Help me,please! MICA vs Syr (Photo MFA)

[sososo]

Hi,guys! I'm a photographer,

really confused now. need your advice,

MICA photography 2011MFA

Syr -VPA photography 2011MFA

Where to go.........

Many thanks to all~~

[Artist1]

What are your pros and cons for each?

I had to choose between SMFA/Tufts and Syracuse. I decided to go with Syracuse because of the great facilities, the tuition scholarship, TA plus stipend, the visiting artist program, distinguished faculty, the cost of living, a smaller personalized program, good reputation, and it is within hours of NYC and Canada. SMFA/Tufts just couldn't offer all of that. SMFA/Tufts has tiny studios in poor condition and don't offer any TA your first year. The cost of living and transportation is horrible. I was a little hung-up on the name of the school, thinking that if I had "Tufts" on my resume it would be better. But that's not true.

Syracuse has a great reputation and many of alumni have gone on to show in NYC and receive prestigious grants and residencies. The town seems kinda crappy and small but it is very close to NYC and Canada...and Boston.

Think about the pros and cons of each school. I don't know much about MICA and I'm not a photographer (painting/drawing/installation). Think about WHY you want to go to grad school and what's most important to achieve your goals.

For me - it was to *develop my my work* (and yes to teach but not a main goal). I chose Syracuse because I knew I could create my work there in the nice large studios and great facilities. I knew that I could afford to live in a decent one bedroom apartment without struggling to buy food and shampoo. I wouldn't be stressed out and have to work 2 to 3 jobs just to pay for a crappy apartment like in Boston. I know at Syracuse I can live comfortably and work comfortably....and be challenged to create new work. I also can stay with my friends in NYC for free to network and go to openings. I can eventually exhibit my work in NYC, Canada, Boston, etc since it is so nearby.

And no one is going to give a damn about what school's name is on your resume 10 years from now. It doesn't matter if you are self-taught, went to MICA, SMFA, Syracuse or even Yale. It's going to come down to the quality of your work. If you go to a top tier school and you come out with bad work, that name doesn't mean anything. Certain doors can be opened with Yale on your resume for teaching. And even then, if your work is weak, it won't matter. MICA doesn't hold enough weight to make a huge difference in terms of name for the rest of your life. Now the program? I don't know. Maybe it's a great program and they have the best facilities you need. I've never visited.

You should go somewhere that you can create what you need to create, somewhere you can achieve your goals... that's what's important...whether MICA or Syr.

So, that's how I made my choice. Hope that helps.

Hi,guys! I'm a photographer,

really confused now. need your advice,

MICA photography 2011MFA

Syr -VPA photography 2011MFA

Where to go.........

Many thanks to all~~

Edited May 1, 2011 by Artist1

[sososo]

What are your pros and cons for each?

I had to choose between SMFA/Tufts and Syracuse. I decided to go with Syracuse because of the great facilities, the tuition scholarship, TA plus stipend, the visiting artist program, distinguished faculty, the cost of living, a smaller personalized program, good reputation, and it is within hours of NYC and Canada. SMFA/Tufts just couldn't offer all of that. SMFA/Tufts has tiny studios in poor condition and don't offer any TA your first year. The cost of living and transportation is horrible. I was a little hung-up on the name of the school, thinking that if I had "Tufts" on my resume it would be better. But that's not true.

Syracuse has a great reputation and many of alumni have gone on to show in NYC and receive prestigious grants and residencies. The town seems kinda crappy and small but it is very close to NYC and Canada...and Boston.

Think about the pros and cons of each school. I don't know much about MICA and I'm not a photographer (painting/drawing/installation). Think about WHY you want to go to grad school and what's most important to achieve your goals.

For me - it was to *develop my my work* (and yes to teach but not a main goal). I chose Syracuse because I knew I could create my work there in the nice large studios and great facilities. I knew that I could afford to live in a decent one bedroom apartment without struggling to buy food and shampoo. I wouldn't be stressed out and have to work 2 to 3 jobs just to pay for a crappy apartment like in Boston. I know at Syracuse I can live comfortably and work comfortably....and be challenged to create new work. I also can stay with my friends in NYC for free to network and go to openings. I can eventually exhibit my work in NYC, Canada, Boston, etc since it is so nearby.

And no one is going to give a damn about what school's name is on your resume 10 years from now. It doesn't matter if you are self-taught, went to MICA, SMFA, Syracuse or even Yale. It's going to come down to the quality of your work. If you go to a top tier school and you come out with bad work, that name doesn't mean anything. Certain doors can be opened with Yale on your resume for teaching. And even then, if your work is weak, it won't matter. MICA doesn't hold enough weight to make a huge difference in terms of name for the rest of your life. Now the program? I don't know. Maybe it's a great program and they have the best facilities you need. I've never visited.

You should go somewhere that you can create what you need to create, somewhere you can achieve your goals... that's what's important...whether MICA or Syr.

So, that's how I made my choice. Hope that helps.

Hi guys, Thank you very much!!!!

I chose MICA finally http://forum.thegradcafe.com/uploads/emoticons/default_wink.png' alt=';)'> I listed the advantages and disadvantages both two schools.... That was a tough choice.

but I think MICA is near DC/NYC, which have lots of museums and culture art resources and Baltimore is a convenient place where all, that's wonderful

Also, VPA is 3 years, MICA 2years, so the cost in MICA will a little much more VPA, what is I can afford ,just hope I could get TA soon;)

so regret we can't become schoolmate~

All the best!