graphikchik

I don't think it's a bad thing to put something that has a direct religious meaning - it's no worse then putting things with direct political or social meanings. IMHO the art we create should be a reflection of our beliefs, feelings or whatever is moving us at the moment. Of course, I will readily admit I'm unfamiliar with the religious meanings in you work, but I didn't pick up on them until you called attention to it. Mainly I saw them as really great use of color and design elements. :wink:

I really don't know the answer to this, since I can't crawl inside the heads of the review committees. However, my thoughts are that you need to bring your personal experiences and views into the statement. It's the one way you can share your ideas and show that you are a thinking about things in your work. I personally have a lot of different kinds of experiences as I've been out of undergrad for 9 years. I've worked different kinds of jobs not directly related to graphic design. Therefore, I used my SOPs to speak a bit to these experiences as well as my personal views on the artwork I create. I also tried to tailor each one a bit to reflect some of the things that attracted me to the different programs I was applying to. In as much as speaking directly about some of the faculty's work that I really related to. I think I did a better job with some schools as compared to others. I did look at some of the sample SOPs found on websites, but I didn't think they really were all that helpful for MFA programs, so I tried to just speak more to talking about my artwork, my experiences, and my goals for graduate school and beyond.

So we all know how important the portfolio is to the MFA admission process. Well I'm kind-of interested in knowing how everyone decided on what kinds of pieces they included and if you are willing to share an online link to some of the work you submitted. I had some help from a faculty member at my university who sat down with me and looked at a lot of my pieces and we made some choices on what to include and what order to put it in. I'm willing to share my stuff. I hope others are willing to do the same. I really enjoy seeing what other artists are doing and learning from this process. Plus getting any feedback that you might have in response to my work (if only I had found this site and started this thread before applying :mrgreen: ). Anyway, if you are interested check out my work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/talk2opus/ ... 097138363/

Congrats on Cranbrook! That's great news

My Bachelors was a BA in Art from Millersville University (one of the Pennsylvania State System Schools). I've actually been working in the world of arts education administration for the past 7 years (working at the same university I graduated from), so now I'm going back to the world of making art. My goal is to come away with the skill and experience to get an academic position at a college or university. How about you? Where did you go?

I have to believe that you might be on to something. I don't know anything about grad admissions but right now I work at an undergrad institution and when they review portfolios they quickly have a sense of what the student's abilities and if they aren't up to the major. I have heard some chuckling and such as a lot of them pretty low level but this is high school students coming to undergrad. It's probably not that different at the grad level. You know the professors know what they are looking for and they can make those decisions based on the first few images. Another reason to make sure your best works are the first one they will see.

Welcome pointedears - It's nice to see another graphics person in the forum. I didn't apply to quite as many schools as you mainly because I had a really awesome visit in October with my #1 pick the University of Arizona and I was pretty confident that I would be accepted (which I was yeah!). But after a few rejections from the other schools I also visited I can see why it makes a lot of sense to apply to a bunch of places. Good luck to you! Hi acaseofyou185 and welcome! It's funny you mention Bucknell because I just mentioned them the other day on the forum. I was there last week for an art gallery thing and learned a bit about their great assistantship program. I think it will be a great way to build your portfolio and your experience. It think getting into an MFA program really comes down to the portfolio and whether the faculty at the school see your work fitting well with what their current grads (or they themselves) are doing or interested in. labmouse congrats on the acceptance to MCAD - I thought their program was strong and considered applying there...but I knew I couldn't take the weather...I'm a bit of a weather snob I guess LOL. I didn't apply to SMFA for the same reason. :oops: Guess it comes from growing up in New England, now I'm looking for a warmer climate.

another rejection - VCU wouldn't have bothered me so much except that the letter is so generic and they didn't even sign it...digital signature how weak! I mean for 50 bucks you think they could manage to sign the letter.

Best of luck to you on your interview! Hope you will have a chance to enjoy Boston too. I still haven't received any notice from VCU and their website said notifications would be made starting March 3rd...

