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MFA application opened up this month!!!  Who's ready for 2018 freak-out forum? 

Thanks for sharing your artist website. MFA programs are very competitive. Maybe wait 3-5 or more years before applying! Looks like you're just getting starting there's no rush. Good luck! 

Yale, Columbia and UCLA, etc tend to reject applicants that get into other top program. Often times the only rejections a person will receive will be from one of those 3 programs.  Honestly reviewing these schools students work compared to other 'seemly' less selective top programs, there no major difference in the quality of work.  It's not that school admission process is "tougher" but the pool of applicants is just way larger. So when someone says, "their not sure..."  it usually means their not sure if there work can compete with an additional 400 or 300 applications. 
 
 

Also, to the person out there throwing around 120k for art school- DON'T DO IT! 
 
Masters in art seems like a fancy ass statement, but honestly, you can be an artist without a mfa! If you dont come from privilege, DONT FUCKING PAY FOR GRAD SCHOOL
 
good luck 

@Poodle-Doodle its been *8 hours...

@Poodle-Doodle its been *8 hours...

@Poodle-Doodle its been *8 hours...

Your work is already ? ? ?  some awesome school is going to be lucky to have you whenever you reapply!!

At this point, I don't think Tyler's  even knows what they're doing! After an email exchange with the Chair of the painting dept a few weeks back. I just determined that Tyler was not going to be a good fit. He admitted they're having funding issues with recruiting the incoming class. Too much miss information dates being thrown around that have long since passed. Folks finding out their applications were never reviewed by the review committee. The last min class size to 5 might of work for other folks, but I didn't find the exclusiveness of just 4 other painters to be attractive. 
Whatever I'm gucci, I'm still young and beautiful I have time to find another amazing MFA program but not enough patiences Tyler! 

So,
I interviewed at Yale for sculpture. They ask you to do a formal presentation of your work to the students and faculty. I was not flustered, I spoke from the heart and hip about my practice. However, they took issue with me not having an arts degree. A faculty member had stated that my work was too emotional to critique, and that the work I presented containing my brother's ashes (though absolutely relevant to my research about "performative objects", and the feature of an entire conceptual exhibition) was a faux pas. I had gotten rejected from Yale.
I interviewed at Columbia. I have not heard anything, and I realize that if I were to gain acceptance, I'd likely be a second or third choice after other artists have passed due to their high tuition.
I had been conversing with faculty at UCLA and I had current grad students advocating on my behalf. I had gotten a rejection without even an interview.
I know we all understand this sentiment; of feeling yourself and your practice under repetitive scrutiny and valuation, only to be confronted with the hard realization that some people have the ability to prevent you from moving forward. I had expected nothing as a self taught artist, then my morale was so high from the offer of interviews at these schools. I had thought, "finally, my god, thank you." Visions of vast studios and dynamic conversation of art critiques quickly populated my mind. I am an idealist, and as such I am consistently let down. The rejection had me reeling in self doubt, without any touchstone to regain my faith in the art world. How am I to function if my work is too emotional to critique? How am I to move forward from this?
Truthfully, I have always done my best by proving people wrong. I realize that you should never ask permission for what others do not own. Your art is your's, your intention should be sincerely your own. If your work is not compatible with a program, that does not make it irrelevant, it simply means its different.
I had an interview at Goldsmiths this morning, a radical mfa program that had seemed like a wildcard in my applications. I had spoke from the heart and the hip about my work. I was immediately granted admission. Every thing that these ivy leagues took issue with, they appreciated.
Grad school is dating and you should find someone who loves you back.
 
 

Withdrawals Tyler's MFA Painting application like...

Withdrawals Tyler's MFA Painting application like...

Withdrawals Tyler's MFA Painting application like...

Withdrawals Tyler's MFA Painting application like...

I STRONGLY recommend reading Sharon Louden's new book Artist as Cultural Producer!!!!!! Sharon herself went to SAIC, then to Yale and graduated with more than a 100K in student debt in 91, which would be equivalent of more than 200K today. She managed to pay it off in 10 years. Artist as Cultural Producer is beautifully written and includes stories by 40 artists sharing their way of figuring out this madness of making a sustainable living as an artist.
Judging from what @tugbamina_871, @KatieB1987, @dmirko and others are saying you would enjoy reading the book or seeing her on tour with the book. There really isn't a right or wrong, black or white way to be an artist much less making a living as an artist. It is icky and messy and nuanced. #staywoke

Absolutely this. 
For me, the advice of "getting to know the real world" is not about going through financial struggle, but working out the balance between working at a job & working in the studio. My first year out of undergrad I made almost nothing because I worked two flexible-but-poorly-paid positions. And I lived an hour away from my studio, which took me awhile to realize was a major problem. That gave me the experience to both get a better job working less time for more $ and also taught me the importance of having a more accessible studio (even if it's smaller). There's no overarching advice of what sort of working position will be best for you, which is why going through the motions is so important. 
Although the MFA is a degree that doesn't guarantee to pay itself off, there are certain opportunities that are more difficult to obtain without one. I can understand why someone would want to go straight into grad from undergrad (particuarilly if you're a non-traditional, older student), and there are definitely people from whom it works out. But eventually we all have to figure out that job-art balance, and spending the time between undergrad & grad school to find your stride on that front makes a lot of sense. 
As far as barista & other service industry jobs go—I know a lot of artists who take on these positions because of the flexibility that they offer. It's not because it's the only sort of job they can find. Also in general—we all get coffee & eat out, I don't think it's great to dismiss service industry jobs. It's hard work, but it also makes a lot of sense for many artists to work in service. Not everyone can work at a non-profit, or be an artist assistant / do art handling.

