technotronic

I agree w life00 - if you take a look at the 2013 images ( http://huili.portfoliobox.me/2013), there's clear skill/competency/aptitude in painting. That said, there's such a dramatic shift in style and approach in the more recent work that I see how it could raise these questions. I think it would be interesting to see how Hui might answer/resolve this question in the new work - is it evident, visually, that this aesthetic approach is intentional and useful in terms of the project you're exploring? The portfolio review day could definitely be helpful though - I'd show them the full scope of your work, Hui, including the older stuff, to see what kind of readings / feedback you get.

Thanks! And good luck to you too! I'm excited to have the chance to see the school - it seems like such a unique environment and setup, and everyone has such positive things to say about it.

Cranbrook sculpture interview request came through by email lastnight. My date is March 13th..

Thanks thepictureisstill! Doesn't bode well for winters in Boston..

Received an interview request (by phone call) from SAIC sculpture today. Scheduling for Feb 28th, which is the same day SMFA interviews will be - though as far as I know they haven't sent out interview requests yet. Or has anyone heard from them..? + Anyone know if SVA or Columbia ask for in person interviews?

Definitely anything that challenges and pushes you in new directions is always good. But I'd also say it might be worth learning as much as possible about the application process for anyone who ends up trying again in the future. I feel as though the portfolio review day, and a couple of school visits were really helpful and essential for me in gauging what they're looking for in our portfolios and statements. Sure some of it is about the work being 'good', but a lot of it is about having something that feels clear and cohesive and interesting to the review committee. Art is so subjective that in many ways I don't even think they have to love what you're doing, so much as to be able to get what you're doing and why, and to see that you know why you're doing it.

Yes, I was contacted by Tyler. They said they're in the process of scheduling interviews on those dates. Email from faculty member. Not sure how far along in the process they are.

Tyler sculpture is scheduling interviews now for March 21st and 22nd. I wouldn't panic or anything as I'm guessing it may be a process that takes time.. I believe it's 30 for interviews and then 11 selected for the program.

Have people received interview requests for SAIC sculpture already? And if so, by email / phone ..?

thepictureisstill, thank you so much for encouraging me to listen to this talk. So beautiful! It was just what I needed to hear today. And thanks for your thoughtful response on this topic. I think it's such a fine balance - what it means to prioritize the work and the making, at the same time as what it means to get it out into the world.

I got a UT Austin sculpture interview invite this evening. 30 min by Skype.. dugggs - SAIC's interview requests seem to be staggered by program, so i wouldn't stress out at this point!

Good to hear your thoughts Moving Target. I completely understand where you're coming from. I'd say my consideration is less about a fear of failure, and more about the question of the many different routes to success. At the end of the day, it's about the work, whether or not you're coming out of the hottest program. For me the real allure of Yale is the access and exposure to the most interesting minds, both within and outside of your chosen field of study. This is the invaluable piece of the picture from my perspective. That said, if one were taking on serious debt to attend this, or any other program, it could definitely affect your ability to build your career in a focused, unfettered way, post graduation. I'm just trying to keep the long game in mind, even within the excitement of the possibility of this dream program!

I posted something similar on the Yale thread, but thought I'd open it up into a larger conversation. Now that all of our applications are in, I'd like to start a conversation about the financial considerations of the decision making process. One of the questions I have is - is it worth all of the expense and possible long-term debt to come out with a prestigious degree? Or would it make more sense to choose a school with less name brand appeal if it meant being well, or even fully funded? What do you all think? Would you opt for Yale or Columbia or SAIC at well over $100,000 for two years (with all expenses considered) versus another good program without the brand name appeal? I'd love to hear why or why not.

For all of those vying for the Yale program - I'd love to know your thoughts on Yale and debt. Would everyone opt for the Yale degree at $116,000 versus one of the other top tens - UCLA, Tyler, UT Austin, if it were fully funded plus stipend? I know Yale feels like the holy grail of MFAs, but I also hear from many who have much more insight than I do into the art world, that just like any other program, some students thrive after graduation, and many others don't. Of course having to make this decision would be a nice problem to have! Would love to hear if anyone else is mulling this over as they prepare for their interviews.

Anna12, I wouldn't freak out just yet if I were you. Almost no one will get into all of the schools they apply to because each program's selection is so subjective. And re the recommenders, it feels really stressful (for me anyway) to have to ask for this kind of help from people, but the truth is, they've all been through having to do the same thing, especially if they're professors, etc. They all know that this process is incredibly challenging, and none of them are judging you, whatever happens. They'll be rooting for you this year, and if you have to ask them again, they'll be even more invested in you getting through if they know your situation and that you've taken a year to work hard to improve your portfolio and application. Plus, they'll already have the letters written for you, so it's not even a big inconvenience.

Wow, I got one! Congrats to everyone either way. It was a hell of a lot of work to get to this point!

Hey jI10 - I see you're in Philadelphia. Have you visited Tyler? Seen their studios? I'd love to gain some perspective from anyone who's had a chance to visit / get to know the program better.

I think many institutions use the merit funding as a way of securing / wooing the students that they're really excited about working with. I'm assuming Yale doesn't have to do this, since they're Yale..

Also T. Eliott, one hundred percent agree w you re accessibility of these programs and processes. It's a mess of a system. I think we have to just try to work around it in whatever ways we can. Heyward, Tyler does have good funding from what I've read - "The graduate teaching and technical assistantships cover full tuition and provide an annual stipend for students, and are renewable each year, so while tuition is not cheap on its own, it can be for some." from: http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/807370/back-to-school-guide-the-10-mfa-programs-that-give-you-the

I went to the Yale open house and had the impression that they use their available funding to level the playing field, as much as possible. They essentially give whatever they can to the incoming students, based on need. I'm assuming this is of course outside of the initial merit scholarships, etc. I also spoke with a Yale alum who received the full ride scholarship (this is many years ago) for her department, and she was unable to make the in-person interview. So I'm guessing it's not held against you in any significant way if you have to opt for skype.

Is anyone having trouble with the SVA application? My checklist is showing some documents that I've submitted as missing, but I'm having a hard time getting through to anyone about it. It seems as though they only communicate by email (no phone calls), but are not very responsive by email. I'd love to hear if anyone has any insight. Thanks!

Someone posted this on last year's forum. It's a good / useful read about how to handle the application season. http://chronicle.com/blogs/arts/m-f-a-application-season-etiquette/29172

Thanks for offering this perspective, Miyamoto. In retrospect, I wish I'd been more mindful of funding when making my application decisions. I definitely agree that starting your career $100,000 in debt isn't going to help you to move forward freely in your work, even if you're coming out of a really prestigious program..

Thanks for the replies, Truths, and Beriredux. Appreciate the insight.

Anyone have any insight into how much info to include with each portfolio image? Just a material description, or is it appropriate to get into the conceptual elements of the work? Many thanks!