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 | Bright | MICA is undoubtedly one of the best institutions for the fine arts in the country. That being said, there are some very major drawbacks to attending. As a transfer student, I was very impressed by the fine arts faculty. Almost as a rule, they are approachable, helpful, and above all, extremely good at what they do; both in regards to their teaching and their private artistic practices, even if, all in all, MICA is far more conservative in it's approach to art than schools like SAIC, CalArts or Cooper Union. The drawbacks I mentioned are largely regarding the school's vast bureaucracy and the student body. Even though I transferred to MICA with the maximum amount of credits/prerequisites filled, because of the required academic courses for each major, I have only been able to take two studio classes of my choosing per semester. The rest of my semester's credits are filled by dull, uninspiring, and un-challenging classes that seem more fit for remedial students at a community college than a world-class art school. And if you transferred in, there is literally no way around this. I came to MICA as a GFA major, and was hoping to dabble in a wide variety of different disciplines (printmaking, robotics, sound art, etc) but found that because of my assigned schedule and the prerequisites required for the most interesting classes, most of the classes available to me are rather run-of-the mill fine art courses, with a few notable exceptions. Another difficulty in transferring into MICA is the school's social structure. I read the reviews of MICA on this site before attending, and wrote off the myriad comments describing the student body as "clique-y." I now know that those comments were totally accurate. Baltimore is a great city to have a good time in, but most MICA students don't venture any further afield than the Bolton Hill/Mt Vernon/Charles Village area. Not to sound bitter, but the students at MICA can generally be characterized as sheltered trust fund hipsters. Make no mistake, there is a LOT of money at MICA, and if you don't have a carte blanche from your parents for high-end materials, a luxury living space, spare time from doing nothing but schoolwork and partying, and things like weekend trips to Miami (I'm not joking here) it's very easy to feel, and become, excluded. Even making small talk in an elevator is a challenge, since the person you are addressing will almost invariably look at you as if you are an alien if you're not a familiar figure in their extended circle of friends. That isn't to say that these students are untalented, because some of their work is mind-bogglingly amazing, though there are plenty of entitled jerk-offs boozing their way through their assignments while complaining about how stressful their life is, as there are at any school. I've lived on/near a few college campuses in California, and never before have I experienced the kind of exclusiveness that is commonplace at MICA. All in all, I would say that if you are coming to MICA straight from high school, your parents can afford to give you the best of everything, and that you really do have talent and ambition, MICA would be a great place to attend school. With four years to peruse the course catalog, you have the opportunity to take some great classes with some great instructors, and you can make the bonds in the first few years that seem to be the way that many of the MICA cliques get established. If you plan on transferring to MICA without a hefty chunk of your parents money in your wallet, be prepared to wade through an ocean of BS classes and a notably unwelcoming student body. Still though, a BFA is a BFA, but a BFA from MICA goes a lot farther than one from almost anywhere else. | Campus Maintenance: A+, Education Quality: D | | | |
| | Nov 18 2012 | 1st Year Male --
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| Bright | If you plan to commute to the campus from out of Baltimore city I suggest you get a car that can take a beating since you will be carrying wet paintings and other messy or large supplies. Also, plan on getting there extra early since there is only parking on the street and in one lot that is filled by 8:30 AM and classes start at 9. MICA is not a commuter-friendly campus. I chose to commute because of price, one year with a forced meal plan is about $10,000 and on top of the $40,000 a year it is hell to pay everything back. Plus finding a job in the city is problematic and you get so much homework that it is impossible to have time to have a job, spend hours on artwork and have some sort of a social life (especially if you commute). I spend an hour and a half getting to school and staying longer than what my classes are makes it impossible to actually work on my artwork.A lot of the buildings on campus are deteriorating and the only supplies you get are in freshman year for sculpture class since getting materials into the city is expensive and difficult for students to do. At some points you really find yourself looking for the worth of your tuition since class sizes are constantly increasing and transfering out is impossible since their classes are completely different. You take one math or science in sophomore year and that's it. Most colleges make you take those classes in freshman year so if art isn't for you, you will have wasted 40K and will be starting all over again. At this point, I will either stop going to MICA because I'm broke or I will try to transfer out this semester. I love art, I am an artist but I need some sort of back up plan. | Innovation: A+, Surrounding City: D | | | |
| | Nov 13 2012 | 1st Year Female --
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| Not so bright | I'm a sophmore illustration major and I came to MICA last year with high hopes of jumping into intensive study of technical skills, color theory, anatomy, and all of the things that will make you into a great artist with an astounding base for your skills, to work along side conceptuals.I really wanted to disect everything piece by piece to get the best possible use of my time at this great institution. As I'm getting my transcript together to transfer to another school, I am still wondering where those lessons got to. I've had a total of two professors sicnce I've come here, that were really helpful. The rest were standoffish, some of them were suprisingly rude. The amount of work given is not equal to the amount of learning going on. I have learned almost nothing since coming here, but I have sunk too much work into and time into projects that are more like busy work than lessons. If you are from a lower/ lower middle class family, you will get a lot of crap here not just from students, but from professors too, plus you better have a mountain of scholarships or paying tuition will send you to a grim fate; It's expensive. With a meal plan and a room you will be paying around $40,000 a year. Students are generally friendly (and dressed pretty nice), but I have encountered a good number of arrogant people, I'm not sure if they're naturally that way or sleep deprived, which you will be too. One massive problem with MICA is that this school will let anyone in. I have never heard of anybody getting s rejection letter. I'm slightly terrified to say that I have had 2 roommates since last year (both illustration majors) who had the skill level of elementary school students, no that is not because they chose to work that way, they just had very limited artistic ability. Seeing as how this is a "top" art school, that is unacceptable. I came here with a strong drawing portfolio and so far have found my skills slipping due to lack of instruction and challange. Grading is done questionably...I feel like teachers don't put too much thought into it, unless it's an academic class. Ironically the academic classes are not very good. I've done more intense work in highschool, than for these classes. A lot of the programs here are a joke. If you've been attracted to this school with in interest in the animation major, I'm sorry to tell you that "experimental animation" is the punchline. The graphic design department is mediochre, and the illustration is (kind of) decent but I've learned almost nothing so far. The other departments are in contrast, very well put together and If you want to come here for painting or GFA then this would be a pretty good choice for you. The area is a little shifty though, I've never personally gotten into trouble but alot of people get mugged and about once every year or so somebody gets hit by a car on Mt. Royal, walking to class. Baltimore isn't the greatest city. There's stuff to do, but that will only keep you occupied for so long. The campus is in an isolated bubble. If you don't make an effort to explore you are never going to see anything. There are internship oppertunities-but MICA tries to keep you in Baltimore, even after graduation. If you don't like the city, get out while you still can. Over all, lots of rude and unhelpful teachers, work > learning, friendly but moody students, dissappointing classes, shifty area, high cost,& you won't get out of Baltimore. Even If I had a free ride I would not return to this school. | Innovation: A-, Education Quality: F | | | |
| | Nov 16 2011 | 1st Year Female --
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