<p>I'm debating between MICA and MECA for a 2011 pre-college summer program specializing in painting (considering Game Art or Film as backup.)
I've done research on both and found this general consensus:</p>
<p>MECA:
- small; individual attention (~40 students)
- very friendly and nurturing environment
- one of the cheapest options around (~$3800)
- fantastic painting/fine arts program
- comfortable city</p>
<p>MICA:
- one of the top well-known programs (~250 students)
- friendly but challenging environment
- pricier but not too bad (~$4700 for the programs I'm looking at)
- fantastic painting program
- lively and artsy city, albeit a bit ghetto</p>
<p>I'd like to know...
Scholarships and financial aid:
How generous are these schools? </p>
<p>Dorm Life:
Are the dorms cramped? Are they ghetto or to the newer side? </p>
<p>Campus Life:
I've never been to either city... does anyone know what there is to do around campus? Will students usually hole up in their dorms or be out shopping, touring the town, and relaxing at cafes? </p>
<p>Weather:
Are Portland and Baltimore humid during the summer? Mostly cloudy? </p>
<p>Thank you very much in advance, and definitely let me know if you're considering the same program!! :)</p>
<p>it’s an old story, three summers ago but my kid applied to both.
MECA is this nicest people working. so human. prompt reply. they did the best they could but aid we got was less than one third of the cost.
MICA Baltimore would give merit and need based aid. if you are really good and really poor, they can help you maybe more than MECA.
I never seen MECA or Portland Maine but hear nice things about it.
MICA commons are OK, reminded me of rundown motel but it is just me. room itself is big and nice with full kitchen and all. I wasn’t crazy about the area but I won’t call it ghetto, not one bit.
there are MICA kids, parents here in other thread, you can PM and ask.
MECA students haven’t posted for ages. </p>
<p>if you want new media sort for your second choice, I don’t think MECA offers them?
MECA schedule was more favorable to us since school was over when it started.
MICA Baltimore, he’d have missed one week of school with some exam in it.
How is your HS calender? check them carefully before you commit.</p>
<p>My D2 did Mica’s precollege program and is now a freshman there.</p>
<p>Yes, Baltimore is both hot and humid. It is mostly sunny, and the city is on the water so you can ride around in the water taxis all day if you have a day off. </p>
<p>I like the Commons, which is the dorms where they put the pre-college kids. They are air conditioned and have full kitchens in each suite. The buildings have a central quad space and you have to enter and leave through a gatehouse building that always has a proctor there. For the summer program, they didn’t let D2 leave unless she was in a group of 3 or more (for safety). Not sure if they still have that policy.</p>
<p>The immediate neighborhood, Bolton Hill, is quite pretty. You can bike or walk to many other places or take the light rail. There’s a stop nearby. Baltimore will have quite a bit going on in the summer, in it’s many neighborhoods. The summer program is in July? Guaranteed there’ll be something major happening at Fort McHenry (the star-spangled banner fort). It’s a lively town. </p>
<p>The school is good about having shuttle buses go around to area shops, to downtown, etc. The kids usually go on a longer trip to NY or Philadelphia or DC also.</p>
<p>Mica’s website should have specific financial aid info. D2 got a merit award, but I’m not sure if they still offer that. There are also specific grants for kids from Baltimore, for URM’s etc.</p>
<p>One of D’s favorite things was the big party at the end. Their “gallery opening” coincided with a street art and music festival that was happening right outside on Mt. Royal Avenue. Great fun!</p>
<p>Thanks for the detailed replies, bears and dogs and greenwitch! </p>
<p>Scheduling doesn’t seem to be a problem so far. MECA is appealing because of low cost, but I’m not sure if the environment is as good as MICA seems. I’ll inquire more about financial aid and decide from there. </p>
<p>Will get back to this when there’s progress…</p>
<p>Portland Maine is a great city. Nearby art museum, public transportation. The Old Port area is very trendy (for Maine anyway), interesting restaurants and shops down by the wharf area. School itself is in old department store with fabulous natural lighting and city views from the huge windows. Pretty safe place, as safe as a large city can get. Dorms are refurbished hotel rooms, and from what I remember are OK. Weather is nice, not real humid, and it doesn’t get blistering hot. I think MECA was just starting a New Media program but I"m not sure. I would have liked my D to go there for her BFA, simply because I’m from Maine, but she chose MCAD instead. She did pre-college at NHIA which was VERY reasonable, and loved it!</p>