<p>I am an art student outside of HS that is just finishing up a two year art portfolio program.
I was accepted by The Art Institute of Chicago, MICA, Boston Museum and Syracuse. I really like Syracuse for its campus life but think Chicago may have a better program. Can anybody provide some guidance? I would be most appreciative.</p>
<p>Emilygal</p>
<p>It helps to hear what you do, paint, illustrate, digital or 3D, what your goal is, money, distance issue etc?</p>
<p>I am not so concerned about money. I just want to fulfill my passion for art - painting, drawing, sculpture, illustrations, etc. My artistic side of my brain works just fine but when it comes to business, math, science, I am at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>people like Syracuse because you can take or be with business math science thing, which none of other schools can match, well MICA with Baltimore thing, SMFA with Tufts but not that easy is what everyone says, or you mean school spirit and team sports, or student center gym etc that you want?
You want to do everything not concentrate on one medium, then either SAIC or SMFA, not so much MICA but still OK. I thought Syracuse is more divided, even in between two schools for communication art. Anyone else?</p>
<p>If you are more focused on fine arts and are looking to let your creative juices run wild, which art program is better - Syracuse or SAIC?</p>
<p>I know Chicago has bad winters but I heard that Syracuse weather is worse - mostly grey skies.</p>
<p>Even though at Syracuse there is room for electives (both liberal arts and studio) you still have to choose a major and follow a certain track of classes to graduate in that major. At SAIC you are more free to mix it up.</p>
<p>They are such different experiences. Almost polar opposites. One (Chicago) very urban and independent and with a much more open curriculum. One (Syracuse) your more typical American college atmosphere, where the campus becomes your world with all kinds of students form jocks to geeks. Basketball is huge there. Thousands of kids dress up in orange and sit together in the stands doing the wave. The art school is very strong and we were very impressed with the students we met when my S visited.</p>
<p>SAIC and SMFA are more fine art oriented while MICA is supposedly as good with design as it is with art (which is pretty good). All of those schools follow loosely structured curricula (with mica being the most structured and smfa being the least) and encourage interdisciplinary practice i.e. encouraging students to take classes across multiple disciplines. SAIC is know for being particularly conceptual in their approach to art. There are several considerable differences between art schools and larger colleges with strong art departments. You’ll find some of them detailed in this thread </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/868224-private-art-college-vs-uc.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/868224-private-art-college-vs-uc.html</a></p>
<p>The big advantage/disadvantage of going to syracuse (depending on how you see it) is that you will be in a more traditional academic environment with a more diverse student body, more readily available extra curriculars and access to better academic classes. Art schools, however, are for art and everything after that is sort of secondary. That said, do expect to get a more rigorous art education at an independent art school than you would at most LAC’s and general universities. The only art school on your list with good liberal arts studies (to my knowledge) is SMFA via their partnership with Tufts. Also, SAIC and SMFA supposedly require a lot of independence from their students.</p>
<p>Syracuse weather is very dismal and it’s pretty rural as well.</p>
<p>Chicago is a great town, lots to do, and the dorms are apartments in highrises in the middle of downtown. Very cool.</p>
<p>Syracuse is more selective overall for undergraduate admissions than the other 3 for what thats worth. MICA is next. My D got accepted at both Chicago and the Museum School but thru the Northeastern program. I think Chicago doesn’t have a great retention which affects their 4 yr graduation rate which should raise some questions for you but is not nec a deal-breaker. Regarding the business, math courses – there is a business side to the art world and you wouldn’t want to disadvantage yourself where ever you go by being ignorant of basic stuff. </p>
<p>Spend some more time on the phone or if you can visit the schools again and listen carefully to how they describe themselves and tease out their approaches. One will feel right to you. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>better have super rich parents/bottomless trust funds, or partner, henchman who you can trust and keep you fed. It can happen, you never know.
I just can’t get over what happened to the super photo lady, Annie Leibovitz</p>