Maryland Institute College of Art - MICA Reviews
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Michelle from NJ
08/03/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
11 out of 11 people found this review useful. 1 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Adventurous, fun yet thick skinned, serious art enthusiasts
Tips for prospective students Take your work seriously, and be sure not to get off track. It's so easy to get lost and leave school with nothing worthwhile, so either take yourself seriously or you're wasting your own time and money. Living off campus is ridiculously cheaper than living on campus, although my freshman year in the Commons might have been the best year of my entire life. Sleep when you can. NEVER procrastinate, you will hate yourself for it. NEVER walk anywhere by yourself, there's a variety of idiots in this city that won't think twice about hurting you.
Bang for the buck Art schools tend to be notoriously expensive, and MICA is no different. The main financial difference that sets apart this school from others is how much MICA really does help out with scholarships and funding. If you wholeheartedly seek out the financial help, MICA has much to offer.
Am enjoying being here I refuse to candy coat Baltimore- it's a tough city and not the place for everyone. The so called MICA campus is in an o.k. part of town, which a lot of people like to deem the MICA Bubble, as it encases itself into a somewhat permeable shelter. To get the best experience from the city, I cannot stress enough how much one must venture out and explore the city and get what it's really about. There is a lot it has to offer, as well as a lot of problems that are mostly brushed underneath a rug of sorts, however as a whole the city can be quite enjoyable. MICA, although the teachers easily vary and it's easy to lose yourself in stress, is a wonderful school and there's a reason why its so highly rated.
Am learning a lot The same can be said for many schools, but the education one receives at an art school especially varies from student to student on how seriously they take themselves and their work. After two years at MICA, I can definitely say that it's sometimes difficult to balance a social life as well as staying on path of finding a serious career, however nevertheless, the education I recieved from the school as well as Baltimore has impacted my life in such a way that I cannot imagine having gone to school anywhere else.
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Tom from Chagrin Falls, OH
07/09/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
7 out of 7 people found this review useful. 2 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Anyone who identifies as an artist or has big ideas they want to wrestle with will feel right at home at MICA. For a dedicated art school MICA is also surprisingly well-rounded, which played a big part in my decision to attend.
Tips for prospective students 1. Be prepared to work often and hard. MICA is a fun place, but it is even more fun for those who manage their time and workload properly. 2. Get some sleep sometimes. 3. Remember that Baltimore is a big city and should be treated accordingly. There are many opportunities here, but you should exercise appropriate caution. 4. Get to know your professors. They can and will help you.
Bang for the buck Like all schools, MICA gives back to you according to what you put into it. That said, the school provides a wealth of opportunities for personal expression, fun, professional experience, and countless opportunities to grow as an artist and person. The quality of professors can vary, of course, but the quality of a MICA education is matchless.
Am enjoying being here Personally speaking, I love MICA. It is a tight-knit, welcoming, and freely accepting community with the explicit goal of nurturing the growth of young artists. The professors and students are, in my experience, wonderful people. While it can sometimes be an effort to find free time in between coursework, the wealth of opportunities to be found in and around MICA pay great dividends to those who seek them out.
Am learning a lot The first year at MICA provides an intensive crash-course in all areas of the arts, while successive years allow students to focus in on their chosen area(s) of study. The workload is very intense, but it would be next to impossible to come out of a year at MICA without greatly expanding one's knowledge and capability as an artist.
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N.S. from PA
09/25/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
5 out of 5 people found this review useful. 3 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Artists of technical abilities are here, yet everyone work just as hard as the next.
Tips for prospective students Whatever you many hear, the community here is really open and welcoming. They really want you to take advantage of that and get involved. But also, if you're iffy about the area, definitely come see it for yourself to see if you would be alright here. There are a lot of shady areas and the school warns the students where not to go, but also provides good transportation for the students after hours.
Bang for the buck It's definitely a lot of money, that's for sure, but I can see why though. The education is great, the dorms are apartment style which is something a lot of freshman don't get, the meals are a nice all you can eat buffet style (or a take-out option).
Am enjoying being here The college life is really great here. The majority of the freshman are all in one place and the rest are just 1 block away. There are so many events going on through the weekends and many fun things go on the weekday nights. Also with the student clubs meeting once a week or every other week, I can join multiple clubs to meet more people with similar interests.
