After our trip to the west coast to visit art schools, my daughter was on the fence about her second choice school. Rhode Island School of Design, where she did two summers of their pre-college program was her first choice, but very competitive to get into.
I decided to squeeze in a trip to Chicago right before school started even though we would not be able to get a school tour of SAIC. At least we would get a chance to see the school and its environs.
Labor Day weekend was not the best time to visit SAIC. Although school was in session, it was just week two. There wasn’t really art on display because it was too soon. The buildings all have security guards so you can’t wander through any buildings. Admissions is closed. Still, we wandered around the urban campus checking out the different buildings and even seeing one gallery of art.
My takeaway: SAIC is in a great part of town. It’s near the lake and walking distance to the Art Institute of Chicago. Its urban campus spreads out into various buildings with close proximity to restaurants and public transportation including the L. Chicago is a GREAT place to go to school!
Because we didn’t get to see SAIC’s presentation, we went to their event when they came to Boston. Here are some of the videos that were the most popular of their admissions presentation:
SAIC has surprisingly high test scores and grade requirements!
SAIC has dorms that house mostly freshman (but not dining facilities):
SAIC Portfolio Recommendations
SAIC does not have grades or majors
p.s. The Art Institute of Chicago is part of the SAIC’s classroom!
p.p.s. More about Art Colleges from our college tours:
Visiting California College of the Arts
Visiting California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Visiting Emily Carr Art + Design University in Canada
Applying to Art School: School of Visual Arts
Applying to RISD: Advice from Antonio Peters in Admissions
Tips for National Portfolio Day
Visiting West Coast Art Schools with Foodie Stops Along the Way
Xtreme Week at Mass College of Art
and some fun stuff …
If you are visiting New York City, here are our cheap foodie finds.
45 Art Gifts for Seriously Arty Kids (by my arty daughter)
Art Competitions for Kids and Teens
Our Art Gift Kits for Arty Kids
10 Inspirational Art Books for Arty Kids
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Art with Kids on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
