Milkyways

I really feel for the enrolled students, after all the effort they put into applying to, then attending USC. And I applaud their decision to leave, it shows they are a solid group. USC's response is shameful, I would have expected that someone in the institution take responsibility about what happened, and it makes me really sad to see that USC as a whole entity does not seem to care about their situation. USC's program was one of my long shots, a highly respected program with a long tradition of great faculty and alumni. It is really sad, because this only confirms the idea of art education becoming more and more a commodity and a hyper capitalized business than an academic or cultural force. Moreover, it is simply and clearly unethical to change the terms of an agreement that was already made. For those of us who applied this year it happened too in a much lesser degree, but it gives us the impression that USC really needs to settle on what is going on in regards with the MFA. When I applied in January, the funding stated on the website, as well as the faculty, were different from what they are now. Frances Stark left ( apparently, in bad terms), Tala Madani wasn't on the graduate faculty list anymore, and the "great funding" that I was offered was 15k for the first year (out of 40k/year for tuition only). For the second year, I could compete for a T.A. but they were extremely clear about this T.A. being highly competitive. So if they somehow deceived us and this was frustrating ($100 we could have spent on another application, not counting transcripts and other documents I had to send as a international) I can't imagine what the enrolled students are going through now. I still hope that someone in USC rises to the occasion and fixes this situation. If it doesn't happen, future USC applicants, BEWARE.

I really feel for the enrolled students, after all the effort they put into applying to, then attending USC. And I applaud their decision to leave, it shows they are a solid group. USC's response is shameful, I would have expected that someone in the institution take responsibility about what happened, and it makes me really sad to see that USC as a whole entity does not seem to care about their situation. USC's program was one of my long shots, a highly respected program with a long tradition of great faculty and alumni. It is really sad, because this only confirms the idea of art education becoming more and more a commodity and a hyper capitalized business than an academic or cultural force. Moreover, it is simply and clearly unethical to change the terms of an agreement that was already made. For those of us who applied this year it happened too in a much lesser degree, but it gives us the impression that USC really needs to settle on what is going on in regards with the MFA. When I applied in January, the funding stated on the website, as well as the faculty, were different from what they are now. Frances Stark left ( apparently, in bad terms), Tala Madani wasn't on the graduate faculty list anymore, and the "great funding" that I was offered was 15k for the first year (out of 40k/year for tuition only). For the second year, I could compete for a T.A. but they were extremely clear about this T.A. being highly competitive. So if they somehow deceived us and this was frustrating ($100 we could have spent on another application, not counting transcripts and other documents I had to send as a international) I can't imagine what the enrolled students are going through now. I still hope that someone in USC rises to the occasion and fixes this situation. If it doesn't happen, future USC applicants, BEWARE.

Hey there, nice to meet you. I got the NetId not long after I accepted the offer, something like two months ago. You might want to email your department about it or International Office. I am thinking of going to Engelhart initially (I'll be going to Evanston, I'm unsure wether your MS is taught there or not), and then I'd like to rent a room with a Chicagoan local for a while, so I get personal insight of the city. On-campus is quite expensive in my opinion, especially if you want a private room. After a while I'd prefer to have a studio apt or find a roommate to share a flat in Evanston. I think it's easier this way so you can actually see where you are going to live and not rely on craiglist pictures etc.

Accepted to MFA art theory and practice (international)

Perfect example of why "more expensive art education" doesn't mean "better art education".

Just went though Bataille Story if the eye (second time in my life, it's very good) The blue of noon L'abbé C L'érotisme Now reading other of his essays. Recommended!

I'm sure CMU will be awesome

Congratulations!

That's great news! SFAI and SF sounds awesome Congrats!

This is what I've heard, nothing from experience, but it might help. I've heard Hunter is not so strong in theoretical rigor as a program per se (heard this from an mfa student-curator), but with the amount of faculty and visiting artists you would probably find a niche (Calarts offers you the opposite, a very thorough- yet limited- concentration in critical studies and theory ). Hunter has tons of people coming and you are close to other important universities in case you want to attend their events too. I would go to NYC for academic purposes, and LA for the overall life experience.

Thank you! Both your programs are awesome .

Going to Northwestern! I hope decision making is over for everybody soon too. I've found it to be as exhausting as waiting to hear back from schools. Now done with procastination and let the work begin Nice grad school experiences for everybody, time to keep working!

Yup I thought the same. It seems slightly unethical.

Anyone accepted to USC Roski actually going? Despite the fact I had told them their new financial offer wouldn't work for me (waitlisted) , they still sent me a letter of acceptance. I am really surprised by what has been happening with Roski and can't even imagine the chaos they are going though, yet I wonder if it would have been best for them not to have had an application process this year. At first Frances Stark's departure and the Dr Dre thing didn't bother me much, but then the whole application process became really erratic and I believe this could really make people who applied there upset, since the program seems to be completely different. Any opinions? I just hope future candidates have the chance to be more informed about all this.

I got an email from USC suggesting that there might be a spot available if not being fully funded (40%) is not a problem for me. :/