I’ve gotten into all these schools with substantial scholarships in each school over 20,000 per year for all of them except VCU where I would get in state tuition. I have no clue what to chose or where to go. I would be going for painting. I am leaning towards Pratt and MICA but I don’t know which to chose. I love Pratt’s location and campus I love Brooklyn and NYC I spent the summer in their pre college program. However I love MICA, I have formed a good relationship with some of the staff. I like both their programs. I just really hate Baltimore. Also I did get into RISD however I really am not a fan of the school, I much prefer Pratt and MICA. I need In put of which school would you choose, pro’s and cons, anything would be helpful.
I’m going to be all practical/parental here and ask ultimately what do you want to do with your painting degree? Fine arts, ie show in galleries? Commercial arts? Teach?
Now investigate your top picks and see what resources - workshops, job fairs, speakers etc - are routinely offered by that school to help you break into the art world in the field you’re interested in.
Also, look at the city and larger art community that the school is located in and what kind of art and work is financially supported there. It’s not necessary or a given that you’ll stay there in that city - but during your time at that college you’ll hopefully network you with your professors and adjuncts who work in the fields you’d like to be in and you can also form connections with the larger arts community around you. While alot of artists connect digitally all over the world, the geographic location you’re going to be in for the next four years can have a positive impact on where you find employment in the arts.
I’m starting in a painting program because I don’t know anything else, where I live and my school system has not given me much of a chance to experiment so I am starting as a painting major but I am open to changing, I have thought of going into arts education or working in a museum, maybe something in design. Trust me I have been to plenty of college fairs/ national portfolio days. I have considered the cities, employment placement offices. I have talked to students and employees from both schools. Trust me I am the product of two engineers I have thought about the future. Pratt and MICA both have great networks but I don’t know what to do or where to go.
Ok @maszky that’s great to hear. I talk to a lot of students that haven’t done that kind of research - so it a legit question to start with to try and find out where you’re at in the process and how that would affect your reasoning to go to Pratt or MICA.
Hopefully others will chime in with more additional info you’re seeking.
It’s tough. On my college list, I have put MICA above Pratt (haven’t heard back from either yet, so scholarships aren’t playing into my decision process yet). The reason being is that when I visited both campuses, I just felt that the staff at MICA was so much more welcoming and really wanted to waste no time getting to know you. Not to say that Pratt’s community was hostile in anyway, I just found MICA very welcoming. In terms of painting, I’ll be going into illustration and definitely prefer traditional work over digital (though I don’t mind it) and I was able to tour the facilities, I find that both programs are very well renowned. I would say that the teachers at Pratt seem more “traditional” in a sense, much like you’d find at RISD without the grueling foundation year (I say as RISD is my top choice, LOL). This can be a good or bad thing depending on what you like. MICA’s class sizes are also a bit smaller, so there’s that. Really, it may just come down to affordability and location.
our d attends VCUARTS as an OOS . I can tell you it is a fantastic program ranked #2 in the entire country by USNWR only behind Yale for mfa grad. D is very happy and know its a very very attractive opportunity at IS prices. Frankly its a unbelieveable deal as IS tuition. Good luck .Richmond is a huge arts community.
My DD applied and was accepted to Pratt, MICA and VCU - did not apply to SCAD. She felt that the students at Pratt were the most welcoming of the three, and that Pratt had the nicest campus. We liked the staff at MICA very much, but not a fan of the campus. We are from Maryland, and it may be that it felt a little too “close” for my daughter. Also, not the greatest part of the city to live in once you leave the MICA bubble. But any of these schools would have a lot to offer. It may be time for you to make another visit to see which you feel most “at home” at…
agree with Proserpine, visit ALL three and your child will know where she feels the best fit is. for us it was hands down VCU and that was vs RISD(which she hated), MICA, PRATT,parsons, RIT and Mellon (and Cooper who totally can’t be trusted).