littlenova

@Turnip: Interesting stuff about Yale denying admission to an accomplished artist! I wonder why they would do that, I mean...What if someone successful wanted to teach? Why wouldn't they want that experience in their program? Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that admissions panel! I am glad you brought up children. My husband and I both just turned 32 this month and I will be in graduate school while he is working towards his PhD and working for the government. We are financially blessed in that we both had a chance to save money for grad school and both of us were offered aid to attend. But, where money hasn't been an obstacle----time has. I will be almost 35 when I graduate and really would like to have a child while I am in school. My program is only 6 weeks over the summer with an option to TA part-time during the year while I make work. It's the perfect set up, because I will be home alot. My husband also gets about 5 weeks paid vacation and works from home on Fridays (4 day work weeks). So, I feel like this is just a great opportunity to spend time with a child. I think women have unique challenges when it comes to their careers at times, but it's getting alot easier. I have been so career driven, though, and I am becoming mindful that having a personal life is equally important. It's definitely a juggle, but it can be done. You are younger than me, though! You've got some time on your side.

Major bummer. Sorry, Kewpies...I didn't know UCSD did full rides for everyone either...I wonder what school they would consider comparable...? I sure wish you the best of luck. I know it kinda stinks to have to make a decision based on finances. But, you are lucky...UCSD really is an amazing program.

@Allavita: Congrats,man! Uh-mazing!

@michaelwebster: Congrats on your acceptances! I think you're right. Some programs can tell where you are going or see a clear progression in your work and will overlook some inexperience if they spot the talent, consistency, drive, etc. I have to agree with this. I think it's hard to have a solidified point of view when you're younger. It's not unheard of...It's just a bit harder. Getting into a good program or getting an MFA is only a starting point, really. When the faculty are gone and graduation is over, there is only one voice that will matter when editing your work. And if you aren't ready, it can be a rude awakening for some. I always say to slow down and follow your own timetable. What's interesting is everyone has a different path...I have seen people without an MFA rise to art stardom in Miami and I have seen the exact opposite happen where classmates of mine found their focus in grad school---without it, they may have never discovered things about their work or themselves. I think an admissions panel can see intention more than anything else. @john2dc: You bring up some valid points...First off, I think when you apply to a school...You are right: They look at the whole package in your statement. Age might help or hurt your application depending on the work and the program. If your work was relevant and you had a strong foundation of studio practice and exhibitions, I don't think a program would deny someone based solely on their age. (I have NEVER heard of someone being too accomplished to benefit from an MFA program, either. They would offer them a position to teach or give them an honorary degree or something...This isn't undergrad.) But, michaelwebster's quote above is spot on. Maybe the question has less to do with age effecting an admissions decision and more to do with age effecting the work. Is age on the side of the applicant? Meaning has the applicant used this time to make work, show and contribute to the art community over the years? Has age assisted the applicant in developing a stronger point of view as an artist? Hopefully the answer is yes. But, sometimes the answer is no...and this field is a bit hard to crack if you are starting over this late in the game. The same portfolio in the hands of someone younger might yield a more positive result only because they will have more time to develop their craft and grow. Someone who is a bit older would, I believe, be expected to show how they have resolved these issues over the years. I met a 58 year old filmmaker at my residency who owned a business for most of her life but, had been making films for years. She just went back for her MFA and finished at OCAD. She is amazing...and she had been making art for a long time. This made her such an asset to their program, because she had life experience and artmaking experience. She went right into teaching afterward and just recieved a prestigious grant form the Canadian govt. It really is case by case. Always fun to chat. Best of luck to you as you navigate this process!

@John2DC & Soootired: I posted a new thread about age...

Without bogging down the admissions thread...I wanted to answer John2DC's question about age being a factor in admissions to graduate school....and also add to the conversation I started with Soootired about personal/professional choices at this stage of an artist's career: @John2DC & Soootired: I never was one to worry about the age thing. I didn't go back to finish undergrad until I was 26. I finished at 28...and applied to grad school at 31. I found out from MICA admissions that their average grad student age is in the early 30s. They actually discourage younger applicants, because she said she feels that most are not really ready for this kind of theoretical study right out of undergrad. I have had MANY younger friends from undergrad drop out of programs because they weren't ready and even more finish but, say they wished they had waited because they will never get to do it again the "right" way. In the years after school, I bought a house, saved some money, travelled a bit and did a few residencies which helped me edit my work. I am just now starting to get how to balance making art with the rest of the stuff going on in my life. I think waiting until I was ready helped. Someone else I know on the other hand is 45 and applying to school. I wouldn't say there is a cut-off persay, but you have to be realistic about what you want out of an MFA. I would only recommend going back that late if you have had a long, notable career in the arts and maybe you would like to teach or reach that terminal phase of your career.

