No, that's not MCA - it's Rhodes College just on the other side of Overton Park. It's part of the "Consortium" that includes all of the private post secondary schools in Memphis (there are six). As an MCA student, I can use the library (pictured here), the gym, the pool, and if it worked with my schedule, any of their classes, for no additional tuition and the credits would transfer no problem.
No additional tuition is a bit disingenuous. The yearly tuition here is $22,000 a year. It's one of the least expensive art schools in the US.
So why does MCA have the largest enrollment in their history, taken from the greatest number of applications ever? I think it's because of the faculty. As at ACAD, all of the instructors (they are professors here) are practicing artists, or publishing authorities in their fields. Most have a least one graduate degree, many have two. And they are committed to not only their own work, but that of their students. Attendance is a serious matter here, miss three classes and you lose a letter grade. Late assignments lose a letter grade every day (including weekend days) they are late - that's studio and liberal study work. The largest class I'm in is History of Photo and there are 25 of us; my biggest studio class has 15, my smallest 9. So, even though I have dropped into third year (I mean 'Junior') classes, my professors know me, and have time to spend.
The other thing I am finding very satisfying about my MCA experience is the amount of theory/conceptual readings and discussions that happen, in class and out. I have more required textbooks and reading this semester then in my three years at ACAD.
I just have to figure out how to get them home - and the puppet theatre.
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