<p>SAIC has a great reputation. I wonder why their acceptance rate is so high, though (84%). Have you visited yet? You find out much more from a visit.</p>
<p>SAIC's reputation is much better for Graduate than Undergraduate studies.</p>
<p>From what I remember, the drop out rate by beginning of sophomore year is extremely high.</p>
<p>Yes, a low freshman retention rate is not good. Those statistics are posted on US News and College Board.</p>
<p>These are just my thoughts- Is it that the curriculum at this school is too rigorous + advanced for the average undergraduate, but not graduate. Because, it seems strange to me that such a school could rank number one for their graduate curriculum, but not undergraduate. Maybe it’s that their tough program is their ability to separate the “boys from the men” in the art world. It could be that the students who succeed are those that are not only good at what they do, but also extremely self disciplined and focused on their work. In this case, I would think of it as a positive trait. I mean I think art schools need to be judged using different criteria, because I think they use a different logic. Obviously SAIC is aware of their low freshmen retention rate, if they saw a problem with it, they‘d make strides to change it. Maybe this is what does give them the best graduate school, because those that advance on to it are the best of the best.</p>
<p>Since they accept almost everyone, would be interesting to know if most of the students that leave are the best, out of frustration, or those that picked SAIC because they didn't know what else to do and said "art school might be fun".</p>
<p>Interesting that MICA and RISD are much more selective up front and have better student retention rates. Wouldn't you rather be working on par with the best from the beginning.</p>
<p>Also, most SAIC grad students did not go to undergrad there.</p>
<p>"Also, most SAIC grad students did not go to undergrad there."
How do you know that a large percentage of the students that stayed didn't advance to graduate school?</p>
<p>I didn't say that the majority of students that stayed at SAIC didn't go to graduate school, I just said they didn't to graduate school there.</p>
<p>In general, undergrads are encouraged to apply to graduate schools elsewhere. That point was explictly brought out at the RISD BFA orientation we attended. </p>
<p>This is the response I receievd from the SAIC MFA office:</p>
<p>"Usually, a student who has been here for their entire undergraduate career is encouraged to pursue their MFA degree at another school. Once in a while students are admitted, however the vast majority are from other schools."</p>
<p>Hope this clarifies things.</p>
<p>"Interesting that MICA and RISD are much more selective up front and have better student retention rates. Wouldn't you rather be working on par with the best from the beginning."</p>
<p>But if you haven't had the best opportunities for preparation (there are a lot of high schools cutting their art programs right now), then isn't it nice that there's a school out there that will give you a chance anyways?</p>
<p>I don't agree with the idea that because someone doesn't have a great program at their HS mean they should get more leeway in the admissions process... </p>
<p>You go to art shool because you're focused and you have a glint of raw talent, not to learn how to be an artist. You should already be self-defined as one. It's not trade school. </p>
<p>That last bit wasn't so much intended at anyone as more of a rant of my own</p>
<p>"But if you haven't had the best opportunities for preparation (there are a lot of high schools cutting their art programs right now), then isn't it nice that there's a school out there that will give you a chance anyways?"</p>
<p>This is the exact reason given by admission reps. at SCAD and Ringling. Ringling did still require some drawings, etc., but SCAD did not require a portfolio at all.</p>
<p>I went to MICA pre-college and they were extra strict that summer because someone in the neighborhood was recently stabbed in the skull with a screwdriver and died. </p>
<p>That being said, I felt super safe. Dont walk around Baltimore alone and dont go into bad areas. MICA is AWESOME, and baltimore is actually really fun.</p>
<p>Oh and Chicago seems extremely experimental and conceptual. For undergraduates that can be either good or bad.. but the lack of structure certainly bites those lacking initiative in the butt.</p>
<p>"I don't agree with the idea that because someone doesn't have a great program at their HS mean they should get more leeway in the admissions process... </p>
<p>You go to art shool because you're focused and you have a glint of raw talent, not to learn how to be an artist. You should already be self-defined as one. It's not trade school."</p>
<p>Even regardless of whether a person has an art program (I'm not even talking about good vs. bad, but just the EXISTANCE of one in the first place), some people take longer to figure their lives out. I feel bad every time I see or hear something else that means kids have to figure out what they want to do with their lives even more quickly... I'm speaking from experience on this. I chose what I wanted to do with my life when I was 15, and guess what? I chose wrong. So I'm all for the existance of schools that give people the opportunity to grow and explore despite not being super-prepared to enter a specific field.</p>