ismewilde

I don't know anyone in the program who works full-time- and only one person who works once a week. Working more than that while in the grad program isn't ideal and frankly, probably near to impossible, IMO. There are also paid positions to oversee various shops throughout the school at a decent hourly rate if you are wanting some additional income. The costs of living is fairly low here with few paying more than $500 a month for rent and some lower than $400.

Hello to those trying to make a decision on CMU. I just wanted to let you know that, concerning financial considerations, there are quite a few additional funding opportunities and extras available in our program that help offset some of the costs. For example, the graduates take a trip to the Venice Biennale every other year and the cost is offset by $1000. If planned right, the total cost of your trip is almost entirely paid for by a generous grant to the program. The Frank-Ratchye Studio offers micro grants to just about anyone who writes for one (up to $500) and several larger grants up to $2500 per calender year. Also available are GUSH grants, conference funding twice a year, and grants for 1st and 2nd year shows through the school. Most recently, our first and second year shows this semester were awarded $450 per person to cover material costs (per person to those that applied (11 of us wrote up a proposal). Often, some sort of funding can be found if you look for it. Last month, our first year class took a field trip to NYC to visit The Triennial at the New Museum, other new shows, have Q and A's with some galleries and artists- much of which was funded by the school with a grant our professor applied for. Other perks include free bus fare anywhere in Pittsburgh, free admission to most of Pittsburgh's art museums, the Phipps Conservatory, and other places of cultural interest. One last thing- Carnegie Mellon is one of the universities that will assist in costs associated with attending Skowhegan if you are accepted to attend their summer program.
 
All that being said, this is not NYC- which should be obvious. What CMU offers is a small, fairly rigorous program where you will be known by name, have many opportunities for studio visits with visiting artists and critics (and of course, faculty). There is the new iDeATE program which is a truly interdisciplinary program in which to take classes in expanding your knowledge of programming in video, sound, and a variety of new media programs, but all of the resources for traditional media are here as well. 
 
One last thing- just about everyone here has the exact same funding as everyone else coming in and throughout the program. Any additional funding is up to you, but it is around.
 
I hope some of that information is helpful to those on the fence. 

Submit nothing that looks underdeveloped or from a class assignment. If you are finishing up undergrad and will have work from your senior thesis and some other recent strong work, then of course that is what you should show. 
 
I think for painters especially it is important to show a few cohesive bodies of work. If, however, you have a new direction that you are growing in which you will not have enough of a completed body of work, but want to include, you may want to stick that at the end and put in the description that they are from a new body of work/direction that you are exploring.
 
This is just my two cents though...

It is if you are vastly inflating my comment to be disproportionate to its intention.
 
 
Blanket statements are just that- full of nothing helpful. Which is why I said to carefully weigh the options. I wasn't saying to just choose star faculty or prestige, but to weigh out what they all have to offer.
 
There are a lot of things to consider and the choice isn't as black and white as "go where the money is".
 
That doesn't mean go to a top school expecting it to be your ticket.

It is if you are vastly inflating my comment to be disproportionate to its intention.
 
 
Blanket statements are just that- full of nothing helpful. Which is why I said to carefully weigh the options. I wasn't saying to just choose star faculty or prestige, but to weigh out what they all have to offer.
 
There are a lot of things to consider and the choice isn't as black and white as "go where the money is".
 
That doesn't mean go to a top school expecting it to be your ticket.

I think one has to be balanced in this approach as it very much depends on what you are doing. I have a friend who has been accepted to RISD for furniture and may not get any funding. We still think that she should go there as graduates are recruited their second year within the design fields. 
 
As for art schools, I think you need to weigh the contacts/reputation along with the costs. I wouldn't go anywhere that offered little to no funding with a second tier reputation and possibly even a first tier, depending on the school. I'd also look at what further funding options were available to apply for within the school and outside of it the following years. 

Accepted to Mills! Super excited! I was also awarded a scholarship! Woohoo!!!

congrats things_x2! and krohmer!

I wouldn't think it would be creepy. Some schools state explicitly on their website that they cannot give feedback (and I would think that it would be difficult if there are hundreds of applicants). I would think others would be more accommodating and willing to share. It would be nice to hear the reason and get some constructive criticism (such as not right fit, undeveloped SOP, unclear portfolio, etc.). 

I think kwonberry was politely letting everyone know that if you haven't yet been accepted or interviewed then you are likely rejected this year. From past posts and the results page, it appears that most contact was made around 2/17 this year.
 
Better luck next year!

Congrats soapeater and coffeeblack! lots of news today!

I just got an interview request from Carnegie Mellon! Super excited!

That is what I am most concerned about happening in an interview situation. That I will completely blank out and be all "Lamp, I love lamp"

Damn! I didn't know Hogwarts was accepting applications for graduate students. Oh well, maybe next year

Damn! I didn't know Hogwarts was accepting applications for graduate students. Oh well, maybe next year

Congrats klp!!!
 
wm000, personally I think it would be bad form to send a list of questions during the admissions process to a professor. I would direct any questions you have to the admissions advisor. Also, if you want feedback on your work, I would send an email first requesting whether they would be able and willing to offer any feedback on your work and if so, when would be a good time to for them to look at it. 

Well, the majority of people who get a BFA in visual arts also do not become a professional visual artist. Most decide to pursue different jobs or have realized that being an artist is a full time commitment- one they don't really want to make. Probably a good number move into related fields where they can use their creativity.
 
Its a hard knock life!

I think this whole process is actually really helpful- and if nothing comes of it this time, I will be better prepared the next go around. But, I understand what you mean. Its difficult to wait and sometimes the thoughts go to: what if I get rejected all around? The answer: enjoy the break and make your application stronger.
 
I know that I will still be a working artist (even if not paid), just not within academia- so it won't kill me. I think that is the best way to look at it. There are alternatives out there- even internships, etc.- no matter what your field.

That is what I am most concerned about happening in an interview situation. That I will completely blank out and be all "Lamp, I love lamp"