stitcher
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Posts posted by stitcher
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Greetings,
I followed this forum for my two rounds of applying to MFA programs. During that time I compiled a list of interview questions that I've attached. I starred the ones that were similar to questions I was asked.
Keep in mind that schools are "curating" a class. You may have great work, but it doesn't fit into their design. Try not to get depressed :-). Think of interviews as a conversation instead of an interrogation! Most interviewers are very friendly and understand your stress. Be honest about your work even if it seems counter to what you think they want to hear.
Good Luck
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16 hours ago, tynnifer said:
Yeah, it's all so stressful right?! I feel like I've been in a state of limbo since my first response from a school in January. I'm finding it really hard to deal with.
Unfortunately Guelph has made it very clear that I can't wait until after the 27th to respond. They actually want me to respond sooner which isn't going to happen. To make matters worse I sent Oxford an email on Monday and they haven't responded and I have a feeling they won't before the 27th. It's really upsetting because Oxford is my dream school and if I get a decent amount of funding I absolutely want to go. If they don't respond by the 27th then I'll have to accept Guelph's offer and then I don't know what I'll do if I actually end up getting a good funding offer from Oxford afterwards...
If you think you would be happy at Guelph, go ahead and accept if you only have to put down a deposit. If Oxford then offers you enticing funding after the 27th, might it be worth sacrificing the deposit at Guelp? If following your dream costs you a little extra will you regret the expense? If you go to Guelp, will you feel like you sold yourself short just to save money? I know it's important to pay attention to finances, and huge investments such as school and homes are stressful. On the other hand, we only live once. I've found that taking such risks has actually inspired me to come up with ways to generate the income. You also may find the financial stress prompts you to work harder at your art. Just some thoughts. Good luck.
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3 hours ago, jennaleigh26 said:
Somehow the decision making portion is even more stressful for me than the application/acceptance portion. Is anyone else feeling this stress. I am operating on borrowed time that unfortunately runs out today.
Good luck! That is a lot to choose from. I met you while waiting for the SAIC fiber interview, so of course my vote for you would be there! I accepted admission to SAIC printmedia. Was offered a post bacc with fiber and presumed rejection with sculpture.
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10 minutes ago, nogo said:
whoa. did not know you could go through such a process. please keep me updated! im pretty set on saic but still not ruling out the other school i applied to. if they give me a ton of dough, ill take it
It's always annoying to fill out more forms. Fortunately mine is not complicated, since much of what they want is not applicable for me. They basically just want to know your employment arrangement and if you have other income. If it means grant money, it's worth the time. Schools just have to do their due diligence. Good luck.
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51 minutes ago, Modal_Pieces said:
@nogo @radredhead thanks for more insight! i'm planning on speaking with financial aid on Monday for an "appeal" . . . so we'll see how it goes.
I'm also in the appeal process with SAIC. The first form was very simple, but later came an extensive list of verifications they need regarding current employment such as anticipated earnings for the rest of the year, severance packages, etc..
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2 hours ago, yolandak said:
Hi @stitcher - I would contact them about it. When I wrote them I found out that my FAFSA had been selected for review and that they would need additional documentation before they would send me my package. If I had not written it would take them another week to let me know and I would definitely miss the April 1st deadline to reply to my offer of admission.
Yes, thanks, I have an inquiry in. Mine may be held up because I already have an account as a prior degree BFA student (official status is "on leave") Financial aid still has me listed as undergrad. They stated April 15th as my deadline for placing a deposit. May also be complicated by being accepted into a post bacc and MFA. It'll get sorted out eventually.
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8 hours ago, yolandak said:
Hi everyone! Has everyone admitted to SAIC already received their financial aid decisions? I am still waiting on mine and they said it would take 4-5 days for an estimate.
I also have not received any financial aid decision from SAIC.
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3 hours ago, DaisyMc said:
Congrats!! I did yesterday too!
Congrats!
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4 hours ago, jennaleigh26 said:
Received a call yesterday from SAIC and was accepted into the Fiber and Material Studies department!!
Congrats! I haven't heard from fiber, but thrilled to be accepted into Printmedia at SAIC
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23 minutes ago, aniram415 said:
Tell me about it! I'm losing my mind waiting on VCU Sculpture ... I wonder if anyone has heard anything.
I am waitlisted VCU fiber ....via email yesterday.
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Lurker here just wanting to offer some perspective. I am probably old enough to be a parent to most of you. I come to the art world with a bachelor's, master's, and over two decades of work in other fields. For several years I've been working on getting some official credential in the arts and finally decided to go for an MFA. Got rejected last year and actually felt relieved; I wanted more time to feel settled in my own practice. So far I have two interviews this year. I wish you all the best, but know if your dreams don't come true this time, there will still be many good years ahead of you. Also, I'm pretty sure a typo here and there in your application isn't going to be the thing that ruins your chances. (I noticed one in mine) And, although this is the freak out forum, nervousness in an interview probably won't break you either, though being unprepared lump might. Good luck and keep going no matter what happens.
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At least for painting, saic already completed registration for classes. I rescinded my spot on april 16th, and in general they were pretty speedy turn-around wise. Sorry :/
Thanks. Just today received the official rejection letter. No surprise. I had applied knowing my portfolio was weak, but with a "nothing ventured; nothing gained" mindset. Next year......
