Ren Adams

Most programs will mention whether or not they specifically require a BFA or BA in art. Most are willing to review your application based on the strength of your portfolio. I also have a BA in English, but decided to go back for my BFA before applying to an MFA program. It was an excellent choice for me because it completely refined my existing process and allowed me to develop conceptual foundations that were missing from my art practice prior to the program. However, I think most graphic design programs are not as concept heavy and having a strong portfolio would do it. Maybe someone else will come along who's done the same thing.

Thanks for the detailed responses, littlenova and GreenPainter. I have spoken with both Renee and Zlata and had an excellent conversation with Zlata especially. She's excellent. MICA definitely stands out. I've been recommending their program to many. I was originally wait listed at MICA after my interview with Renee, which initially broke my heart. They were #1 on my list. MassArt, which is also "high ranking" doesn't compare (for me, at least) in terms of their low residency program, staff, output, or even their handling of my application and interview. I was called in from the wait list recently. In my second phone call, Zlata indicated that the program was worried that I was so focused on printmaking, that their printmaking facilities would disappoint me, or not be able to handle what I was doing. She was making sure I would be happy there. It sounded as though they factored this "print studio shortcoming" in early on, and bumped me to the wait list because of it (though she did not, at any time, say this directly). I wish they had asked me if I was worried about the print facilities during my first interview. If I had been accepted in the first round, it may have changed my overall "taste." I let Zlata know that it would NOT be a problem and I'd be branching more into new media, anyway. Edited to add: I will be sharing details about my final decisions here in this thread, too. I think we've started quite a nice resource for future low residency students that would be nice to keep building. Our firsthand accounts, insights and experiences are incredibly helpful to each other and others, especially since other parts of the Visual Arts forum don't always discuss this kind of program.

Congrats to all who were accepted off the waiting list!

I'm declining MICA, so I hope that opens a spot.

I did, but I'm already a non-traditional student. I have a BA in English from UC Berkeley and worked for 10 years before returning to get a BFA in 2009. I am going straight to an MFA program, though. I graduated with the BFA in Fall of 2012. My spring semester "off" was spent dealing with grad apps. :-)

The two schools I spoke with about negotiating more funding both asked me to send copies of the official offer letter from the school offering more funds (I just scanned and emailed them). One of the two schools actually invited me to send them any funding offers if I received them, so they could try to match it. If that helps.

Yeah--the Provincetown program sounds like it is officially off. Thanks for sharing your info. Was SVA also a low residency? I originally had MECA and SFAI on my list as well, but changed my mind about SFAI after doing research on student satisfaction levels and after speaking with two students who attended. The MECA program was intriguing, but the 8-week summer residencies would not have worked with my current situation. Edited to add: That's awesome that you chose MICA! DId they also offer you the $22,000 scholarship, broken into $5,500 per semester? Have you worked out any additional funding, besides a Stafford loan (if you don't mind me asking)? I found that with the Stafford loan and the scholarship, I'd still end up owing several thousand in tuition. I'm speaking with my potential mentor tomorrow, just to see if anything else can be worked out. I was told they don't offer assistantships.

