The Joker

Hey Everybody, My final decision has been made. I'm going to RISD. Who's with me? Atlas? anybody else?

meanabelle, on 21 Mar 2013 - 14:11, said: Accepted to RIT via phone!!!! I was offered scholarship + assistantship, but not sure if it will be enough, as there program is pricey. It's a tough decision because RIT is my number one choice...I really, really, really want to go there...they have everything I'm looking for. Prior to hearing back from RIT, I told SAIC that I was interested in the BFA as prior degree student, pending funding. I just received an email last night that my award letter has been mailed. It probably won't be much, and that of course will make my decision much easier, but if for some reason it's decent, it might be tempting to attend there for a year, reapply to mfa programs for next year and maybe get in somewhere with more funding. I don't know...do I worry about money or do I attend the school I really want to? What are your thoughts on this? And congrats orangephotog1!!!! Are you going to accept?

Anybody out there have any experience asking the schools you have been accepted to for more funding?

Congrats meanabelle! That's exciting. Hell ya for everybody getting into the schools they want!

accepted to calarts via email Congrats!

Yeah I would say Risd is overwhelmingly where I want to go, but I need to get the financial info and weight my options. This is one of those really important life decisions.

Hey thanks buddyholly for the congrats, Atlas, congrats! your the only other person I know that has been accepted to risd, think you will go? I still don't know yet depends on the financial info and stuff they send, but hopefully i can make it happen. Good luck everybody

Finally, the first good news I have had, accepted to RISD and MICA it's the best friday ever!

Finally, the first good news I have had, accepted to RISD and MICA it's the best friday ever!

Hello everybody, Im bored at work and wondering who's art you people are getting excited about I'll start, I discovered this guy a few months ago I was down in Boston and his stuff was in gallery. Check it out, http://michaelmassaia.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=38283&Akey=AP79CKQ9 Anybody else have anybody they are stoked about?

Meh. I applied to MassArt because there's one photographer there I really, really like (I know him), and because, let's face it, it's one of the less expensive options and it's in Boston, close to friends and family, which is a huge consideration for me. That's about it, though. I can't speak to the other departments, but I have an insider perspective of the photo program. It's a homogenous community, with absolutely no diversity at all. Most of the first year students are white, middle-class, straight men. Most of the work I've seen from the grad students, with a few notable exceptions, is flat out boring, still lifes or landscapes, technically correct (there's a huge emphasis on "the right way" for photographs to look), but not intellectually strong or emotionally evocative in any way. I've seen a lot of work there, and it's not impressive. I think it's reflective of the general bent of the program, which is very conservative, staid, and stilted. Nick Nixon is there, and a real character, and very talented, but he isn't a part of the admissions process, and works for the most part with undergraduates. There's very little theory taught there, which isn't everyone's cup of tea, I realize, but for me it's important. I haven't witnessed much exchange of ideas or passion for art, although a lot of people there seem to think they're smarter than they are, and are very vocal about their opinions in class, effectively monopolizing time speaking and drowning out other students' voices; what I mean by this is that I have seen students act as though they were in fact professors, and had one even remark to me during my interview that, as second year students, they would be my "superiors". (As a side note, I asked what the first years liked most about the program, and one responded, as though it were funny, "all the men." I'm a woman, btw.) This might not be surprising, however, since graduate students are allowed to vote on applicants' work. They have a big role in choosing who is interviewed. They see and literally vote on everyone's work. I'm not sure how much input they have in the final admissions decisions, but my guess would be that they do have more say than they rightly should. So whether you are offered a position or not may have a lot to do with whether or not they want to hang out with you, and the kind of feedback they give on your interview. The program is directed by Laura McPhee, who has a strong preference for work like her own (and is very clear about what she does not like). She's phlegmatic in general, though, so I don't doubt that people had unpleasant interviews or found her hard to read. Abe Morell, however, is genuinely insightful and seems upbeat and funny. But depending on who is reviewing your work, you might receive input that will help you grow, or you might merely receive someone's personal opinion. I think personal opinions are important, and of course feedback is personal, but I need more justification than that, whether someone likes or does not like my work. I've met few successful graduates from the program, but, then, everyone's definition of success is different. However, I cannot name one (MFA) graduate who had a unique and interesting enough style to go on to do "big things." I don't doubt that that's because individuality is frowned upon in favor of toeing the line and technical accuracy. And that won't get you very far. The other aspect I have experienced, which seems jarring, is a total and utter lack of organization. Professors literally forget what they have planned in the syllabi. I will say that my letter is dated March 6, and I assume a decision was made well before that. I'm not sure if they simply did not get around to sending it, or if they thought it would be better to make me wait. They are both too disorganized and too formal for me to know what the case may be. But there is something to be said for treating people well, even applicants to your program! (You'll find that there are many administrators there who either give wildly inaccurate information in response to a question or simply do not respond at all.) The level of discourse in classes I've attended has been....OK. That's about as much as I can say. Not outstanding. Certainly not horrible. But just average. The breadth and depth of classes on offer is also....OK. If you know exactly what you want to do, and you only want to do that one thing (say, 4 x 5 landscapes, for example, indefinitely), then you'd be happy with the program. If you're looking to experiment or want to take a lot of theory or art history classes in addition to your studio work, then you'll find their offerings to be....OK. I realize it's not a glowing review. Unfortunately, for me, money is a big issue, and the priority I place on being near friends and family is perhaps too high. But I don't love MassArt, and they don't love me. It's all right, though, because I've been accepted to much better programs (both better-suited and better ranked, make of that what you will). So I would say that you should take this MassArt estimation of your work much the way I do: with a big grain of salt. Yah, I don't have any insider information except what I able to gather during their open house and at this interview. But, for the most part I think your review was pretty much spot on. Their program is pretty straight forward, again no pun intended. Ive noticed the students this programs tends to produce work that clearly emulates the professors' work, which I think is how we all learn in the beginnning, but eventually we need to find our own voice. I mean this is grad level and I didn't go to an art school, so I guess there is a lot I don't know. But I think it is important to find a program that will help people become themselves not make copies of the professors. I'm not intending this to be insulting at all, but I think part of the reason I'm on the wait list is because I expressed clear desire to become my own person, which may have not been in my best interests. Or maybe I'm glad because maybe Mass art isn't the best fit for me. That's interesting that you noticed the program is dominated by white men, I noticed this too. Ya, I think money is a big concern for most of us, I'm not excited about going into a ton of debt. I guess if I have to incur the expese it could be worth it if I find a good place to go. or if a good place accepts me haha is more like it. But, i will have to wait another week to get my last two letters. Just gotta keep my chin up and soldier on.