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Has anyone else heard absolutely nothing from SAIC? I've assumed rejection and twice emailed for clarification and received no responses to my emails. Before completing my application, emails replies were sent promptly. Curious!
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I haven't heard anything either uuuggghhh called last week and the person I talked to said they're sending all letters out on April 1, so a week or so after that we should hear. I guess that means they are sending them in the mail
If they (SAIC) sent them out April 1st, the mail must be incredibly slow!! I have still heard nothing. I've assumed rejection for a long time, but would like that confirmed before making other plans.
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I attended SAIC as a prior degree BFA student. I applied for a BFA program, not MFA, because I didn't feel ready for an MFA. I also have degrees in unrelated fields. It was a great experience there. There is no obligation to finish the BFA degree. You can at any time try again for the MFA. I've had candid conversations with professors about the post-bacc at SAIC and they had very favorable things to say and are impressed with the work done by the post bacc students. Some post bacc students go in thinking they'll continue on to an MFA, but then decide they have gotten what they need from the post bacc. If you are more interested in the experience and don't "need" the degree for a career, it may be a good option. One year is certainly less expensive than 2! If you need an MFA for career options, the post bacc would certainly give you an advantage. I hope this input isn't too late! Good luck!
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How much debt are you guys okay with accumulating for your art degree?
Louisiana state university offered me a free ride plus stipend and they said they need an answer this week. I visited and I didn't like it at all. But it's freeee. And the other schools that I got into are pretty expensive. I'm scared I'm going to look back on this and kick myself for not accepting lsu's offer. What do I do?!?! What are you guys doing?!?!
You might also kick yourself if you are miserable at LSU!
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I've been watching this forum and thought I'd chime in with a few thoughts. I have applied for MFA, but am assuming rejection right now. Although disappointing, it's okay because I could use the time to get ready to go.
I am likely more than a little older than most grad applicants and have a bachelor's and master's in entirely different fields. I remember being as freaked out as many of you are about the cost of my first master's. Someone said to me: "Well, you can work for 10 years to earn enough, or you can take out a loan, go now, and take 10 years to pay it off." That convinced me to take out the loan and do it. (I do recognize that we are in a different economy these days)
I attended SAIC as a prior degree undergrad (I had applied for the BFA because I didn't feel ready for an MFA). I went for one semester, absolutely loved it, have no regrets about the debt, but felt any further financial investment would be better put toward a masters. I wasn't sure my work was ready for that, but thought I'd apply anyway. The debt I incurred for one BFA semester was about the same as I did for my whole master's oh so many years ago! As I said, I have no regrets.
A word of caution to those thinking they could get through a prior degree BFA at SAIC in 2 years: You will need to have a ton of studio credits that transfer in order to do that. Many first time bachelor's students take 5 years to finish a BFA at SAIC.
I have a career that provides a stable income, but not enough excess to pay for an MFA without scholarships/grants/loans. I'd be more than willing to incur more debt for school, but with limits. Finances are important to consider....and consider carefully....but don't sell your soul! Take your time to figure out how to go where you really want to go.
- blondeONblone and Milkyways
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MFA 2017 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!
in Visual
Posted
Sorry my PDF above didn't work. I copied and pasted here:
Interview questions:
*Why do you want to come here and how could you contribute to the program?Tell us about the materials you are working with.
How do you incorporate your audience in your work?
What is risk in your medium?
*What are your passions besides your art?
Question related to artist statement
Tell us about your work informally
Talk about how your materials/medium relate to your subject matter
Have you ever considered expanding beyond your medium?
*Do you have questions for us?
How are you different than other artists?
Create a 3 item agenda for your interview.
How does your work fit in with the contemporary art world/scene?
*Why do you want to go to this school?
Why do you want to go to grad school? Why now?
What resources of this program will be the biggest benefit to your development as an artist?
*What is your work about?
What are your influences?
What for you constitutes a good work of art?
What draws you to a piece of work?
What motivates your work?
Who are your main influences?
*Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What do you think is a good critique of your work/bad critique?
Why/how did you choose the people who wrote letters for you?
*What do you do for fun?
What artists do you like?
What artists who are no longer living influence you?
**What book are you reading right now? What do you think about it?
What are you working on right now?
*Please explain this work (interviewer showing work)
What is your favorite piece of art? Why? (Title, artist,year)
Can you describe yourself, such as personal habit, etc.
Do you get along well with others ?
What would you bring to a group dynamic ?
*What can you offer this program? Any special skills?
What do you think is a good way of critiquing ? a bad way?
What other aspects of culture influence your work besides art/art history?
*How do you see yourself taking advantage of this school’s enviroment/program?
What exhibition have you been to in the last year?
What have you done since you’ve graduated?
What contemporary artists are you into, and why?
Tell us about the conceptual underpinnings of your work?
Talk about your process.
How is your work related to *this movement*?
What do you think about (artist, movement, subject/topic)?
What can't you stand? Why?
What do you think about your own work?
How do you want your work to develop?
Why are you making the work you're making, and why do you want to keep doing it?
Meaning behind your subject matter?
Why grad school, why now?
Who is your artist nemesis?
Do you have any designer that you admire or a movement that you like?
Why did you choose our program?
Do you have any ideas what your thesis project would be about?
Why use arcane techniques in digital age?