@lalala00500, actually I do remember what happened: She got into UIC, then Columbia (which also has an amazing graphic arts department) sent her a more attractive offer (UIC doesn’t give merit aid, so that was easy to do). Then someone told her Columbia was too “commercial” (It is; I don’t see what’s wrong with that), so then she veered toward SAIC.
I guess all of which is to say, it’s a crooked path! But UIC is very well respected around here, except maybe by snobby students who don’t pay their own tuitions!
For anyone referencing in the future—and to celebrate!! I have committed to the graphic design program at CalArts, which was my dream school and also ended up offering the most scholarship out of the five schools that I was accepted to I was initially given a scholarship of $10,000. In the initial scholarship letter, the school didn’t mention that it was renewable each year, so it cost me and my family some worries committing to the school. But recently they let me know that I’d be getting $15,000 and for four years! The latter part had been so from the beginning, but for me it was a big jump from $10,000 to $60,000. I’m honestly shook considering I’ve been devoted to my portfolio for a relatively short amount of time. For those of you who are reading this in the future, if you’re international, especially if you’re Korean, I’d be happy to help. For real there are so many scams out there preying on desperate students and parents. Stay away from 유학원!
I have a dumb question. Please do not judge me, this is my first kid I have to let go. How long do the parents stay when dropping off the kids in August? PrattMWP has orientation for 4 days, first day being for parents too. Dorm move in happens on the first day I was told. and the kids start living in their dorm from day 1. They start class on the Aug 26 and seems like the three days before that will be full orientation for the kids only. We do not know whether to come back on Sunday or before. We might not be even needed, but my heart keeps telling me what if the kid needs something? (things being not just steps away in Utica…). Please help me think (reasonably) for those who have done it before and know how it works! (you do not have to be a PrattMWP parent) TIA
Help them move in, do the family portion of the orientation (with your student if that’s how it’s set up), kiss them good-bye, and leave. Whether you return home that evening or stick around in the area a bit to “sightsee” before returning, is your choice. But your student will be fine, be making new friends and basically enjoying this transition. If you hang around where they can see you, you risk embarrassing them and compromising their orientation.
@JBStillFlying Thank you! The first day they said is with family and that includes dinner and after. They do not have any details yet, but from the few second conversation over phone what I understood was the next three days will be just for students. No I will not be that butt in mom embarrassing her Having visited that place with nothing around is making me feel what if we missed something. I guess that feeling will never go away. We will NOT wait for the last day to get back.
IIRC Pratt main campus had the same type of orientation four years ago. I wasn’t there so it was just hubby and D. He helped her move in, then they attended some orientation stuff and a welcome dinner of some sort (I think it was pretty informal). He left right after that. Will there be a family weekend at MWP? I think the one for Brooklyn is in October. That’s a great time to return and see how things are going - bet the fall is lovely in the area too.
@JBStillFlying I called them. The first day involves parents pretty much all day it seems until dinner. Next few days its for the kids only, We will leave a day after. We wont see her but if she needs anything we can get and drop it off and our travel logistics and flights worked out better that way.
I did see something in the previous years calendar for October. But I do not know if we can make it that far during that time having another younger kid in middle School… so we will probably see her only once she gets home in December
@lalala00500 for anyone considering GD major they need to take a look at VCUARTS in Richmond. One of the top programs in the country and located in one of the fastest growing artists communities in the nation. D will be a senior and has had tremendous real world success there. Currently has an internship in ny with well known media company, has sold works, has been published twice!, has been an invited exhibitor and participated in both the NY art book fair and LA art book fair, was awarded a grant to attend GD event in Korea, on and on. Plus for anyone interested in an urban campus , well this is the place. Plus good weather, many outdoor activities as well. USNWR ranks its mfa program #2 in the country only behind Yale.
@lalala00500 - I have no personal experience with UIC. Since that is the only school about which you asked, I won’t go on and on about my D’s choice or about any other school that may or may not suit your needs. FWIW, love, love Chicago. Super-vibrant, cosmopolitan and accessible city. Tremendous opportunities! Some general advice – Don’t worry about rankings. There are no generally accepted national rankings for undergraduate art schools. The USNWR rankings for graduate schools are outdated, inaccurate and, most importantly for you, not applicable for your search for an undergraduate art program. The challenge in considering UIC is the choice between a dedicated undergraduate art program such as SAIC, Pratt or MICA, and fine undergraduate art programs at larger schools. There are pros and cons to each depending on the criteria setting forth what works for your child. Dedicated schools clearly provide the intensity, focus and post-graduate opportunities for dedicated fine artists. Larger schools with art programs provide a broader social life, more opportunities to take non-art classes, and the ability to switch to a different major/career focus should this be desired. Economics is personal and can/should play mightily in one’s decision. Choosing to journey the starving artist path is one thing. Starting out with 6 figures in undergrad debt is quite another. Good luck!
