mbadger

My professor put it this way: If you are expecting to get a teaching job right out of your mfa or ever really...FORGEDABOUDID! Ok, well not in so few words...but he did point out that competition for university teaching jobs is definitely fierce. There are a handful (ok not literally but you get the picture) of universities across the country all with filled positions. Pretty much anyone employed with these universities will stay with them until they retire or possibly be promoted or the rare chance that they get ultra rich or famous from their artwork alone and decide to quit. So when there is actually an opening, think of how many just graduated and long graduated mfa's are out there scouting for a job. I go to a small town university with an excellent art program in my opinion, but not one that is known or sought after. There was an opening for a teaching position last year and a ridiculous amount of people applied from all over the country. That being said, I really want to get a teaching job at the university level after my mfa. lol. Do I expect to get one? Not necessarily, but I'm hoping to get one. And I'm just being realistic about my chances. And as far as I've heard...portfolio and resume etc play a large role in getting jobs...even outside of the art world and more in the realm of academia. And all of my professors have said to get your mfa in a city where you want to live for a while because it's really about developing a name and record for yourself in said place in order to get jobs and opportunities. So...good luck to us all for getting into school...and then good luck to us seeking jobs after school!!! hahaha

Honestly, I would looove to go to any of the schools I applied to, especially if there was some funding involved. lol. But of course, I would love to get into SAIC...even with the possibility of less funding. I heard that it was highly competitive, but then I also heard that because of the application boom last year, this year may be slightly less competitive (not sure if that's saying much considering). Fingers crossed for that one! littlenova, Yeah FSU is sort of random I guess...but they have a really decent program, is a great research school, and often offer great funding...plus I have a lot of family there. I tried to keep my eye open to underrated programs as well. jojobee, I think being a carnie sounds like a great backup plan! I need to come up with something too I guess. haha Do you watch the mailbox and freak out when any unknown number calls your phone EVEN though some of the deadlines haven't even passed yet??? Ahhhh!! Ridiculous. But it's too much holding your breath to calm down.

Same Here too!! I just sent of the last of my applications. I applied to some competitive and some a little less...but I'm still freaking out! Im applying for photography at: SAIC, Parsons, Rutgers, University of Washington, Florida State university, and University of Houston.

Just curious ...anybody wanna share what discipline you are and to what schools are you applying? photo here considering University of Houston University of Washington Chicago art Institute Columbia College in Chicago Parsons Rutgers MassArts in boston Temple University Pratt, SVA San fran art Institute....hmm what else. I guess I need to narrow down the choices

I heard University of Indiana has pretty good funding. Also WashU (I think that's the one I'm thinking of) has a great photo program I have heard, and I think they give full funding to every photo student accepted.

I was wondering the same thing a while back but about photo mfa low residencies. I couldn't find a whole lot of information except that they are generally geared towards experienced/older or those already career artists. And they seem to be very expensive with little opportunities for funding. My professor asked why I would want an mfa experience that was part time and not really hands on. He said that for an mfa full-residency really is the most advantageous in terms of learning, growing as an artist, opportunities, and building a successful relationship to the community your school is located in - in terms of contacts, building a name and history etc. I don't know though. Still sounds interesting. I know Parson's and SFAI have a photo low-residency option

also...Rutgers??

So, I'm applying to several schools for photo mfa in Jan.ish. I'm trying to narrow down my choices of schools. What do you consider schools with really great fine art oriented photo programs? Especially those that might throw some cash someone's way. So far I'm considering: University of houston (close by and they actually have a great program and are really great with offering great packages), University of Texas at Austin and University of Washington at Seattle (Haven't heard much on these schools...but I heard it's great to go somewhere you want to live with a great art scene), CalArts (my prof suggested), School of the Art Institute of Chicago, San Francisco Art Institute, Massachusetts College of Art, Parsons, Bard College- ICP, and School of Visual Arts I know that's a long, random list...but anyone have opinions or feedback on the quality and/or accessibility of any of those schools/locations? Or have any recommendations on other great fine-art photo mfa programs? Any info would be great!