Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
If during your time in Chicago you’ve been fortunate enough to meet people beyond the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) community, you may have heard a thing or two about their feelings toward us. In my case, every date I went on in the past year started with the other person telling me their unsolicited opinion of what makes an SAIC student. This small revelation inspired me to reach back out to some of those dates, friends, and a few friends’ significant others (not excluding one ex) to see what the general consensus was. I then sketched each of their descriptions. Were they sometimes mean? Yes. Were they often accurate? Also yes. Check it out.
Olivia, Illinois Institute of Chicago (IIT)
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Weirdos
What do people at IIT think of SAIC students?
There are always cliche stereotypes that surround art students: hippies, weirdos, freaks (even though I believe there’s no such thing as a “weirdo” or a “freak”). But, at IIT, there are cliche stereotypes that surround tech students: nerdy, anti-social, also weirdos. Because of that, I think most people at IIT think of SAIC students as being in a similar boat as them — one that is highly misunderstood.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
Pink hair. Or purple hair. Or blue hair. Or green hair. Or multi-colored hair. The more piercings, the more likely. The bigger the glasses, the bigger the chance.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
I’d like to think that I’d try out being a student anywhere. However, I’d also like to think that I have a lot more of a creative mind than I do, so I can’t say I’d be an exceptional student. And I am where I’m at, so I’ll stay comfortable.
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Luke, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Obnoxious. Honestly, my first word was probably obnoxious, but intense has more interpretations that can apply. They’re over the top in my experience but I think that’s a good word for it.
What do people at UIC think of SAIC students?
In my experience, UIC kids mostly just see SAIC students as goofs who are spending a shit ton of money on a school that isn’t even school.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
In terms of spotting them, the guys are usually full on Mac DeMarco core and the girls are just artsy.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
No, I definitely would not go to SAIC.
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Aidan, DePaul University
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Quirky
What do people at DePaul think of SAIC students?
It’s just a mix of Warholesque people in terms of their style and attitude. Then there’s also the stereotypical big pants, tiny shirt girls and skater boys, but the second part is also applicable to DePaul.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
I mean, it’s more of a location thing, but if someone just looks extraordinarily artsy or edgy, like more so than a DePaul kid, then it’s probably SAIC.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
No, it’s just not for me. I love art and everything but it’s just not my path.
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Julian, Columbia College
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Pretentious
What do people at Columbia think of SAIC students?
Most Columbia kids either really like SAIC kids or hate them. Fashion majors are usually the ones that find the most in common with SAIC students.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
Absolutely. I don’t want to make generalizations, but if a person has choppy (self-cut) bangs, circle frames, a mismatched DIY outfit, and doesn’t appear to take a shower daily, then chances are they’re an SAIC kid and will tell you all about it. You’ll probably overhear them talking about their “refined” taste in art, and how their piece made entirely of bobby pins and chunks of carpet represents “loss” or some shit. Tuition well spent.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
If I randomly decide that I never want to find a job in my field or my parents rationalize flushing thousands of dollars down the toilet, then sure.
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Noah, Loyola University
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Girlfriend
What do people at Loyola think of SAIC students?
That they’re weird and “unique.” Definitely just stereotypical art students.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
Weird and eccentric clothing choices. Lots of piercings. Dyed hair. Lots of jewelry. Cigarettes.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
I’m bad at art, so no
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Chris, Northwestern University
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Art
What do people at Northwestern think of SAIC students?
Most people at Northwestern generally don’t have an opinion about SAIC students. I would say most don’t know much about SAIC other than that they may have a friend or two that attends the school.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
Based on the students that I have met, I don’t think that there is a particular telltale.
I first met SAIC students through mutual friends and I found them to be very introspective people who brought unique perspectives to the world. Some of them ended up being my closest friends and I truly appreciate them and what they bring to my life.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
As a person who has zero art background, I would have to say no. I don’t have any negative feelings or opinions about the school, but more so that I have no art skills at all.
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Phillip, University of Chicago
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
Art
What do people at UChicago think of SAIC students?
I don’t believe most people at UChicago think much of SAIC students. Probably that they are talented and artsy, but that’s about it.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
Maybe dyed hair or particularly unique fashion sense, but not always.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
Nope. Does not seem like the right type of school for me, but I could see how it could be right for another type of person.
The Sketch:
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
Sam, Harry S Truman College
When you hear “SAIC,” what is the first word that comes to mind?
To be honest, as mainstream and corny as this might sound, the first thing that comes to mind when I hear SAIC is Kanye West. When I heard he could have been in our presence I was ready to break into whatever building necessary.
What do people at Truman think of SAIC students?
From the small number of people I have spoken to at Truman, they tend to be very intrigued by what people do at SAIC. I for one, find the grading system to be super interesting and complicated to wrap my head around. Being at a smaller city college really makes you think about our work; how it gets graded and the official letter that’s going to end up on my transcript. Whereas at SAIC it’s about how much effort students put into their work.
Are there telltale ways of spotting SAIC students versus other college kids?
When I read this question my eyes literally rolled back into my head so hard that I saw my brain. The moment I would step off the red line on a Monday afternoon I felt attacked by kids in their “artsy” attire. Despite some people already having an insane sense of fashion in the city, I think SAIC students are everything a normal city kid would be but on steroids.
Would you ever want to be an SAIC student?
If I had the funds and housing to comfortably be a student at SAIC, I would take it in a heartbeat. I feel that it’s a great environment to not only grow and invest time and passion into what interests you the most but also a place to broaden my future and meet new wonderful people.
Illustration by McKenzie Fitz.
