<p>Check MICA’s pre-college 08 site!<br>
They are going to Tuscany!
Does anyone know what’s happening and why?
Suddenly getting into Baltimore class seems dull. (was our first choice till this day)
I know, it is not me going but paying ,,,,yet, yet,,,
MICA</a> | Academic Programs | Pre-College Studio Residency Program in Tuscany</p>
<p>Wow, that looks cool! Maybe when my D is old enough she could go. I wish it were me :)</p>
<p>There is detailed brochure now available.
What puzzles me is, how can be already voice of experience from pre-college kid if this is the first time they are offering this class?
I figure all photos are some study abroad classes doing work there but it is wired; would they fabricated these comments this obviously?
If any MICA students whom been to Tuscany, please post your experience.
How do you suppose, keep your acrylic paint moist while you are outside in Tuscan sun???
MICA</a> | Academic Programs | Programs for High School Students</p>
<p>Mica has a great reputation in the US and also does several college abroad programs. I can't explain the comments but I did look up the director of the program. My daughter has already applied she was so excited. I am curious how many students are experienced landscape painters. Will they except a student with only figure paintings and sketches in their portfolio entry? I hope so it will be a great learning experience if she is selected.</p>
<p>Ehh, I don't know if a pre-college thing is for me. I like wasting time and having fun all summer, and the thought of having to sit in a classroom and listen to some broad rant about stuff, even if it's about photography, is unappealing. I like learning on my own.</p>
<p>That's what my kid is telling me but I think you should give it try if you can do it money and travel-wise.
you have rest of your summer and whole life ahead of you to hang out with your friend and do your own stuff.</p>
<p>I might be wrong, but do you get college credit for it? That's always a good thing.</p>
<p>I agree with Bears and Dogs. Foreign travel can be an be amazing experience. She is excited for the artistic experience and the opportunity to spend time with small group of kids with simliar experience. The rest of the summer can be used to hang and practice skills on her own.</p>
<p>yes, you get 3 credit for Baltimore 2 for Tuscany with satisfactory completion whatever that means. Check on web for details. You get grades and all. Maybe it is too much like regular school, hum?
Try livejournal site, too. There are many good MICA pre-college stories in cooperunion community.</p>
<p>Take it from someone whose d. went to two MICA pre-college programs. If you don't want WORK don't go.</p>
<p>Now it will be fine arts work, but hard work (including art history & writing). Plan on spending hours and hours (and hours) in studio's, having lots of assignments, and being critically reviewed by the teachers.</p>
<p>Advantages:(1)If your a senior, you can get your work reviewed and approved in advance so you KNOW your portfolio will be accepted. (2) You can get a "pre-college" scholarship (having nothing to do with other MICA scholarships) and providing funds for college. (3)You get to create lots of work for your portfolio (but don't expect this to cover everything). (4) If your good enough, you might get the MICA teacher to give you a written recommendation for your college application.</p>
<p>Disadvantages: (1) If you don't work MICA staff WILL know it. (2) If you can't handle the blistering critiques (and some students can't) it will be bad... (3) and if you don't really, really, really want to be in this environment, it will show.</p>
<p>S. Dad</p>
<p>PS Go for it!</p>
<p>PS I don't know where that ): came from, if anything it should be (:
S.Dad</p>
<p>s. dad - Thanks for the honesty. The precollege program can weed out kids or give them a realistic preview of college at MICA. My d went to UARTS and loved the summer experience. There was more free time since classes were finished by 4 or 6. The after hours 4-10 or 11 provided a valuable learning experince as well. My d got to know many parts of the Philadelphia and the experience was invaluable. Mica Baltimore precollege sounds a bit more strict with classes going into the evening. Artist spend many hours working on projects and mine does it with gusto most of the time. Anyone else applying to the Tuscany Program?</p>
<p>Is anyone else applying to the Mica Precollege Tuscany or the Baltimore precollege program? I am surprised that there is not a school thread for Mica but there is for Pratt and RISD. Why is this? Is the Baltimore crime rate a bigger factor than I thought or do many people just prefer the northeast? Mica seems quite challenging.</p>
<p>Findmepete:
I go to MICA. MICA is definitely challenging. I don't know why there isn't a forum specifically for MICA, but I have started re-capping my Freshman year in a thread on this forum - so if you go back a few pages you may be able to find it :)</p>
<p>We are processing application now, though my child is reluctant one of the reason being price tag that bumped up $800 this year.
He is sophomore and the way I look at, this summer is crucial if he were to decide what kind of college he wants to attend and residential experience seems best way to know how it is.
The reason I think MICA is better place is, they asks portfolio for every applicant with quite muddling requirement of how CD should be prepared. This seems weeding factor, if students (and parents) are not serious about it they won’t be bother doing all these. It is not like some other courses if you can pay, you are in.
