Maryland Institute College of Art Top Questions

What should every freshman at Maryland Institute College of Art know before they start?

Zoe

I've learned so much about the dedication it takes to be an artist and work creatively each and every day. I've learned quickly about what exactly my strengths and weaknesses are and which pursuits will be the best for me to follow in the future. I have learned how to actively talk about the process of artmaking as well and how to make truly solid pieces. I have grown tremendously through my participation and adapting to a completely unknown cirriculum. Every piece of advice and wisdom offered to me has been something that I have found valuable both for now and for my future.

TIFFANY

What I have received out of my college experience was the opportunity to take my skill to the next level. Attending MICA has given me the opportunity to embrace new ideas, techniques, and see the world in ways I never thought I would. The faculty is is a great team and they are there to help. They go beyond any way possibe to mkae sure you receive the best out of your educational experience. The students are from all over the world and the relationships you build with them are incredible. Attending MICA has made me think of new directions that I would like to take and that my art can impact my community for the better.

jesse

I have gotten way better time management skills,better study skills,and became a more mature person.It is very valuable to ttend college for anyone because it is a form of investment in one's self.The wisest decision i have made ever.

Michelle

I've been out of highschool and in the college of my dreams for only a year and a half now. Within that year and a half I've slept for about an hour, but accomplished many great things that I can honesty say that I would have never even imagined. I hear so many people from back home endlessly complain about how much they hate college, and how much of a pain it is. This is such a mind boggling concept to me, to hate the college that you chose to go to. From the very beginning of my educational career I had the choice of where I wanted to end up, how hard I wanted to work in order to end up in the school of my choice. I chose to go to a school in which I would recieve the education I want, and to pay the amount of ridiculous money it takes to get that education. I appreciate all that I have, and am striving to learn as much as I can in the short amount I have to make my life richer in meaning and have a greater impact on the world in the end.

Erica

What i have gotten out of college so far is that i had to break my high school habits and create new one. I learned that teachers do not baby sit you or chase after you for your work like they did in high school. My communicating skills have improved greatly, so that i could communicate easily with others around me and meet new people. Another thing that has improved in me are my studying skills. I now prepare ahead of time and get my work done and turned in. College has been a very valuable experience to me because i am the first in my family to attend college and set the example. I value my education and want to pursue my dreams in order to improve my life and help others in my family reach the same goal as me.

Jessica

Many times I have heard in the past from friends or acquaintances that college doesn't matter. They have said things like, "Why pay for college when I can just go directly into doing what I want to do? I can learn the technical aspects as they come along or as needed." I go over and over with them the significance of a degree, the college experience, the networking opportunities, the new skills acquired, and the overall sense of accomplishment one feels after each completed semester. My college experience so far has been this monumental journey for me. I remember being seventeen and dreaming about being in art shows, going to New York and participating in the art scene. All of it seemed so out of my reach. Pursuing (art) school has made so many things a possibility. It has opened new doorways, it has made me aware of so many opportunities beyond which I ever knew about before. On top of this, of course, is the technical knowledge I have gained through my courses. I have refined my skill in many different crafts and find that I can use them in such a vast number of applications.

karin

Montgomery County Community College is an excellent school. I decides to get a degree in Biotechnology 20 years after graduating from high school. This school has been great in helping me make the adjustment. The price is reasonable. The professors are excellent. I am preparing to make a huge career change and the last three years have made a huge positive impact on my skills at every level. I have so much confidence from my college experience. This school is great for nontraditional student. I will be happy to graduate and move forward but I will miss going there for sure.

Nicholas

The best way for me to answer this question is to explain what I miss most about my experience now that I have graduated. Firstly and foremost I miss a strong sense of belonging. While at MICA I felt a part of an intelligent and positive community of like-minded people. This instilled an immense feeling of validation, one I have yet to find since graduation. This same community also provided diverse and poignant resources in terms of feedback, development of skill, and ideation. If I had to ability and resources to return for graduate school I would do so in a heartbeat.

Chelsea

Going to college helped me to build a strong design portfolio and gain valuable internship experience. I wouldn't have had these opportunities had I not gone to school. I was able to get a job as a graphic designer two months before my graduation date because of the work I did at MICA and because of the internship I had with NBC. I was also able to secure several freelance cartooning jobs because of my degree. I really enjoy what I do, but I wouldn't be able to do it without a college degree from a good arts college. Many people think a degree is not necessary for a career in the arts, but it truly is. Companies that have hired me see my college's name on my resume and know that to graduate I had to work hard and prove myself with good art. College also taught me to set high goals for myself. That is why I am going back to school to pursue a second degree. I have achieved a lot since graduation, but I believe I can do more.

Sidney

Ok Sidney, although this might be tough for you to accept, the following is the best advice i can give you about college life and making the transition. The List: Start applying for all available scholarships Start saving all monies. Learn to cook before you get to college. Learn how to wash your clothes before you get to college. Try to minimize what you pack for college. Learn how to manage your time. Be organized (including study materials, as well as room and personal objects). Try to take small trips and slowly learn to seperate from your parents, family as well as your local friends. Don't sweat the small stuff. Whenever you face a difficulty, deal with it in a calm and mature manner and seek help when needed. Exercise, eat right and get adequate amounts of sleep. Have fun. If you plan your time wisely, you will always have some free time to unwind. Keep it balanced. Listen to your parents. You may not always like what you here, but in the end they are always looking out for your best interest and know more than you do! Be confidant and positive about yourself and your abilities. Smile!!!!

