<p>Summer Institute* sorry, stupid typo</p>
<p>Anyhow...</p>
<p>Hi guys! I'm really hoping that this summer I will be able to do SAIC's ECP SI program. I would be doing the Advanced Projects class. Has anyone been in that class? What did they think? It seems pretty perfect to me, but I just want to hear more opinions. I also want to know how they are with scholarship money. I'm planning on submitting my slideroom stuff pretty soon-but I would need a very substantial amount to be able to go. Luckily, I live near SAIC so I could easily commute each day, but I would just prefer not to have to do that. </p>
<p>So, what are your thoughts on it? I've only heard good things, but if anyone has been in that class specifically it would really be great if I could hear more about it. I'm pretty familiar with the whole city itself(as I live so close and am there every week) so I'm really looking for specific information on the program itself. :)</p>
<p>PLEASE SOMEONE REPLY? 
300+ views and no replies.</p>
<p>Hi werwandert, I’m sorry I can’t help you, and hope someone who is familiar with the program sees your post and gives you some input! Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Hi Wer. My dd went to SAIC, but we know nothing of the program you are speaking of. It may be that no one here does, which is why no one has responded. Good luck!</p>
<p>my D did painting and love it. She did get 400$ merit scholarship, and you know it is really a small amount.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I appreciate you commenting(perhaps people will see the comments and will feel like it’s less of a dead thread and thus will be inspired to comment) but anyways, I do think that it’s likely because of no one else taking the class. Thanks so much for the info though loveblue. Sadly with that amount I could never do it, but I’m sending in my application very early on(next week) so I hope I’ll gain something from it.</p>
<p>Werwandert, I just saw this thread. I hope my feedback can help. I’m a parent whose daughter went to the SAIC summer program two summers ago. She took a class in “Design for Living” but her experiences are important for you to know about and consider.</p>
<p>You should definitely bring your own computer to the program. My girl didn’t and using the class computers was a nightmare of inefficiency and a waste of many hours of time! The computers were SO S–l–o–w that it was impossible to get her work done! When she asked for assistance she was ignored. Her teacher refused to address her concerns and criticized her in the end of class student evaluation by saying she should have been “more resourceful” with the class computers—never mind that other students complained about the same thing to no avail! </p>
<p>I, personally, was NOT impressed with the work displayed at the end of session show. The Advanced Projects were, quite frankly, poor. One had the impression that the students didn’t get much in the way of instruction or guidance! </p>
<p>I would look elsewhere. For the cost of the program I’m certain you can find something better. </p>
<p>I regret being negative but if you cannot get support and help as a summer student I dread to think how it is as an undergrad!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your feedback guys! 
@bungalowdweller- I totally appreciate what you said to me!Thanks for the tip about the computers, I’ve used them before actually and they were fine, it may have been the ones she was on though!(I was planning on bringing my laptop anyhow)…However, I am more concerned with just being able to have teachers that are experimental and willing to give me some wacky mind bending conceptual prompts for me to play with. I’m so sorry your daughter did not have too good of an experience teaching wise. I actually work terribly under serious structure; I become conceptually dead and strangled. I’m pretty well aware about SAIC’s way of teaching;they’re known for not being so outgoing with the help, but I also know that if you go out of your way to ask and care about getting instruction that they will help you(I know many alumni of both the graduate and undergraduate programs). A question though, was it the construction of the projects that was poor? Conceptually poor? Or are you just not so into conceptual art?(not saying that you aren’t interested, just trying to get a feel for your preferences ) And actually, in regards to the cost, I’m pretty much dependent on a scholarship for it. My parents can in no way afford to send me to the program- if I don’t get enough in $$ the worst case scenario is having to do a commuter class or simply commuting down to the school(and with this conceptual thing, ooohhh lord that will be a challenge). Thanks so much though for giving me a more critical perspective(despite what may be my difference in learning style and preferences, I appreciate it greatly).</p>
<p>@ redbug119 THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU VALTERGEORGE(if you are ever lurking these threads)!!! He sounds VERY much like me so this sounds pretty fantastic so far. Also when I noticed the teachers of the class itself, I recognized that they were in a Chicago Artist Month magazine back in October, so that made me feel a bit more reassured. They seem like generally awesome people. Thanks a bunch!!! :))</p>
<p>werwandert–
My dd’s issue was that her class was dependent upon the use of a particular design software that ran so slowly in their class that it was unusable. The assistant teacher knew about the problem but was too intimidated by her colleague to do anything about it. I had to email the head of the summer program before anything was done. It wasn’t pleasant, I can tell you. For all of the noble talk about giving students help to be free to work through their ideas that was definitely NOT the case for the design course. In fact, the instructor pushed the students to do things that they didn’t want to do----she chose which of their ideas should be pursued. One of the projects was to create a kite in an unusual shape. My dd was criticized by the teacher in front of the class, “You’re spending too much time on engineering considerations.” My kid replied, “What’s the sense of designing something that won’t work?” The teacher insisted that my kid create a kite using an earlier design that SHE preferred. My kid created it and another with her improved design. The class had to take their kites to the lake to fly them. As my kid predicted, the design the teacher made her use never got off the ground. The second kite dd created with the design she preferred flew. And it was the ONLY kite to fly! And, get this, the instructor didn’t know the difference between a sketch and a drawing! In short, it was really outrageous. </p>
<p>As for the “advanced projects” that I saw, they appeared to lack conceptual focus. I was surprised that they were considered to be advanced. I very much like conceptual art so it was disappointing. But, please, keep in mind we didn’t know anyone who was in the advanced projects course—just people in the clothing design and product design classes. </p>
<p>Whatever you do, I wish you the best. I could not, in good conscience, recommend SAIC to anyone—at least for Product Design. That was a d-o-g!!!</p>
<p>bungalowdweller- That is really a terrible situation. Very sorry that she had that kind of annoying experience. That teacher sounds rather egotistical and stubborn. 
