<p>I've been searching, deciding, and wondering where I'm gonna go to college for several months now, and it's finnaly down to just a handfull of contendors (that sure took long enough). One of my most difficult decisions currently is that I am torn between Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Both of these schools have so much to offer as I have discovered, but I can't seem to choose a favorite.... PLEASE, if there is any advice or information you have to help me decide so that I dont have to flip a coin, that would be great.</p>
<p>artanddesign, what is your proposed major?</p>
<p>Frankly, you really need to check out the schools. You should visit each place and check out the culture, food, dorms, type of work done by the students, placement, accreditations,etc.</p>
<p>You might be interested in this link I found which lists thousands of images of artwork that is currently coming out of MICA</p>
<p><a href="http://www.inside.mica.edu/photopost/%5B/url%5D">http://www.inside.mica.edu/photopost/</a></p>
<p>There is also a photo gallery of some MICA student events here at:</p>
<p>I don't know if SCAD has one but I would think they would.</p>
<p>sorry for leaving out that detail, taxguy. I was accepted to the graphic design dept. at each college, howver I am also very interested in some of the other programs that involve both artistic and technical skills, such as the interactive media program at MICA. I have visited MICA twice, and due to the incovienince of travel, I have only seen SCAD once, and did not actually get a professional tour. Savannah seems very charming and fun, and for that matter so does Baltimore in it's own sense. One issue that my father has been pressing is that the dorm situation at MICA looks allot better than it does as SCAD..? MICA is more selective, and would seemingly have a more highly achieving student body that SCAD does, however SCAD's catalougue and website are truely fantastic. Another issue that my father points out is that the student to teacher ratio at SCAD is much higher than at MICA, however from what I have heard, this does not seem to other the students at all. Thanks for the help guys, it's appriciated. Dont be affraid to state your personal opinion on which is the better school.</p>
<p>Frankly, I don't know much about MICA's program in graphic design or how it compares to SCAD. I do know that MICA has an additional accreditation by NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) that SCAD doesn't have. However, I don't know about SCAD's program. </p>
<p>Also, don't be fooled by Savannah's outward charm. If you go to varous web site forums, Savannah has a lot of crime. Just check it out for yourself.</p>
<p>Baltimore, on the other hand, is crime free ...</p>
<p>first of all, thanks everyone for your help! I see what you mean about crime rates in Savannah, although this is not a deciding factor of mine as I feel pretty comfortable in cities after living in NYC for quite a while. I geuss at this point I am looking for any reason that makes SCAD a better choice than MICA in order to keep it in the running, because my dad seems to strongly favor MICA's program. RIT is pretty much eliminated at this point, despite having possibly the best academic oppertunities out of all the schools, because it just does'nt seem like I would get the complete experience that I would in a more interesting city such as Savannah or Baltimore. I am also on the priority wait list over at CMU, and I am planning to visit this comming monday, however I shouldn't be overly optimistic about my chances of being accepted.
Thanks for keeping me informed, and keep it commin'!</p>
<p>SCAD has a degree program in interactive design as well as graphic design; can not tell you much about it. Check out the course descriptions. Students can do dual degrees or take other majors classes as electives. There are 1000s of very very successful SCAD graduates. You should visit the college and talk to the professors. The city has crime; it's a city. It does look charming so people feel misled by their impressions I guess. I think that's the problem. If it looked like a dump it wouldn't be an issue because it would be expected. Don't walk alone after dark through certain sections; walk with friends. Many students live a few miles outside of the city closer to the beach or shopping areas and have no problems. I would rate the graphic design dept. at SCAD as very good. I would rate MICA's better mostly because they are more selective so it is more competitive. Ellen Lupton teaches at MICA, but graduate only. She is a well known author and designer. </p>
<p>thanks RainingAgain for the info, I really appriciate it.</p>
<p>mica hands down</p>
<p>Artanddesign:
Is your heart really set on the East Coast?? You might wanna check out some other schools (like on West Coast or public university) for graphic design than on East coast. If you are very skilled artist and have the eye for design, it doesn't matter what school you attend. You must apply yourself and network while your in school. Make sure the school you attend have an excellent faculty and attentive career services staff.</p>
<p>BTW...I got my Graphic Design degree from a local 4-year public University, not an art school. I have been working in the field for over 15 years, not including my undergraduate studies. I have created national campaigns, print ads, corporate images and branding, etc. But...Im getting out of the field because I've mastered it and looking for more excitement in motion and 3D.</p>
<p>I appriciate your honesty everyone, and I've decided that MICA seems like the better place for me. Now i just have to make my final decision weather or not I should stay on the CMU waiting list, becuase although it's a great school I'm very happy with MICA as well and it may be a better fit. once again, thanks for your help everyone!</p>
<p>I went there my last 2 years of undergrad (transferred in) and LOVED it, everything except Baltimore. Baltimore is rough crime-wise. I would have chosen MICA again (I got in everywhere I applied - RISD, Chicago ARt Institute, MICA) anyday.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I'm very biased, as I am incredibly happy with MICA. I did not apply anywhere else, as I was so confident of my decision with MICA. Currently, I am a senior interactive media major. Actually, came across this site because I was trying to find information for a friend regarding a detailed description of my major, as its very difficult to explain sometimes. I love MICA. When I checked SCADD out, the tour guide on my bus said he went to SCADD.....after that, I knew it wasn't a school for me. It kind of seems preppy and really into design. RISD, people don't really care about anyone else.....its cold and isolating, from what I hear of the transfers into MICA. Its kind of hard to describe the first time I went to the campus...I was in pre-college, and it was so much fun. I guess the only way to find a school for you is to do the research, and definitely attend an on campus tour. If you have the money, you should consider investing in going to a school you think you might want to attend. For me, that was MICA. I learned all about how to live on my own, and what art school was all about. I have a website of my work, to give some of you guys an idea of what I have been producing throughout my career at mica. </p>
<p>_J</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jbobeck.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.jbobeck.com</a></p>
<p>The problem with being accepted to CMU off their waiting list is that they don't give any merit scholarships to waitlisted folks. Even worse, they won't match or negotiate on any scholarship aid that you received from other schools.</p>
<p>Jbobeck......... great website! reflects well on MICA too........... thank you!</p>
<p>I've decided, MICA it is, and I am very happy with my decision. Not only does MICA seem even better than I had hoped, but it seems like Carnegie would'nt be too affordable even if did get in (thanks taxguy). Additionally, that website was very interesting, so thanks for the link. I am seriously considering Interactive Media myself as a major at MICA, so any information from an actual student in the program is VERY helpfull, thanks. If there is anything else about your major or just about mica in general that you could fill me in on, it would be great. I am interested to hear what types of skills you have learned, as well as what kind of jobs you may be looking at for the future. Thanks again!</p>
<p>//When I checked SCADD out, the tour guide on my bus said he went to SCADD.....after that, I knew it wasn't a school for me. It kind of seems preppy and really into design.//</p>
<p>SCAD is more of a design college since the majority of majors are design-oriented and not fine-arts oriented. I never considered it a preppy school at all. I don't think the kids were as edgy, or punk, as you might find at Pratt maybe, but preppy would not be a good description in my opinion. What I liked, was the absence of a Greek system, and that I really never saw any kind of hostilities between students; everyone was friendly and cool.</p>