KSuverkrubbe

yeah those rankings are very confusing to me. I don't know how well I trust those, but the schools on that list have to at least be decent I figure. If you're talking about us news rankings. It's confusing to me how a school can be 70 something in Fine Arts, but then 22 in Painting/drawing. lol. Unless it's just VERY GOOD at painting and only painting. lol. haha.

Syracuse has offered me the 60 percent off tuition, but when I told them I had full tuition at BU, they told me that they for their top candidates they could bring it down a little more.... So I'd pretty much be paying a little over $4,000 a semester. Which is a pretty damn good price $8,000 a year. But it's not full tuition! lol. I really think this is about all Syracuse is able to offer money wise , unless they have a student they already provided higher funding to.

I would give advice, but I am currently only working on my senior exhibition talks. At my school each student has to give a short talk on their work. I'm not sure if 'BFA artist talk' is really the same as an 'outside of school' artists talk. The woman who teaches our senior ex class is very knowlegeable though, and I trust her to not let us give dumb amateur talks. We kind of just go over the main ideas of what the work is about . I would only give a bio if it's essential to your art work. LIke maybe your work has a lot to do with rural areas and you say you grew up on a farm (just an examples) . If the bio stuff isnt' relevant I wouldn't mention much of it. You can sort of say who you are. If you forget anything usually they allow the people who came to ask questions at the end I think? Just don't freak out and think about what you would want to tell someone your work is about.

I've started emailing some of the students already. It's still hard though because I can't really physically see the place and am only hearing testimony. I am sort of convinced that most places are good depending on what you make of them. I'm the type of person that makes the best of any experience, and I doubt I'm going to hate it....It would have to be pretty darn awful for me to hate it. But you're right it's important to be proactive . In my case it's really better to be at any good school that has the best funding for me. Thank you for the advice!

Oh so transferring would be like starting fresh? Dangggg crap. lol . Yeah I don't know if that's worth it then

I agree with that! Even if the other choices are pretty good for varying reasons, it's better to go to the one that costs the less if it has good value .

Hey I've heard back from Syracuse for painting- I've been accepted- and they told me I need to make an admission decision by March 20th. I don't know why you haven't been contacted yet (unless they contact the applicants they really want first, then make a decision based on who declines admission).

Yeah I think it's really just on how 'not prestigious' the program is...There are some what I may call 'second tier' programs that are not as well known , but active artists/ painters still know about them and how they are....plus if they are cheaper, go with it.

I don't really have any extra info but I was accepted to the school as well. I was highly considering it, but I am probably going to pass based on financial offers from elsewhere. The staff's art work is so good it makes me a little sad to pass it up ;___________;. I would be interestedin hearing info about it as well.

Thank you ! Thank you! It's great to hear about it. I live in Texas so I haven't been able to really go see. I also have circumstances shall we say in which I can't really go visit . I'm honestly going in a bit blind (I know, dedicating 2 years of my life and I'm going in blind) . It sounds very exciting. Boston University was definitely one of my better choices, because of the great student work I saw (and was amazed by ). I didn't even think I would get in. I am a painter so yay! Is there anyplace you know in which I can get in contact with other incoming or existing art students there? I would like to be able to maybe make some contacts since I live so far away (and know no one there lol).

RISD is going to be later in the month I think. I had an early interview (skype) because I couldn't make it for the in person interviews. I am assuming it will be before April 1st. I think they just had their in person interviews this week or last week....(probably this week since it's spring break week). I am not expecting to get in LOLLLLLLLLLLLL :DDDD. But I can hope.

Yes I heard back from VCU but I had to email them asking about it. I haven't heard officially from them, no. I was rejected but invited to the summer program. I dont' know if they invite everyone to that or not, but I'm not doing it lol.

