DaisyO

How about the New England Studies program at the University of Southern Maine? I am sure they read a lot about the Puritans there.

Hi, I need some help. I would like to apply to the Yale Divinity School, but I don't have a religious studies or seminary background. As and undergrad I attended art school in New York and later I got my MFA at the Yale School of Art. I am very interested in the history of Christianity, my faith background is Society of Friends (in my family) and Episcopalian (went to Episc. church for several years on my own). What I am really interested in studying is a history of liturgical practices in different time periods, churches, and denominations, focusing on contemporary variants. I am also interested in the role of visual art in the church, again in a comparative sense. Although I am strongly drawn to study in this area, I don't know what the degrees offered by Yale mean, or what you do with them once you get them. I don't think I want to go into the seminary, since my interest is more historical/sociological. If somebody could tell me what these degrees mean and are used for, I would be most grateful. Here is the description from Yale's website: "YDS offers the Master of Divinity (MDiv), the Master of Arts in Religious Studies (MAR), and the Master of Sacred Theology (STM)." Clearly I don't have the religious studies and/or liberal arts background they suggest potential applicants to be prepared with, but as an art student I learned quite a bit about religious history via the study of art history. I have no idea what my chances of being admitted would be (slim, I expect), but I took a class with a Divinity School professor when I was in grad school and I loved it; I love the campus and area as well. That's why I feel so strongly about applying to Yale specifically. I understand that this is pretty unrealistic and that I'd have to prepare myself ahead of time with some reading, etc. However, If I could get some insight into the meanings and applications of the various degrees they offer, I would be in a much better position to evaluate whether or not to apply. Thanks so much for your help, anonymous friends! ps. at the risk of asking for too much, can you suggest anything I might read. I realize I'm an amateur here, so thank you for humoring me.

Well, what did you study the most if you had such limited experience in the studio arts courses? I might try to emphasize your liberal arts education even if your BA was in studio art, especially if you don't have much training there. Another thing is that there is usually somebody around Yale who went to the Brandeis post-bac, so some people are interested in "correcting" a non-BFA. But if your current artwork is really good, your training (or lack of) doesn't matter. I got a BFA from an art school, I was a painting major, so that isn't too interesting for you. Anyway, like I said, your current work is what matters, because anybody can be a great painter, you don't have to know how to make rabbit skin glue and paint with the dead palette or whatever. If your portfolio shows the work you think is indicative of your talent and your direction, that is the important thing. If you are applying to the painting program (which only looks at 16 slides) and you have paintings, sculptures, photos, and ceramic pots, then your portfolio will not be cohesive enough. Does this help? D.O. quote name='Loosenyourtalktapes' date='09 December 2009 - 02:34 PM' timestamp='1260387287' post='90918'] Thanks for the responses. Daisy: What did you study in undergrad and how did that translate into your MFA program? I think that the hardest part is attempting to explain why a lot of my studio classes were unrelated to the field that I am applying for. My school simply did not offer a lot of the technical training that art schools do. For example our painting department only had two offered courses as compared to many art schools where one would major in that discipline. I realize that writing skills come into play but I wonder when looking to my transcript how I should explain my lack of training in certain fields. Hopefully my LORs will explain this. Should I be playing the LibArts card while writing about why I want an MFA?

Dear LYTT, Hey, that doesn't hurt you...if your artwork is good enough, it actually helps to have all the other experience that a liberal arts education gives you. When you are applying, you could mention the other directions of study you have taken and how that has influenced your artwork. I got an MFA from Yale they always seemed excited about students who went to liberal arts colleges, and people were accepted who had math degrees, biology degrees, etc. I wouldn't worry about it, it's just your work that matters, along with your statement of purpose. If you are well-versed in some other subject, good. Daisy

Bummer! Just called Vermont Studio Center since more than 8 weeks had gone by (always a bad sign). Didn't get the full fellowship or the months I requested...so I guess I'll be passing on this one! Very sad; I thought it would have been nice. And, the Millay Colony is totally too hard to get into, so this was my big chance for the summer. Daisy.