Accepted to Yale Sculpture!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Howdy! In my opinion, UCLA has some of the worst grad studio I've ever seen. So much so that an oober rich alum was shocked when she visited recently and saw them, donating $20 million to UCLA to build new graduate facilities. From my understanding, the new building will use the old one's core and expand upon it, so they're moving students into makeshift studios during the several years of construction. So anyone who's applying this year won't ever get to use the fancy new facilities that will be ready in however many years. You can read about it here http://www.latimes.com/local/education/higher-ed/la-et-cm-ucla-graduate-art-studios-20160510-snap-story.html.

With all this MFA admission anxiety, I've been spending my time binge watching youtube artist panel/artist talk, and I thought I should share this panel discussion with you all. They talk a lot about the young artist, art school/students, and the general politics of painting, among other things you will find relevant.  The moderate was so shady throughout the panel talk so it made it very entertaining to watch. If anything, please watch the Q&A at the end it!!!  
 
 

With all this MFA admission anxiety, I've been spending my time binge watching youtube artist panel/artist talk, and I thought I should share this panel discussion with you all. They talk a lot about the young artist, art school/students, and the general politics of painting, among other things you will find relevant.  The moderate was so shady throughout the panel talk so it made it very entertaining to watch. If anything, please watch the Q&A at the end it!!!  
 
 

No clue what's going on with Tyler seems like they switch up their admission notification process from previous years. Maybe the painting and sculpture folks should here tomorrow or at the very least sometime next week. I can't image them dragging this any further into the month of March, they better not!  Frankly, I thought I would've heard by now, according to the Dept. Chair email early last month, notifications of some kind were supposed to go out the 2nd and 3rd week of Feb, obviously that never happened.  What I know for sure is that both Round 1 & 2 of fellowship nomination deadlines have passed on Feb 3rd & 20th, knowing this it's almost certain they'be made some admission decisions, just no formal notification have been sent out for some reason. 
My life and my studio practice have been on hold pending MFA decisions. Rejection or acceptance, I'll just be happy to know something and get my life back and kickstart a new body of work with a clear mind.

No clue what's going on with Tyler seems like they switch up their admission notification process from previous years. Maybe the painting and sculpture folks should here tomorrow or at the very least sometime next week. I can't image them dragging this any further into the month of March, they better not!  Frankly, I thought I would've heard by now, according to the Dept. Chair email early last month, notifications of some kind were supposed to go out the 2nd and 3rd week of Feb, obviously that never happened.  What I know for sure is that both Round 1 & 2 of fellowship nomination deadlines have passed on Feb 3rd & 20th, knowing this it's almost certain they'be made some admission decisions, just no formal notification have been sent out for some reason. 
My life and my studio practice have been on hold pending MFA decisions. Rejection or acceptance, I'll just be happy to know something and get my life back and kickstart a new body of work with a clear mind.

No clue what's going on with Tyler seems like they switch up their admission notification process from previous years. Maybe the painting and sculpture folks should here tomorrow or at the very least sometime next week. I can't image them dragging this any further into the month of March, they better not!  Frankly, I thought I would've heard by now, according to the Dept. Chair email early last month, notifications of some kind were supposed to go out the 2nd and 3rd week of Feb, obviously that never happened.  What I know for sure is that both Round 1 & 2 of fellowship nomination deadlines have passed on Feb 3rd & 20th, knowing this it's almost certain they'be made some admission decisions, just no formal notification have been sent out for some reason. 
My life and my studio practice have been on hold pending MFA decisions. Rejection or acceptance, I'll just be happy to know something and get my life back and kickstart a new body of work with a clear mind.

No clue what's going on with Tyler seems like they switch up their admission notification process from previous years. Maybe the painting and sculpture folks should here tomorrow or at the very least sometime next week. I can't image them dragging this any further into the month of March, they better not!  Frankly, I thought I would've heard by now, according to the Dept. Chair email early last month, notifications of some kind were supposed to go out the 2nd and 3rd week of Feb, obviously that never happened.  What I know for sure is that both Round 1 & 2 of fellowship nomination deadlines have passed on Feb 3rd & 20th, knowing this it's almost certain they'be made some admission decisions, just no formal notification have been sent out for some reason. 
My life and my studio practice have been on hold pending MFA decisions. Rejection or acceptance, I'll just be happy to know something and get my life back and kickstart a new body of work with a clear mind.

No clue what's going on with Tyler seems like they switch up their admission notification process from previous years. Maybe the painting and sculpture folks should here tomorrow or at the very least sometime next week. I can't image them dragging this any further into the month of March, they better not!  Frankly, I thought I would've heard by now, according to the Dept. Chair email early last month, notifications of some kind were supposed to go out the 2nd and 3rd week of Feb, obviously that never happened.  What I know for sure is that both Round 1 & 2 of fellowship nomination deadlines have passed on Feb 3rd & 20th, knowing this it's almost certain they'be made some admission decisions, just no formal notification have been sent out for some reason. 
My life and my studio practice have been on hold pending MFA decisions. Rejection or acceptance, I'll just be happy to know something and get my life back and kickstart a new body of work with a clear mind.