littlenova

Charlie White's work is amazing...and gives me nightmares all at the same time. lol.

Sometimes they offer full scholarships to pay your residency fee. Mine was entirely paid for by Joan Mitchell Foundation. This is part of the financial aid package. It should cover all of your fees...(not the plane ticket, but...) p.s. Skowhegan is AWESOME!!!!!!! I plan on applying after grad school. It's definitely on my list.

@Rama: I hear good things about ICP/Bard....Congrats to you, too!

VCU is still considering people. They also have a waiting list and I know people who were admitted after April 15th from being on their waiting lists...So...Keep hope alive! I hear Vermont Studio is good for painters, Atlantic Center of the Arts was wonderful, too.(see my other posts) I am a photographer/video person, so I have different interests...but, there are a bunch out there for painting. I think this is very different then say applying to law school...The outside world doesn't know what we go through and the kind of rejection we have to deal with when we put our stuff out there. Sometimes, too...It's what is "hot" at the moment. I went to the Whitney this weekend and saw some 23 year old photographer's work and was PERPLEXED at how she blew up in New York---when her work is so immature. But, that's the world we are living in, eh? Sometimes people don't get it. Don't give up.

I am almost 4 years out of undergrad. Most of the programs I applied to mentioned they prefer students that have had some time to solidify their voice. (By showing or making or editing down their body of work, etc.) Sometimes, people arrive at this early. They just always have had a clear sense of self and what their work was about. I have heard (especially on this board) of people getting into AMAZING programs right out of undergrad. This is not the case for everyone and it is a very personal decision. It took me a few years, a few residencies and some shows to find myself a bit. I was all over the place in undergrad. I don't think it's about timing as much as it is about your timing. Ya know?

I went "smart casual" to MICA. We did alot of walking around campus and stuff, so wearing a suit would have been too much. I wouldn't wear a suit. You are not applying for a job...It's academia and it's art and...you already have been accepted. I would just be your sparkly self. I asked about funding and they told me a ballpark, but that they were still getting an exact number. I was happy with the ballpark... I would ask your school about funding...and ask them to give you an idea of what you might be offered, because it "will be a factor in your decision"...maybe you casually mention other programs...but, honestly...I don't think it's about selling yourself at this point. I really think they decide on aid based on the work and application submissions. At the meeting, they just want to get to know you.Maybe some schools are different....I dunno.

p.s. Reputation is growing! My group had grads from Columbia, RISD, Bard (lots of Bard kids) and Yale. Do NOT let the location and bumpkin rep of Daytona Beach fool you. In contrast to VSC, it's all about the quality Master Artists they bring to the program---not really the residency experience. It mimics Skowhegan in that way. Plus, the Joan Mitchell foundation awards are nice for your CV, because Joan Mitchell funds many prestigious schools/grads. trust.

crey01: Loved, loved, LOVED my experience at ACA. So close to the beach, Chef Tom is a good cook, comfortable units. It's an amazing time to collaborate and create across disciplines. I did the residency in the Fall with master artist Rineke Dijkstra and she is a photography legend. Everyone I was in residence with had an MFA except for me in my group...but, I learned SO MUCH. You are gonna love it. Some folks that went to Vermont Studio said ACA was better. Of course, we had amazing weather in October. If you are going in the summer...pack mosquito repellant and expect jungle-like conditions. It's heavily wooded. You'll have a blast.

Thanks, ya'll!

It's really affordable for what you get...The studio spaces/labs are huge!

@brianmc: If we were on Facebook...I'd "like" your comments. My close friend applied to 4 top programs after college and got in everywhere...She deferred admission for a while for personal reasons...This year she applied again, and she had not-so-great luck. She is AMAZING. She has an INSANE vita...but, for whatever reason...It's been tougher this time around. It is no reflection on the quality of her work. Trudge on. Indeed.

