Maryland Institute College of Art

<b>Best off-campus wi-fi</b> I really enjoy going to <a href="http://findlocal.baltimoresun.com/listings/on-the-hill-cafe-baltimore-1">On the Hill Cafe</a>
in <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PLGEO100100603010300" title="Bolton Hill" href="/topic/us/maryland/baltimore-county/baltimore/bolton-hill-PLGEO100100603010300.topic">Bolton Hill</a> but if it gets too crowded -- which it often does -- I just go down to the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="ORCRP014398" title="Starbucks Corp." href="/topic/economy-business-finance/starbucks-corp.-ORCRP014398.topic">Starbucks</a> at 1209 N. <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PLGEOTMRM00009" title="Charles Street" href="/topic/us/maryland/baltimore-county/baltimore/charles-street-PLGEOTMRM00009.topic">Charles St.</a> to work.<br>
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<b>Best hidden gem near school</b> Village Thrift (790 W. North Ave., 410-225-3594) is a big and basic thrift store, with basically anything you could think of (and a lot of stuff you would never think of). It's good for project supplies or just everyday clothes.<br>
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<b>Favorite off-campus place to study</b> I like to go to Two Boots and order some pizza. It's good if you get a group of friends who all need dinner but also need to work.<br>
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<b>What surprised me most about Baltimore</b> What's under the surface. There is so much more to Baltimore then you hear about or see from outside. There is a beautiful and creative music scene that isn't quite like anywhere else. There is art on nearly every corner -- even in areas you would never expect. You might see three seemingly desolate buildings, and later find out that while one of them is actually abandoned, the other two are bustling. You just couldn't tell from outside.<br>
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<b>Best school event</b> The <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="EVFES000167" title="Halloween" href="/topic/arts-culture/halloween-EVFES000167.topic">Halloween</a> party (pictured). There is nothing more magical then packing a thousand students into a medium-sized hall and partying all night. You get to see everyone's costumes, which are usually really creative (it is an art school after all), and you can check out the amazing themed decorations.<br>
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<b>What I wish someone had told me when I was a freshman</b> To be aware -- but not afraid -- of your surroundings. If you stay cooped up on campus, you'll miss so much of Baltimore.<br>
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<b>Favorite on-campus place to study</b> The Brown Center (1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave.) has a lot of quiet rooms. At night, friends can all study, play music and work together with plenty of computers to spare.<br>
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<b>Must-take classes at MICA</b> Sound Art doesn't just teach students how to learn sound art but also how to create their own sounds and noises. They can use them in animations or installations even if they aren't from a musical background. History of the Idea of Race is a mentally engaging class that really gets you thinking about race in the past as well as the modern age. It's refreshing.<br>
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<i>--By Micah E. Wood, senior, photography major</i>

bs-b-baltimore-college-guide-mica

( Karl Merton Ferron / The Baltimore Sun )

Best off-campus wi-fi I really enjoy going to On the Hill Cafe in Bolton Hill but if it gets too crowded -- which it often does -- I just go down to the Starbucks at 1209 N. Charles St. to work.

Best hidden gem near school Village Thrift (790 W. North Ave., 410-225-3594) is a big and basic thrift store, with basically anything you could think of (and a lot of stuff you would never think of). It's good for project supplies or just everyday clothes.

Favorite off-campus place to study I like to go to Two Boots and order some pizza. It's good if you get a group of friends who all need dinner but also need to work.

What surprised me most about Baltimore What's under the surface. There is so much more to Baltimore then you hear about or see from outside. There is a beautiful and creative music scene that isn't quite like anywhere else. There is art on nearly every corner -- even in areas you would never expect. You might see three seemingly desolate buildings, and later find out that while one of them is actually abandoned, the other two are bustling. You just couldn't tell from outside.

Best school event The Halloween party (pictured). There is nothing more magical then packing a thousand students into a medium-sized hall and partying all night. You get to see everyone's costumes, which are usually really creative (it is an art school after all), and you can check out the amazing themed decorations.

What I wish someone had told me when I was a freshman To be aware -- but not afraid -- of your surroundings. If you stay cooped up on campus, you'll miss so much of Baltimore.

Favorite on-campus place to study The Brown Center (1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave.) has a lot of quiet rooms. At night, friends can all study, play music and work together with plenty of computers to spare.

Must-take classes at MICA Sound Art doesn't just teach students how to learn sound art but also how to create their own sounds and noises. They can use them in animations or installations even if they aren't from a musical background. History of the Idea of Race is a mentally engaging class that really gets you thinking about race in the past as well as the modern age. It's refreshing.

--By Micah E. Wood, senior, photography major