I suggest you keep the options open as you can and not shut out any one school for arbitrary reasons found on a chat board. Generally the rankings do matter in so much as the top 10-12 schools are all very good . Doesn’t mean #13 isn’t but lets just say they get the rankings right more often than not .And while schools might juxtaposition the
top ones are the top ones and always in the discussion. When we were first searching we didn’t know anything about VCUARTS being from the NE area(tristate). But as we investigated and got more and more recommendations from actual working artists as well as family it became clear to our D that it was the best fit for her , and it certainly has turned out that way and then some.
Rankings do matter and often move about a bit, although generally with top schools remaining in the upper echelons. However, this does not apply to undergraduate art schools for which there is no generally accepted ranking system. The purpose of threads such as this is for parents and students to share experience and information. That sharing is most valuable when conveyed as objectively and accurately as possible, recognizing always that there is no universal answer or experience. it is also helpful when answers respond directly to questions rather than going off-topic. In my experience, I find very little arbitrariness on the better CC threads. Posters are generally intelligent and share their experiences accurately and in good will. The ones to avoid are those that, regardless of topic, always recommend the same schools, often touting inaccurate or skewed statistics, and endlessly extolling personal experiences that may have little to offer the OP.
Hello! I’m a little late but @missis would you mind telling me why your daughter chose MICA over SAIC? I’m currently trying to decide between those schools right now as a transfer student and I’d love to hear why she made that decision!
I repeat , be smart enough to not rely on the postings of a (this) chat board , especially when some parents so transparently have their own agendas. . I speak of VCUARTS because we have actual real life experience as D is a rising senior and has been having an overwhelmingly positive experience. PM if you would like to hear specifics .
Most posters on this and the other Arts chat boards have real life experience with various schools. Open discussion and comparisons based on research and experience are good things and have served many seeking input and feedback. This is the 394’th post regarding Admission 2019, and I’m betting that the overwhelming majority have been useful. Let’s keep it going for the benefit of those gearing up for Admission 2020.
PM’ing is a great idea for those needing specifics on a particular school. @Stones3 has probably reached VCUArts “Champion” status by now and will no doubt be of service to anyone wishing to know more about that program.
@mapofthesoul, I apologize for the lateness in my response. She chose MICA for a variety of reasons: (1) The focus seems more collaborative than competitive (we could be wrong about this, but her aunt went to MICA too and that is her impression) (2) They seem to care about what makes my kid tick. When I flat-out asked what they liked about my kid, since some schools weren’t as enthusiastic, the admissions counselor immediately said what it was, and why, and was specific enough that I knew it wasn’t BS. (3) They came up with enough merit aid to make it attractive (4) She really liked the artwork coming out of the school.
I am sure there is more, but that is what I can think of right now. If the school personnel and instructors are half as involved and responsive as the admissions counselor, it should be a positive experience.
@missis, not surprised to read your points 1 - 4; my daughter ultimately chose elsewhere just due to fit, but those are pretty much what we recall from her application and admission to MICA. Her admissions counselor, in particular, was wonderful and clearly understood my kid’s strengths and potential.
My kid had a really hard time NOT choosing MICA based on similar things said above —the admissions counselor was great & made a real personal connection; really liked the collaborative nature of the programs; & received generous aid. Mine ultimately picked Parsons, mostly because they really wanted to be in NYC (& both would have cost us roughly the same)…but honestly agonized all weekend before May 1st between the 2 schools.
Our kids may meet at Parsons, @ArtAngst. My D19 will be in strategic design and management, and I see your son will be in illustration. D19 is nervous about her intro drawing class, since that hasn’t been a strength of hers. She’s a good artist, but she wants to work on the business side of the industry, like for an auction house or gallery.
I was initially given a scholarship of $10,000. In the initial scholarship letter, the school didn’t mention that it was renewable each year, so it cost me and my family some worries committing to the school. But recently they let me know that I’d be getting $15,000 and for four years! The latter part had been so from the beginning, but for me it was a big jump from $10,000 to $60,000. I’m honestly shook considering I’ve been devoted to my portfolio for a relatively short amount of time. For those of you who are reading this in the future, if you’re international, especially if you’re Korean, I’d be happy to help. For real there are so many scams out there preying on desperate students and parents. Stay away from 유학원!
Having visited that place with nothing around is making me feel what if we missed something. I guess that feeling will never go away. We will NOT wait for the last day to get back.