<p>Can anyone tell me why MICA apparently has a better reputation than RISD for painting? I have searched the web and seen the US News ratings and MICA's own web site claims that they are 'consistenly ranked among the top art colleges' they but don't give details to the rankings and where to find them.</p>
<p>I was also told by someone at MICA that if my child attends RISD that they cannot do figurative painting unless they are an illustration major but RISD's catalog features some figurative art.</p>
<p>Additionally, the faculty at RISD's painting dept seems very strong, many Yale graduates and there a substantial number of prestigious alumni listed, compared to MICA's site.</p>
<p>How, then is MICA getting a reputation at being stronger in painting than RISD?</p>
<p>Like many others on this forum, my child was admitted to both schools and has received a scholarship offer from MICA but not from RISD. After reading the many posts about both schools here, especially RISD, and having had my child attend the summer program at RISD, I realize that RISD does not give much money out and is very competitive.</p>
<p>But I don't see evidence of the strength of MICA's painting program. Some of the MICA faculty do not have their work posted on MICA's site which I find odd, and the student gallery, while ok, seems a bit on the traditional side.</p>
<p>Just wondering where MICA's rep is coming from?</p>
<p>RISD's "reputation" last time I saw it is somewhat higher than MICA's in painting. As for any characterization of what kind of painting you can do at one school vs. the other, the last people to ask about that are people at the other school. Talk to the people (students, faculty) at each school about how their program works. I do know that some of my daughter's classmates at RISD were terrific painters, and have received numerous awards, scholarships to study in Amsterdam and Berlin, and so on.</p>
<p>That said, I'm sure both programs -- MICA and RISD -- are very good in painting.</p>
<p>I live in Maryland and am familiar with MICA's reputation. In Maryland, MICA is known for being a top notch art school with strong emphasis on liberal arts. Reputedly, their main strenths are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Fine arts</li>
<li>Interdisciplanary programs</li>
<li>BFA/MFA in art education.</li>
</ol>
<p>US News Rates MICA below SAIC and RISD in painting. However, I think it is in the top 5 or 10 programs in painting for graduate study.</p>
<p>I know that three of the top 4 were: Yale, SAIC, and RISD.</p>
<p>Correct re RISD "rep" based on the last USNews MFA ranking. That ranking should be updated later this year. I agree that nobody should be making judgments just on "rep," however that may be determined. It's important to visit each school, look at the product and work of students and faculty, and gather information about the programs and options. And as I've mentioned several times on these threads, individual interests, talent, energy, ambition, connections, and luck all play a substantial role in career success in the arts -- your "school" or formal training program is only one among many factors.</p>