<p>First off, I would like to say by NO means whatsoever is this program intense. I'll be a junior this fall and I honestly feel like it was a camp that parents sent their kids to just to ship them away for the summer. I don't really know why they asked for a portfolio, most of the final work I saw was mediocre at best. I come from a visual arts high school so it comes to reason I was looking for something very challenging and out of the ordinary. Not the case here! I took Advanced Figure drawing, Drawing II, Anatomy and Figure Drawing Portfolio, Summer Sketchbook, and Experimental Fashion. Out of all of the upper level drawing classes and classes I took in general I felt as if I was repeating my freshmen year in high school. Also, I noticed a SERIOUS lack of originality. Everyone was so cliche, cliquey, and outright dull! I was under the impression that I would be "normal" at this program, not at all! There was also a drug epidemic. A lot of people smoked, some drank, and some popped Robitussin. The "Mentors" also smoked, and drank. I expected a certain level of this, however, I had no idea it was going to be that bad. The facilities were not air-conditioned. The dorms were not air-conditioned. The "Mentors" treated me as if I were five. We weren't notified of the air-conditioning situation beforehand, nor were we aware we would be with loads of commuter students. I was extremely disappointed in the overall program. Do not waste your money; go to another program.</p>
<p>Oh, and someone decided to take a poo on the floor of the girls bathroom and fling it on the ceiling.</p>
<p>so very sorry for what you had to go through. "young artist " is sort of dangerous words. At our local Y, we use it for 8-12 year old.
Is that the one at Lesley?
I looked into three four years ago but smelled funny already and did not even consider for my kid.
Who recommended it, how did you end up there?
If had to be Boston, you could have gone to SMFA, MassArt etc etc but there will be always those kids, no matter where you go and how much money you spent. My kid’s friend was at mighty RISD and what he experienced was pretty much the same. smoking drinking partying poor artistic skill family guy marathon brats with air of entitlement etc etc.
Good thing is, you got another summer. do Marie Walsh Sarpe or Cooper outreach ( if you are in the area) I don’t think any other pre-college would worth your while, 'less they’d give you full ride plus pocket money for the art supply.</p>
<p>Bears and dogs is right to some degree about the general atmosphere of many of these precolleges. There will always be certain students who take it for granted, which IMHO, is a giant waste of the money/time spent getting them there…</p>
<p>It’s a shame you had such a crappy experience, but I’m here to vouch that not ALL precollege’s are terrible. Look into these programs on what you wish to gain from them. Yes, they can be a bit formulaic in their approach to a summer education… but I think your experience was neither unique (it exists to some degree in EVERY precollege) nor should it be the rule for all summer programs. </p>
<p>However, I can only vouch for my own experience at SAIC summer institute. I found it to be extremely self-motivated, and above-all, I created a ridiculous amount of work. Yet, my roommate didn’t really like her teacher/class and didn’t have a good artistic experience. But don’t think all precollege’s are terrible. It really depends on WHICH precollege you go to and ESPECIALLY what you go there for (what you intend to get out of it). My intention was to get portfolio pieces… and thats what I got, around 20 of them.</p>
<p>Definitely apply to Marie Walsh Sharpe as well next year. I know AIB has left a bad taste in your mouth of pre-college, but, if you do your research you may find another one that you really enjoy. On the other hand, there are also some fantastic ateliers as well as small art schools (or even community colleges with great art programs) that you may find in your backyard. Coming from a small town, that oppourtunity didn’t exist for me… dig around, you never know what kind of gem you might find.</p>
<p>If you’d like more info about SAIC/my experience at precollege, feel free to send me a PM, and I will not hesitate to tell the full ups and downs on my experience.</p>