tynnifer

University of Guelph! Their deadline has passed though. Depends on your medium but it's also worth looking into Concordia university. Their facilities are unlike any other school I've visited (they're amazing).

Hi all! I was here last year and applied to UB, SFU, Oxford and northwestern. I got into all except Northwestern and ended up going to Guelph. I just wanted to draw everyone's attention to the studio art MFA at the university of Guelph. The funding here is great (I have a TA ship and stipend which covers my tuition and most living expenses for both years). There are also some external funding opportunities you can apply for in your second year (more If you're Canadian though). The program is rigorous and small in size so we have a lot of time with the faculty (we're 7 people per year in a 2 year program). We also have great studio spaces. I think this school tends to slip under the radar internationally despite its good reputation in Canada so I thought I'd bring it up as an option for anyone interested. Good luck on the applications!

Hi! Yes I got in last year but the funding wasn't very good. They offered to put me on the waiting list for funding (for which they said best case scenario 5000 pounds). I got very good funding at the university of Guelph (I'm Canadian) and was really impressed with my visit there so that was my choice. I'm happy I chose it. Just finished my first semester! A main issue with the Oxford program was it's length (only 9 months which I can't even fathom). I'd encourage you to apply and hope for funding but make sure you've applied to other schools that vary in length and price. I hope that helps! I believe there were other people here who got in so you can check in with them about their experience.

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...

Yeah, I'm having a rough time with it. I've turned down Simon Fraser and University of Buffalo so now it's between University of Guelph and Oxford. I'm waiting on funding decisions from Oxford and the funding I'm receiving from Guelph is incredible so it will make it a difficult choice between going into debt with Oxford or no debt from Guelph. I'm hoping Oxford will offer me either full funding or no funding because it will make my decision an easy one. Oxford is really taking their sweet time, I haven't heard anything regarding funding and was accepted a month ago. Plus, I have to give Guelph an answer in a week...

Thanks for the encouraging words. I've officially decided to go with Guelph over Buffalo so now I'm just waiting on funding decisions from Oxford. Guelph's MFA program seems so well connected and their initiative towards teaching pedagogy is unmatched from any of the other programs I've researched. What I'm weary about at this point is being too stuck within the Canadian art scene but my goal, if I don't end up going to Oxford for my MFA, is to look at school in the UK for PHD studies in a few years time.

I'm deciding between University of Buffalo, University of Guelph and Oxford. Oxford is the first choice but I would need to be offered a significant amount of funding to accept. I visited UB last week and despite really liking everyone there I'm not sure if it's a good fit. I'm not totally keen on living in the US and I may need a more rigorous program which is why I think Guelph will be a better fit. I'm visiting on Monday and will decided between the two afterwards.

Congrats to you too!

Just got an acceptance letter from Oxford! I'm so happy but whether or not I accept will be completely dependent on if / how much they offer for funding. They said they'll notify me of funding if I'm successful "shortly." This feels relevant...

Thanks! They asked for in person but said skype is an option if it's not possible so I will be skyping with them.

Just got an email from the Ruskin School of Art MFA program asking to schedule an interview on March 8th! I'm so nervous!

They said I would have an interview with them next week to determine wether or not I'd be better suited for an TA or GA position.

I just got an email (at midnight!?) Saying I've been accepted into the MFA program at SUNY Buffalo!

Thank you! The end of Feb does seem very far away. But I also applied to Oxford and their site says it could be a wait of 8 to 10 weeks before anyone hears anything which is excruciating. Plus, I applied to Simon Fraser which I've heard can get back to people as late as May. Where ever I end up going, my husband is planning to come with and these tentative months not knowing if we'll be uprooting our lives are very difficult!

le.xenia - I haven't heard anything from Buffalo either but also had a lot of views on my website from them. I would assume that means they'll be making some decisions soon. Their site says to expect a response around late February.