Amazing staff and classes at MICA you learn a lot, from students and teachers especially in your first year there. I don't think any other school can compare in MICA's foundation year and the amount that you can learn about art and yourself. This is a place to grow and build connections best school I could ask to attend.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Make sure you brainstorm and keep your options open for different ideas and projects. Time management with be your best friend with your projects do not slack off or wait last minute to finish something problems will arise if you wait to long to do something. Also watch the local stores such as Utrec and Plaza, they have a lot of sales that can help you cut costs. Don't be afraid to use things from the trash either the recycling bin may be your best friend.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The classes for your first year are amazing not much choice in what you take because it is foundation year but the work load is good and the challenges are even better to develop skills and your imagination/creativity. (if you do not like your teacher for your class you may switch classes at MICA which is a very good thing, not all students will click with the teacher picked for them)
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Love the atmosphere of the MICA community and the style of the dorms. However noise can be an issue at time in the Commons even if you live in the back building. Also the heaters do not always work and only stairs in the Commons, and the rooms need to be a bit updated and cleaned better. (note this is only one area of dorms for MICA and major changes are supposed to be brought this year things may change)
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food is pretty good they have a lot of choices for all, vegan and the like. They also do international foods and have fruit and salad all the time in the Meyerhoff. Friday Saturday and Sundays they have the best foods. Doris is the cafe on campus and although is a bit pricey it is pretty good. I suggest getting the 200 meal plan for all freshman for you first semester at least. most students don't use all of those meals but if you plan on having family and friends come to visit you on campus then you can swip for them so they don't have to pay the 9 or so dollars it costs to eat at Meyerhoff (Meyerhoff is all you can eat by the way). And remember not to over indulge in the dessert table.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There are tons of things in Baltimore to do, you can go to the Towson Mall (which is 4 levels and has tons of things in it) on the shuttle, walk or take the free circulator to the inner harbor where there are malls and good places to eat. On weekends there are things going on at the Copy Cat and/or Graffiti House just around the corner from MICA across the bridge (the ally there is a good place to see local graffiti artists works and some old MICA students works). There is also the BMA and the Walters museum both free and not far from campus. And don't forget there is also pen station just a 5-10 min walk from campus where you can take the train to DC or NYC for 14 dollars round trip. If you are looking to go thrift store shopping there are plenty of thrift stores although you may need to drive to those. And of course your RA's will be planning things through out the year if your looking to stay on campus or go out with a group of friends.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Most MICA students go to Trader Joes or Whole foods but you don't need to go there to shop for food, save a lot is barely a block away from the Commons. Also try not to buy food for your dorm if you have a 200 meal plan it will be a waste of money then, try to ask for care packages if you want snacks in your dorm room. GO TO THE SWAP SHOP!!! I can not stress that enough, the swap shop is something the school does several times a year where students can drop things off that they don't want or need and take whatever they do want. You can get clothes books and supplies from here, and the end of the year is the biggest one ever its open all the time at that point and the things people get ride of is scary. I myself got at least 100-150$ worth of art supplies. I know people who got their text books from swap shop as well.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Swap shop would have to be one of the best things MICA does, but I would have to say the sex talks they do for the students and events they have are the best. They like to make sure the students are safe and being safe so through out the year they host several events to get students out of there dorms and to also help them learn more about sex and answer any questions they may have. A local sex toy shop owner attends some of these and helps students answer different questions that the nurse or other may not be able to answer. They also give things away such as condoms of all kinda's and toys. Personally I think this helps most students become more aware and it has helped many of my friends there get their questions answered. (I wouldn't really say this is a tradition but its something that is unique and helpful to all)
Which types of students will excel at your college?
MICA is a wonderful place for all people honestly, the diversity in the students is amazing. I don't think any student can really do badly here.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are plenty of clubs and activities but I personally did not attend any of them. You have to be very devoted to be able to do them I think. It can cut into your time for projects, I would recommend that students look into them and make sure they can manage their time wisely if they choose to join a club.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is none!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus security is everywhere all the time and just a call or even text away, shuttles run at night to help students get across campus or other places such as the 24 hour Rite Aid. And although campus security is every where you still need to be careful in Baltimore.