Every program is different. When you meet them, I am sure they will talk with you about what they would like to see happen in your work (strengths, weaknesses, etc.) and give you some things to think about at the very beginning of the program. The first year is pretty heavy duty everywhere from what I hear...just be flexible and open. They will let you know when critiques are going to happen. You are gonna do great! I met my faculty advisor, got my required 1st year reading list and already checked out my studio. I am so excited. I am sure we will get a rhythm once we start. My program is over 3 summers. I start this June. During the summer I will have 6 week intensives on campus (classes, critiques, studio practice) and then during the year I am free to make work. I will still be on campus from time to time to meet with photo faculty and to be a TA for undergrad Photo to satisfy my teaching component. But, it's very self guided which I love. I liked this schedule because I can plan shoots throughout the year and work independently. They mentioned we have guest lectures we have to attend, workshops and critiques with curators in our 2nd and 3rd year. Halfway through there is a candidacy show...Then, the 3rd year (which would be your second), we work on our thesis and final show. But, a full time program is a bit different. You should ask all these questions when you go.

@Soootired: Cmon, now...Waitlist is GOOD. Especially if you are on two. You'll probably get into one. What do you care if you were first pic or not?...And MICA gives funding. It's better than all rejections.

@shutterbug: RISD is a great program. Haven't heard much about UMass...I'll have to look into that. Good luck! and yeah...Charlotte Cotton is amazing. She is still living in London, though. She only guest lectures there. She also visits other programs like Bard, SAIC and MICA. I just saw a project she is working on with Timothy Druckery from MICA. I would love to meet her.

I am not gonna lie...UPenn would be my hands down choice. Philly has a great art making community. Close enough to New York for the connections without having to go through the drama of living in NYC. (Although, there is nothing like NYC and I would move back in a minute. I spent some time in Brooklyn and LOVED it.) You can walk everywhere...You wouldn't need a car. Vegas or Jersey...not so much. I think even the programs reflect the location, too. Also...I don't think your concerns have to change just because your geography does. I still document my Florida roots and caribbean culture...I just fly in from DC to show in Miami or shoot. You can always plan photo shoots during your breaks if you want to still photograph that kind of work. I really would hate to see you switch that focus, because I think where you come from really makes your point of view unique as a photographer. @Shutterbug: Where did you finally decide on going?

@jcs: My friend applied to VCU and received a snail mail rejection this afternoon. (3-24) You should be able to check if they received your app online. @mbadger: Nice! Univ of Houston looks promising...Fotofest is an amazing fair/resource to the community.

@Rolando & Commandzhee: Congrats!!!!

So, you will never have a dual income? Because, they count both incomes when calculating your household income. That's living right at the poverty level...And you could never make more or you would lose your eligibility. (They track your income earnings that you report on your taxes.) So, you'd be broke or tight as hell for 20 years. Ask yourself if Claremont is worth that kind of sacrifice. Only you know the answer to that. If you cannot wait and have to go now or don't think your odds are good if you apply again, I'd say go for it. Best of luck to you, I know this is a tough decision.

@sophiab: YAY!

Not too late to give Calarts your offer from UCSD or other competitive offers and ask if they can match it. I have seen it done before. If it comes from a solid program, they might actually consider it. Seriously...

Holy Mother of Pearl that is alot of debt. I would say it's worth it if you were going to like Yale or Columbia or something...but, I dunno. Hmmm. This is INCLUDING the TA jobs and stuff? Have you spoken with them about aid? They need to at least offer you something. Don't get me wrong...I am all about incurring debt for education, because I think it is an investment....It's not looked at as bad debt by most lenders (for home purchases, auto loans, credit, etc.) But, I think in this particular field, you have to be careful you don't bite off more than you can chew. There are lots of questions to ask yourself: Where will you live? (during college and after...Cost of living reallys plays a big factor in making it...) Do you have a dual income? (Will your spouse/partner have debt as well? Can they help assume some of your debt?) When will you have time to make work? (If you are working so much to pay off debt...) What does your entire financial picture look like? (What is your current amount of debt? Do you plan to ever buy a house, have kids, etc.) It's really a personal question. If you are tapped out currently and are about to take a honkin' load of loans out...IMHO: I would advise against it.

