<p>I got into SAIC and MICA, I'm possibly a painting major. I went to NPD and all that.. I think I could've gotten into RISD( I didn't get rejected, nor waitlisted but something else) but my latest grades are not so good due to personal reasons. I got some little grant from SAIC, and I still have to wait for the package from MICA.( I contacted the school beforehand) I would literally work every hour every day doing Art stuff. I really thought about doing this for years.. I did something else before.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm probably gonna go to MICA (it's very official right now in my house) b/c of cost issues, but I still wanted to know everything about both schools. I just didn't want to leave any lingering feelings behind of not knowing what kind of schools both were. I'm hearing a lot of "SAIC is conceptual" kind of talk, but I need a clear definition about it. Possibly what kind of work "conceptual" actually is and such. I might skip some foundation classes and I do well with or w/o competition. I actually don't care about competition, I guess cause I try to overcome myself than others. The thing that's worrying me a bit is that I'm not a person who likes a restricted curriculum as those that you can find in liberal arts schools. But I'm also worried that SAIC doesn't have any grading system. Competition aside, no grading system might affect me. I've read quite a few posts here, but still don't get a clear image of both of them.
SAIC for me is...
- on the expensive side
-in the city (I'm drawn to Chicago for no big reason but that there will be some interaction to inspire me or wake me up to see my surroundings. There's also that museum)
-well-known
-interdisciplinary
- great dorms</p>
<p>MICA
- less costly than above( and I think you can apply for financial aid every year. not sure though)
-very friendly and involved teachers (been there myself)
-interdisciplicary but maybe not as SAIC
-okay dorms ( I'm very picky about dorms. I'm quite organized and clean and go insane if someone does the opposite. I def need my own space to "breathe" or else I'll go crazy. I only saw the commons, so I can't vouch about this.)
- okay neighborhood ( I actually didn't like it that much but I know some family friends there)</p>
<p>I would love to fly to Chicago and see it myself but frankly right now the economy is bad and I might need huge loans to go to these schools. I could drive there though for rougly 2days if I wanted to only if its worth it. I don't really know much about both schools, but I keep having this feeling for SAIC and everybody right now is assuming I'll go to MICA. I'm not saying either schools are good or bad, but I wanted to go to a school with the right feeling. I want myself to want it, which is not the state of being for me right now.
All of you guys who read this to the end, Thank you, and I'll appreciate any comments from anyone.</p>
<p>aren't saic and mica around the same cost? also when did you apply... i'm just wondering because i'm applying to those schools also but i haven't heard anything back from them yet</p>
<p>i know someone who goes to saic and some who go to mica
i heard mica has awesome dorms?? </p>
<p>mica is supposed to be more structured than saic; i heard that after foundation year saic is pretty much a free for all and you get to take whatever you want if the classes aren't filled up</p>
<p>Southwest flies into Midway airport. You can take the train straight from the airport to downtown. This would be an inexpensive way to visit SAIC. (Unfortunately, I have no advice on hotels.)</p>
<p>Grades are optional. If you want to be graded, just let all of your professors know in advance. If you don't tell them they will assume you want credit/no credit.</p>
<p>D was accepted at both SAIC and MICA. She is halfway through junior year at MICA.</p>
<p>My thoughts:</p>
<p>MICA is in a crappy neighborhood. D is not a big Baltimore fan, and liked SAICs location. </p>
<p>Although neither is a typical college campus, MICA's set up is more like a campus. SAIC is a few building in downtown Chicago.</p>
<p>In my D's case, MICA was more generous with merit based aid. By a factor of 4:1. Last I checked, list price of the two schools is on par.</p>
<p>I would say MICA is at least as interdisciplinary as SAIC. </p>
<p>Not sure I understand the MICA dorm comment. There are many housing options at MICA, including singles for freshmen and a brand new residence hall for upperclassmen.</p>
<p>D has done well at MICA and is happy with her education there so far.</p>
<p>I got accepted into SAIC and MICA as well. i plan to major in visual communication/graphic design. I chose SAIC because of the location, and its ranking. OVerall, SAIC is more well-known than MICA... (well maybe i shouldnt generalize.... but whenever i ask other ppl about art schools... they've heard of SAIC but not MICA)</p>
<p>I applied for Spring, around mid october. I was also thinking of deferring my entrance and applying to other schools( like Cooper maybe), but decided not to. Well...I've decided to go to MICA. I'm actually living here(in this country) by myself, so it'd be a bit tough for me to move to Chicago, where I know virtually no one. At least I know some family friends that live in MD. Maybe this doesn't matter that much.. I don't know... I think MICA will fit me better though. I only saw one room in the commons( and that was a long time ago when I wasn't even thinking about going to art school), but I did hear their dorms are great from a lot of other people, so we'll see.... I mean, in the end it'll be all up to me to make the best of my college life. I just don't want to tie down myself for the sake of the school's name or anything.. I think I was stressed out when I was writting that post. Thanks everyone for posting your replies though!
And goodluck to alicedanding- I hope you hear some good news:)</p>