Freaking Out

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>So, I'm a high school senior looking into art schools. Ideally, I'd like to major in Sequential Arts, but lately I've decided to settle for Illustration. </p>

<p>Some background about me as a student: my grades are all A's and B's, my SAT score is a little above 2000. I'm living in New England currently, but don't mind going (really) far away from home. MICA rated my portfolio in their top 25% of those they reviewed this year, and I've never really had a bad portfolio review.</p>

<p>At first I was looking at a lot of schools including: SVA, SCAD, MCAD, Ringling, MECA, NHIA but my favorite so far has been MICA. Some of the schools (SCAD, Ringling) have been ruled out because they're down south and I have a huge issue with pollen allergies, unfortunately. </p>

<p>SVA went next (even though they have a stellar Cartooning program) because I can't stand NYC. And while I may apply to them, looking at the art & programs of NHIA and MECA I don't really feel like I'd fit in there for various reasons.</p>

<p>I really like MICA, and they like me back, but the ONLY thing I'm VERY concerned about the dangers of living in Baltimore. I've heard some real horror stories such as people being beaten to death and shot in broad daylight right in the campus area! I visited, and while it didn't seem too bad, the safety situation didn't seem great either.</p>

<p>In general, I'm really not a city person - if given the choice I'd be out in the countryside, but unfortunately that's often not where the art scene likes to be.</p>

<p>This what I'm "freaking out" about. I really feel I haven't found a school I'm 100% in love with - and it's getting to be late in the game here. </p>

<p>Can anyone put my MICA fears to rest, or recommended another school they think will really be my perfect match? I'm about ready to drop everything and just head to community college this is stressing me out so much.</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read this message, and for any efforts put forth to rectify my situation.</p>

2

<p>My D is a freshman at Mica and hasn’t had any problems with Baltimore or the neighborhood. I would say she takes too many risks (biking around after dark, etc.) but even so, she’s not felt unsafe. </p>

<p>That being said, if you think you’d feel much better in the country, why don’t you look at programs like UNC - Asheville, Alfred U, snowy Pratt, etc. What about the school of the MFA, where you’d get a discount as a New England native? I’m sure there are other less urban schools out there too. </p>

<p>Also, pollen seems to know no boundaries. Mica has an advantage in that the freshman dorms are air conditioned. My other D goes to a school with un-air conditioned dorms and had many fans and kept her windows open. She was comfortable with that (it’s not in a real hot climate) but all that pollen coming in her windows meant she had to use her inhaler as soon as she woke up each morning. Then, when it got colder, her building was invaded by stink bugs. That really freaked her out!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your reply, green.</p>

<p>Thats quite the story about stinkbugs, I’ve never heard anything like that before!
And I’m glad to hear that even with those risks your D has been safe in Baltimore.</p>

<p>I’ll look into your recommendations, thanks!</p>

4

<p>My daughter is also a freshman at MICA. We were worried about the rough neighborhoods surrounding Bolton Hill. We made our daughter take Krav Maga self defense classes for several months. Hopefully she won’t ever be in a situation where she needs to use it. Krav Maga is kind of cool because it teaches you street fighting and how to disable an attacker and get away – which is what you’d want in those sorts of situations. Unlike the more formal martial arts courses, the neat thing about krav maga is that there are no ‘rules’. It was originally developed by the Israeli armed forces. Lots of law enforcement types take the classes too. The place the kid went to was not very expensive – around $20/session.</p>

5

<p>IIRC, Boston’s School of the MFA is strictly fine art. I almost went there…was admitted; took an intense summer program there. It’s a great school, but if you want to get a job in the field, definitely consider a place that offers commercial art.</p>

<p>Have you considered RISD? I know it’s in a cold climate and all, but it has such a great reputation. Also RIT – lol, even colder climate; sorry!</p>

<p>I’m with you – the country rules! As you say, too bad the arts scene tends to be urban.</p>

6

<p>D goes to MCAD that has a great sequential art program, where they even do a mini comic expo each year where students sell their comics. They have a whole section set up as a comic studio. She’s an illustration major, absolutely loves it and also does comics, & film. Neighborhood is fairly safe (safer than MICA I think), but she still took a self-defense class, and is careful where she goes. Security will pick you up if you’ve walked someplace and found yourself you weren’t expecting after dark. She did pre-college at NHIA and I’m not sure how strong their comic program is (or if they even have one). She’s home from her first semester, and is willing to talk about her experiences, so pm me and she can give you more details.</p>

7

<p>We live near Baltimore and have visited MICA a few times. I think safety is not much of an issue if you are smart about your decisions. The only bad stories I have heard have been with male students who have been just plain stupid in where they went, the time and purpose (bad neighborhood, late night, for drugs)…Have you thought about KCAI…it looks pretty good…for some many art schools are in edgy areas. Actually, I would worry far more about the allergies in Maryland…I know norther virginia is allergy hell for some people. You may want to talk to your allergist about this. Florida isn’t great either due to the humidity/mold. Good luck…lots of choices with good stats and portfolio.</p>

8

<p>Yep, KCAI is another good choice, small, but not too small, nurturing, great atmosphere, was D’s 2nd choice. Florida is TERRIBLE as far as allergies and such. I never had a problem until I moved here from the North.</p>