SAIC vs. RISD vs. SVA vs. MICA for photography?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>Before I say anything else, I did ample reading using the forums search function on this. I found a lot of info. but not much from recently (the last year). So, what I'd like to know is, which school is best when looking at:</p>

<p>-facilities
-course offerings
-rigor
-apathy expressed towards students (extra points if you can guess which school I'm talking about)
-preparation for careers after high school
-technique or fine arts emphasis
-surrounding city</p>

<p>I live in Milwaukee, so SAIC is seeming like it would be the best choice. However, I hear that they are incredibly fine arts based, so I was questioning whether that would hinder learning of technique?</p>

<p>Also, I've heard complaints from many of the students when speaking of the program. And the extraordinarily low bar they set for admissions isn't helping either. Prove me wrong...seriously.</p>

<p>Anyone care to enlighten me? If it helps, I'm heading down towards a documentary/fashion/portrait photography major.</p>

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<p>I'm looking for fall '07 photography , so i totally know what you're talking about. </p>

<p>Personally, my list looks like this in order of where I want to be next fall:</p>

<p>MICA (first choice)
RISD/Pratt tie
SMFA</p>

<p>After visiting all the schools, looking at student work, etc, I felt that MICA really was the best place for me to spend the next four years. </p>

<p>I like MICA's facilities best (They're not relegated to a back building far away from everything else, and they're not subpar on any level), but I also like the student work and the school itself, Baltimore, etc. So it's a combination of an awesome photo dept, their rep, the quality of the review i've gotten from them, etc. </p>

<p>I've also compared how they help you develop yourself for the market post-college, and i think they have the best program for career services. </p>

<p>i think it has a fine arts emphasis, but that's what I'm looking for - it may annoy you. </p>

<p>I took a continuing education (not a teen course) large format studio photography course at SVA and was NOT impressed with any aspect - teacher, education, etc. I know photography was supposed to be self learned guided, but man, this was REALLY self-guided.. as in next to no teacher input. Like, if he was there and not off smoking cigarettes in a back alcove, then maybe he'd help you with a lighting set up. But anyway, the eqt was standard and the building was TINY, and for 400 photo students stuffed in a building, you want to be able to move and have studio space and darkroom whenever you want it. The buildings closed down at 10 (PERIOD) so there was no opportunity for late night working or anything. A lot of the SVA students I know aren't happy there, but it IS a good school for a certain kind of person, just not me. </p>

<p>I wasn't impressed with RISD, it really rubbed me the wrong way. Nothing specific, i just felt uncomfortable there.. the atmosphere wasn't right for me. </p>

<p>I feel like since photo is such a self-directed field, most of your list is really determined by how you work. If you're interested in a rigorous, structured, school - i'd look at Purchase College. I'm also suprised your considering fashion and not looking at RIT or Parsons, since those schools regularly produce great commercial photographers. </p>

<p>I also feel like a fine arts education would more so emphasize technique, rather than an enviroment more focused on preping you to be a commercial photographer. By technique, though, do you mean lighting? </p>

<p>I can talk about this ALL day, seriously, haha.</p>

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<p>take a look at RIT.</p>

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<p>My DD is a sophomore GD major at RIT so feel free to ask away if you have any questions/concerns about the school in general. It's not for everyone, but she's quite happy. My DD took a photo class last term and will likely take more. But the photo majors are treated much better (profs, etc) than the non-photo majors.</p>

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<p>patois - - You mentioned RISD and Pratt are equal for you, but you didn't mention your impressions of Pratt. Just curious...</p>

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<p>i'm iffy on Pratt. I like certain things about it, like the campus and the community, but then i'm turned off by how sloppy and unorganized they are, how abysmal the career services are, and what various alumni have said. </p>

<p>Basically, to sum it up in the words of a photographer friend who went there (And is actually on their distinguished alumni list) 'it's a hell of a ride, but it gets you nowhere.'</p>