my D, as well as extended friends and relatives offering guidance. There is one family friend who is a practicing and teaching artist who has taught at both RISD and MICA. He was reluctant to say one is “better”, but that both offer excellent educations. Personally, I would have been happy to have her attend MICA, but this is not about me, it is about her. There is also the feeling that it would be a lot easier to transfer from RISD to MICA, than the other way around, should this not be a good experience.

Thanks again.