I am going to detail my low residency MFA application processes and results here, in the hopes it will provide useful information for others considering these programs. I should note that I consider the low res format to be an innovative approach to MFA pursuit, mimicking the kind of processes we'll encounter as professional artists pursuing residencies after we graduate. MassArt Background Info: MassArt and MICA are the two highest ranked programs I applied to, for those that like to keep track of the US News ranking system. 've heard great things about the MassArt programs, and that their printmaking facilities are awesome. These, combined with research I did on current and past grads, pushed MassArt initially to the top of my list. I was most interested in the Provincetown residency, for format, instructors and location. I applied to the Summer MFA program and Provincetown program. You must submit two separate applications if you apply to both (it's easy to manage in Slideroom, but I had to duplicate my entire portfolio one image at a time for the second program). You must select one program as your main choice. MassArt interviews prospective candidates. I received an interview notice via email only 5 days before the interview was to take place and I was only given options of time slots within the interview day. No options were given to select another day. MassArt expected me to fly there in person for an interview, which was far too expensive on such short notice. In lieu of an in-person interview, they give you the chance to do a Skype or phone interview, but you must physically mail your portfolio to them. The portfolio needed to be there by 9:00 am on the day of my interview, which left me little leeway time for shipping. I ended up sending the heavy package via FedEx Express, which was expensive, to ensure it arrived before the interview. They prefer Skype, but will allow you to use a phone if Skype is not available. The interview questions were focused mostly on my influences, my existing conceptual basis and what I thought about low residency programs / why I wanted low residency. At no point did they ask about my methods or mediums. The interview lasted about 20 minutes (or slightly less). The interview was very neutral--no indication that the interviewer was particularly interested, though I was later accepted into both programs. MassArt was very slow to respond on all accounts. The traditional programs were notified weeks (sometimes a month) earlier than the low residency programs. When people were reporting they had been accepted or rejected in the main discussion forum here, I had heard nothing. They were slow to respond when I asked questions via email about administrative processes, compared to other schools. Most responses took several days, but they were not the slowest I dealt with. There are large spans of time where you hear nothing at all, leaving you to fear the worst. Very slow acceptance/rejection response time. I was always contacted via email, until officially accepted, in which case I received both an email and snail mail packet. Low residency programs are notoriously low on funding. Just expect that. But MassArt offered me NOTHING. Zero. No funding of any kind beyond the standard amount Stafford Loan. No assistantships possible, either. They expect a final decision of acceptance or declination by May 1, which is line with their slower response for low res. Edited to add: they have doubts about the Provincetown program running at all this year, so I was shifted into another low residence program in Boston, not advertised on the site. MICA Background Info: MassArt and MICA are the two highest ranked programs I applied to, for those that like to keep track of the US News ranking system. I applied to the Summer MFA program, which is technically medium-residency. MICA interviews prospective candidates. I received an interview notice well in advance of the prospective interview dates and I was allowed to choose my day and time from a range of dates. They do not require in-person interviews. You can do an interview via Skype or phone. My interview lasted almost an hour, covering a variety of topics. They seemed most interested in the future direction of my work, but also asked about my current conceptual basis. Very little was asked about influences and we spent a small amount of time talking about printmaking methods and why I used them. Interviewer was very friendly and supportive. I felt the interview went very well, yet I was wait listed. I was initially wait listed, which is a black hole of waiting. I was told I could wait until even mid-July for results, or I could be accepted right away. I waited one month from being wait listed before receiving an acceptance. There was light contact from the school during the wait list time. Acceptance adheres to a pre-set schedule, which they stuck to. Rejection is faster. Wait list response takes longer and occurs after the accepts and rejects. MICA generally had fast response times and tended to give you lots of time to take care of things. I was always contacted via email, until officially accepted, in which case I received both an email and snail mail packet. MICA offered the typical Stafford loan and also offered a nice scholarship. They do not offer jobs or assistantships, due to the intense time frame. I was notified for most things by email, but was formally called when accepted. They also send an acceptance package. AIB - Art Institute of Boston Background Info: AIB reserves your in-person time for heavy critiques and classes, not for studio use. Relatively new program turns some people off, but I liked what I saw and found them to be incredibly helpful. AIB does not interview prospective students. AIB was fast to respond on all accounts. They notified me very quickly and provided both email and snail mail correspondence for everything that we talked about, from offer letters to detailed financial information. They are fast to send mail and even faster at email. The program director will call you to speak with you, in congratulations, and detail the way the program works. They provide a lot of information and you never feel left in the dark. Low residency programs are notoriously low on funding. Just expect that, but AIB offered me a scholarship merit award and an assistantship, plus the standard loans. They went above and beyond to secure additional funding for me. They also match funding offers from other schools. Overall, applying to AIB was a smooth, well organized experience. They have an early acceptance / declination time frame, not unlike Cranbrook. They needed an answer from me before I had heard from most of the other schools. Johnson State College / Vermont Studio Center Background Info: Home of the 30-day Vermont Studio Center artist residencies. Does not require interviews. JSC was very slow to respond on all accounts, the slowest of all schools I had contact with (except Goddard's final response time). Most emails take almost a week or more to get a response. I was always contacted via email, until accepted, when I received a mailed packet. Low residency programs are notoriously low on funding. Just expect that. JSC offered no funding of any kind. They do offer Teaching Assistantships for second years. Communication was friendly and informative, though slow. Vermont College of Fine Art Background Info: Houses only low residency programs in Visual Arts, Writing and related. Famous for writing. No Interviews required. Pretty fast response time. Staff is friendly and helpful, and often CCs other department members to provide additional help. Pretty fast acceptance/rejection time frame. I was always contacted via email. Received snail mail packet when accepted. Low residency programs are notoriously low on funding. Just expect that, but VCFA managed to dig up scholarship funding and also provides internships and fellowships in some cases. Did not hear back yet about possible assistantships. Very willing to help with funding where they can, though they cannot provide what a traditional in-person program can,