Am learning a lot I've only been here a month, but since I'm working at least 6 hours on work every day, I can actually feel myself improving, getting faster at drawing, and strong sense of composition. Also, the quality of my independent sketches and drawings are getting faster, too. The teachers for the first year are all very good teachers and many are easy to talk to and get to know.
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Camille
07/09/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 4 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety MICA has boosted up their campus security recently but you still need to be street smart and use common sense.
Greek Life There is no greek life at MICA.
Clubs and Activities MICA has lots of club and activities for students to be a part of. You name it, they probably have it. If not then you can create the club that you want.
Great for these types of students MICA is great for the free spirited student who enjoys being challenged. It has a relaxed atmosphere.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There's so many I can't even begin to list them.
Bang for the buck You can expect private colleges to cost a more that public colleges but the price tag for MICA is a bit much for such a small school.
What to do for fun Baltimore is a great city. Go on lots of adventures. Go with your friends and visit the Inner Harbor, take the light rail to other places, or visit the shops downtown.
Food and Dining Initially the dining services are pretty good but sometimes it's lacking. Take advantage of the kitchen they give you in your dorm and make food that you know you will like. Meal plans are expensive. Don't feel forced to get one.
Dorm Life MICA's apartment style dorms are nice but as with most colleges there will be things about them that you won't like. Try your best to make it feel like home.
Academic Rigor As an art school MICA wants its students to be well rounded. Balancing academic and studio classes can be difficult at times.
Tips for prospective students Always to photos of your work after completing it and always have a portfolio ready for review. This will help you to keep track of your work and growth and allow you to show you talents to prospective employers.
In three sentences On a scale from 1 to 10 I give MICA a 7. MICA has a lot of great resources available to students and great facilities. It is, however, extremely expensive.
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Cindy from Blacksburg, VA
05/16/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 5 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety There is a strong campus security unit that patrols 24/7.
Greek Life Non-existant.
Clubs and Activities A BUNCH of clubs and organizations, definitely something for everyone.
What to do for fun There is always the option of the inner harbor, or going to Towson. There are usually events on campus every night, also.
Food and Dining There are only two options, but they are quite delicious.
Dorm Life Most people's door are always open, figuratively speaking. The college really makes sure that there is a sense of community.
Academic Rigor Sometimes it really depends on the class, but most of the time you will be challenged.
Tips for prospective students Really work on critique skills as you will spend half of your studio time doing just that.
In three sentences MICA is the best location for artists to learn their trade in a supportive environment. There are many involvement opportunities both on campus and in the community. There is a healthy amount of competition, creating a competitive, effective learning environment.
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Amanda from Reisterstown, MD
11/09/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 6 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety There are always campus safety officers patrolling campus during the day and night. Everyone knows Baltimore can be dangerous, no matter where you are, so its reassuring to see them around. I've never had a problem with crime and if I need a ride home I call campus safety for the MICA shuttle to come pick me up.
Greek Life No sororities or fraternities at MICA, just a big family of art kids.
Clubs and Activities There are a lot of different clubs you can join. They all have fun events during the week, so its easy to get involved. I'm a part of the Community Arts Partnership, where we volunteer as art teachers at different schools. We also have CAPfest every semester which is a fun festival like event.
Great for these types of students Hard-working students, who are dedicated and passionate about their art, will excel at MICA. We love students who are fun and and different, ready to make their mark on the world, and show something new to our community.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The MICA Halloween Party is a spectacle every year, complete with a fully decorated Main Building, and a impressive Costume Contest, by the crazy creative students. The Annex and the Copycat are apartment buildings off campus that are known for the crazy parties and shows that go down.
Bang for the buck MICA is well-known as one of the best art schools in the nation. Its obvious that we have the best art teachers and students in the country, if you look at the artwork that we produce. We have top-notch studios of every kind, that are open 12 hours a day (24 hours during finals week) that facilitate the learning and making of great art.
What to do for fun Baltimore has a great art scene, so there's always a band playing, an art show, or a fun-themed party to go to. Mount Vernon has some great restaurants and bars that are fun to frequent, like Turp's, Brewer's Art, and XS. There's also some of Baltimore's greatest amusements, like the National Aquarium, Federal Hill, Hampden, Fell's Point, and the Maryland Zoo.
Food and Dining We have a dining hall, and 2 cafes. The options for food on campus is not humongous, but the food is still decent. I love getting a hot sandwich from Cafe Doris. The area of Mount Vernon is only a 10 minute walk away which has a lot of cheap restaurants to go to.
