I am a high school junior who is going be the class of 2021, I am planning on starting my portfolio to present to these colleges by the fall, but I am having trouble. I really enjoy and love illustration and MICA offers a major in it, it is relatively close, since I live in the DMV area. I know people from MICA are respected in the industry or at least have some sort of connections for industry work. The only thing holding me back is that I do not live in Maryland, so tuition is expensive and I know I will probably end up being in debt due to loans and I do not eve know then since I haven’t applied early to be considered for scholarship.
That leads into my next point is that I have been considering VCUarts, because it is in-state for me, and even then its an affordable school, although it only offers illustration as a minor, but does offer animation (kinetic engineering?). and I will be a commuter, so less money for me. The problem is that I heard that you do not start the program until your sophomore year, and even then it isn’t guaranteed. Moreover, I do not hear or at least to my knowledge people in the industry who have gone to VCUarts fulltime.
I am just having a hard time deciding and if there is other illustration programs out there please let me know! I am open to any advice!
I can’t answer all your questions but MICA is a stand alone art school so even if you were in-state the tuition would be the same. You wouldn’t know about any scholarship money until after you turn in your portfolio.