<p>We are planning a visit to MICA and thought while we were in the area (we are from Tampa) we would check out other art schools in MD, VA & PA. There are several schools with in a reasonable driving distance but we can't see them all. I would love any feedback on which are must sees and which ones you might pass on. My son is interested in illustration and digital arts.</p>
<p>Corcoran, Carniegie Mellon, Tyler, VCU, ??any others we should consider?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My daughter had Corcoran on her short list, and before we even finished our visit there she’d decided not to even apply. It was perhaps the least ‘college’-like situation she and I had ever seen.</p>
<p>The main instructional building is part of the Corcoran Museum, much of it seemed to be in the basement area. There is one other building closer to Georgetown that contains a good deal of the graphic design instructional areas. That’s it.</p>
<p>There is no school-sponsored transportation between the buildings. One ‘dormitory’ space which is not even owned by the Corcoran, but is a few floors of an apartment building that the Corcoran makes available to those wanting ‘campus’ housing. We were told its primarily freshman, as students generally find other places to live after the first year. I found the living spaces pretty basic and uninspiring. It also doesn’t appear that students can walk to either instructional building from this location, so must use public transportation and/or bicycles to get around. There is no dining plan, or even a dining hall available. Students are indeed on their own when it comes to meals.</p>
<p>With only a few hundred comprising the student body, and so many scattered in various living situations around DC, there didn’t seem to be much in the way of organized school functions. The school reps who did the tour pointed out that this school is definitely more for a student who is VERY independent and secure on their own. </p>
<p>While the school may be perfect for some, it was not a good fit for my daughter as she really wanted to be surrounded by a larger student body and have more of a true college experience with a student center and college activities and true dorms.</p>
<p>I have been meaning to repond to msmayors post as a perfect example of her final point:</p>
<p>…While the school (Corcoran) may be perfect for some, it was not a good fit for my daughter…</p>
<p>After a two year process, my daughter has wrapped up her college selection with The Corcoran, as it was “perfect” for her. </p>
<p>We agree with every fact that msmayor states, yet find them to be reasons to have chosen the school: Not ‘college’-like … beneath an historic museum … apartment housing … public transportation … no dining plan … only a few hundred in the student body … perfect for a student who is independent and secure on their own …</p>
<p>I write this, not to disagree with the original poster, but to demonstrate the importance of students knowing what they’re looking for in a school and community, and the necessity of visits to and exploration of schools to determine how well they meet the desired criteria.</p>
<p>Different strokes for different brushes.</p>
<p>“perfect for a student who is independent and secure on their own …”</p>
<p>This is precisely what the staff member who accompanied us on our tour said, practically word for word.</p>
<p>As the previous poster said, it really is important to visit these schools. They really DO have a personality all their own, and what looks great in a brochure or on-line can have a completely different vibe when you see it in person. I will say that all the Corcoran students we encountered during our time there were very happy. I know personally a student who attends (the daughter of a friend) and she’s extremely happy there. All because its the right fit.</p>
<p>MICA to CMU in Pittsburgh is about the same as MICA to New York City. Might want to consider visiting Pratt, SVA, Parsons, Copper Union etc. there. </p>
<p>Could even hit Tyler on the way.</p>
<p>If you’re going to PA, and go to Tyler, you could consider going on to NYC. It’s not far - maybe two hours from Philly? </p>
<p>In VA/MD, I’d have you see MICA, VCU, and Corcoran.</p>
<p>In PA, if you can do it, I’d have you see CM, University of the Arts, U Penn (depending on his academics) and Temple (Tyler). </p>
<p>In NJ, Rutgers New Brunswick, since you’re driving by it on the way to…</p>
<p>NYC-metro: SVA, Pratt, Parsons, Columbia U (depending on his academics), the Cooper Union, and NYU.</p>
<p>And if you aren’t all tuckered out, go up to RISD in Providence…</p>
<p>And then on to Mass Art and SMFA Boston. </p>
<p>By then you’ll be wiped out!</p>
<p>One more in Philly is Drexel. It is not an art school per se, but it does have both an art program and an arts management program. Their Drexel Co-op program seems pretty interesting as well. Also, they gave my daughter a primo scholarship (although she has chosen to go to MICA, which also gave a scholarship).</p>