Lucia Werd

Congratulation on being wait listed at SAIC Querida! I'm sure a quick letter or phone call can never hurt. It just shows that you really are interested. Did they give you any idea on time frame?

That's a nice view of the process that your professor shared with you. I wish I could feel like that, but I tend to understand the cheer/cry feelings better. As Jwu said, it does sound like they don't have a waiting list order in that school. But even having a waitlisting order doesn't mean the process is straitfoward. I was told by the University I'm applying to that, yes I was waitlisted and 2nd on the list, but once they have the answers of the first round the professors will meet again and decide how many to take from the waiting list (not necessarily matching the number of 1st turn applicants that turned the offer down). And even if the deadline is approximatly around April 15, the decision might come in May or June because they have to wait for that meeting and their decision! June! I'll go crazy!

I'm sure the person will understand. They must see so many stressed out potential students this time of year. It's normal to make small mistakes like that when your mind is elsewhere.

PTSD-2013, if you are willing to come North of the boarder, Montreal is an awesome city with one of the best art scene in Canada. There's a really strong artist-run center network, museums and the commercial galleries are developing rapidly along with the art market (that used to be the weak spot of the art scene here, but it's getting stronger). You can easily find a apartment with roommates for 300$/month, maybe even a bit less if you look well and are willing to sacrifice a bit on location. Crime is not really an issue. We do have student protests though! But, that allows us to have tuition fees that does not jeopardize your future for the rest of your life because of loans. I'm not sure the exact numbers for international or out-of-province students, but for residents, I would be looking at around 7000$ total for a 3 year MFA program (If I get in!!). Concordia is a good university. It's a big program, but it's split by department and they take around 6 per year so you're in smaller groups. They have good studio spaces and facilities. There is also UQAM university if you speak French. Well known program, more interdisciplinary, but the grad students don't really have a studio space, more like a desk space (which was a weak point in my opinion). Toronto is also a good spot with many schools in and around it, such as OCAD. I believe that the commercial gallery network is stronger. Tuition and living costs are higher from what I know than Montreal. Vancouver seems also a potentially interesting town for grad school from what I hear. Emily Carr have a new MFA program they started a few years ago. But I don't know much about it since I've never been.

Drelavie, thanks for your thoughts on the subject. It's true that we tend to choose schools here based on the school itself rather than on the teacher. I know the vision in Germany was very different when I was speaking to students who were looking more for faculty first, school second. However, I would not only get information on the artist's work, but try to get feedback from students, and ideally meet or talk to the person you're interested in working with to see how they are as teachers as well. The best artist might be a lousy teacher, and a less know artist might turn out to be the best teacher you'll ever have. (Although in my opinion studio art teachers should be practicing artists)

I've actually done some research on that as part of my Master's thesis in Art Education. I was looking at the transition of students from school to the 'real world'. What I actually found was that the students that had the greatest difficulty adapting were the one who moved after their studies. The contact you make with your peers and the art scene during your MFA is very beneficial afterwards (of course that applies to people who make the effort to create those connections and learn about the professional art scene of their city and the resources available to them). There is a general bias that an MFA earned in a prestigious school or abroad (here in Canada, I know it's very 'fashionable' to have a degree from a European country for example) is a plus. There is undoubtedly benefits in learning from different sources. And you can also take into account the psychological effect of having a prestigious school on your resume on the reading people will do of your work (the work of a famous artist will be more valued because of his or her fame. There is a great experience a recognized writer - who's name I forgot - did on that. He published a book that was written in the same style and quality than his other novels, but because he used a pseudonym , the book did ok, but not nearly as good as his other books. He could see that with a good 10-15 years of work under that pseudonym he would probably gain the recognition he had now. But had this book come out under his real name, it would have been a immediate success praised by critics). I think you have to think about what you want out of your career. If you want to teach, a well know school - along with teaching experience - might also be an asset on your resume. If you want to develop contacts with artists and the art scene, you'd better do it in the city where you wish to work and live. Unless of course you want to study a particular 'thing' or with a particular artist. In that case, the choice would be easy.

Waitlists, and the Hell of Admissions Limbo another good read for those of us still waiting Does anyone can tell me what do they mean when you're told you were shortlisted? Is that the pre-waitlisted status (before they decided which applicants they accept, and put the rest on the wait list?)

The school sent me a letter telling me that I was on the waiting list and my order on the list.

Congrats !!

Good luck! Waitlists adds to the torture of waiting, but is gratifying in knowing that your application was chosen nonetheless, so congrats!

Do you know where you are on the waiting list? That might help to know if you have a good chance to get into the program. If you haven't read it yet, you should check out the link Herki posted: "The Grad School Letter Arrives... Now What?" . A useful application 'etiquette'.

Herki, Thanks for that article, it's interesting to read! I just learn that I'm #2 on the waiting list for the university I want to attend... So stressful!!

I finally heard from Concordia. I'm #2 on their waiting list! More waiting....

I was in Germany a few times. Most school are also free of tuition, or have very low tuition. I know some students also got financial help, meal tickets, etc. Keep in mind that not all German schools work with the BFA/MFA model. The support and art scene is very dynamic.

I finished by BFA in 2007. I did a masters in education since then. So I've had about 3 1/2 years out of school. I think it's beneficial. You need to learn to function differently outside the school context. I feel I'm now at a point where I will benefit from going back to school for an MFA. I had actually applied for an MFA strait out of my BFA and got rejected. It was a good thing, and I understand when I look back at my portfolio. None of the works I had presented then are in my current portfolio.

I called Concordia, they are sending email this week and next week. So for those of you waiting to hear from them, the agonizing wait should be over soon. They don't give any answers through the phone.

Who was talking about getting an ulcer because of all this? I think I'm getting there.... Waiting for news is such a torture!

Congrats on SAIC, it does seem like an awesome place! What program did you apply for at Concordia, Open Media? I still haven't heard from them and I'm stressing over it.

No, sculpture. Still waiting for an answer... I guess Concordia should be sending out answers this week. I visited and met with the MFA director at NSCAD as well. Went well, but Halifax is not the greatest city for the art scene. I prefer Montreal.

MisiaMisia, if you don't mind me asking, what program were you applying for?

I've seen a few people ask about Concordia. I still haven't heard anything from them. Anyone got an answer - positive or negative - from Concordia MFA?