Dorm Life The dorms are apartment-style, so they are very spacious. All of them have a kitchen and a living room, and plenty of space to spread out and work on art. Plus, there are studios you can rent out in one of the residence buildings.
Academic Rigor The academic classes are actually quite relaxed. Most of our energy is focused on our rigorous studio classes, so our academic classes expect the best out of us but dont burden us down with work. We usually have 2 or 3 papers to do for an academic class.
Tips for prospective students MICA is for students who are passionate and willing to work hard, so be prepared for a lot of work! Remember to be yourself and don't take everything too seriously. Be open to new ideas and people, and you will learn everything that is great about art, MICA, and Baltimore.
In three sentences MICA is an amazing school with the best teachers in the country. I can pursue my dreams of becoming an art teacher here in a state-of-the-art program. MICA has granted me many opportunities, like volunteering, and having a studio space, for helping me get involved in the community and creating art.
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Jacqueline from York, PA
07/24/2012Reviewer is A past student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 7 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus is located in Baltimore City. There are campus shuttles that run during the dark hours so that students can hitch a ride from building to building. Use them! Every year there are a handful of genius students that walk around at night sticking out like a sore thumb and they get mugged. Usually nobody gets hurt, but if you want to avoid a knife or a gun in your face, use the shuttle. There are security guards posted at each building, and the campus has a safety orientation when you first start. The shuttles will also take you home as long as you live close by, even if you're not in a dorm. You can usually bribe the drivers to take you other places if you want.
Greek Life None, aside from a toga party.
Clubs and Activities There is a Black Student Union, and you can enter work in the film festivals and fashion shows. There are student shows at the end of every semester for the students to show off their work from classes. There aren't any of the traditional sororities or fraternities as far as I know, or sports teams, but that is typical with art schools.
Great for these types of students Students that have a lot of money to blow and want a lot of different options to play around with.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Kids like to be hippies and play congo drums in the courtyard. Frisbee is the number one game students play. Artscape is held right on that street every year, but it is during the summer time.
Bang for the buck MICA does have great facilities and equipment, no matter what your major, but they accept so many students (presumably for the money), that it is hard to get maximum use out of them and out of your instructors. They hike up tuition every year, and then spend a ton of money on marketing and looking pretty. Even if you learn a lot as an artist, without business training your talent will go to waste, and when I was there, MICA didn't have business training.
What to do for fun MICA has a few sponsored parties for students (casino night, etc.), and student film festivals and fashion shows. There are many bars and night clubs in the city that are not hard to get to.
Food and Dining The cafeteria has a nice set-up. There are sections for grilled items, fried items, a salad bar, and drink choices which include soda, water and juice. When I first started, the company they were using to make the food was pretty good, but they switched companies and I saw a decline. That was 6 years ago, though, so it might be better now. There is also a Save-A-Lot close by where you can buy groceries.
Dorm Life Dorms are very nice compared to many other colleges. They are set up like apartments. A new dorm building was built after I left that looks like an art piece. Seems nice, but also not very cost effective. I'm sure dorm prices have risen drastically.
Academic Rigor Most classes are extremely rigorous, which wouldn't be a problem if teachers had more one-on-one time to spend with students.
Tips for prospective students If you have a lot of money to blow, and you know exactly what you want to do, and you just want a degree under your belt, MICA may be the place for you. If you want real one-on-one training, building business connections, and you have limited financial resources, find a smaller school that can meet your needs and help you reach your goals.
In three sentences Lots of resources, but too many students to share it with. School is overcrowded and overly expensive. While there are some wonderful instructors here that can change your life, you may find yourself paying close to $30k a year to sit on the floor because classes are too full and you may not be able to get into half of the classes you want. There is also no business curriculum, which every artist needs to be successful.
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Samantha from Morristown, NJ
08/05/2012Reviewer is A past student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 8 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Pretty good campus safety. There is a shuttle that you can call that will pick you up from school buildings and bring you to your dorm or to your apartment.
Greek Life NO GREEK LIFE- thank god
What to do for fun There are art openings, a few good music venues in the city and there are a lot of bands from the school or the city that play in some of the warehouses where a good amount of MICA students live. You can take the light rail which is right on campus down to Camden Yards or Ravens stadium to watch baseball or football or just to go downtown. When you are 21 there are alot of great bars with great beer
Food and Dining Pretty good food. Everyday they have a food from a different country so you get variety.