As of today (my birthday actually), I was accepted with generous funding to the summer program at MICA. (My top choice!!!) My decision is made and I am out of here....lol. Best of luck to you all!!! Please PM me if you wanna stay in touch! Here was my final list:

So long, folks! What a fun and nerve wracking time this has been.... As of today (my birthday actually), I was accepted with generous funding to the summer program at MICA. (My top choice!!!) I got to see our studios and the Mt. Royal facilities...I am so stoked. Totally sold. Affordable and first rate. Best of luck to you all!!!! My photo peeps...Boy, are you guys crazy talented from the links I saw of your work....Looking forward to seeing everyone blossom in grad school. And for those with disappointing outcomes---DO NOT GIVE UP. Please PM me if you wanna stay in touch. Here was my final list:

HAhaha...Preach! I was totally there a few days ago. And today, I think I am going to be bold in my interview and ask specifically when selections will be made. This wait is getting too close for comfort as my acceptances want answers soon. Aaaaargh! They have to know we are sweating it.

@000era: I wouldn't judge a progam based soley on rankings either...but, I also wouldn't say the reputation or ranking of a school is irrelevant...

MICA interviewing is definitely weird. I wouldn't be too quick to lose hope,though. I am on my SECOND?? interview tomorrow in person and a friend of mine was admitted last year very late in the game from the waiting list...so... Keep hope alive.

I dunno guys...800 is a bit much. That's rivaling Yale... lol...MICA only had around 200-300 for each of their departments and they are top 5 in the country. ??? But, hey...I guess it could be a big year on the west coast with Cali's crappy economy. I read in some Princeton article that grad admission was up 300% since the recession began!

@brianmc: I know the low-residency programs have rolling admission...Mass Art has a good one. If you hurry you can make the March 15th deadline. They may even give you an extension... But, now that I rememeber, you mentioned wanting a teaching assistanship and significant funding...and low residency is not really designed for that. Maybe attending a residency and working some more this year and reapplying next year might be your best bet. I know it is probably a little disappointing, but it happens. If I were you, I'd apply to several schools, too. I applied right out of undergrad a few years ago and applied to 3 schools and only got into one. I was devastated, but after 3 years of working and doing 2 residencies, my work is MUCH stronger and I have been accepted/interviewed at every school this time around. (I applied to 5) Much better success. Best of luck to ya!

@grad-wannabe:SCOOOORRRREEEE!Congrats!

as of 6:00 pm tonight... Weird.....Your interview went well and we'd like you to visit us on campus......email from the director of my program at MICA...???? Second interview or feeler or what? Bizarre.

@nathancote: Hotdiggitydog!

@nathancotephoto: Thems are some good odds!!! Woohoo! I bet you are excited. I wish I had those odds. And on that note. Why do I have this feeling that if I don't get into MICA, I will grow deeply dissatisfied with the schools that did offer me admission. After tasting champagne, I don't if I am as excited about having Dr. Pepper if you dig....hahaha

@gradwannabe: YAy!

@brianmc: Haven't heard of Towson?? Hmmm...There were alot of local programs that could have worked for me, too. MICA and VCU being definitely at the top, but did you also look into Univ Maryland, GMU and American?They all have teaching components. I chose Maine because I love the art scene in Canada and many of their MFA grads end up having nice exhibition record/grants/networks up there...Nice international exposure. Best of luck to you. MICA is my top choice, because Miami and NYC are being overrun with MICA grads right now and I want in on that action. They show at the best venues and are doing amazing work. (Hernan Bas, Naomi Fischer, Jen Stark,etc.) I hope you are right and I hear from them soon. *sigh! @gradwannabe: Man, if that's true, I will be SO HAPPY. I am gonna push them off or maybe blow a deposit at a chance for MICA.

Here is my list: Maine wants to know my answer by March 30th. I wonder if VCU will get back to us by then? Or even MICA? I need to know about everything, too..Not just an acceptance, but funding. I hate to call up the school, but next week is Spring Break and I may not hear until it's too late. VCU, MICA....where ARE you? What do you do if you miss a deadline for accepting an offer?!