<p>Here is a little background info:
We live in the midwest. When D was a senior in HS, we visited two art schools, SAIC and KCAI, as well as several state universities in ours and neighboring states. Even though she had a preference for an urban environment, she ended up choosing to go to an in-state university in a small city. She had a mediocre freshman year. She could have stayed at the university, but would not be allowed to continue in graphic design due to her grades. She chose to come home. She now admits that a lot of the problem was frequent visits home to see her boyfriend.</p>
<p>She took a little time off while working, and then went to the local CC for two semesters. She now wants to go back to an art school full-time. She has always loved Chicago, and is now looking at Columbia College. I have done some searches here, and only saw a few posts about it, all negative. I have been doing some other searches, and it seems some people love it and rate it highly, while others absolutely hate it, without a lot of views in between. I have checked the bios of some of the staff, and it appears they have a pretty good background with degrees from a variety of respected schools. I would appreciate any recent feedback anyone has on the school, particularly in graphic design or fine arts. </p>
<p>Whether she is ready to return to school full-time or whether dad and I are willing to pay for it is another topic for another day. Right now I am more concerned about whether she is wasting her time looking at this particular school. Suggestions for other schools in midwest urban environments are also welcome.</p>
<p>I would second Wheaty about SAIC, except for her medicore freshman year. It is a pass-fail system, best for students who are very motivated and self driven. KCAI gave us the more nurturing feel. Have you looked at MCAD? D just finished her first semester there and loved it. School is located in neighborhood setting in Minneapolis, yet close to downtown and lots of things to do, kind of the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>We visited Columbia and got the feeling that it was more of a for-profit school. Plus when they graduate, they are competing with the SAIC grads for jobs, and I feel SAIC carries a bigger name value.</p>
<p>She made a passing remark about SAIC being more intense than Columbia, but I will pursue it further. SAIC is also about double the price. I am concerned about her staying motivated no matter where she ends up. </p>
<p>I liked KCAI much better than SAIC, so I will probably also ask her to consider a second visit there.</p>
<p>You’ve given me a couple of other options to consider. She has never been to Detroit or Minneapolis.</p>
<p>I would venture a guess that she is right about the intensity of SAIC being higher, but I’m not sure that SAIC is “double” the price. Last I looked Columbia was right up there too. KCAI was my D’s very close second choice.</p>
<p>D is happy to talk to anyone about her experience at MCAD, pm me if you’d like. Also, she wrote a long review of her first semester there, link attached.</p>