Question about SAIC

<p>Apologies if this has been posted before I could not find any direct answer...</p>

<p>But, how can SAIC reconcile being one of the top ranked art schools with having a 81% acceptance rank? Is it because the school is very hard, as in 'easy to get in, hard to get out' or what?</p>

<p>I am interested because I was accepted to the school fairly easily (portfolio was approved at a portfolio day without being complete), and I am very interested by what I have learned of the school.</p>

<p>Thank You.</p>

<p>the grad program reputation carries over to the undergrad reputation, sometimes</p>

<p>If you get any info on this, please let me know!</p>

<p>They have a high acceptance rate but also a very high rate of students transferring out. I went to SCAD day in Atlanta this weekend and spoke to one of their professors who graduated from SAIC and also taught there, and he said that the school identifies the top 20% of talent and really works to challenge their needs and focus on them, and those who can't keep up end up transferring out or just getting passing grades (it's a pass/fail system) and floating along.... The school places a high emphasis on conceptual ability. So, those top 20% turn out as some of the best creative minds that end up becoming leaders in the field. And yes the prof. said that its an excellent grad school as well, so those stats may factor in.</p>

<p>Thank You so much for the replies, especially caressemh!</p>

<p>I have heard a lot about the conceptual emphasis at SAIC, which gives me some doubts because I am not sure whether I want that approach...at least to that degree. I think I have a lot to think about.</p>

<p>No problem! I'm really glad I was able to get that info face-on too :) I think it's going to help me in my own decisions.</p>

<p>I have the EXACT same question.</p>

<p>my portfolio was accepted at Boston's National Portfolio Day. I was pretty shocked. my mom teaches at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and she and her friends have all told me that SAIC is one of the best art schools. it seems like a great school, but it's not very competitive. maybe they have a very strong curriculum and excellent teachers. I have yet to visit SAIC. it will happen very soon.</p>

<p>and also, what other schools have you applied to? I just got accepted to MICA, but I have yet to hear back from Parsons, Pratt, and SMFA.</p>

<p>AndreCarlos, you should definitely visit SAIC. You will be very impressed. From what I hear from the students and professors it is very competitive once you get in the school, to stand out amongst your classmates and it is a lot of hard work.</p>

<p>I haven't heard back yet from Pratt either!</p>

<p>so, quick question. is that acceptance rank for portfolio approval? or the actual percentage of applicants that get admission to the school? many people tell me that portfolio approval means admission (among these are my high school art teacher, and a possibly misinterpreted message from a prof at SAIC), but is that true? once your portfolio has been approved, what are your chances of actually getting completely, totally, and legitimately admitted to the school? my grades and test scores are on the higher end, so i don't have to worry about that. but i am still very insecure, because i really really really want to go to this school, and i don't want to mess it up.</p>

<p>anyone's help is welcome.
thanx</p>

<p>70% fail/drop out after freshman year.</p>

<p>i got accepted into mica, saic, cca...
made a decision to choose saic over the others coz of the reputation and the location.
baltimore... to me... seems too dangerous</p>

<p>i plan to transfer anyway lol</p>

<p>I got in to SAIC like December 22nd before Christmas :)
And I got portfolio approval at the NPD at Cal arts. So I went to SAIC day at Santa Monica and I heard if you got portfolio approval and nominated for the merit scholarship (that's why I applied early b/c they told me that I got nominated and to apply early) and then if you applied already, you can just sit back and wait for the acceptance letter (kinda).
So.. for me it was. I'm waiting for the scholarship.. I wish to get like a full ride.. but I don't know. does anyone know when it's gonna come?</p>

<p>PAN90, do you think you could post your portfolio somewhere (maybe in the accepted portfolios thread) ?? or maybe after you get the proper acceptance letter with the letter for the merit scholarship? just to see what kind of work is needed to get a scholarship in well known art schools.</p>

<p>I'm currently a grad student at SAIC and want to confirm that the huge acceptance rate is undercut by the equally huge % of students who drop out or transfer out. The acceptance rate is basically a financial decision that allows the school to stay afloat when the vast majority of students leave after the 1st or 2nd year. The high departure rate isn't a criticism of the school - lot of students can't keep up or just decide that art school isn't for them. </p>

<p>Things are a little different at the graduate level - it isn't as easy to get in as the undergrad program. That said, the school picks really diverse MA candidates and it can be a real surprise who does and doesn't get in.</p>

<p>SAIC does admit a large percentage of its applicants. However, it's an amazing and well respected art school. Its high acceptance rate should not dissuade you from attending, if you like the school and think it's a fit. It's quite the elite school, very strong, very good rep. </p>

<p>My opinion is that it's a school that's relatively easy to get into, but yes, not so easy to get out of. But if you get in and can take advantage of the opportunities presented to you, then it can be a very good choice.</p>

<p>I wanted to revive this thread in asking about the social scene at SAIC. I know of the school's reputation and am aware of the immense workload that is piled onto students. Is there a party scene? Do students go out on weekends? Or does work come in the way most of the time?</p>

<p>I am waiting to hear from the BFAW program as I am trying to double degree in BFAW and BFA. I think I'm going to hear in about a week, but I'm still anxious as anything!</p>

<p>I posted this comment but I'm not sure if it went through so here it is again! :</p>

<p>I wanted to revive this thread in asking about the social scene at SAIC. I know of the school's reputation and am aware of the immense workload that is piled onto students. Is there a party scene? Do students go out on weekends? Or does work come in the way most of the time?</p>

<p>I am waiting to hear from the BFAW program as I am trying to double degree in BFAW and BFA. I think I'm going to hear in about a week, but I'm still anxious as anything!</p>

<p>there's definitely a social scene at SAIC. I've been here a little more than a semester (I'm a freshman). The workload really isn't all that bad, people have a lot of parties here during the week as well as the weekend.<br>
I've been thinking of transferring out, though. It's not because the workload it too much for me, it's because the school focuses so much on the conceptual. Reading way too much into why a canvas is yellow rather than blue type of thing. It's driving me nuts, to tell you the truth. If you draw a crappy cat with a *****, that will be admired more than someone else's hard work.
As you can tell, I'm going through a frustrating time right now, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.</p>

<p>Haha its ok, I'm looking to study fashion and I've heard SAIC's department is very competitive and intense so I'm not sure if I would have issues with conceptualism as much. I'm visiting in the first week of April and staying with a friend so I'm pretty excited, that'll be how I make my decision.</p>

<p>Hi, I am wondering if MA in Art Policy and Management is good in SAIC?
I know some art programs there are very good but not sure about this one as it’s more about “management”.</p>

<p>I also applied for some general management programs in other universities and got accepted by Duke University, also am waiting for results from other schools right now. But hard to make decisions as I want to work in art management in the future. </p>

<p>So anyone could please tell me if this major is good in SAIC?
Thanks!!</p>