<p>If anyone would like me to post experiences over the first semester with MICA (my d. is a freshman), I will be glad to do that. I can go over any portion of her experience from getting in, registration and moving in, to classes and everyday life.</p>
<p>My d. is not a big writer, but I will verify information with her before I post. If any parents want a parent perspective, I can also add that too or post seperaterly.</p>
<p>First semester grades will be coming in about 3 weeks, so I'll see how this all works.
S.Dad</p>
<p>PS This is going to be experiences or suggestions for students/parents, I'm not into bashing schools. And MICA has earned our respect, by the way they have treated both my d. and parents.</p>
<p>That would be terrific, S.Dad. Thanks for offering. Our D is considering MICA, and any info is most welcome. Would you mind a pm with some very specific questions as well?</p>
<p>I would be interested in reading this as well. I haven't considered MICA too seriously because I've heard some things about it's location but I would definitely like to know more.</p>
<p>S.Dad and sketchy, I'm interested in your views on MICA as well. Like DocRobert, I've been concerned about the location (specifically, on-campus and near-campus safety). Please post away!</p>
<p>i'm accepted into MICA and SAIC for Spring 2009.
People say MICA's graphic design program is better, however SAIC is more well-known.
MICA's location (i heard) isnt that great but the tuition fee and housing fee is much more cheaper than SAIC...</p>
<p>sigh i really dont know which to choose.....</p>
<p>I am working on a first report, since I saw questions on location, I going to focus on the dorm, what it's like and the location first.</p>
<p>Please feel free to send any pm to me with any questions you like. I'll be glad to answer. If any other MICA parents have their own thoughts, or disagree with my comments. Please jump in and put your thoughts too.
S.Dad</p>
<p>Where and what does your daughter do for fun? What is her major and opinions about foundation year? Does she get enough studio time? What surprised her most first semester?</p>
<p>S.Dad,
I'd love to read u're report asap. I got accepted into SAIC and MICA, and I hope to focus on visual communication/graphic design. And I'm now having a hard time choosing which school to go to. I'm entering in Spring 2009... so i'd like to hear from u asap.</p>
<p>I heard that some ppl's dorms got broken into for quite a few times? is the area dangerous? i heard it's really quiet... do u know anything about the graphic design program?</p>
<p>x20LIx - Have you visited SAIC? If so, maybe you can share your experience while we wait for S. Dad. My daughter visited MICA twice and was concerned with the surrounding area. Crime is an issue for all big cities but entertainment was also a concern. While art students spend a great deal of time on projects, they need other non-art places to go as well. We did not notice a coffe house or restaurant "hangout" when we visited but it doesn't mean they weren't there, she just didn't know where to look. We did take the train to a neighboring town with a small main street of stores nothing exciting, would like to learn more.</p>
<p>Findmepete, no i havent visited SAIC nor MICA...
i live in hong kong and didnt get a chance to visit the two schools...
from what i know, SAIC is situated in the city so there should be quite a lot of entertainment around~~~ </p>
<p>Thanks for telling me about the surroundings of MICA ;)</p>
<p>My d. is in the last week of classes and exams, so her report will be delayed a bit. I will have d. look at the report when she can get a breather (which may be next week).</p>
<p>BTW expect to spend a LARGE amount of time on your MICA projects, and also on work for final exams. MICA profs. can be tough and their critiques brutal, but honest. All nighters are common towards the end of the semester.</p>
<p>Some questions asked:
(1) MICA does offer summer sessions.
(2) There are a few hang-out places near MICA. Couple of coffee shops and a few "drinking places". D. does neither, but will ask if she knows more.
(3) There is studio space for freshman (my d. loves this) but they are pretty strict about "cleaning up after yourself". If you cause problems, you can get yourself "uninvited" to studio space. You have to sign up, and you have access for the something like a class week or so.
(4) I'll ask about break-ins. My d. has not had problems, nor have I heard of any but will check.<br>
(5)D. has been to Baltimore shops, stores, malls, bookstores (Barnes & Nobles is huge in the Harbor area), aquarium and several colleges (including Johns Hopkins) for special events. Plus trips to NYC. Nothing to report about students having problems. Many trips are with profs. for classes (to art museums, lectures, etc...)
(6) Foundation year can be tough if you don't work. D.'s major is Illustration, but you don't have to really decide until 2nd year, but it's better to have some idea what you want to do. They have interviews with students with different depts. to talk about majors.
S.Dad</p>
<p>D is half way through junior year at MICA. She also visited SAIC, Cooper, RISD and CMU. We are in Baltimore 2 - 3 times a year. Would also be glad to provide feedback if anyone is interested.</p>
<p>I have applied to MICA and RISD along other art schools, and would love to hear what people think about MICA. I’ve heard that location is a problem, safety-wise, but the students I have talked to that go there really love it.</p>
<p>You touched on this, but is Baltimore really as dangerous as people make it out to be? I absolutely love MICA, but the surrounding is the one area turning me off from it, not only safety wise but just in terms of things to do / the general feeling of it all.</p>
<p>My son and I live in the MICA area and I feel it’s pretty safe, IF you use good street smarts. MICA’s neighborhood, Bolton Hill, is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Baltimore, but is bordered on the north and west by some rough areas. Sadly, the combination of easy access/exit and prosperity makes Bolton Hill an appealing target for criminals. IMO, the chances of getting seriously hurt are slim; most of the crimes are break-ins and the occasional mugging. I think these types of crimes are avoidable if one uses good sense. Most of Bolton Hill is perfectly safe in the day, but walking the side streets late at night alone could be risky, especially for females.</p>
<p>MICA tries hard to educate students on how to avoid becoming victims of crime; I think it’s mandatory students attend a seminar on how to be safe in Baltimore. MICA’s security force is very good and will escort and shuttle students that need it. Things do happen though, and MICA has a school incident report you can read:</p>
<p>Boltonhill.org has a bulletin board that gives a sense of what goes on and how strong the community association is.</p>
<p>My son says MICA students are aware of safety issues, but not scared. </p>
<p>My son also says there’s parties every weekend and some good clubs in the area. My son’s a tough critic, and he thinks MICA’s a great school. He say’s he’s learned more in one semester at MICA than all of high school. My son works hard, but he really loves what he’s doing. Everyone he knows at MICA feels the same way.</p>