October 09, 2026 Image What surprised you the most about the Pre-College Summer Session?I was surprised by how much art students were making in such a short amount of time. Before coming to the program, I never thought I could create that many finished pieces within just two weeks. As I worked from project to project, I could actually see my skills improving and notice changes in the way I approached my work. I became faster and more confident in turning my ideas to illustrations without overthinking every small detail. What aspect of the program had the biggest impact on you?I think class critiques had the biggest impact on me. I was always that kind of person scared to show my work to others, especially when it's only a sketch or idea, not a finished product. But as we had more critiques in my illustration class, I realized that they were helping me a lot. Hearing my classmates' and professor's perspective helped me notice things I would have never seen on my own, and it could truly make my work stronger. I especially appreciated feedback from my peers because every artist in the program had a unique style and way of thinking, and hearing a little from everyone gave me a lot of choices to work with.How has your artistic practice changed from being a part of the program?The program changed my artistic practice by helping me overcome my perfectionism more. I used to believe that every piece has to turn out perfect, which often made me overthink my work. However, during my drawing classes, I realized that growth comes from creating, experimenting, and even making mistakes. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and don't worry about the outcome, and when you think that way it turns out great. The program made me more willing to try new ideas without worrying whether they'll turn out exactly as I imagined.I now create much more because I always remember the phrase my drawing teacher was saying, "Don't worry if it won't turn out today because tomorrow you'll make something different."What was your favorite experience outside of the classroom?My favorite experiences outside of the classroom were definitely all the activities we had with animals, specifically the llama and therapy dog visits. I also really liked the activities and social time after studio hours. It gave us a chance to take a break and de-stress after spending so much time working on our projects. And another big highlight for me was visiting the Mia and Walker museums. I really liked the tours by our history teacher and I found a lot of new artists that inspired me!We had a lot of free time in the museums so you can definitely explore the sections you liked the most.What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about coming to the Pre-College Summer Session at MCAD?My biggest advice is to be yourself and get involved in everything the program has to offer. Don't be afraid to participate in class discussions and critiques, ask questions, and share your work. One of the best parts of the program is the community you'll become a part of, so take time to get to know everyone and their approaches to art. You can learn so much from the people around you! And most importantly stay open to experimenting and doing something you haven't before, because you never know what you'll like.While this is a college course experience, don't think about it too seriously. If you approach your work with a positive mindset, you'll do great!