But SCAD does things differently.  They have a very West Coast and frankly, REALISTIC approach to teaching art.  After all, you are going to college to get a JOB - presumably that's why you are investing so much money - and they teach their students not only how to be artists but how to be artists in career settings.  You are required to meet with career advisors, make resumes and business cards, taught how to interview, and so long as you maintain an acceptable GPA and work ethic, they bend over backwards to help you get internships and placements even after graduation.  Not just the advisors, but I've found that individual faculty are all willing to do this. 

And as far as complaining about the presence of sports, well, you'd think that artists would be open-minded enough to accept the fact that young creative people can have a wide spectrum of interests.  In my opinion, the athletics at SCAD only adds to the diversity of the student body.  And I haven't done sports since high school, but some of the most hardworking students here are the ones balancing training and competitions on top of an already rigorous art school curriculum.

So anyway, yes, this school was a lot easier to get into than MICA, but they offered more scholarships, too, and campus jobs are widely available, and all of my faculty and advisors thus far have been extremely open and helpful.  I'm sure some of the departments are spottier than others.  It's about finding one in which you fit, and there are plenty to choose from.