MrBixler

go to Tyler... its worth it.   Don't make decisions based on money.  Tyler is a really great program, I'm sure you already know that.  All you guys turning down great schools for fear of loans gotta prioritize, just my 2 cents.

Accepted to Carnegie Mellon via email. 

Thanks guys, My professors have been pushing for OSU also. I'm going out to Columbus this weekend to see the place before making the final call but I think OSU offers the most. I mean, you can make great work anywhere as long as you put your heart into it. I feel like if I have to worry about putting money together and paying bills all the time at Tyler it will ultimately affect the quality of the work I'm making. I just want to spend my grad school years being selfish and totally focusing on my work.

Make a pros and cons list. Debt does suck but I wouldn't choose a program JUST because they pay more.  
 

I went to SMFA for undergrad, and I honestly don't think the MFA program is worth it. It was a great BFA program, but in my 3rd and 4th year I was taking classes with mainly grad students, which I always thought was odd that the MFA students were in so many undergrad classes for the amount they were paying. Maybe if it was a funded program, but no, I don't think going in debt is worth it for any program today, even the more prestigious programs. Also, the facilities are tiny if you are working in sculpture. But of course, everyone's position is different. Of course this is probably terrible advice this far into the admission process, but there are plenty of fully funded or partially funded programs to apply for outside of the private school realm. This is my second year applying, my first year I really wanted to go to Yale and I even got an interview there, but after visiting I realized it wasn't the right fit for me. This year I focused on the UC system schools because of their funding and I really didn't want to leave California. In the end, I'm happy with my decision and won't be taking out (hopefully if any) loans and be able to enter life post-MFA without mountainous debt. This article was helpful for me in this process:
http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/989814/debating-an-mfa-the-lowdown-on-art-school-risks-and-returns
If you have more questions about SMFA, I'd be happy to answer here or you can PM me. I did really love my experience there, and it's probably changed a bit since I was there. It is a great MFA program, don't get me wrong, but if you are concerned about debt I don't know if it is worth it. 
 

Last couple posts are getting kinda salty. Don't be mean dude. 

I'm always confused when people apply to MFA programs that their not entirely familiar with.  You can google 'University of Pennsylvania MFA  CV'. Most of the artist tend to stay in in the Philly area and a few working abroad...

You know, that's how I felt in my SAIC photo interview--seemed like none of them knew anything about my work or had even seen it, or were even remotely engaged by it. Axe 'em in my opinion--if a school asks/expects us to be considerate and take our time formulating our applications, we should demand that they use that same amount of consideration and time to review our work, ESPECIALLY if we're finalists.
Ahem, clearly that's a pet-peeve of mine.  

Accepted at CalArts via email earlier this afternoon. 

Congratulations @beemovie 

YALEBOUND!!
-MFA PAINTING

Accepted to Yale.

Well gee willikers, I got into The Slade in London!
...With noooooooo funding. But it's neat to know I got in.

Congratulations.  Me, too!

Accepted to SAIC printmedia via email. 

If i were you I'd go to Irvine. just my 2 cents!

Also accepted to RCA painting-what a relief ! Congrats @Owl1 !

Accepted into RCA - Painting. Sweet  I'm moving to Europe.

Just got an email that I've been accepted to the Photo department at SAIC and as a "writing fellow,"no word on funding. Surprised to have been accepted by that department, honestly. 

Hey guys
interviewed with Yale March 3 and Columbia March 4. Rejected from UCLA. 
Accepted at Columbia. Just got the call tonight. 

Just got an email saying I've been accepted at UCI--so excited!!

I just got back from my interview and tour of UCI. They said we'd hear back as soon as a week from now but within two weeks from now for sure.
I'm soooo in love with UCI--just everything about it is amazing. Definitely my best interview experience yet--I really hope I get in! Did they ask where else you applied, too? 
Re SAIC: For Photo I interviewed with Jan Tichy, two lecturers (which I thought was odd), and three graduate students. I did it via skype so I could barely hear the people on the far left and right of the group, which was unfortunate because one of them happened to ask the most questions and I kept having to ask her to repeat herself...I just really didn't like the vibe at all...and literally everyone I meet now tells me not to go there (funny, considering before I applied tons of people told me to apply even though I'd scratched them off my list). Even at my interview this morning they told me not to go there!
But I should mention again, the Printmedia department was completely different, really sweet and complimentary people...
I feel relieved, one more interview to go... 

I'm no expert. I've talked about this a lot with my mentors. And I've attended and left a graduate program because my needs weren't being met. Ultimately it doesn't matter where you go to school. the work matters. The school matters in the sense that you want to be around people that match your energy and intellectual hunger. Your peers matter. The community matters. Sexy schools can give a little bump and a lot of rigorous and invested students and faculty can end up there, but there are some less sexy programs that are just as good.  For me graduate school is a means to find comrades and mentors. It is a space to work hard and take risks. It's expensive. There isn't one right answer to this. It depends on what a person wants. Go to with your gut or go with the sexiest school. You will be fine either way. 

Hey guys!  So I applied to 11 schools... It is definitely too many, I think I will now take Cranbrook off of my list for their lack of funding.  

I'm an idiot because I didn't check my alternate email account.. I just saw an email from VCU!
I was offered full tuition for first year (2nd year will probably be evaluated after) and a 10k stipend for 2 teaching assistantships, Fall and Spring!  Wtf!!!!  I still have interviews to go to and don't have to respond until April (thank goodness) but I will take them up on their offer to pay for a hotel and go and sit in on a crit and seminar this next month!  After I hear back from Yale and Hunter I will let them know whether I accept or not.  Whoa!!!! Going crazy over here! 

Congrats @gtakaoka!!!