colbz

Anything that doesn't relate to your larger body of work is a bad idea from my understanding. Anything that looks like a class assignment rather than your own conceptual work shows them that you aren't ready for grad....they want to see that you have developed a conceptual body of work that is your own, and that you are ( and have been) working independently beyond college class assignments. I even emailed admissions at Tyler about it, and they basically said "we don't need to see technical drawings (unless they relate to your conceptual work) because after completing a BFA we can only assume that you have a certain amount of technical skill." For example, you might want to include figure drawings or something to show technical skill if you paint non objectively....this would be a bad idea unless the drawings are clearly studies for a painting or other work. I did throw in something from a figure drawing class....but the only reason I felt like I could get away with it was because I had used a certain way of overlapping and fragmentation in the drawing that related to my conceptual paintings. Even then I think it was a risky move, but I didn't have a choice because Tyler and PAFA wanted 20 images and I didn't want to dilute my portfolio with detail shots. Drawings in general...no it's probably not a bad idea as long as they relate to your other work!

The rates also go up a bit...because you also have to factor out the large number of applicants who are throwing drawings and classroom assignments from drawing 1 into their portfolios. There are surprisingly a lot of people who do that out there....they told me that they get a lot of it when I visited tyler.

These are usually not accurate. I had found all this info when I was beginning my searches, because I had an MFA program catalogue. When I visited schools, I heard otherwise. The reason it's not accurate is because it's telling you the overall MFA acceptance rate....it might say 20%, but there may be a 5% rate for painting, or a 30% rate for ceramics, you get the idea. Think about it: there are so many more painting applicants than other areas (this also depends on the school). Also, a school that is top tier for one program may not be for another...therefore one area of study is more selective than another.

I'm in the category of being so nervous that I almost forget my own name! In the past I have gotten nervous for silly things like interviews for a restaurant job. I almost wish I could take a couple shots of tequila before I go into an interview, and then I'd be good to go!

I'm the same way!!!!!!! I'm writing lesson plans right now for elementary school art, but it's still in the back of my mind. Doing everything I can to try and focus. Thankfully the past three weeks have gone by incredibly fast. I'm not expecting to hear anything until mid Feb. at least....I looked at the posts from last year, and seems no one really heard from the schools I applied to until then.

How did you hear?? In an email? I applied for painting, and haven't heard yet. I'm worried :-(

Was that for SAIC? If so, I saw that too....it was in the online app.

I would mention specific aspects of the program at Syracuse...like TA positions, or scholarships that they may have. I wouldn't flat out say you are broke, but definitely make it clear that you will rely on those opportunities. My guess is that they want to know that you are serious enough to have really sat down and thought about how you would pay for it. It's def a tough question....you don't want to seem like you aren't dying to go there, but you also want them to know that you need financial help. I had similar issues because some of my applications like UT Austin, and PAFA (i think) asked if I would still attend if I had no financial assistance. I finally ended up saying no....because it was the honest truth. In the event that they would accept me, I would want them to know that I need help so they can offer it.

I applied to ten...and yes it made me 100% insane!!! I did the bulk of my application work within 2 weeks...and i took me 80 hours!!! For the next week after I finished, I went to bed at 8:30 every night because I was SOOO tired and mentally drained.

Cool work! I'm student teaching to! elementary school right now, and then high school in 6 weeks. It's good to know I'm not the only art ed person applying for an MFA out there....student teaching is a hell of a lot of work, but I'm actually thankful for that because it keeps my mind off things. Here's my website: www.sarahcolby.com

Yea one of my professors for undergrad used to be the director of admissions, and she told me it didn't affect decisions. I know some schools do have rolling admissions, such as SUNY New Paltz..but they state that on their website so you would know.

The only reason I sent all mine in before January 10th is I was about to be the busiest ever starting then, and I knew I would slack on my work if I had the apps too. I'm glad I got mine in so soon because there is nooo way I would have been able to handle all the work I have now and the apps both. But, if I were u then I wouldn't worry too much...it was just for my own sanity that I needed to finish. My only word of advice would be to still try and get things in at least a little early. I had some due the first week in January, and had a few freak outs over my transcripts and other materials arriving in time. In case you have technical issues, recommendation letter issues, usps issues, or any other issues that are out of your hands, then it's always best to leave a little extra time to deal with them. (I had some of those, for example, one of my recommenders was having trouble submitting my UT Austin letter online...and that was the day before it was due...so you can imagine my freaking out.) You've got only 4 days before Feb 1st....I would make sure to overnight anything you need to mail at this point.

Well, everyone who gets chosen for an interview will interview on the same day...March 9. that's what it says on their website. But, yes someone already got notified that they were chosen for an interview. Not me though! But I haven't been rejected yet either! I'm assuming maybe they have had applications pouring in slowly over the past month or two. My best theory is that maybe every few weeks they get together and check out the ones they have already received. PS I was stalking the forums from last year...and people had written down when they were rejected, accepted, etc. Some people had received decisions at different times for the same school and program, so there really is no telling. I'm trying not to obsess! Just gotta wait it out and see.

Here's my list of ten: SAIC Tyler U. of Delaware Purchase SVA Rutgers Hunter UT Austin PAFA CCNY Good Luck everyone!!!! Omg I am freaking out because someone said they already received an interview invite from Purchase like 3 weeks ago...and I haven't heard anything at all yet!! No rejection, no nothin! It's hard to stay positive, yet at the same time not get my hopes up ya know?

I've got connections like that: one of the faculty members at a school I applied to had one of my recommenders as a professor when he was an undergrad. I'm thinking it could help me...but probably not unless I make the first cut so I wouldn't rely on those things. I'm pretty sure that most schools look 98% at your portfolio for the first cut...that's from my understanding when I visited schools. But SOP is probably the second most important thing for sure.