Amazing staff and classes at MICA you learn a lot, from students and teachers especially in your first year there. I don't think any other school can compare in MICA's foundation year and the amount that you can learn about art and yourself. This is a place to grow and build connections best school I could ask to attend.
Make sure you brainstorm and keep your options open for different ideas and projects. Time management with be your best friend with your projects do not slack off or wait last minute to finish something problems will arise if you wait to long to do something. Also watch the local stores such as Utrec and Plaza, they have a lot of sales that can help you cut costs. Don't be afraid to use things from the trash either the recycling bin may be your best friend.
The classes for your first year are amazing not much choice in what you take because it is foundation year but the work load is good and the challenges are even better to develop skills and your imagination/creativity. (if you do not like your teacher for your class you may switch classes at MICA which is a very good thing, not all students will click with the teacher picked for them)
Love the atmosphere of the MICA community and the style of the dorms. However noise can be an issue at time in the Commons even if you live in the back building. Also the heaters do not always work and only stairs in the Commons, and the rooms need to be a bit updated and cleaned better. (note this is only one area of dorms for MICA and major changes are supposed to be brought this year things may change)
The food is pretty good they have a lot of choices for all, vegan and the like. They also do international foods and have fruit and salad all the time in the Meyerhoff. Friday Saturday and Sundays they have the best foods. Doris is the cafe on campus and although is a bit pricey it is pretty good. I suggest getting the 200 meal plan for all freshman for you first semester at least. most students don't use all of those meals but if you plan on having family and friends come to visit you on campus then you can swip for them so they don't have to pay the 9 or so dollars it costs to eat at Meyerhoff (Meyerhoff is all you can eat by the way). And remember not to over indulge in the dessert table.
There are tons of things in Baltimore to do, you can go to the Towson Mall (which is 4 levels and has tons of things in it) on the shuttle, walk or take the free circulator to the inner harbor where there are malls and good places to eat. On weekends there are things going on at the Copy Cat and/or Graffiti House just around the corner from MICA across the bridge (the ally there is a good place to see local graffiti artists works and some old MICA students works). There is also the BMA and the Walters museum both free and not far from campus. And don't forget there is also pen station just a 5-10 min walk from campus where you can take the train to DC or NYC for 14 dollars round trip. If you are looking to go thrift store shopping there are plenty of thrift stores although you may need to drive to those. And of course your RA's will be planning things through out the year if your looking to stay on campus or go out with a group of friends.
Most MICA students go to Trader Joes or Whole foods but you don't need to go there to shop for food, save a lot is barely a block away from the Commons. Also try not to buy food for your dorm if you have a 200 meal plan it will be a waste of money then, try to ask for care packages if you want snacks in your dorm room. GO TO THE SWAP SHOP!!! I can not stress that enough, the swap shop is something the school does several times a year where students can drop things off that they don't want or need and take whatever they do want. You can get clothes books and supplies from here, and the end of the year is the biggest one ever its open all the time at that point and the things people get ride of is scary. I myself got at least 100-150$ worth of art supplies. I know people who got their text books from swap shop as well.
Swap shop would have to be one of the best things MICA does, but I would have to say the sex talks they do for the students and events they have are the best. They like to make sure the students are safe and being safe so through out the year they host several events to get students out of there dorms and to also help them learn more about sex and answer any questions they may have. A local sex toy shop owner attends some of these and helps students answer different questions that the nurse or other may not be able to answer. They also give things away such as condoms of all kinda's and toys. Personally I think this helps most students become more aware and it has helped many of my friends there get their questions answered. (I wouldn't really say this is a tradition but its something that is unique and helpful to all)
MICA is a wonderful place for all people honestly, the diversity in the students is amazing. I don't think any student can really do badly here.
There are plenty of clubs and activities but I personally did not attend any of them. You have to be very devoted to be able to do them I think. It can cut into your time for projects, I would recommend that students look into them and make sure they can manage their time wisely if they choose to join a club.
There is none!
Campus security is everywhere all the time and just a call or even text away, shuttles run at night to help students get across campus or other places such as the 24 hour Rite Aid. And although campus security is every where you still need to be careful in Baltimore.