And that whole sketch vs. drawing thing is also very unfortunate!!</p>
<p>:) Glad you like it too! Did they have descriptions on the side of the pieces which spoke of the concept behind each piece? Or did you speak with students? As much as I love everything about conceptual work, there are many times when the concept/technical execution is ineffective or shoddy. </p>
<p>Again, very sorry to hear of her experience. Thank you so much for your feedback and thanks for the well wishing. :)</p>
<p>Just a thought, in the real world if you’re designing something it should probably also work. Or does form no longer follow function?</p>
<p>@werwandert—There were descriptions on the side of each piece. Some were just less thought out than others! Have a great experience this summer. BTW, the dorms were wonderful. My d’s room had one bed that was a loft and she had a kitchen with microwave, fridge, etc. Very nice!</p>
<p>Just seeing this today (I don’t go on very often). My d went to the summer program two summers ago for b and w photo. I realize it’s a different program than the one you are considering but my d loved the class, loved the school and environment – she was in a small class of 8 students with a professor AND teaching assistant. They were given plenty of instruction from what I know as well as a lot of freedom to be experimental, etc. she received an $800 merit scholarship which covered housing. She ultimately got in to SAIC with a very good scholarship – but decided to attend a liberal arts college so that she could pursue her other passions. Hope this helps. Best of luck with your choices!</p>
<p>Hi, sorry I don’t have much advice myself, but I have also registered for 2012 ECP at SAIC, and just last week got the email for my enrollment.
I had heard about this program through the many threads about it here, and I was really persuaded by all the positive response (but some of the less glorifying ones in this thread kind of disheartened me…)
I haven’t sent in my confirmation yet, because I had only gotten a total of $500 in merit scholarship AND financial aid (which is very little), and the tuition + housing fee is making my parents have second thoughts. However, I’m pretty sure I’m going to go this summer-- I’m REALLY hoping it will be worth it.
I’m sorry I’m not much help, but it would be awesome if we kept in touch and share some information- I would really need the extra pair of ears looking out for more SAIC info. Who knows, we might see each other there? :)</p>
<p>@shesleavinghome- nice username( beatles reference ) Thank you so much for the info. Still waiting to hear back for any sort of registration confirmation. Best of luck to your daughter!
@chocoguava- That’s awesome, how long did it take for them to email you? I sent mine nearly two weeks ago, which is a pretty short amount of time…but I’m very impatient and really want to know what will happen (I’m extremely worried that I will get next to nothing and will not be able to attend ) Yes! Actually, since this thread, I contacted someone who was in the advanced projects last year and he told me pretty much all that I wanted to know, so I’m really convinced. He gave me other info too though, so let me know if you want to hear it. What class are you registered for? If you are planning on doing that one, I can give you a ton of info on it. Yes, compared to the cost of the class, it is. Are you far away from the Chicago area? If you are close, then I would simply recommend commuting, which is what I may have to do. I know someone who did painting and he LOVED IT- so if you are doing that don’t worry (he goes to SAIC now, btw). I know a lot about the school itself, but when I had posted this thread I didn’t know much about the class(now I do) so just send me a message or something and we can figure out a way to keep in touch!</p>
<p>UPDATE: Got a $900 merit scholarship!! Apparently “standard awards vary from $100 to $1,000”. Very excited! I still have to negotiate with financial services for more (my family cannot afford to pay for even what is left in tuition) but I’m coming closer! Not sure if I will live on campus, but I’m fine with commuting- seriously I just need this class.</p>
<p>Congratulations, werwandert! Good luck with your negotiating! ENJOY the class!</p>
<p>Hey guys- if anyone remembers working with SAIC for financial things it would be great if you could tell me some stories. My mom called financial services and they just talked about a tax return, which is bad news, because likely my family is not considered “on the edge of poverty” but because of medical, home and car expenses we really can’t afford anything. My mom emailed the main woman and asked if there is any other help we could get so :\ really nervous about this</p>