I don't think age necessarily matters ....It's the EXPERIENCE that counts. I think they want a certain level of maturity and they are hesitant about students that don't seem to have demonstrate they are serious about art (like me who hasn't done many exhibitions, hasn't been to that many galleries, etc). I do make a lot of art work, and I work my ass off so I thought that my art work and my work ethic would shine , but I think that lack of knowlege still showed through. (though hey I did alright as far as acceptances, I thin,k so my art work spoke up to a certain extent). And I will be honest I even admitted in my admissions essay that I was lacking experience and wanted to gain it- that is a reason I wanted to apply to graduate school. I think that may have been a hinderance to admissions in the end, but I wasn't going to lie. I know at this point that I need a certain kind of program, and I really heavily need it for the experience it can give me. I think it's just important to be totally honest and to go for the places you think will be best for you. I do believe that in the end you can get into a good program that is good for you! ...And for art, it really doesn't matter about WHERE you go, it's WHAT YOU DO WITH IT! again, it's all about the experience you will gain , the improvement in your work, and the exposure you can have to other artists and ideas. If you live in a good area for art and you hustle your butt off you can still 'make it' regardless of the exact place you go. Motivation is key and all that hoorah. I wouldn't stress about the age (or the lack of experience) . If you want to apply, just apply and see. YOu may get in, you may not. If you don't want to wait- don't wait! Unless there is a specific school you HAVE to go to, it's not really necessary to wait around for other programs. I may be more new to this than the average candidate, but I am pretty proud of what I have done and ,though I can understand programs being hesistant about me as a candidate (my art isn't as mature as it could be, my knowlege isn't either) , I want to go to a program that can help me advance beyond the stage I am at now. Ahg I want it so bad! lol .

I am 23. If you are younger like me , or just finished getting an undergraduate degree you may be told sort of what I was told from certain programs that 'you need a little more work' or 'you need more experience' . It depends on the program. MICA when I was interviewed told me that they usually don't accept people who havent at least had a year of outside school experience. I am assuming the few exceptions they make are people who have probably been more invested in the art community, such as doing residencies and conferences, taking up gallery jobs, etc. to prove that they are 'serious'. I was also told that out of 250 applicants they only interview about 30. (so yay I guess i did good just for being interviewed? ) RISD also mentioned that there aren't many people fresh out of undergrad there. I don't know if I will get into this school.....I think I sort of flubbed the interview, to be frankly honest- and i am sure they are a little more in line with MICA about their attitude towards fresh undergrads, though they seemed MUCH more relaxed about it and willing to be flexible. We'll see what happens when they make their admissions decisions. I'm not sure about Virginia Commonwealth. They also said I need a 'little more work and I could get into a top graduate program'..and that their summer program would be good for me to gain the experience I need. I think they may have a similar attitude. I'm also 'on their radar' . Outside of those schools, none of the others seem to have had a problem at all with me being a recent BFA, but I do believe the competition for these schools is lighter. The two I am talking about are Syracuse University and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Boston University didn't speak with me over the telephone , just an email but they have given me full tuition, so I am thinking it may not be as important to them either. I really debated if I should work another year before applying for certain programs or not. I am fairly confident I could be accepted into more programs and have a better chance if I had another year (only because I progress so fast...one year means a world of difference to me). But I think it's worth it to me to go ahead and go to an MFA program regardless . It's really a personal decision. It can be a good idea if you're willing to work a job and work on a portfolio to wait another year. If you start trying for exhibitions and get more active it will only help you. Again, I think it's totally dependent on which school you want to go to. And if you're willing to settle even if you know another year could greatly improve your work and admission chances. (like me lol). As for me, I want to strike while the iron is hot :DDD! I don't think it's best for me to take a year off.

hey everyone *waves* I sort of need to know a lot more about Boston University's painting program. It has given me the best financial offer so far. I want to know if anyone has visited or know what it is exactly like. I have a bit of an idea. I live in Texas and I don't have a lot of opprotunity to go visit places currently....It sucks, so I am going in a little blind. I also wanted to know if anyone was planning on attending or was interested in this school? I've also been accepted into Syracuse University and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art if you know a little more about them. They are going to cost me a lot more in the end, so I want to know if there is any reason I would want to choose those over Boston? Thank you , Kayla Suverkrubbe

Hey does anyone here know much about Boston University's painting program? It just seems like a lot of people haven't applied to this program?

I've been rejected from MICA (they basically told me I wouldn't get in though I got an interview.) , from Viriginia Commonwealth, and from Rutgers University. I've been accepted into Syracuse University, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, and Boston University. Interviewed by Rhode Island School of Design and decision still pending. I've basicaly heard from everyone by now. Except haven't gotten the official decision from MICA, I had to email and ask VCU before they really told me, and again, RISD I think just had its in person interviews so they are still deciding. Sometimes emailing them and asking can work.

Oh so VCU invites everyone to their summer program? PFTTTT. That's super lame. lol. I got invited to that too but I sorta laughed it off. Does anyone here know much about Boston University? It has given the best financial offer so far.

