Maryland Institute College of Art

[corel]

Hi!
Has anyone studied there? I'm looking into this college and want to hear your opinions about it.
First i wanted to attend SVA in NYC but then realized its too expensive and costs a lot and there are almost no scholarships for foreign students. I have found that in MICA there are more scholarship opportunities..

(My desired department is Illustration)

Corel.

[Taxguy]

First, let me note that I did not go to MICA. Thus, the information that I will be giving you is second hand.

We live in Maryland where MICA is located. It has a very strong fine arts reputation similar to what RISD has. Many of buildings are relatively new or renovated and it has very nice facilities for artists. Dorms are located right near most of the academic buildings. SVA dorms are supposedly several blocks away from their main academic buildings. You should check this out to see if it is true. Walking several blocks each way in the cold and rain isn't fun. Likewise, if you have to be in a studio late at night, does give me some security concerns when you have to walk home late in the evening.

MICA is renown here in Maryland for several things:

1. Fine art,which is mainly painting and illustration and,
2. For its five-year BFA/MFA program especially in art education
3. It also as a good graphic design program with some well-known faculty
4. It has very decent liberal arts offerings. In fact, you can take courses at nearby Johns Hopkins University,which is considered one of the premier universities in the US. SVA is NOT known for having strong liberal arts offerings

MICA also has a new digital arts center,but I don't know how good their offerings are or how they compare with SVA.

What MICA is NOT as well known for as SVA is in animation. SVA started as a school for cartooning and branched out to become well-known for both animation and cartooning. MICA also has animation,but their program seems more experimental in nature. I have never seen anyone rave about MICA's animation program. Their other programs, however, seem quite strong at MICA, which is why they are considered a top notch fine arts school.

MICA also isn't known for giving a lot of scholarship money. If I would be surprised if you get significantly more money in scholarship aid at MICA than at SVA. Moreover, the tuition at MICA is more than that of SVA.

MICA's tuition alone is $33,000 per year plus another $1,000 in fees.

See http://www.mica.edu/Admission_and_Fi..._and_Fees.html

SVA tuition is: $26,400 with an additional $1,000 to $2,200 in fees per year depending on the major. See http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/ad...id1=56&sid2=94

However, where SVA gets expensive is in the room and board. It is much more expensive to live in NY than in Baltimore. It can easily cost you $5,000++ more per year in living expenses in NY than what you would incur living by MICA. Thus, from an overall cost perspective, the costs of both schools will be similar.

Finally, SVA is in Manhattan,which is a very vibrant city. MICA is just outside of the city of Baltimore. Although I like Baltimore since there are some great things to do, including some great restaurants, it isn't as cool a city as NY. Moreover, MICA is in a bit of a spotty location. You do need to be careful walking around away from the university.

Bottom line: if you are interested in pure fine art, art education, graphic design or pursuing a five year combined BFA/.MFA, or care about having a good liberal arts offering, MICA might be the better place. If you want animaton (computer art) or cartooning, interior design, SVA would seem to be the better place. Both schools probably have strong illustration departments and decent departments in photography.

Good luck

[LieutenantHanz]

While MICA is very expensive, they do give out HEFTY scholarships to alot of people. I'd take a shot at applying and just see how much money they give you (you'd have to send in a scholarship portfolio, they will notify you if they want you to send in one.) It is a great school, and I'm sure you'd get a great education, regardless of the quality of SVA's education.