I wish I was going again.
I'm glad Kris posted the number, I was going to have to dig around.
Staying on campus was great.
Other things I can recommend:
MCAD is in a rougher part of town. Nothing alarming, but try to hook up with a group of out-of-towners and travel in packs if you go off campus in the evening.
Dinner can be an issue. Jimmy Johns delivered. There is a McDonalds nearby. Several of us out of towners were befriended by some students taking the summer session and we took a drive in one of their cars to the grocery store to stock up for the week. The apartments have a little kitchen, so I did the frozen pizza kind of thing.
I really enjoyed the class, but, just as much, I enjoyed meeting and hanging out with other people who were really interested in comics.
2 years later I'm still in contact with Joe, then an MCAD student, and 4 other-out of towners (
http://www.livejournal.com/community/sharkblog/ Sara started a sketch blog recently that we are all tossing the occasional item in)
So, don't be shy to introduce yourselves and start hanging out in the evenings. It's more fun to draw with other people around.
Cab Drivers:
This is the same the world over, but I was 0 for 4 on cab drivers who knew where they were going, what city we were in, or what language I was speaking. Buddy up for cab rides too, to save money, but also to figure out where the hell you are after you demand to be let out of the damn cab (yes, we actually did that once).
Things to take:
- Sheets and a towel or two! The dorm aint a hotel baby! I had to scramble when I got there. The housing guy hooked me up, but it was a hassle.
Sheets, pillow case, towel wash cloth, not included!
- A plastic cup or two, maybe a plate?. Again, you have a kitchen (cool!) but NOTHING in it.
- A radio, cdplayer, something for sound. I was really glad I had my laptop and a ton of MP3's with me.
- A camera! Scott is very cool about photos in the studio as long as it's not disruptive.
- Your favorite drawing tools, but also your favorite FAST drawing tools. We were doing 15 minute comics in class.
- Clothes. Clothing is required.
Communicating with the outside world:
Much of campus was closed, or closed early because it was summer session. There are computers with net access in the library, but hours were slim to none.
There was a pretty cool Mac Lab just up the stairs and straight back from the main entrance of the school's main building.
Destinations:
I enjoyed my visit to Big Brain Comics in town there too. Joe walked me there, but in retrospect I would have driven given the choice.
There is a middle eastern restaurant just a couple blocks from the school that has great food. Ate lunch there several days. Ask Scott where it is, he'll remember. And if you go, have the owner interpret your fortune off of the ceiling for you
*Sigh*
Did I mention I wished I was going again?
Please keep some kind of journal and share it with all of us who will be there with you in spirit.
Tim