ashleighxcult

I was actually JUST about to post this! Same program and everything... I submitted an "interest" survey in November when I was looking at MFA programs, but never ended up applying to SVA. I'm so glad I'm not the only one, my first thought was definitely that they must not have had any applicants if they're accepting me no questions asked!

I will be attending MICA's Low-Res MFA program this summer, and I have to say that I love the faculty, facilities and program structures there. It was a big reason that MICA was the only school I even wanted to apply to. That being said, despite the faculty, facilities, etc. (which are all awesome) I don't know that I would attend a post-bacc program unless I didn't get into any MFA programs, only because you're paying the same tuition as MFA students without actually being in-progress towards a MFA. That's a lot of money to put into a one-year non-degree program. The exception for me would be if you REALLY wanted that extra year at that specific school, and you have a good chance of acceptance to a MFA program after you complete the post-bacc.

I got into the only program I applied for - thankfully! There were a number of factors that made me choose MICA's low-res program, mainly the program structure (I teach, so summer intensives allow me to continue working during the school year), the program faculty, and MICA's prestigious reputation. This MFA will likely be my last degree, so I really wanted to go somewhere that was at the top of the rankings since my undergrad was at a liberal arts/state college. Also, it is a four-year low-res program whereas most of them are three years, so I think it'll be great to have that extra summer.

Congratulations! Hoffberger is a great program - if I could afford to go to school full time I would have definitely applied

atinyspark, such great advice! These three pieces stood out to me the most. I was EXTREMELY fortunate to get into the only school I applied to on my first try, but I will say that I agree 100% with your first two statements. It really is about the school thinking you are the right fit, which is hard to work with as an applicant since that can be very subjective. Also, applying right out of a BA/BFA program may honestly not be right time for many, if not most, MFA applicants. I have been out of school for five years working on my own and growing on my own as an artist - I included this in my Statement of Purpose/Artist Statement so that MICA was able to understand I would really benefit from their program at this point. The final bit of advice re: the artist statement - it is very important in showing the grad school that you know how to write about your work. But I think that most of the people reading your statement understand that it is not set in stone and more likely than not it will end up changing pretty drastically by the time you leave their program. I think the most important aspect of the statement is to let them know where your work stands now and how you think grad school will help to develop/refine it further. Just my two cents!

I can't even believe I'm posting this, but I just got a call from one of the mentors in MICA's Low-Res MFA and I have officially been accepted for Summer 2016!!

That seems so odd! Especially since many schools ask prospective students to answer the same question (or something similar). I wouldn't be embarrassed or uncomfortable about having asked them, I feel like that would actually be very relevant to how they would approach instruction in the program itself.

Yeah, I got that same email yesterday as well.

I'm not sure about Mount Royal, but I interviewed for MICA's Low-Res program on Saturday. I believe most of the programs at MICA are interviewing now through March.

Thank you!! I feel like I totally bombed it and ended up sounding so inarticulate when talking about my work, but the faculty members were very personable which was nice, at least. They definitely made me think about my work and what my actual artistic concerns are - which is great! - but I felt like their insights were SO different than what I was communicating. I'm just hoping I didn't totally screw my chances.

My interview with MICA is in six hours and my nerves have officially kicked in. This is my first time ever interviewing for any MFA program so I've tried preparing as best I could, but I just feel like I'm the WORST at interviews.

http://www.ashleighwink.com I only applied to MICA's low-residency MFA this year. This is my first time applying to MFA programs, so I figured I'd aim for my dream school and if I get a rejection I'll apply to other programs next year.

Just received an interview request from MICA today! I will be interviewing for the low-res program next Saturday

Just officially submitted my application to MICA's Low Residency program!

Hi All, I'm an employed, married homeowner in Baltimore. Moving out of state just isn't a possibility for me financially or personally, so I will be remaining local for grad school. Thankfully there are a few really solid MFA programs nearby. I plan on applying to: MICA Low-Res Studio Art MICA Hoffberger UMD College Park Towson University Towson has a really great art faculty and it is the cheapest on my list, but it is the same school I attended for undergrad... so I'm kind of leaning away from it. Not totally sure yet though. I really have my heart set on MICA - It's been my "dream school" since I was a teenager, but it just wasn't a possibility for undergrad so I'm hoping it'll work out for my MFA. Applying this year was kind of a "last minute" decision - I was planning to wait until next year, but a number of artist friends and former professors have suggested that my work is at a good point for graduate study, so it looks like I will be a part of this application season. Cue the anxiety/pressure/excitement!