<p>I am currently a junior in high school, and I would really like to apply to the MECA Pre-College summer program. I would like to build up my portfolio so I can attend an art school, especially in the New England area.
Based on the pamphlet about the program I received in the mail, it sounds VERY interesting! It is a cheaper than the RISD, MassArt, and Emerson programs that also would have like to take (especially Emerson because I want to major in film), and I am also very familiar with Maine, so MECA seems like a good choice for a summer program.</p>
<p>However, I feel like I am just jumping into this blindfolded. I have done a lot of digging on this website and others, and I just can't seem to find anyone who has taken this program who gives detailed feedback. I've never been more than a week away from my home, so I am especially nervous about the living conditions. The daily art workload does not bother me; I am very excited for that. But knowing how I will be living is pretty crucial to me.</p>
<p>So, here's just a few questions for anyone who has taken this specific program:
What are the dorms like?
Is there computer access, or will I have to bring my own laptop (I do weekly videos for YouTube, but my current laptop is a bit sluggish, so a computer with video editing access is almost essential for me)?
How are the meals?
After classes and weekend excursions, are we allowed to just roam the city aimlessly before curfew?
Is it true that there is a weekend camping trip?</p>
<p>If anyone can answer these questions for me, it would be VERY appreciated. n_____n</p>
<p>But I have to say MECA CE people are so very nice and sweet.
I don’t know anything about film, I had the impression anything techie is not MECA’s strength.
It is cheaper because it’s shorter, smaller friendlier than some other named schools.
I couldn’t afford two years ago for then junior son but if other option did not come through, I might have tempted to send him because MECA raised scholarship money gladly and the human always talked on the phone.
It must be nice to spend summer in Portland, did mention boating trip and such, if that’s what you like to do. About laptop and whatnot, you can call, and they’d always answer nicely, I bet.
My kid is a painter and was good fit with their students’ works in the brochure and listed faculty bios/works.
You should research more in schools’ own site (not only here) before commit to anything.
What your forks do for living and what are they saying about it? Is it all up to you and they just pay for it?
From my experience, art pre-college cast rather rosy pictures on non hardcore art kids and non-art parents’ minds especially if it is done at brand named schools.
In the nutshell, it’s just about artschools’ money making scam/talent search recruit opp in half, testing water for wannabe art school kids to see where they are at (how much they are behind and how far to catch up if the kid is lucky enough to see the differences ) and if they still do want to go, to see if they can stand obnoxious pot smoking know it alls that they have to spend college years together eventually, talking up to profs, claiming best slot in the shows, dropping names, happened to be cute and popular, could be rich as well, eek
At MECA, I have a feeling less of all these are happening.
I can not say for sure, because he didn’t go after all.
Good luck</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to mention that I also was intending on majoring in painting in the summer program, but film when I actually go to college.</p>
<p>look at students’ works. They’d put the cream of the crop (that’s how you say it?) If their style and palette matches yours, great. MECA back then had good traditional teq based contemporary style, which was actually better (for him) than any other schools.
They could fabricate anything ( there was funny bit in MICA’s back then that did not make sense) but again, somehow I can trust those good folks at MECA.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!
Actually, I have checked out the website and looked at all the students work. I think I get the basic overview on what goes on art wise in the program.
But you wouldn’t happen to know of anyone who has taken it and stayed in the dorms? As I said before, I just want to know what it is like to “live” in the program. Their website only shows the exterior of the dorms, and doesn’t really show the kids out and about unless they are on a weekend excursion. I just want to know what that is like. I know each kid probably has their own individual experience, but I just would like to know what that is like.</p>
<p>Look at pre college kids’ works that produced then and there, not college’s.
I can’t remember MECA in particular but some programs post where kids are from along with their works and names. That helps bit to figure out the caliber/ geographic range that school covers.
Can’t tell about dorm or daily life, sorry.
Dorms are the same college or pre college, Anyone attend (ed)?
I did hear once MECA is the most underrated school for how good it is.
But you are right, there is almost no info in this site since I started.</p>
<p>Have you checked New Hampshire Institute of Art pre-college? My daughter went there and can tell you about it. She got a $500 scholarship to attend pre-college, and after it was done, a merit scholarship to attend. She applied, and got accepted with additional scholarship money. If you look at the pdf on their website, on the picture on the far left, she’s the girl in black right next to the teacher right on the page with the recommendation form on it. Right now, it’s her third choice, and she got accepted to her second, so she’s not sure if she’s going to go there or not, but the tuition is cheaper than her other 2 choices… It will be up to her tho.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nhia.edu/assets/Uploads/PDFs/Registrar/Pre-College-2010-12.09.09.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nhia.edu/assets/Uploads/PDFs/Registrar/Pre-College-2010-12.09.09.pdf</a></p>
<p>Sarah, I attended the Early College Program at MECA 3 summers ago and I can honestly say it was one of the best summers of my life. I’m a second semester freshman at MECA now. They won me over and even though there are a lot of serious changes taking place right now i don’t regret my decision. </p>
<p>As far as housing goes MECA has some of the best that I’ve seen. It actually feels like a room not a jail cell. There aren’t linoleum floors and concrete walls. The Oak Street dorm used to be a small hotel and the rooms either have carpeting or painted wood floors and REAL walls. rofl They’re definitely livable and anything you’d immediately need is no more than a few minutes walk. It’s comfortable.</p>
<p>There is absolutely computer access. There are 3 computer labs open to students and they all have fairly to brand new macs. Video editing is not a problem. </p>
<p>The food is… less than perfect but nothing to complain about… a 6 out of 10. When I was in Early College we had to walk 2 blocks to get food everyday so consider yourself lucky because there’s a cafe now in the main building. lol </p>
<p>You are absolutely allowed to go anywhere and do whatever you want during your free time. Just follow the rules and you’ll be golden. </p>
<p>There IS a weekend camping trip to Cow Island and dude… it’s SWEET! You pee on the beach and eat granola and go canoeing and sing Bob Dylan songs by campfire. I don’t know if that’s your kind of thing but it was pretty excellent when I went. The people are really nice. </p>
<p>I can also attest to the fact that MECA isn’t about the popularity and isn’t filled to the brim with pretentious people trying to put you down. It’s a seriously inviting community and people will remember your name because they want to make you feel comfortable. It’s a very nurturing environment and I learned A LOT. I took the painting major in Early College like you’re planing to as well and it’s got great basics and some fun challenging work as well. It was enough to get me and my friend Inge to attend MECA full-time and there’s a girl here from Early College 2 years ago as well. It’s a magnet. lol </p>
<p>It’s cheaper than other programs and you can apply for scholarships if you want/need them as well. If you have any questions the people in the administrative center are very real, very sincere people who’d be glad to help you. And… if you come this summer you might get to meet me because I’m currently applying for the RA position. =D I hope this was helpful, if you’d like to find me on facebook we can talk more about the program if you want. My e-mail is <a href="mailto:adding2thenoise@citlink.net">adding2thenoise@citlink.net</a> and my name is Amber Murphy. </p>
<p>Nice to ‘meet’ you. =)</p>
<p>Are you allowed to walk around the city as you please? I’m attending this summer and have a few questions.</p>