Green Painter, I also applied to the MassArt programs and was accepted into both the Summer MFA (3-year) and what *should* be the Provincetown residency (2-year), which was my first choice. The official letter indicated that the Provincetown residency is likely not going to happen this year, and they redirected me from Provincetown to something called the "Boston 2D low residency." This Boston low res is replacing Provincetown this year, unless something changes (or so they said).

I received a call yesterday that confirmed I was accepted into the MICA Summer MFA program, with scholarship. I also received an email with a ton of information attached, including funding info. I've been on the wait list for some time now.

UTK is a great school and looks excellent on your resume as well. :-) Not sure I'd like living in Tennessee, but you may be different. I had the opportunity to have a portfolio review by one of the professors in the printmaking department there and I worked closely with another professor who attended graduate school there and my experience was positive. They seem like an intellectual, engaged, even humor-loving group that encourages students to push beyond expected boundaries, favoring both high concept and quality mark-making.

Yep. Precisely the timing dilemma I'm dealing with. I was worried because they have already given me an extension once before, with a more finite deadline this time.

Thanks for your advice. It confirms what I was already thinking.

I know many of you must be dealing with similar situations, so I thought I'd open a discussion to generate ideas and support. I have one school that is expecting an acceptance response by April 1st. I've heard back from three other schools, but am still trying to get funding sorted out (nothing concrete yet), so I cannot yet make an informed decision about the best financial offer. I am still waiting on initial responses from two schools and I've contacted them to touch base. Since I applied to low residency programs, there is less funding and every penny counts. It also means the programs seem to respond later than the traditional programs. My dilemma is that the school that is pushing me to make a decision is the only one forthcoming with any financial information. They offered me a Graduate Assistantship which can be handled year around, even when I'm not on campus, but it does not pay a lot for the year--but it would still be helpful. They have already given me an extension to decide (they originally wanted an acceptance response the first or second week of March, which was completely impossible for me), so I don't think I'll get another one past April 1. I know Cranbrook asks for an early confirmation as well, as do others. What are you guys doing about that? I'm rather stressed about it. I don't want to say "no" to the April 1 deadline school, only to discover the other programs offer me less, yet if I say "yes" it requires a $750 deposit and I'd potentially miss out on a better deal, if there is one. Do I accept their offer, expecting the others to be less, due to the nature of the programs? Do I tell them "no" and gamble on a better deal? Should I ask them again for an extension and hope they will extend it? I really dislike the idea of making a decision without complete information about all of my options, yet I also dislike the idea of letting what may be the best offer slip away.

Just to add one more voice of support--I did not waive the right for any applications (didn't even realize it was an option at first) and it did not seem to impact my admissions.

It is really weird. You may be able to call the graduate admissions office and see if they can transfer you to someone who can assist, otherwise you might just want to contact one of the directors of graduate admission directly. I've dealt with Christopher Harring personally (he's an associate director) and he's been incredibly helpful and informative.