Dorm Life A lot of students live off campus but the dorms are much safer.
Academic Rigor By academic I mean studio. 6 hour studio classes and usually 10 hours of homework for each studio.
Tips for prospective students It's a tough city but a fun one. Trust your instincts, don't give people who approach you on the street the benefit of the doubt. Fell's point has great food, great bars and is right on the water.
In three sentences Great art school. I wouldn't take back going here for anything. Artsy city/ great bars/great food.
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Samantha from Sayville, NY
08/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 9 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety good mostly
Greek Life NONE .... sadly
Clubs and Activities not so hot. we have some interesting ones but theyre mostly for weirdos. like viking club... or d and d.
Great for these types of students crazy, sassy, nerdy, hipstery folk
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus humans vs. zombies live action, week long game. EXTREME bingo at orientation. lack of hygiene in all peers.
Bang for the buck so expensive. i love it but private schools are a financial sacrifice.
What to do for fun warehouse parties!!! live music.. love it
Food and Dining In the large scheme of college food, its not that bad. but I personally cant stand it. vegetarian and vegan options. everything is bland no matter what it is it tastes like solid water anyway so bring your own condiments.
Dorm Life dorms rule. alot of space, private bathrooms and kitchens, outdoor access, common area, single rooms, huge sense of community.
Academic Rigor Academics are not stressed, but you cannot forget about them! Many classes are required but they are not hard.
In three sentences fantastic art and design school. improvements are in the works and i expect it will exceed risd and scad to be the number one school in the country for art and design. VERY interdisciplinary.
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Karina from Baltimore, MD
02/23/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 10 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety there safety cameras and security guards on rounds and at their posts every where. and the shuttle brings you home at night. and there are other phone and computer activated safety programs you can be a part of.
Greek Life i am not sure what to say, there is a greek town in baltimore-its beutiful.
Clubs and Activities the clubs and activities are so diverse and too many to count.
Great for these types of students students come in from all over the world, asia, europe, distant caribbean island, south america etc.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus the mica campus celebrates and honors all holidays and belief systems, so that the students feel as comfortable as possible.
Bang for the buck again, although it may be pricey its worth it. mica has their own book store, health and fitness facility, own medical center, library studio building, tech lab, and its amazing, everything is at your finger tips. they pay a lot of attention to what the students may need.
What to do for fun mica has thier own shuttle system and yello bus system. the yellow buses bring you to far away mall and shopping and entertainment centers, the shuttles bring you home at night or drop you off where ever you want to go. also baltimore has its own purple bus route that is free that brings you to the best place of baltimore-the harbor, where there are bars, shopping, eating, the aquarium and so much more.
Food and Dining there are many place to eat on campus and a couple cafes. there is amazing local dining in every direction possible. so you never get bored, order in, dine out, or go to a local grocery store. its location is great.
Dorm Life the dorms are regular dorms, but as an art school the studio are amazing, and this year will be renovated once more to provide more space and environment suitable for the artist.
Academic Rigor lets be completly honest this is college and college takes work and detication, and if you are not serious about your education, do not enroll.
Tips for prospective students although it may be a bit pricey, the people are great, the classes equipted with new everything and the proffesors willing to understand your processof growth and learning.
In three sentences it is a free spirited, comfortable and exciting institute. the proffesors are amazing, the students diverse and the campus very beautiful. i feel i am recieving a great education.
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Allison
03/20/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 11 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety There are no major incidents that happen on the campus. They have night shuttles and walking escorts that will help you get back to your dorm safely. They also have a text-message alert system that will allow you to know any dangerous events that have happened in MICA's vicinity.
Greek Life There is none.
Clubs and Activities So many clubs and so little time. Literally. While much of your time will be taken up with work, there are plenty of clubs to look in to. There is a club for just about everything. I really mean everything. They have club fairs at the beginning of each semester; don't be afraid to look at them all. The people are extremely nice.
Great for these types of students Hard working students. You must be ready to work. You must also love art. If you are looking for a couple art classes but expecting the rest to be academic- then this is not the place for you.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There are so many strange things on this campus. There are the little quirks such as the three day long Halloween special (which features a costumed dance- this year was Star Wars themed). Many of the events here are free and include free food and fun. The resident assistants have even more events for the freshmen- make your own chalk, bind your own sketchbook, Tarzan and Marzipan, high-heel races, etc...