I have learned from other blog sites that numbers of MICA pre college alum choose to go to school with strong fine art dept, not design-sh stuff. That also what my child is looking into. It seems great place to meet like-minded student not only socially but of artistic interests. They would then later talk about college choices and share their works in productive way, it seems we were there in the famed yellow gym! kind of connection I found heart warming considering how students could be nasty to each other if they want to, like the art school movie.
What bothers me is that, normal, regular folks do not know MICA’s existence even someone grew up in Maryland or lives in Baltimore suburb!! I asked about reputation in general and they have not even heard of the name--- yet school is quite old, isn’t it? It is neither talked about nor prestigious as RISD maybe outside of art school related world.
Pre college seems load better, though. We shall see.</p>
<p>Brand</a> New: MICA Finds Itself</p>
<p>I apologize if I am repeating myself from another thread. I found an article about MICA's name and image change back in 1994. Perhaps it takes longer than ten years to make the break through. My d first came in contact with MICA when we visited the school. It was a very positive experience. The tour guide seemed honest about his views of the school and safety of the area.
Only senior portfolio's where being reviewed that day so we went to the NPD in Philadelphia as d is a junior. </p>
<p>We had no idea what to expect and was quite surprised by the really long lines. The MICA reviewer was delightful, positive, and encouraged my d to apply for admission and scholarships as well. She felt she had a good chance for scholarship money. She actually shook her hand to congratulated her portfolio acceptance. That was a surprise we didn't know what it meant exactly. (This was quite different from the RISD reviewer who lacked emotion and input. This turned my d off completely.) </p>
<p>Next, an admission representative came to her high school. Again, wonderful personality, optimistic, and came with the same outstanding computer presentation shown at the school tour. MICA's staff is well chosen or happy with MICA themselves and this in turn made my kid excited. </p>
<p>Regarding the portfolio process, I agree many kids won't put out the effort and that alone weeds kids out who aren't willing to do the work. It required research on our end to meet the CD requirements to prepare the photographs. I suspect photograph kids would have understood the lingo immediately. But the effort is worth it. D prepared a portfolio for UARTS precollege last year and did receive 1/2 tuition last year, most they gave out. She loved the experience so much she applied to MICA this year. Meeting other kids in the arts was the best part of her experience. Most were so dedicated to their specific area, they taught eachother new things and exposed eachother to crafts they may not have considered. D is still in contact with kids from NY, CA, and FL, all talking by webcam.</p>
<p>My feeling is UARTS is a wonderful first experience but the kid must be independent and responsible. Classes ended at 4 or 5 (kids took four different classes) and the kids were on their own to explore the city, eat dinner out, but make curfew at 10 or 11. Once in the single sexed dorms, they were free to visit other rooms, sleepover, after RA knew they were checked in. This independence was exhilirating for my d. UARTS was strict about class attendance/tardies but its was good for d to handle getting up after staying up all night, etc. "Live with your actions" attitude which is very college like.</p>
<p>I noticed the MICA program runs evening classes as well as daytime classes and since it is for college credit, there seems to be less "free time". This is great transition coming from UARTS. </p>
<p>Still hoping hear from kids applying this summer to Baltimre or precollege and why they chose MICA over all programs. MY d it is the painting program. The thought of mixing painitng and travel is so exciting.</p>
<p>Anybody else apply to the Tuscany precollege painting program?</p>
<p>Applying to Mica Tuscany program, deadlines is soon.</p>
<p>Tuscany letter came and he did not get in.
It is hard to take because portfolio had best works in it, like it just not good enough.
Anyone accepted?
Like someone said in here, needed to have landscape piece?
I guess he'll be rolled over to Baltimore but we sort of know that we can't afford even if they give us aid let alone get accepted.
Wow. so this is how tough to get into top school is.</p>
<p>Truly sorry your son didn't get into Tuscany. My d said she has felt the pain before. She was lucky this time and did get in. She entered only portraits done in different medias (charcoal, oil, acryllic, pastel, pencil). I am not an artist but I think a combination of things helped. She had visited MICA and also had a portfolio review in Philadelphia where she received favorable review and it was suggested that she apply for scholarship when she is a senior as she was a good candidate to receive one. When she learned about the Tuscany program, she applied at least one month early to show her desire and because they emphasized it would fill up fast. She also worked on some of the suggests made to her at NPD.</p>
<p>I think she wrote a nice creative essay in a story like format dreaming of what it would be like to be in Tuscany. She explained her lack of landscape knowledge and how the program would teach her new skills different from a portrait painter. </p>
<p>I hope these are helpful tips. I can say, the letter does require sending in your intent so it is possible that some kids who get in make other plans and a spot opens up. Perhaps it is worth a call. We had called to see when the notices were going out and they did say Tuscany last week Baltimore this week.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>