Did you apply for more than one program? MICA notifies separately for each.

Congrats! That's fantastic news.

Just an update-- I went ahead and contacted MICA with an email indicating my continued interest in the program. In it, I asked if there was a realistic chance that I would be bumped up from the waiting list--and whether or not there was a numbered order. The admissions representative sent me a wonderful letter in return, which was uplifting and detailed. He indicated there is no numbered order and that each time a fully accepted student decides not to attend, they do a "mini review" of the wait list and choose the best fit for the spot. He said the summer low residency program has very little space, but he also did not make the waiting list sound hopeless (sounded like a short list, at least). He invited me to stay in touch once a week, rather than the "we'll call you" implication of the formal letter I received in the mail. He went to a lot of trouble to explain the process and that I may realistically have results I can use for decision making in the next week or two, which is a relief. If you're thinking about touching base with the school you're wait listed with, do it. I hesitated at first because I didn't want to be a bother, but the gracious and informative response I received helped ease the process!

:-) I'm trying to hang in there. I think I will put MICA on the back burner for now and let it develop whatever direction it's going to go. I can't agonize over it by the day, since the waiting list process seems so uncertain and lengthy. I'm not giving up on it, just not going to keep it in the forefront.

Thanks for sharing your personal experience. I will touch base with them next month, which seems safe (and hopefully I will hear from them before then). I applied to the interdisciplinary summer low residency program.

That's a great idea. I think I'll email and ask. Based on the wording in their letter, I am inclined to think they see us as the same, since they said they will re-review all wait list applicants in mid-April, but it can't hurt to ask.

Forgot to add that I don't know what position I am in the wait list, and I'm not sure how to find out?

I was wait listed for MICA today and like others, I have an unusual mix of feelings. I'm pretty tough when it comes to rejection and I obviously hope for acceptance, but the in-between state feels strange. It's almost like I'm the second-choice date for the prom. :-) My supporting professors have advised me in the past that if you're wait listed, you should never feel like you're second best. My chief mentor intimated that she herself has never wait listed anyone that did not belong in the program 100%, so it's not a case of someone being less qualified (or more qualified), but usually a question of the best fit for the other students in the pool. All of the students selected are a good fit and some may be slightly better than others at fitting with each other, though all would be fine. She says schools are also aware that some (sometimes all) of the accepted students may choose to go elsewhere, so wait listers are highly likely to move into the real spots. And yet--I still feel odd about it. Like I want to cheer and cry at the same time. Pretty mature, right? I felt my interview with MICA went very well and enjoyed talking to the professor I'd likely be working with, which might be adding to the confusion of emotion. I received a snail mail letter, which basically told me they'd be in contact with me. It also indicates that wait listed candidates will be re-reviewed if space becomes available. Not sure what that means. They said I was in the top 10% of applicants and that they would provide me with updates beginning in late April. They also say that the process of replacing spots with alternates can extend into early summer!! This makes things quite rough for all of the associated, massive life changes that come along with attending. Reading here, I know others are dealing with that frozen-in-space-and-time sensation of not being able to make firm decisions about relocation, work, funding and the rest of the package. MICA is one of my top two choices, so I am not immediately ready to cast it off as unlikely, yet I can't imagine I'll be able to wait until early summer, with other schools in the mix.

Arsenic--I totally understand where you're coming from. You're among kindred spirits, I suspect. :-) I spent the whole weekend freaking out that I had (potentially stupidly) contacted a number of schools to check on the notification dates! Luckily, the responses I've received were friendly, but I always worry that I pestered them and they'll cross me off a list. For those involved in the MICA wait game, I got my snail mail letter today and learned I'm wait listed, which could (according to the letter) drag on until early summer. This likely means they'll be out of the running, unless something dramatic happens. I did not receive an email or phone call from MICA, as others who were accepted did, so I suspect if you're still waiting to hear from them today, after their 15th deadline, you may also be wait listed.