Barber

Holy crap just got a full ride to the University of Delaware plus a stipend. I'm still mildly in shock.

I have a question that's been plaguing me for a while now. Is getting my financially MFA worth it? I don't qualify for any type of need based aide (which is BS, cause SMFA doesn't seem to award need based grants, only merit, and I don't qualify for need based anything at Pratt), and while I don't have any other lingering debt, I would be getting out of any MFA program I end up at with 40k in student loans. 40k in debt not including housing for 2 years in two of the most expensive cities in the US seems like a lot to swallow. MFA scholarships also seem pretty scarce and monetarily minimal. So I guess the question I'm asking is how the hell I'm I gonna pay for this, short of becoming a stripper or selling a kidney? If there are any links or good sites anyone knows of it would be greatly appreciated!

SMFA decisions went out at the start of the month. Have you had any luck checking your status through the portal, or received an official letter in the mail?

Ahhhh yeah finally got my first acceptance! SMFA! There was a letter in my file, and hopefully I'll hear back from others soon! Gotta say I didn't think I'd get this far with my weird ass background, but holy shit I did!!!! YAY!

I keep dwelling on my interview even now, three flipping days later. So not good! But I guess i'll hear when I hear. The waiting game is so much fun...

Looks like we're In the same boat. I also got the waitlisted letter.

I'm from southern Arkansas and I understand the whole snow fear thing (wasn't around it till college)! My interviews are in 2 weeks and I've been checking the weather nonstop. Fly in early just in case there are delays with your flights. I personally wouldn't suggest driving, since its really scary and hard if you're not used to it (remember snowmageddon last year that blew across dallas? That shit was awful my office was closed for a week and people were stuck on the highway overnight.). Also if possible schedule interviews in the same week/few days so you only have to make one trip. Snow gear isn't a must, but good, water proof shoes are! And if you want to wear heels, pack them in like a purse and then when you hang up your coat you can change your shoes. I wouldn't do long underwear, since it gets real hot inside with it on, but a good hat and gloves are definitely something good to have. Also hand warmers if its super cold, those things are great! Layering is amazing like 2222222 said. Good luck with your interviews!!

Yes I did, but I wasn't sure if it was a general tour type thing, or an actual interview request. I emailed admissions just to check, but haven't heard yet.

So have all of the Alfred sculpture interview requests gone out then? It stinks when they send out a mass email for interviews but not one for rejections. I just want to know whether or not I should hold out hope. Also, anyone heard anything from Pratt or Penn State?

Man I'm really glad this thread popped up because I didn't want to clog the freak out thread with this (even though I am freaking out about it). Okay, this question may be mildly stupid, but I have a burning need to know, WHAT DO I WEAR TO THE INTERVIEW??? Please don't think I'm some sort of special for asking, but I have no professional art world background and honest to god wear a suit everyday (I'm a FED), but that somehow seems kinda inappropriate to wear to an MFA interview? Since so far both of my interviews are in person, I don't want to look like either the Men in Black nor ridiculously under dressed. So basically, full suit or no?

Thank you for the heads up! I have definitely been watching the weather like a hawk! But then again I live somewhere where 3 inches of snow shuts down the city! (I've already had three snow days this year! Three!)

Question about the interviews, if doing them in person, how early should I arrive in advance? Fly in a day before? Two days so I can get settled? I'm coming up from Arkansas, and am really worried about Boston weather! Like, what happens if I have a plane delay because of another Snowmaggedon or something? I would hate to spend the extra money on another night in a hotel if I did not have to! Luckily my SMFA and Yale interviews are basically back to back, so I can knock it all out with one trip. Anyone else worried about the whole flight scheduling thing?

Yeah I can log in select a time and then submit. It verifys my information and the reroutes me back to the application page. not sure what thats about by I figued id click through and even if its a weird glich it would give y'all an idea as to what happens if you click all the way through. I may have been too curious for my own good but whatever I suppose!

Hey y'all I have been reading this thread along with the yale one and I've seen a lot of people talking about shipping their portfolios to the interview, flying with them, or driving them, but it seems like lots of this talk is by the people applying for painting. This leads me to ask: DO I HAVE TO BRING MY WORK TO MY INTERVIEW???? (because I had no idea!) I'm applying for sculpture and could straight up not physically carry my portfolio to my interviews. I know this is a stupid question but any imput would be amazing as I'm really freaking out about it!

Me too! I will probably run into you there!

Just read this whole thread and am now freaking out! I thought it would be Monday!

So has anyone gotten a save the date from SMFA? what exactly is it? I know its not an interview request, but does it mean i can expect one? Just wondering if anyone else has gotten this.

So anyone else going to MFA portfolio day on 10/26 in NYC? Any tips for portfolio day, cause honestly, as someone who has never had their portfolio reviewed by anyone of prestige, I'm decidedly freaking out about it. I know to only include finished shots, and I'm going to bring a physical portfolio as well as the digital one. (I'm a sculptor, so I'm just bringing photos.) I mean, how formal is this thing? Should I wear a suit or a dress? Do I need to bring artist statements and such? Or a resume or business cards? The portfolioday.net website is woefully unhelpful on this front. Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give to this MFA newbie.

Hi y'all! First time applicant here, making the big switch from the non-art world to the art world. I was wondering if anyone else here is considering applying for two different media types, i.e. I'm torn between applying for ceramics and sculpture programs. Anyone else having this problem? Is it frowned upon to apply for both? Thanks for any input!

Thank you so much for the advice, I guess I'll be making the trip over to NYC come fall. May I ask what your background is in? Did you find that people responded well to the fact that you have a varied background? I always fear the question," Why are you deciding to go for art now?"

Hi everyone! This is my first year applying for my MFA and doing the whole rodeo, and as a non-art world person (B.S in Chemistry '13, been working for the FED in the meantime) I am a tad confused on portfolio day, and would appreciate any input on the topic. I checked the portfolio day website (portfolio.net), and since there are only 3 Graduate portfolio days, I'm wondering if its something I should do. I work primarily in ceramics and mixed media, both of which would be much too large to transport. SO the big question is really, is it worth it to go? Or should I just stick with school visits? Thanks so much!

Thank you all for your advice; I will definitly try to build up my portfolio as much as possible in the upcoming year!

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum (this place has been a gold mine and all of your works are great! Congrat to y'all on getting in!) and am interesting in applying to the 2016 admissions cycle for my MFA in sculpture. Heres the thing... I don't have an art background (an undergrad minor doesn't really count) and by B.S in is chemistry. I currently work for the Fed. I did not know if this would strongly affect me in my application; if anything I have some very diversified real world experience. I know that most admissions are based soley on portfolio, and I think I'm decently strong in that subject. And advice would be appreciated, be it from other non-art background people, or current MFA sculpture students. (Also how the hell do you write an artists statement?) Thank you so much in advance!