About the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts MFA program.
I completed the Academy's undergrad (certificate) program a couple years ago and know a lot about the school and faculty...this year I'm determined to move away for grad school so I did not apply.
I'd say this is a solid, up and coming program. Going in, you should know that it doesn't have the reputation that other schools have because it is still getting its footing. You'd have to put your faith in it as far as notoriety. Many faculty members are coming in from NY others are some of the more relevant undergrad faculty... The facilities are newly updated (they just moved)--- you'd get a great studio downtown Philly/access to an awesome print shop/sculpture spaces (remember no photography and very limited digital/computer labs). You should know there is a huge huge gap in purpose and practice between the Cert and MFA program. The Romantic/Traditional aroma of the place is really coming from the certificate program... The MFA's read more, are thinking about expanding their work conceptually,and everyone gets great exhibition space for their end-of-year shows etc. There is a social divide between the two programs which is unfortunate I think. The Academy of course is the nations oldest art school and houses an impressive collection of American art in the Museum which is quite beautiful...
Travel to see it I'd say
HMMM, shoot me a message/mail for other questions.