CMU vs MICA/SCAD/CCA/Otis

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I have recently been accepted to Carnegie Mellon's fine art program, as well as MICA, SCAD, CCA and Otis (and my major is a toss up between graphic design, illustration and fine art). I was hoping I could get some insight on these schools and opinions about where to go.</p>

<p>I have been really interested in Carnegie Mellon since my sophomore year or so. In November, I visited the campus and fell in love (but then again.. it was also 75 degrees without a cloud in the sky. Weird weather for Pittsburgh in that time of year). Ever since then, I have been pretty set on CMU but I am afraid I am romanticizing the school. I understand that they have a very conceptual, fine art approach in their art school, dabbled with an instructor or two who is very set on building technical skills. Most likely not getting scholarship.</p>

<p>I was also interested in MICA because of their renowned fine arts and graphic design programs. The school itself seemed like a pretty decent fit for me, though I am scared I won't have many options if I either learn I don't want to do art, or get more liberal arts academic education. I have not visited the school but should be in the next few weeks. Is there anything I should know about the surrounding area? The weather? Waiting to hear back on scholarship.</p>

<p>CCA is the closest campus to my home, only about 45 miles away. I received $11,000 a year for scholarship money. I absolutely love the San Francisco bay area, and I would like to stay but... I sort of question the prestige of the school.</p>

<p>I have a feeling I'll fall in love with SCAD, I am visiting in the next few weeks... but like with CCA, I question their reputation and the quality of their education. I looked online on several sites but could find little to no information on the school itself except completely subjective opinions... from high schoolers who have never even been to SCAD.</p>

<p>Otis is also in a location I want (Los Angeles). I'd preferably like to stay on the west coast, but once again, Otis is one of the more quiet art schools that I have heard little about. I've heard good things about Otis, but nothing in particular about the programs I am interested in.</p>

<p>I have a really tough decision to make and I want to make sure that I weigh most factors into it. I don't mean to offend anyone with my completely clueless generalizations I have heard about the schools, any feedback is welcome. Thanks for your help!</p>

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<p>Another possible pancakes mate!!
Anyone, please?
I think people here say pretty much about all schools on your list if you dig this forum.
If money is not the issue, take a pick where your heart is. You seems smart and hard working good student who will do well wherever you’d end up.
What are your folks saying and does it matter to you?</p>

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<p>My daughter is a freshman at SCAD, and she fell in love with the school on our first visit. It became the benchmark to which all other schools were compared (MICA was one of them) and none measured up.</p>

<p>She has discovered she loves living there, made many friends and didn’t have a tough time adjusting to living away. Although spread out across the city of Savannah, she hasn’t had trouble finding/making it to classes as they have a decent transportation system for students.</p>

<p>Most importantly, she is thoroughly enjoying the test of her art skills. She works HARD every quarter in her classes. I recall being told during the Open House that students can expect 10-15 hours of homework in each class each week, and that has indeed held pretty true. Coupled with 15 hours of classes each week, she’s putting in a good 45-50 hours per week in school-related work. She has received excellent feedback from professors and we have already seen her creativity step up a few notches as a result.</p>

<p>She hasn’t mentioned any real drawbacks, and looks forward to the time when she’ll begin her major classes (graphic design).</p>

<p>From what we’ve been told and through guest speakers that have been at the open house/orientations, they have a strong career services area and connections with a lot of employers across the country.</p>

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<p>I’m glad to know that your daughter loves SCAD! It seems that its definitely a favorite among its students. I’ve received $9,000 a year scholarship from them so that definitely makes it a more attractive offer. Plus, my family is from the south and there is definitely a certain charm you can’t get anywhere else.</p>

<p>I’m also glad to know that its really challenging, I want to get my money’s worth! Thanks for your input you guys, I really appreciate it. :)</p>

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<p>I have pretty much narrowed my choices to MICA and CMU… I think I will end up doing illustration or graphic design… Eek! Help!</p>

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<p>I think I got it. You are in CMU college of fine art, not school of art, so if you want to do graphic design, it have to be school of design? how that work?</p>

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<p>The school of fine arts at CMU has three different tracks: painting/drawing/printmaking, electronic and time based media (what I’m interested in) and sculpture/installation. :)</p>

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<p>My daughter is a junior and looking to apply to schools for fashion/apparel design.
Can anyone tell me a bit about what schools are looking for re academics (SATs, GPA, AP and Honors courses)?
She’s interested in RISD (I know their requirements), Parsons, Pratt, SAID, CCA, MCAD, SCAD, VCU, Syracuse? Other suggestions for schools to look at? She likes cities.
Thanks!</p>

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<p>swingset - did you know that you can minor in design at CMU? Did you make your decision yet?</p>

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<p>here’s the link - [Minor</a> in Design > School of Design > Carnegie Mellon University](<a href=“http://www.design.cmu.edu/show_program.php?s=1&t=6]Minor”>http://www.design.cmu.edu/show_program.php?s=1&t=6)</p>

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<p>mom958-</p>

<p>It looks like you are on the east coast, but if the west coast is an option, UC Davis has a fashion design track. Back east there’s also Cornell for apparel design. Neither is in a city, though. What about FIT?</p>

<p>Academically, Cornell, Davis and RISD have the most rigorous academic requirements, but it’s all about the portfolio.</p>

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<p>WUSTL has fashion design major, and is an all-around great place to be.</p>

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<p>Thanks Drae27! Sorry I haven’t checked here in a while. I was definitely thinking about majoring in fine art (electronic and time based media track) with a minor in design, that’d be great. I think I am leaning towards CMU, granted that I do not want to sacrifice academics like I would have to at MICA. :(</p>

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<p>Hey :slight_smile: im def. in love with cmu and will be applying this fall for college of fine arts/ graphic design!!! :)</p>

<p>What do you think got you into their program? (stats/hooks/portfolio) any tips for admission?</p>

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<p>Maybe this might help: [Top</a> 10 Graphic Design Schools Ranked](<a href=“GoDaddy Corporate Domains - Protected”>GoDaddy Corporate Domains - Protected)</p>

<p>I would pick CMU over the other choices. I don’t much care for SCAD, plus I’ve heard that they have weird accreditation, that they aren’t accredited by the same board as the other art schools/universities, which could hurt you if you decided to transfer. I heard this a couple of years ago, so I dont know if thats still the case. Overall I just get a weird vibe from SCAD.</p>

<p>MICA and CCA are both great schools. I love Baltimore, it’s a nice city. Otis is a weird one. Its one of those schools that is good, but I never hear it’s name come up all that often.</p>

<p>I go to UD, which happens to be on that list. Im into design and illustration too. I’m actually applying to MICA for grad school 2011, maybe I’ll see you there ;)</p>

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<p>They state that admissions is 50/50 stats and portfolio. And I think they mean it. I think they like it if you visit and do the portfolio review in person during one of those sleeping bag weekends. They are very good about communicating throughout the process, with lots of mailings along the way. I think it helps if you are familiar with their approach and faculty and can let them know that someway in your essay. If I remember correctly they have a why Carnegie prompt. </p>

<p>When we visited there was a School of Design tour given by the students with a long question answer session with those same students while applicants waited to be called into their portfolio reviews. They were all very pleased with the program and very enthusiastic. I was very impressed with the Graphic Design work I saw while we were there.</p>