Bang for the buck It's a good school. But it is an undisputed fact that you will be spending quite a bit of money if you decide to go here- whether it be for materials or other such things. If you decide to take the plunge and go into debt (which you would probably be doing for other schools anyhow) then be prepared to do the work. You are basically paying to be given the assignments and it would be in your best interest to do it. If you pay and do the work, you will improve dramatically.
What to do for fun There are a couple free buses that surround the MICA campus and can take you to other college campuses as well as places like the Baltimore Inner Harbor (where there is plenty of fun to be had). There is a lightrail nested against the MICA campus that can take you to surrounding cities and towns, and a train that can take you to New York or DC (costs money).
Food and Dining MICA has quite a few cafes as well as its main cafeteria. The are various types of food to suit your eating habits, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food.
Dorm Life There are some nice places to live on MICA's campus. After the first year, options become more open. There are common areas in (and outside of) each dorm building for socializing and clubs. The dorms are apartment-style (bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathroom).
Academic Rigor Not so much for an academically inclined student as an art student. However, MICA does allow students to take classes at nearby colleges. The art courses will help you improve, without a doubt. It's like an art student boot camp.
Tips for prospective students Be prepared to work. Nothing is more daunting then coming to this school thinking the projects are going to be easy simply because they are art. It's tough. Freshman year is hardest (next to senior year) but completely life-changing. AKA Learn some good time management skills.
In three sentences If you adore art, need art, and want to be immersed in an art environment for four years- this is your school. It is completely centered around both the students' and teachers' passion for art. There are many opportunities to have your work seen and critiqued by professionals outside the school.
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Student from Lawrence, KS
05/13/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 12 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety I mean for Baltimore, MICA is pretty safe.
Greek Life None. Thank goodness because I don't think artists and sororities will get along well.
Clubs and Activities Some diversity clubs, but not highlighted.
Great for these types of students Artists that are serious about learning.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The school treats us well during finals week.
Bang for the buck A little bit pricy, but it is a great school to be in.
What to do for fun Um....art? idk
Food and Dining Very good. Pretty fresh. There are options for vegans as well.
Dorm Life Very nice dorms. Three dorms: Commons (for freshmen only) :kinda looks like a very nice jail, Meyerhoff: Use to be a hospital, but very clean and looks like a hotel, and Gateway: very modern, big windows, bamboo garden inside
Academic Rigor It's an art school. We don't really focus much on the academic side of things. But if you're considering about academic rigor as art rigor then it's very rigorous. Most everyone works hard, and everyone loves being there.
Tips for prospective students Don't sleep and work your butts off.
In three sentences MICA is a great college if you want to think, breath, live art. It is one of the top art colleges in the United States or maybe even in the world. Attending MICA is very very pricy, but I think it's worth it with the education, experience and connections I receive from them.
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Jessica from Palmetto Bay, FL
08/06/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 13 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus is in a generally safe part of town though students are advised not to go wandering by themselves at night or alone. Campus security is also available to escort you if you're working late or feel the need to have someone else with you. A shuttle is available to take you around campus and surrounding areas.
Great for these types of students Hard working, creative, inventive.
Bang for the buck Although the school is very expensive, MICA is a prestigious institution with great teachers and your efforts will be rewarded with exhibitions, grants and so forth. If you are going there for a lark however, be prepared to spend a lot of money for very little reward.
What to do for fun There are great art galleries springing up all around Baltimore where students can visit during the weekends as well as large comprehensive museums. The harbor is a good place to go out to eat or check out the shops.
Food and Dining The food is great! All freshmen are required to purchase a meal plan to ensure that they eat their first year. The food is rotated periodically as well.
Dorm Life The freshman dorms are mainly located in one place, inviting a sense of community and making it a great place to start up friendships. However, the lighting in the Commons is shoddy and would require you to get a lamp if you plan on doing any serious work in your dorm which is an apartment style.
Academic Rigor The teachers expect a great deal out of their students and expect you to compete for grants, exhibitions and scholarships among your peers.
Tips for prospective students Students should be prepared to apply themselves to their artwork and academic classes to excel in a competitive environment,
In three sentences MICA is a college that offers a great variety of majors and classes that give one the tools to succeed in one's career as an artist or otherwise. MICA is a rigorous institution that will do their best by students who work hard. It is a place where students can reach their creative potential.