Kelly

There are two words to accurately describe what I would tell myself if I could travel back to my Senior year of High School: "Time Management". The most important thing I have learned thus far in my College education, and something that became evident to me within the first few weeks of starting here at MICA is that everything is possible with the proper management of free time. Procrastinating so often in high school was a careless mistake-- I know now to budget my time and keep myself healthy so that I can accomplish everything that is needed throughout the day. And, most importantly, waiting until the last minute will never merit good results, no matter how well you can conceal your lack of time spent on studies or an assignment. Overall, I definitely stress the need to prioritize, take your studies seriously, and above all, breathe.

Demerise

If I were to go back into time witht he information I have now about college, I would probably have taken my junior and senior year a bit more seriously. Even though my gpa was about 3.5, I still wish I focusesed on other aspects of high school-- such as taking more advanced placement classes to earn college credit. I came in with 12 credits but if I had taken only one more advanced placement credit and earned the credit, I would have been able to graduate a whole semester earlier. Not only would I get to graduate earlier, but it also would have saved me thousands of dollars in the long run!

Jessica

I would tell myself to prepare more financially. For my entire life, my father, who is a lawyer, has always been the breadwinner in my house. However, he left our family in February 2009 to live with another woman who he had been having an affair with. In november of 2009, my parents got divorced. Everyone was completely surprised and shocked. My father is refusing to pay anything for me and family. Meanwhile, my mother is unemployed and looking for jobs in book-keeping. Since then, I have prepared myself to not graduate at MICA, because we cannot afford it. I wish I had worked more in high school. If I were to receive $5000, It would help me possibly graduate MICA.

Sarah

Don't worry to much about making friends becasue you will. Also don't doubt your talet because you deserve to be were you are, you worked hard to get there.

Caroline

Relax, you will make the right choice, you will be fine.

Michelle

MICA is a very liberal and creative environment that has the potential to cultivate much alternative knowledge. Now I know this, but as a high school student I was ignorant to this fact. If I were to advise my former self, I would suggest to keep an open-mind and allow myself to be porous to the inspiring surroundings. To hold on to old values and discriminations in a new setting can be very constraining and ineffective to the whole college and life learning process. Also, before entering MICA, I had little knowledge about the art world and the array of styles and approaches it offers. Therefore, I would as well advise myself to attempt to delve more in the creative side rather than confine myself in the academically muted version of realistic art. This activity would definitely enhance my freshman experience at MICA and allow for a smoother transition into a radically different atmosphere!

Nicole

I think I would tell myself to try and enjoy more of my overall college experience during my first year, and also to expect that my experience wasn't going to be the same as what I thought of as 'the typical college experience', or what I saw most of my other friends having at state schools and liberal arts colleges. When I first got to MICA I was so intimidated by the high level of work I saw all of my classmates doing that I was more concerned with keeping up with and competing with them than having fun. I caused myself a lot of unnecessary stress. I was also disappointed in the lack of school spirit and extracurriculars I was used to seeing from my public high school. Since I was expecting to simply pick up where I left off in high school, I wasted time that I could have spent embracing other involvement opportunities during my first semester. So, in short, I would tell myself to leave all my preconceived notions behind and that it's ok to relax and not put so much pressure on myself.

Genesis

"Alright Genesis, I know you are on the right track. but here are few things. You are going to get rejected, embrass yourself, do someone you'll regret and waste a generious amount of money. It's inevitable, it will happen. So this is what you should do when each happens: Getting Rejected: Automatically go to a place (mental or physical) where you are accepted, and do some work. Accept yoursef through the work you make. Embrassing Yourself: Say 'sorry' when necessary and bring it up. It is so much better to discuss with someone and maybe even laugh. Regretable Act: Realize why you regret it and make something that you are proud of to override the regret. Wasting Money: Take an extra minute to do inventory on your supplies, know what you can afford, and keep concerts and trips to the Hookah lounge to a minimum. Well Genesis, there are more things along the way. But take it one day at a time and always look at the big picture. Of course I am not talking about the 30 X 60 drawing you did for Life Drawing Class..... Have a Good Time my friend!"

Kevin

College is all about finding your niche, the right place you belong, which is why you cannot select a college sight-unseen. You need to visit the campus of the colleges you have applied, take tours, talk to current students and facility, and sit in on classes. Websites and brochures are just a window into the school, but it is not until you actually visit the campus that you will discover that it is or is not the place for you. Additionally, since you are the one going to college, do not let anyone influence your choice. Picking a school is about YOU -- think about it, it is the only four years of your life that you get to be truly selfish. You get to learn what you want to learn, experience what you want to experience, and make friends with people you want to be friends with; and if you are at a school that you do not feel great about, then what?s the point. So when it comes to picking a college, look past those fancy pictures, expensive advertising, and even the ?BIG NAME,? and choose a college that is the perfect fit for Y-O-U.

Melissa

Look at a lot of different places, but don't be afraid to follow your instincts. If there is a place that seems right for you, confidnetly apply even if it appears to be a stretch. When you're at school, go out and make friends. Academics are very important, but the friends you make at school will last you a life time, so don't discount the importance of relationships.