The Maryland Institute College of Art

Date: Jul 19 2005
Major: Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc (This Major's Salary over time)
I went to MICA for freshman foundation year, having no clue about art school in general and assuming I wouldn't get in in the first place. What I found was a really lively creative atmosphere. Unfortunately, the school's rank and pension for snobbery creeps into most of the students, who in turn are pretty damn self-absorbed and ignorant to all that is not "artsy." Although the creative atmosphere is hugely inspiring and uplifting (every person you run into is absolutely amazing at whatever they're there for), it's difficult to bypass the arrogance in many. On top of that, Baltimore is completely unsafe. Every week new security bulletins were being posted about shootings, robberies, stabbings, blah blah you name it. I left MICA and am much happier in DC now, although I do say the education I probably would've got there might have nurtered more of the artist in me. Go here if you can handle condescending hipsters in a scary ass city . Otherwise, you'll be miserable.