waitlisted, MassArt. decision via mail. Hey there buddy haha no pun intended, I'm also waitlisted at mass art, your not alone.

hey joker do you mind pm your website work or what have you submitted i would like to see what they were looking for. please Hey, I don't have a website. But, my portfolio was portraits and landscapes. It was all straight silver gelatin stuff. I do not, however, consider myself to be a straight photographer though ironically. I submitted straight silver gelatin images because I have always felt technically and conceptually this is the best starting point for my work. Now, my focus is changing. I'm more interested in making the traditional process new, so I'm more excited about my experimental work. I feel as photographers we are so devoted to perfectly replicating the world as we see it. But, it's not enough for me. I need more creativity. I want to challenge representation and create something different that is unique to me.

Hey folks, I have an interview with RISD for photo. I'm wondering if anybody from other disciplines had any sage wisdom they would like to share regarding the interview format. I remeber somebody back a few pages saying it was pretty relaxed. Are there any curve balls I should be aware of? did they want to see new work? or anything like that? Thanks everybody

It seems that someone got interview notification from risd? cause I search the result of 'risd photography' and there are an interview notification posted by someone.... anyone here got that from risd? Hey, I got interview request from RISD yesterday via email. I also got rejected from Columbia University in NYC, via email as well.

It seems that someone got interview notification from risd? cause I search the result of 'risd photography' and there are an interview notification posted by someone.... anyone here got that from risd (photography)? Hey, so a lot happened yesterday. I received a RISD interview and Columbia University rejected me. With the good comes the bad. I guess I'm just not destined to be Ivy League...

When I interviewed at Mass Art there were two different rooms of interviewers. I had the room with Morrell and Bosworth, I was a little suprised to see him there I thought he retired or something, apparently I was wrong. The other room had Mcphee and I'm guessing Connors also, but I didn't see him. Yeah, I'm not entirely sure what to think, the email I got before the interview, which everybody go said a large part of their decisions would be made based on the work. So, hopefully thats good news... Maybe i'm just not used to the interview for art school because this is my first time applying for grad. But, I was pretty stunned by how fast they had to look at my work it was like woah, I don't have enough time to tell you about it at this pace haha. Good luck folks, won't be long now...