Welcome to the club cookiemonster...I applied to MICA in graphic design. They sent a postcard saying decisions would be sent on or around April 1st. I am guessing this would be similar date for all programs. I submitted my application very early (in January) and also got a generic invitation to interview by phone or in person on one of three dates (that happened February 1st - before the application deadline but I think that was specific to graphic design). Hope this helps. I know waiting is the pits! Good luck to you.

I'm really glad to be able to bounce ideas off everyone here...makes me feel like I'm not alone in this crazy waiting game. stomachcramps--to answer your question about SAIC...my mentor's major complaint was that the faculty really didn't give much time to even their grad students (let alone undergrads). She would have to chase them down to get the most out of her experience there. It was very self-directed in growth as an artist. She said you are paying big bucks for the school's name on your degree. Granted this was over 20 years ago and was specific to the printmaking professors (she said her painting professors at the time were much more open to her ideas and instrumental growth as an artist then her graduate advisor). Anyway I'm not sure how current this advice, so take it for what it's worth.

stomachcramps - Have you looked into finding an "emerging artist in residence" program? I know the university work at offer opportunities for BFAs to work under their professors in studio to develop their portfolio etc (kind of like a Grad Assistant). Here they don't get paid but they do get the perks of a studio to work in (especially useful for Printmaking, Ceramics and Photography). I know there are some universities (like Bucknell) that offer small stipends for this kind of position. Might be worth looking into instead of spending a lot of money on a post-Bacc program.

btw...also meant to say...my mentor went to SAIC and doesn't really have a good thing to say about the program there (but that was in printmaking).

wow...that is super insulting! I can't believe they would have the nerve to send a letter like that! This whole art school scene is so arbitrary to think that they could really feel they can tell you you "need" another degree from their institution! They must really want your $$$, but I also think they are pretty arrogant (or maybe just ignorant). sorry to hear you didn't get in but maybe it's a good thing if they are that insulting.

thanks for the sympathy it's not the end of the world...but for a few seconds i got my hopes up that the first letter was a mistake :oops:

Can I just say...Tyler you suck. Not only do you send me one rejection letter but you send me two! I get it you don't want me! :evil:

Congrats on Cranbrook! I know someone in the ceramics program there who just loves it.

Hi labmouse, I'm applying in graphic design or visual communication (depends on the school as to what they call it). I've applied to Tyler School of Art (turned me down - too bad...was the closest to my current home), University of Arizona (accepted with $6000 scholarship I just received notice about- cool!), Virginia Commonwealth University and Maryland Institute College of Art (no word other then they both received my completed applications). I'm thrilled about UofA but would have liked to have gotten a full ride!

rejected from Tyler... really was my last choice but still hate that feeling of rejection

Thanks for the great tip...good resource.

True I didn't even think about CAA throwing a wrench in things for grad admissions. I work at a university on the east coast and they are in the middle of a search and are working like crazy to interview and make an offer before next Wednesday for that very reason. The lack of information for even researching MFA programs compared to the wealth of information on PhD programs can be a bit frustrating. It makes me scratch my head because I just don't understand why there is such a discrepancy.

I wouldn't count yourself out yet...each department may have separate review dates. Textiles may not have made final decisions yet. I thought it was pretty early to hear already, I was expecting another two weeks of nail biting. Didn't apply to either school, but still haven't heard from Tyler School of Art which had an early January deadline. Ugh. Waiting is the worst.

I'm so excited! Checked my email late last night and got my first acceptance, The University of Arizona! It's my top pick...but no word on funding yet (canned email from the graduate college not from the department). I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Hopefully more to come soon :mrgreen: I will keep my fingers crossed for you too...GOOD LUCK

you are not the only one wondering this very same thing... I've applied for MFA in Visual Communications/Graphic design but can't find much information on the results page. Only a few schools from previous years :? I just thought maybe it's because they aren't computer savvy.