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Ryan from Baltimore, MD
08/29/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 14 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun There are plenty of clubs, music venues and shopping in Baltimore. Mica provides shuttles to get to these places, but there is also public transit both free and pay to ride. Just grab a map and go explore.
Food and Dining MICA now has food trucks, along with the cafes in the grad center, Fox and Bunting, as well as the main dining hall. Food at the Hoff is like any other college dining hall food. It's just the convenience that makes it worthwhile.
Dorm Life Even though I'm not staying on campus. I have been in my friends dorms and I love it. There is a maximum of 5 people per room, in apartment style living, but the college is adding another dorm building so there will be more housing available.
Academic Rigor It's not all Studio classes. Mica has an array of different Science, Math and English courses. Mica is also apart of the Collegetown network, so current students can take classes at other colleges for free.
Tips for prospective students The school is a bit on the expensive side, but everything you get for the cost is well worth it. From the print center, to being able to check out equipment you need. MICA tries to provide everything you may need to achieve success at the college.
In three sentences MICA has a very warm and loving community, from the students who have been here for a a few years, to my entire freshman class. The orientation program is very helpful with meeting people as well as showing everything that is available to you. All round it's good people in a close knit community.
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Rebecca from Spring, TX
10/12/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 15 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Theirs campus security everywhere, as well students are given a direct number to local law enforcement, that if called should show up in less then a minute.
Clubs and Activities huge list of clubs and activity. http://www.mica.edu/Campus_and_Student_Life/Student_Activities/Student_Organizations.html heres a link to the club list. Their are multiple student activity's every week, and trust me you'll find out about them.
Great for these types of students Great for social, multi faceted students. Most students enjoy things outside of art.
What to do for fun Great museum district that you can get to by the free bus system, also plenty of restaurants, and weekend events will pop up as you explore. Beautiful harbor area, and malls as well. (don't need a car to get to these places)
Food and Dining Buffet style dinning. always have salad bar, pizza bar, sandwich station, desert area and a burger and hot dog area. as well as stations that change day to day. Vegan friendly deserts, and ice cream on Fridays. Also have 2 other deli like places where you can utilize your meal plan. Its nice to have, but much more expensive then just byeing your own food.
Dorm Life Living on campus you will most likely be living with someone else even if you have a single room. The school will try to set you up with others of the same cleanliness level as yourself. I do believe there will be a new freshman dorm by this time next year.
Academic Rigor Work loads a little heaver them my last college. Classes are held once a week, so you need to keep on top of your homework.
Tips for prospective students If you like set guidelines and knowing exactly what you're supposed to be doing, this school can be a bit frustrating. (Teachers vary in their intensiveness on keeping up their moodle pages) I think the community's great, very diverse, everything very accessible since the city has a rather nice free bus system. Of coarse the community defiantly has a reputation of crime, however their is campus security everywhere.
In three sentences Good community of artist, resources and opportunitys. Repeat fantastic resources. Classes are very loose and often encourage group work, and putting your own spin on assignments.
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Chanel from Glenn Dale, MD
10/30/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 16 of 21
Categories Comments Food and Dining The dining hall is better than most college food but it is not the best. Luckily, they do cater to vegans and vegetarians by serving vegetables everyday and even have vegan sweets.
Dorm Life I currently reside at the Meyerhoff, which is not the standard housing space for freshman. The rooms here are bigger, come with cable, a microwave, and have hardwood floors. If possible, I would recommend spending extra for a single because it helps so much to have space to do your work in.
Academic Rigor The school is very tough but if you are absolutely sure that you want to have a career in the art world then you will do fine at MICA. Just remember that you have to work hard and earn your grade. It is not a easy process but all of the professors push you to develop your best work.
Tips for prospective students If you are from a suburban and city area then MICA is a wonderful campus for you. The campus is in Baltimore City along Bolton Hill and every one in the area is friendly. The school does a wonderful job creating a genuine campus feel for an art school.
In three sentences I absolutely love attending MICA. The school has felt like home since the very beginning. The faculty and staff are very organized and find many ways to help all students graduate with a firm career path.
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Katherine from Richmond, VA
05/07/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
0 out of 2 people found this review useful. 17 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety pretty safe of course they have to be.
Clubs and Activities Various clubs nothing super interesting or exciting.
Bang for the buck On the expensive side even for an art school.