Hello Visual Artists: I am reposting this earlier topic from the general section, where I think it has been forgotten since the subgenres were established. The responses to it mainly discussed which places would make good photo residencies...so if you're interested in that, look at the old thread. Anyway, thanks very much and good luck to you all! See below... Hello all I know this is a grad school forum, but naturally many of you will be applying for residencies as well. Skowhegan, MacDowell, Yaddo, Penland, Santa Fe, Core Program, Fine Arts Work Center, etc! I have applied for the Vermont Studio Center and the Millay Colony already. I am getting pretty anxious about the VSC, does anybody have results yet for 2010 residencies? Yikes! Good luck!

Hi! So, I am sorry to say that you might want to take out the part about teaching, unless you are applying to a teaching-specific program...MFA admissions people hate to think that their degree is being seen as a teaching certificate. You may be dedicated to eventually teaching high school, but teaching college is more appropriate to list as a goal in your statement anyway. I know this because I worked on the admissions work-study crew at a well-known and highly selective MFA program. Refer to Rebeca Mendez as "Ms. Mendez", not "Rebeca". Talk first about the direction of your work, what other artists you see yourself as working in the tradition of, your motivations, etc, THEN mention all of your technical and software skills. I'm not really sure if the program you are applying to is teaching-specific or not, but if not, you might like to look into those that are. I think the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design has a pedagogy-based MFA, and I know the Maine College of Art has a good art ed post-bac, as does Mass Art and many other places. If teaching is your real goal, look for these places to apply to. Otherwise, keep this aspect of your long-term goals quieter in the statement. You can always study for a certificate after grad school without making such a big deal of it in your application...you don't have to promise them anything when you are accepted, BUT they are looking for career artists in most MFA places, not career teachers. good luck! --Daisy

Hi John Hmmm...this looks like bad news for me, since in my experience, the longer it takes you to hear back the less likely you are to have been accepted/funded. As far as the "grant" goes, that does seem a little tricky. It really doesn't cover much of the cost, but on the other hand $900 is a lot of money anyway. Frankly, if I am offered a similar grant I won't be able to afford to go. I (and most of us, probably) don't exactly have a couple of grand sitting around waiting to be spent. I have had 4 residencies and only had to pay for one, I paid $500 (supposedly it cost many times that for me to be there, which I can kind of believe). The other ones were not the kind you had to pay for. I have always had mixed feelings about applying to the ones you pay for. On one hand, it is great to have a new chance to focus on one's work. On the other hand, it seems like one is being taken advantage of somehow, especially since all the residents are paying different amounts; the full tuition or fees seem kind of like an arbitrary number that represents the worst outcome (short of rejection). Thanks for posting! Congratulations on being accepted...congratulations on the funding...let us know what you decide. --Daisy

Hi there What about Ohio State, or for that matter UCLA? Those are public and very good. I have to say, I went to a fancy MFA program, it was even comparitively cheap, and now I am deeply in debt and confused about why I didn't apply to those places (well, UCLA is super hard to get into but it's worth a shot). There is also Hunter (where I didn't get in), can't remember if you mentioned that...also you can apply to expensive places with the idea that you will go if you get a scholarship and not if you don't (though sometimes it would be hard to pass up I guess). The full scholarship at the Chicago Art Institute would be nice, for example. So anyway, you don't have to go to the University of Arizona only, there are very good public places out there and other places may give you lots of money. The public places are also better for TA positions too, at my private MFA program the TAs just mostly made jokes with the professor and the undergrads and never got to plan any lessons or even take a glance at a syllabus. Might not seem important right this second, but it will later.

Hello all I know this is a grad school forum, but naturally many of you will be applying for residencies as well. Skowhegan, MacDowell, Yaddo, Penland, Santa Fe, Core Program, Fine Arts Work Center, etc! I have applied for the Vermont Studio Center and the Millay Colony already. I am getting pretty anxious about the VSC, does anybody have results yet for 2010 residencies? Yikes! Good luck!