<p>I want to do illustration, concept art, or graphic novels, and SAIC, MICA, and CCA are my top three choices. Money wise, I received financial aid and scholarships from all three schools. MICA gave me the least while CCA and SAIC gave me similar amounts (though with travel expenses they'll all probably even out).
I heard MICA has a strong illustration program, great graphic design program, and an ok animation program. I visited a few weeks ago and found Baltimore to be alright, but there isn't much there except for MICA. MICA also doesn't seem to be focused on getting students jobs after graduation or on getting connections.
SAIC doesn't have an illustration department and its animation courses seem to be more focused on stop-motion and only one 2D animation class. They do seem to have great painting and drawing classes though, as well as really good graphic design. I loved Chicago and the atmosphere, even if it was cold. SAIC also seems to have more connections than MICA..
I don't know much about CCA, but it has great connections with Pixar and other companies in that area. They seem really focused on internships and making sure their students get their work out there. I heard the animation program is great, I haven't looked into their illustration department yet but I imagine that its probably good. I wasn't able to visit the two campuses so I don't know the atmosphere.
I'm just really torn...</p>
<p>Anyone? Please?
Now I’m being told to add SCAD to my list too…</p>
<p>My D2 is a student at MICA and whenever I’ve visited during the art market or seen things on exhibit, I’ve always been very, very impressed with the output of the illustration students. I don’t know much about the animation dept though. D2 started out as a painting major and is now a fiber major, with a concentration - or minor (I don’t quite know the difference) in graphic design and another in environmental studies. </p>
<p>She has always found plenty to do in Baltimore and hasn’t had trouble finding jobs during the summer in her field. I know she’s worked or volunteered at community mural painting events, at the kinetic sculpture race, at the healthy harbor initiative and at several events having to do with “station north”, a city arts district that is nearby. Of course, it’s NOT Chicago though and if you prefer that, you prefer that. I’d be wary of not having illustration at SAIC though.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about CCA although I’ve heard good things, and have also heard good things about animation at SCAD. My impression of MICA is that they are on the ball with professional development and helping with job placement. My D is a junior so we’ll know more about that next year!</p>
<p>I currently go to MICA and it has an fantastic illustration program.
The department is huge and has the most amount of students in it (I think), my illustration major friend says that’s a good and bad thing. Meaning, there are opportunities to work with great faculty and there are students who produce amazing work. However, there are also students who are not as up to par. You can check out student art work here at [MICA</a> Portfolios :: Gallery](<a href=“http://portfolios.mica.edu%5DMICA”>http://portfolios.mica.edu)</p>
<p>Also, Baltimore is a great city! I know it seems disenchanting at first, I wasn’t so enthused to be in Baltimore after visiting for the first time. However, living here is very different. Baltimore has a growing art scene, and there are actually lots of things to do. Baltimore has a ton of colleges (Johns Hopkins, UMBC, Towson, Goucher, Loyola) which means there’s a lot of young people are concentrated in the city. There’s music and shows to go to and parties. </p>
<p>The animation program is pretty weak here, but if you are interested in illustration I wouldn’t let that deter you from seriously considering MICA. </p>
<p>I have a friend who goes to CCA, she says it’s really fun. I haven’t seen any of the student work from there though and don’t know much about the programs. Sorry about that, but if you have any questions about CCA I can ask her for you. </p>
<p>Feel free to also ask me any questions about MICA as well.</p>