I had a mass art interview and was told the same thing. Still nothing. My status changed from ready to review to reviewed so now I'm thinking the worst. I emailed them and was informed everyone will be notified by either email or mail within the next two weeks. Hey, yeah my status is also "reviewed" so were in the same boat The interview was pretty straight forward, but those interviewers all had poker faces so I have no idea what to think.

also, has anyone heard back from risd photo? Hello everybody, I still haven't heard anything from RISD or Columbia University, which makes me feel a little restless because it I think they have made decisions for other disciplines. So.... yea anybody have any idea what the photo departments are up to? I got an email from MICA saying they will have final decisions by March 15th. I interviewed down at Mass Art a couple weeks ago and one of the grad kids said I would hear in a week, but their website says by the end of March and I have heard nothing. So, that's update, haha a whole lot of nothing...

I applied to both Columbia University and RISD for photo and I haven't heard anything. But I have noticed other applicants from other programs from both school are starting to get interviews and such, so I'm hoping for the best.

Joker - PEM (MICA) doesn't interview Oh, oops I didn't know that, thanks for mentioning that...

Joker, definitely nothing wrong with straight photography. Aside from my Polaroid work, all my work was straight stuff until I started working digitally, now I’m all about having fun with crazy/wild/different colors…still straight though in the darkroom…I think there’s nothing better than a beautifully printed gelatin silver print. Scratching and melting sounds fun…I’ve always had an interest in doing something like that but haven’t gotten around to it yet. What types of things are you shooting? I’ve always wanted to work 8x10, but 4x5 is about the largest I’ve gone so far. That’s the size I’ve been shooting and contact printing my albumen prints…though, I’m going to take a stab at making digital negatives soon. I am totally still at the trial and error stage with the albumen process. I’m working on finding the proper negative density, experimenting with papers, and mixing up the right albumen and toner solutions. There are a lot of variables to work with and my time on this has been limited since I work full-time and go to school part-time/sometimes full-time. The whole process has been fun...I love all the trial and error and the amount of time it takes. It really furthers my appreciation of 19th century photographic processes. When I distress/alter my negatives I normally only use self portraits. It's odd its the only subject I feel compelled to deconstruct. I call the technique the advanced photo 1 because I feel like just about everybody let loose in a dark room experiements with somehow altering their negatives. i'm trying to figure out a way to continually work with film/negative so its not just whether the shot is any good its about creating something that wasn't in the original visualization. I mean I could just be a fool in the rain, but I guess I won't know until I devote some time and try it. I think as long as we continue to make images, we are progressing. So, does anybody have any news from Columbia University/RISD/MICA for photo? I know MICA/RISD have emailed interviews for some other programs like graphic design, but I haven't heard anything, has anybody else?

Hey Joker, I’m still working with film too…as well as digital…and more recently making albumen prints from scratch. My focus is combining old and new processes…so not sure how this will go over with the schools I applied to. I love to hear people are still working analog. I think everyone should step in a darkroom at least once. Do you work digital at all? I was a late convert, and basically enrolled in a commercial digital photography program just to keep up with technology. Turns out I love digital just as much as analog and both have their place in my work. Hey meanabelle, That's awesome your making albumen prints, I have never made those before but I would imagine it can be a little messy with all of those broken eggs. But thats a really cool idea trying to integrate old photographic processes with new ones for sure. I don't do anything digital except scan my negatives. I'm a total stubborn die hard film user and silver printer, but I suppose if pressed, I would experiment with something else. Lately I have gotten very frustrated with straight photography. All of the work that i submitted to school is all 4x5 and 8x10 silver gelatin straight stuff. And I just look at and think is that it? Haha nothing about it shows anything new, so I'm thinking I need to create something different that goes beyond the parameters of my own perception. So, I have been scratching and melting/ intentionally distressing my negatives. I'm going for a rough analogue look, which is altered and essentially something different than what I visualized initially. I just feel like photo deals so directly with how we perceive "real" to be and we spend so much time trying to perfectly represent it, I want to change how we perceive real.

anyone heard from risd? Hey, I haven't heard anything from RISD at all. I was poking around on some forums from 2012 and it seemed like majority of people were hearing back from RISD near the end of Feb towards the beginning of Mar. I could be totally wrong, but I'm pretty sure they conduct Skype interviews, so we should be hearing something sometime in the next few weeks. But other than that I know pretty much nil.

Whats up everybody, Congrads on getting interviews everybody. Funny how some schools are quick and others seem to take an eternity, anyways here are my results, Anybody know what to expect from Mass art interview? I saw lyslys you also have an interview with Mass Art too, Are you going to bring alot of new work with you? I'm questioning what I should print. Sorry guys I don't have a website, but I'm the guy still developing film and wet printing silver, so it's going to be interesting trying to explain how my work is contemporary haha, but seriously... Yale-rejected Mass Art (interview scheduled 2/25) Columbia- RISD- MICA-