I didn't even apply to Yale. It's probably a good thing too; I don't think i was ready from the responses I have gotten from other schools. Some seem very enthusiastic but other 'top schools' like Yale I have gotten interviews for, but they seem to think I am 'just not quite there yet'. I have thought about trying to apply to Yale next year as a transfer, but I am unsure of the transfer process. :/

It probably is best to go with the money right? Is that what we are all saying? haha ;p. I think when you get into programs that are obviously pretty good it gets harder to deny the moneys. And lets all be honest, in the art world going to a certain school doesn't necessarily gurantee success (outside of academia anyway-seems like a crap ton of professors have went to Yale ).. Well, there may be one or two schools that you have 'guranteed success' but I doubt it..Art just isn't really like some other industries.

Okay everyone thought I would hop in on this action! I read someone got accepted into Rutgers! Damn you beat me! I really wanted to go to that school :C I got rejected from MICA and from Virginia Commonwealth as well (though this is just coddling my ego but I did get an interview with MICA and I got a 'try next year, I also got a try next year from VCU pffffffffffff yeah right. and an offer for their summer program? Is this something they just do with any failed candidate? try next year my butt ).I'm joking though, they both seemed like very nice schools. Anyway, for the acceptances, I have a 13,000 dollar offer from Pacific Northwest College of Art. This is puny. I rejected them outright .I belive the other offers I have recieved are much better offers anyway.. Syracuse University- 60 % off tuition, though I told them I had a full tuition offer and they actually did bring the price down $1000 dollars a semester...So that would be about $4,000 dollars a semester. $8,000 for 3 years (yes I love that it is a 3 year program) which totals to $24,000 tuition for 3 years. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art- $34,000 offer, which really covers about one of the 2 years. so that's more like half tuition (a little less than half) . This would mean I pay $38,000 for 2 years. They are telling me this is one of the highest offers they have avaliable, though because of a better offer elsewhere, the professor I am in contact inquired with financial aid. I could get more with this offer, but I am doubting it. The best of all though is Boston University with a full tuition scholarship. That means 0 dollars for tuition for 2 years. I did try to keep in mind that Boston University's tuition is lower than PAFA's but 0 is too alluring of a number. I think Imma have to go with Boston lol. I like and dislike things about each program. I am a painting candidate and I think Boston University is fairly strong in painting and it stands its ground DEFINITIELY with PAFA and Syracuse in terms of talented output (again there are things I like and dislike for each of them). Like someone said about SFAI, though I am feeling kind of bad about having to reject both Syracuse and PAFA. Especially Syracuse...The guy in my skype interview walked me around and showed me all the studios and all the graduate students :C. it was so nice and he was so nice...;3;. It breaks my heart to say no haha.And this school has been the most adamant about regularly sending me emails and keeping in touch. (Boston has been very impersonal with not so much as a phone call, PAFA has emailed and given me a phone call) . I still have not heard from Rhode Island School of Design, though I did get into the interviews there as well. To be honest I am expecting a no. LOL. I don't know...it's too hard not to just go for the best financial offer, especially if the schools have pretty equivalent standing (from my own opinion).

Hello everyone! I am wanting to apply for MFA programs for painting in the fall...I have been looking around at schools but I have no idea where to apply. I think I should keep my application list down to 7 ...just because of application fees and so I don't rip my hair out from trying to fill out applications I have no idea really where to go....>-> I don't have the option of visiting the schools so I have to go off impressions. My professor has given me some suggestions- she seems to think that I have a good shot at a top tier school (and so does my other professor) so I decided I should shoot big...I will probably have at least one safety school just in case. I admit my knowlege of other artists and the art world in general is limited, so I want to get someplace to broaden my perspective- but this also means that I really don't know how to assess my own work in the context of other artists....Anyway, I only have a few kind of wants and as long as those are fulfilled it feels like a toss up to where I go. - I want to be in a city so I can easily walk to places and I can be active in a community / be able to go to the store, just regular stuff by walking or taking a bus- plust i want to be in an area with galleires i can frequently go to - I want a nice studio space of course!!! preferably residence that is close enough to the studio to walk to. -I want a place that is rigourous but hopefully more so on the art work and less on the 'extra curricular academics" (some places require you take courses outside of the studio or art ).I think if the painitng program is good enough I can push myself to get over this though. -I want a great painting program with a lot of variety but that is open to traditional (aka no mixed media) and figure centered paintings. I also want student work that will challenge me (but it wouldn't hurt to have a likeminded student there ). I would also prefer a 3 year program , but most programs are not 3 year :c. I can honestly budge on anything I think if it is worth it...I just don't know where to go!!! I need advice....Please help!!! which 'big name schools' are REALLY worth it? I don't want to panic, just throw names in a hat, and just draw where i want to go. I feel pretty flustered about the whole thing. ;-; It's my life! and I want to go someplace that will help me !!!