What to do for fun smaller campus so not as much to do unless you go around the city.
Food and Dining Lots of food options.
Dorm Life pretty buildings but could not see an actual dorm.
Academic Rigor Classes seem interesting, buildings are set up kind of strange.
Tips for prospective students Talk to one of their admissions representatives and know some basic information about the school.
In three sentences Nice campus of three or four blocks in a neat up and coming city.
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Tynesha from Virginia Beach, VA
07/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
18 of 21
Categories Comments Greek Life That's a random thing.... Greek Life
Great for these types of students Eccentric Experimental Artistic students
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There are a lot of sex talks.
Bang for the buck Try your best to get scholarships.
What to do for fun There are lots of places to dine. There is a lot of thing to do at the harbor in Baltimore
Tips for prospective students Makes sure to go get some sleep.
In three sentences This school has a very friendly faculty. This college also has a wide variety of classes. Fair warning, it can be a bit unorganized
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Adrian from Columbia, SC
08/08/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 19 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Very, very dodgy.
Bang for the buck Expensive, like any art college.
What to do for fun Art festivals, the symphony building is nearby, and lots of slumming with homeless people.
Food and Dining Food appeared okay.
Dorm Life Freshmen housing looked awful.
Tips for prospective students If you don't mind living in a rough area and want to major in something other than fine arts then you might like it.
In three sentences The facilities are for more graphic arts based students. The campus is quite spread out. And the surrounding community looks very scary and unappealing.
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Frankie from Montrose, PA
12/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
20 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety I see campus safety all over. They try to keep an eye out and email us if anything happens close by or on campus. There's also a MICA shuttle and they will escort you at night.
Clubs and Activities Awesome GYM! They have yoga and Zumba classes. There are student activities a lot too.
Great for these types of students Artists! Creative and different people.
Bang for the buck It is very expensive and you do get a good education. I just wonder if it is necessary to cost as much as it does when we have to also buy supplies separately.
What to do for fun The inner harbor is really close and you can take the free charm city bus! You can also take the Marc train for $7 round trip from Penn station which is in walking distance from MICA to Union Station and get to DC in an hour!!
Food and Dining The meal plan is great and the food is pretty decent! Always delicious pizza, salad bar and sandwich bar if you don't like anything else.
Dorm Life The freshman dorms are not the best but they are full size apartments which is not very common.
Tips for prospective students Make sure you really want to be an artist because it takes a lot of work and time. Make sure you have extra money for supplies all year round.
In three sentences This school provides faculty that is more like friends and family because they are also working artists. The resources are abundant. It costs a lot of money though.
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Aubrey from Baltimore, MD
05/27/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
21 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety There's always guards around and you can easily call them, they usually respond to incidents very quickly and will walk you home at night.
Greek Life No sororities or fraternities.
Clubs and Activities Lots of clubs and fun things to do, but kind of hard to keep up with if you don't use facebook.
Great for these types of students Artsy (duh, it's an art school), very comfortable with other religions/sexualities/etc. This is a VERY diverse place and nobody here is shy about it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus We have a meditation room and a nature library (bones, shells, etc).
Bang for the buck The school is very expensive, so scholarships and loans are good ideas, but I feel the quality far outweighs the cost. I'd rather spend a lot of money and great teachers and resources than go to a University and be another fish in the sea of academia.
What to do for fun Explore the city! The surrounding area (Bolton Hill/Mt Vernon) is really great and college-friendly, and historic. The harbor is kind of touristy but has lots of shops and attractions, and there's a fair amount of museums and sights (aquarium is a must, zoo can be skipped).
Food and Dining Edible, but very overpriced. I cooked for myself on way less money.
Dorm Life I live off campus, but dorms are nothing spectacular. You have a shared kitchen, shared bathroom, sparse living room... Habitable but just as uncomfortable as anywhere else.
Academic Rigor Art schools typically have a high grading curve, MICA isn't an exception. They will push you to work harder and keep you loaded with work though.
Tips for prospective students Be comfortable in a large city or taking public transportation, be able to handle yourself alone. Get used to walking, toting art supplies, and staying up late.
In three sentences MICA has pretty phenomenal teachers and resources; they're creative and understanding people and the facilities are well suited to artists. Baltimore is a diverse and historic mix of suburb and city, and is close enough to DC, NYC, and Philly that going out of town is easy, but this city is not for everyone and can be a little rough.
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