<p>So, I've been accepted by MICA, and I've been offered a scholarship. As for RISD, I was waitlisted. Upon visiting MICA and nearing deadlines, I've been doing some serious thinking. If I am accepted by RISD, which will I choose? If anyone could give me some assistance with this, it'd be much appreciated. Here are the details:
RISD, of course, is known as a great art school. While MICA isn't as well known, it seems a bit more laid-back. That's just the impression I got. I intend to be an illustration major so I can do both painting and graphic design. RISD is about three hours away from home, and MICA is about four or five. I am very serious about art, but am unsure if I will be able to keep up with the intense RISD lifestyle I've heard so much about. Also, I really want to go abroad for a semester, and while MICA offers many different options with that, RISD offers a VERY competitive, small program. All in all, I'm really lost. I feel like RISD is the best of the best, and that I'd be selling myself short with MICA, but at the end of the day, I don't know which I would choose.</p>
<p>do you have a facebook? If so, I would highly recommend joining, or at least looking over both the MICA '12 and RISD Class of 2012 groups to get a sense of what the people are like, what the skill level is of both entering classes (people post a lot of work), and there's a lot of information on there about both schools as well. good luck!</p>
<p>Is MICA just considered "not well known" because it wasn't a punchline in a bad movie? I mean, seriously. MICA is very well known. Anyone worth their name in the art world knows what MICA is. </p>
<p>If you're more concerned with fame and reputation than you are with actual art making, then maybe you should go to RISD. MICA is more concerned with it's students and it's programs and chooses to spend money there, rather than in extensive marketing campaigns. </p>
<p>And seriously, from my experience, MICA is not laid back. This school has made the past four years at an intensely competitive progressive "every class we offer is AP level" school look like CAKE. I don't really want to get into it but my friends at RISD actually party way more than we do here. </p>
<p>I really don't like to get defensive but I can't help it when I read blatant misconceptions about a school that is anything but laid back and unknown. Do more research. Be more informed.</p>
<p>Also, Facebook groups are not measuremens of skill or a good impression of the freshman class. People I thought I'd hate I actually love, and people who I thought I'd like I didn't actually speak to ever again after Orientation.</p>
<p>And - people who "suck" when they come into art school actually usually end up being the best because they feel like they have the most to prove and the least to lose. Many, not all, kids who come in as "art mini-stars" tend to do poorly because they feel like that have to keep up a certain facade or refuse to budge from what they've been told is right. They take less risks and because of that don't grow.</p>
<p>Regarding education, you cannot go wrong with either school.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter if the average person recognizes the name, MICA. It matters that the artworld, future employers and grad schools recognize the name. </p>
<p>I told both my children when they were going through this difficult decision making process, you made good schools so don't feel you have to choose the perceived most prestigious school. What matters more at this point is how the school will fit in with your goals, and if you will feel comfortable in the atmosphere. The happier you are ,the better you will do and the more you will get out of the school. </p>
<p>Yes, MICA is extremely well known among artists and designers. They also offer things that RISD doesn't offer such as a number of BFA/MFA programs, a very strong MFA in art education, very great flexibility in majors etc. If you can get into MICA at a much cheaper cost than RISD, go there! In fact, MICA might even be better regardless of cost depending on your needs.</p>
<p>I want to say that the name recognition of RISD is a draw for many, if not most, who get into both places. Is RISD better? I don't think it necessarily is, but you say RISD and even the average Joe knows the name and reputation. You say MICA and -- outside of the art world -- they usually say, What's that? I'm just trying to be real about this. It is a fact. So I empathize with your dilemma. It's hard to have to explain to everyone what/where MICA is and to feel that you have to SAY that it's a great school for x and x and x reasons (which it is), rather than people just knowing. </p>
<p>That said, MICA has the best rated painting program in the country, and the printmaking going on there is far superior to that at RISD (having seen both). RISD is famous for its grueling foundation year, and while I know that MICA's foundation year is very rigorous as well, I'm not sure it is AS brutal. This is not, in my opinion, a plus for RISD. My D was there last summer, and they pull no punches in the summer program. She lost 10 pounds she couldn't afford to lose and her hair started to fall out. Granted she went in already skinny, but ate like a horse and still lost weight, and no she's not anorexic! (Stress + all those hills and stairs.) She loved it there, LOVED it, but came away saying "I want to have SOME fun in college."</p>
<p>Just my two cents. I think you have to take a long look at each place and see what feels right. Try to ignore the name recognition factor, though I know it is hard. And BTW, a friend's daughter got into COOPER and decided to go to MICA instead.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone's imput! Very helpful.