I got that email too....there's no way that could have been everyone, I thought they definitely got 200 applicants at the very least.

Don't worry...that bubble has already been bursted for me...hence the anxiety. I figured that applying to ten would at least be better odds than applying to 4 or 5 like some people do...but yes I'm full aware, which is why I am working so hard to complete my teaching license and will be looking for a job soon in case. :-/ I've already informed my parents that I may be living with them for the next year or two/ I'm looking into other jobs besides teaching that might suck less energy from me than little kiddos.

ps I'm 23, and have actually been worrying that they might not want me because I'm too young! lol. I've been planning out what I will give for my reasons of applying straight out of school if they ask me that in an interview.

27 isn't old.....I didn't exacly go to a selective art school for undergrad...it was out in a rural area...but regardless of that, many of the grad students were like 40-45. In my 4 years as an undergrad, I most definitely worked with at least 3 or 4 MFA candidates over 40. Some of the MFA students at my school were as young as 25-27, but then there were a bunch of 30-35 year olds as well. Two of them had been art teachers (for kids) for years before. Also, I am a student teacher, and a lot of the teachers at the high school I'm working at are all middle aged, and have gotten MFA's in recent years. This doesn't relate to art, but my great aunt was like 60 years old when she finally got her Phd in computer science and became a professor. Point being, over 27 isn't old, and even if you were 40 +, then who even cares what people say or think? Some schools like SVA don't even know your gender or age when they review applications...it's basically all on your portfolio. (That's what they told me when I visited)

You can imagine how annoying it has been for me studying art education....everyone keeps thinking I'm an idiot for not becoming a teacher and getting my mfa over summer breaks....I was like, yea that's possible.(MiCA has a summer program) ..but really you need to be working for two full years both summers and school years if you really want a serious art career. And other teachers get masters degrees taking night classes payed for by their schools....but um no...can't do that for art! And I'm worried not only about everything else, but everyone will think I am a total idiot if I get rejected from all 10 schools! I don't look like an artist, and people tend to not think of me as "artsy" or intellectual in any way so I feel like I have something to prove, which is probably not good. I think the absolute scariest thing...is the possibility of NOT doing art 24/7 this fall. I've been painting every day for years now, and I know when I get a full time job I'll be too tired. Crossing fingers like crazy that I get in somewhere...

This board is the best resource! So, I have to wonder...how do you get away with working part time? If you only work part time, then how do you pay for things like food, clothes, rent, art supplies, shampoo, and health insurance? Lol. That's what I don't get. I would love to know how people pull this off because my parents are getting ready to cut the cord. Everyone is going to hate me because I was actually lucky enough to have my parents pay for my MFA apps...but they made it clear that it was their final financial act of kindness.

Thanks! Yea, I have been considering other job possibilities such as maybe being a teaching assistant or full time sub for all subjects rather than an actual art teacher. That way I can still have my connections in the public education system, but I won't have to go home and write lesson plans, I can leave work every day and be done and go paint! Luckily I ( my parents) live near DC so I've got a lot of art friends in the area. I applied to ten places, so I am hoping like crazy that I will not have to worry about this just yet, but of course it is a very possible reality. Luckily I at least have a summer job lined up as a summer art teacher for kids, and I did it last year so I've got all my lessons planned out already. I know a lot of people made the mistake of only applying to top tier schools, so I applied to U. of Delaware and CCNY which are a little bit less selective...but even then it's not like they are easy to get into at all, so maybe I was kidding myself. I also haven't visited either of those schools in person so I don't even know if I will like them. Where was it that you were accepted to last year?

In my opinion, I don't think it's the greatest idea to apply again right away...especially for me if I end up teaching I will be sooo busy planning lessons, going to meetings, etc etc I won't have time to crank out very much new work for a while if any. All the art I'll be doing will be sample projects for the kids. I'm worried that if I don't get in now, it will get harder and harder to apply again. I'm almost considering living with my parents for a year or two and bartending or something so I can paint during the day! In the event that I don't get in, I'm brainstorming day jobs that would allow me a little more free time than teaching. I'm only 23, but if anyone else on here is a few years older and just now applying...or applying again, then I'd like to hear what you did with your lives from ages 23 ish to 26 ish!

My first time too....during the week I am so busy as an elementary school student art teacher...but come weekend when I'm not super busy I'm sitting here in my room half the time just thinking about it! I'm expecting rejection letters any day now! Crossing fingers for an interview invite or two. Applied to 10 schools....hoping I don't have to do this again. If I don't get in this year, I'm thinking it will probably be another two years at least before I apply again. Especially if I end up teaching art this fall then I can imagine it will take me a long long time to build up a new portfolio. Spending all day everyday with little kids throwing paint all over the place has me fast asleep in bed by 8 pm every night, no joke. Does anyone else find it annoying how every time you tell people you just applied to grad school but you may not go because you might not get in they say "oh, of course you will get in!" I keep trying to explain that an MFA painting/ studio art is not like applying for an MA in art ed or something...it's like no...actually there is a really good chance I won't get in...and they don't understand. They don't realize how selective it is. I think if I get rejected from all 10 schools I might just keep my mouth shut because all my friends/ family will think I'm an idiot!

I also had that problem, because Purchase asked for chronological, and I have more than one series going in more portfolio, so I wanted to place the works that went together next to one another. I think it is kind of subjective also because I work on 3 or 4 things at a time...so I was like, well I started painting x before painting y, but I finished painting y first. I think for the most part try to put things in order, but if it's not completely accurate then whatever...what are they going to do? ask for the paintings and do forensic science testing to see which paint is the oldest? hahah. In my opinion, I think it is even more important to finish off with your strongest work than to start with it...the last thing they see is the last memory they will have before they vote on it.