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I am a transfer student currently enrolled in Community College and am looking for good art schools in this area (Virginia, Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania). Any suggestions?

By Stacy Miller on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 09:12 am: Edit

A top art school in the county is the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. You should check out their web site at www.mica.edu.

By Ume on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 10:47 pm: Edit

Thanks...I'm considering that, though I don't think that I'll get in. I am also considering the Corcoran and VCU. I need more options. Any good ones in mind? If you can't think up of anything in this particular area, could you give the names of some on the east coast? my GPA currently is 3.6 and I don't know whether I'll get accepted in MICA but it's at the top of my list. Thanks again.

By Stacy Miller on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 01:26 pm: Edit

Why don't you feel you won't get accepted at MICA? Do you have an art portfolio? If not, it's very important to put one together. I work at MICA in the Academic Affairs Office and it's such an excellent art school. I'm sorry I'm not that familiar with other art schools on the east coast except the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. That school is also fantastic but I hear that they don't give much, if any, financial aid.

By Ume on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 07:11 pm: Edit

Yes, I do have a portfolio, but I don't have too many pieces. I was completely misguided by my counselors and now i need to spend another year at community college to work on my portfolio. How many pieces do you think I need to get in? I was told by my art teacher that they are particular about the "volume" of work submitted. I don't think I'll get in because they are selective and I don't have enough work accumulated.

By BBB on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 09:55 pm: Edit

I'd guess that quality would be way more important than quantity, Ume.

By Stacy Miller on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 01:37 pm: Edit

BBB is correct. Quality is much more important than quantity. Most prospective students bring in a portfolio and include about 15 pieces of their best work but there is no magic number of work that you should submit. I think it would be useful for you to call MICA's Admission's Office and ask to speak with a counselor about your concerns and see what they have to say. You'll never know unless you try. Also, I don't know if you live in the area or not but on December 8th MICA is having their annual National Portfolio Day here on campus where counselors from art schools all accross the country will be here for you to show your work to and they will critique it. It's a free event that allows you to get valuable advice on what is good or what needs work in regards to your portfolio. I went last year with my daughter and it was very helpful for her. Expect long lines at the "popular" art college tables though.

By Ume on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 10:32 am: Edit

Thanks. That's what I had in mind initially but my teacher scared me. I'm going to get in touch with a counselor after I have enough pieces that I'm satisfied with and I might also stop by MICA for the portfolio day. Thanks again.