<p>Medicatedsoap: I agree with your opinion … but I am generally more concerned with whether or not I’d be able to get a job after I graduate + internships during school …</p>
<p>People usually hold Parsons in a higher esteem and it’s fashion program is definitely one of the best in this nation –> more connections –> hook you up with jobs and stuff …</p>
<p>But then again the argument would be: schools don’t guarantee a nice job and besides it’s the skills you have that really gets you the job … but the fact is that if you have 2 ppl wanting the same job and let’s just say one’s from Harvard while the other is from UC Santa Barbara (not that I have anything against them) the company would probably choose the Harvard person … see what I mean?</p>
<p>I’m just very confused over decisions because I know that I will probably like MICA’s environment, student life, and campus much better than at Parsons … for christsakes students at Parsons don’t even have a campus let alone a student body life with activities …</p>
<p>So iono … a good working environment or a really strong program?</p>
<p>If you wanted painting, I would say go to SAIC. They have the best reputation in the US for painting. For GD I would say either MICA or Pratt. For Illustration, either MICA, Pratt or SAIC. In fact, SAIC might be the best choice for Illustration because of their strong painting program. Honestly, you should visit each school and talk to:
the department heads and
kids who are in the program.</p>
<ol>
<li>Look at the facilities and studios.</li>
</ol>
<p>SAIC: Amazing Repuation in fine arts especially painting. ONe building in Chicago,but I love Chicago as a city. Great City for kids to study in.</p>
<p>MICA: Strong reputation in fine arts. Strong reputation in Graphic Design. They have a number of good bfa/MS program. Schools consists of many buildings.</p>
<p>Pratt: Strongest for design fields. Actually is only school mentioned that has a campus. Located in Brooklyn, NY,which isn’t far from Manhattan. Facilities are old and not as well maintained as other two schools. Decent program in fine arts and illustration too.</p>
<p>taxguy, I’m not disputing what you’re saying about SAIC because I’m by no means an expert on this. But from all I’ve read, MICA has the best reputation in painting in the U.S. What do you base your assessment on? Is this undergrad reputation or grad reputation? Thanks.</p>
<p>SAIC has more than one building. But the buildings they are in are spread out throughout a few block radius in downtown Chicago, so there is no campus feel to it.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information on Pratt, SAIC, and MICA … but what about these schools compared to Parsons?</p>
<p>I think I’m probably going to Parsons because it’s like #1 for fashion design in the US … but I’m a bit uneasy about it … like what if I end up not liking it there or it becomes too hard to succeed? I don’t have the luxury of visiting schools (no money for travel) so any reviews for visiting Parsons will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!</p>
<p>mke, if fashion is your objective then Parsons is a great choice. Many of the best apparel designers are Parsons alums and they maintain a close relationship with the school. In fashion you want internships and being in New York makes connecting to major brands so much easier.</p>
<p>Have you been to New York City? If you have you should be able to visualize how the city itself is Parsons’ “campus.” The shops, the clubs, the arts, the buzz – that’s what drives fashion.</p>
<p>momrath: My parents said that I have been to New York with them when my dad was doing graduate studies at Harvard … but that was when I was like 4 or something so I don’t remember anything …</p>
<p>Has anyone actually visited the buildings for Parsons? Any reviews would be awesome!</p>
<p>We live in NY, and know both Pratt and Parsons. If you are looking seriously at fashion speicifcally, then MICA is probably not the best choice. Both Pratt and Parsons are great schools for your area of interest; different settings. Pratt has something of a campus. Parsons buildings are big open and well equipped, but you have to like big city life, as it will be more like going to the office than a campus, and the buildings are spread around the “New School” area in the west 20’s–a great neighborhood btw. . We happen to like that as local residents, but it’s definitely not for everyone. If you have ever watched “Project Runway” then you may have seen a bit of Parsons as some scenes have been shot there. The other advantange to being a fshion major in school in NY, is the you will find inspiration in the streets, can look for internships locally, and transfer to one of the other local fashion schools ( which should include FIT) if your first choice doesn’t work out. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I keep hearing about RISD’s demanding foundation program. </p>
<p>NEWS FLASH: this is true for many art schools. Although I can’t measure how hard or demanding RISD’s foundation program was compared to other top art programs, I do know that kids at Pratt constantly lamented their all too intensive foundation year. My daughter at Univeristy of Cincinnati worked like a dog and spent many nights with little sleep. I would bet the same could be said of MICA, SAIC, CMU and other top art programs.</p>
<p>News flash Taxguy - People talk about what they know. If you’re kid goes to Univ. of Cincinnati then its great to tell us about the freshman demands of that first year. I talk about my kid who goes to RISD, because that is what I know. I’m not doing it to put any other school down. This forum is great for information because people bring the real experience of students and parents. I enjoy your comments about your daughter’s school. But cool off about the whole RISD thing. Makes you look grumpy.</p>
<p>OHMYGOSH … lol artmommy77 … I just saw your post and the number of posts that you made on this forum is INTENSEEE like 4,294,967,295 O_O</p>
<p>Thank you for all your input, much appreciated … and any personal experience of any art school is very welcome since many ppl on this forum is still stuck between deciding on which colleges to attend in the fall … ;]</p>
<p>Let me be clear: I am NOT anti RISd. My point is that RISD isn’t the onliy school that gives an intensive foundation year, which seems to be what everyone is saying on this forum. I did not knock nor did I denigrate RISD in any way.</p>
<p>Tax guy-You might want to go back and look at another of your recent post in the Parents Forum and then go back and look at other post of yours. But my thoughts for you and your daughter are ALL good! Glad to see your comment. </p>
<p>PS. MKEdude117… the high number of my posts is a computer mistake. I think they were working on the site one night. Its funny that so many people comment on it. I’m not nearly as wordy as it appears.</p>
<p>If you haven’t already done so, try Facebook and go to: Parsons 2012. Current students chatting there, and some entering Fall '09 there asking questions.</p>
<p>i got into mica, saic and cca. gonna major in graphic design/visual communication… i chose saic coz the location of mica (baltimore) is way to dangerous… saic… chicago is just awesome, except in the winters but chicago has lots of art galleries and museums to visit… and plus saic students can go to the art institute of chicago (the museum) for free anytime of the day…</p>