I didn't realize I repeated 3 times that some people thought ACA was better than Vermont Studio. I am an idiot....Sorry.lol... I meant to say it once...and I only brought that up because Vermont is amazing and I think of that as a compliment. Sorry, VSC folks! *foot in mouth.

@Kewpies: I'm glad you posted your results, because it speaks to how nuts this process can be. How some top tier programs can want you and others think maybe your work "isn't competitive." I was bummed about my interview going south at VCU, but then I remembered 2 programs at MICA wanted me. Sometimes they just don't get it. Their loss!!! That's all I wanted to say to some of the people that had a bad run this time around. Keep going. Good luck on that interview Alizarin....

Skowhegan is probably the most elite residency in the country from what I hear. They take really great work. Pure and simple. I know several people that do not have an MFA that were accepted there, but...they also had AMAZING exhibition records and one of them was in the Whitney Biennial. I wouldn't let it intimidate you, though...They could love your work and overlook some inexperience. ACA was great...The master artist decides the schedule, really. My master artist was European and very chill...so she basically just met with us a few times a week and we were on our own to explore, etc. Weekends were free, but they have planned activities like concerts, readings, local exhibits. You can attend all or none depending on if you can break away from your work. Studio time is anytime you want... Studios are open 24/7. I didn't do the drinking parties at night, because I really wanted to photograph alot. (i.e. wake up early, get in the studio, etc.) But, some people didn't even finish a work at the end...they used their time in a different way. It's all about individual process. There is a show at the end where you can share your work with the "public", but it's really intimate---far out in the woods. Meal times were my favorite. Chef Tom is a good cook...and it's just a swell time to mingle, talk with other residents, have fun. I LOVED the writers we had at our residency. We had chat sessions, watched movies...they gave me manuscripts to read. I just adored being there. It's like nothing else, really. They have bikes you can borrow to ride down to the beach. We had beach nights, too. Just so fun and creative. Everybody there (almost) had been to Vermont and thought ACA was better. It's so short, but AMAZING.

We are on a roll, people!!!! Congrats all around.

@Jesteem: Yay!!!

@emmyland: Congrats! Slade or MICA...hands down. I also do Photo/Video Related Media and am doing the summer program at MICA (part-time) and got the max funding they offer for summer which is 50%...Did you get a TA position?I have one for Photo in the Fall... They offer paid TA positions which are a really big perk if you want to teach after your MFA... Another "pro"for your MICA list. Ask about that... Congrats! p.s. I could turn Parsons down. I visited there and had 3 friends that went there. PM me if you want the 411...lol.

Here's a nice little article that is worth a read. Someone might have posted this before, but I think it's worth reposting. I love hearing first hand accounts and real life outcomes of students and their MFA programs.

Are you kidding? MICA is amazing. Very elite. It is true that Mt. Royal is not as established as maybe some of the other programs there like Painting or Sculpture...but, I honestly feel after touring the campus and seeing the facilities and meeting the professors...You get to work with sooo many people there. You work with all sorts of faculty and lots of people sit in on your critiques from other departments and you are given the same resources as those in some of the more competitive programs. MICA is a community. I can definitely say that from your list of schools you applied to, if you are working across disciplines, it is right up there if not exceeding Carnegie Mellon or UCLA---based on the success of alumni and exhibition records, etc. You might be feeling what I felt, which is...this apprehension because you didn't get into other programs that maybe MICA is somehow less of a program. Not so. I was waitlisted at VCU, but MICA was always my first choice. When I went to my residency with Rineke Dijkstra, most everyone recommended I apply to MICA, Yale, SAIC and Columbia. Kid you not... They have been around a long time. Trust...

Can you feel the love? I feel the love....hahahaha.....lol. *holds up a t-shirt.... Thanks and Congrats to those that heard word...There are so many amazing acceptances. It's hard to respond to each one. But, our worries are almost over, guys. @heyoo: All incoming grads at MICA are considered for merit-based aid. This is separate from the FAFSA. Need-based FAFSA stuff actually determines whether your loans are unsub/subsidized and... If the college has specific need-based aid, they give it out based on the income you reported (EFC). My husband and I both worked last year and we made a little too much money, so I was REALLY counting on the merit-based aid.