I know MICA is well known in the art world, but people outside of it aren't as familiar, that's all. I think it's likely that I will go to MICA, but if RISD does choose to take me off of the waiting list, I'm going to have to give my decision some more thought.</p>
<p>I mean patois, sorry, my keyboard letters are faded on i and o and I am not good at typing.
I know you are from the city but where your friends are from? As far as I know the biggest reason they choose MICA over Cooper is they are given HUGE aid that outweighs Cooper's free tuition but $$$ living expence. On the other hand, MICA's painting program is crowded with Cooper rejects. Is that true?</p>
<p>Just because someone was rejected from Cooper doesn't mean they're not talented or don't have the skills to excel at Cooper... I mean they accept what, 60 people for art per year??? So don't characterize MICA as a school for "rejects." I'd venture to say many of those Cooper rejects are some of the best artists there.</p>
<p>I never applied to Cooper.. they pretty much flat out told me I didn't have what they were looking for (and they didn't have the illustration program I was looking for)</p>
<p>That said, I always wonder about people who feel the need to trash one school to make their school sound better. What is up with that? My daughter is finishing up her 1st year at risd and it was grueling, but she loved it and has done well! (Party?? I don’t think so!) She looked at Cooper Union and they didn’t “get” her art and she didn’t “feel” their program. It wasn’t a match. We looked at MICA’s program because she is a painter. She thought it was a great program. Many people directly recommended it to her. However, her fit was RISD. I would tell anybody to go to each school and try it on. My daughter knew what school would be right for her. She also has friends that picked RISD and they are dropping out after the first year. You don’t want to do that at any school. It doesn’t benefit anyone to go to a “name” program, just because of the name. Find an atmosphere where you can flourish. Find the school that speaks to your talent and your esthetic. In the end that will best serve you.</p>
<p>My D did not feel the fit at RISD, did not even apply and is very happy at MICA. She has a MICA classmate who was accepted at Cooper Union but during the accepted students oreintation for Cooper felt that the approach was too conceptual for her. All three are great schools for the right person, each with an intense foundation year.</p>
<p>The wrong reason to choose an art school is name recognition among the general public.</p>
<p>caressmeh
Nooo! You shoulda tried!
Where did you have your review? If NPD, it is known that they send out most nasty geezers as if to discourage kids so they can reduce the amount of home test they have to deal with. If you get to review on site and do more than once with different reviewer, they'd say different thing.
If you change your mind, try next year. Your grades are super, kids say otherwise but I know it is important for Cooper.
I went to their spring show and looked around cubicles students are working in. I don’t get statue of cherub with fake grass sprouting from crotch or plaster egg size of the spaceship, but that’s what they are chosen to be one of the 60 something for.
I am not calling MICA for school for rejects or anything. I just want to know that class size is really that big and really about half are cooper rejects? Then it would become mini cooper and not good thing.
I need facts, that was all. I love MICA.</p>
<p>Reptar-- another thing to keep in mind about RISD is that you can cross register for courses at Brown University, one of the best schools in the country (world?!) I don't know if such an opportunity exists for MICA students. In any event, you are accepted at MICA and on RISD's waitlist, so I would say, enroll in MICA, fall in love with it, and keep your options open for the waitlist. If that comes through for you, try to visit Providence (quickly) and decide then. It's tough to get into RISD, so you may not even have to face the choice! Good luck!</p>