savantarde

Hi, Jestem. I applied for the MFA in Design and Technology. So, it was misleading for me to say "graphic design." I just use that phrase as a general term. As far as the deadline for acceptance, I am unsure. I just e-mailed the program director for clarification. However, I read somewhere on their site that you can defer payment, if you don't have the funds to make the deposit. From what I've read on these forums, they can't make you decide before April 15th, right? Not sure...

For crap's sake! When can we expect to hear from Parsons for Graphic Design???

I am completing my undergraduate degree as we speak--finished in May. However, I am also a non-traditional student (will be 29 in three months), and had been in and out of Junior college for many years. So, in that respect, I've had plenty of time to decide that I am, in fact, suited for the graduate experience, and have had some out-of-classroom experience to draw from. Not having this, however, is not an automatic deterrent, from what I've heard.

The contacts at my undergrad University (professors) have been adamant with regard to the issue of dress--proclaiming that you should wear whatever you would normally wear, and that you feel comfortable in--without dressing sloppily. In other words, no holey or ripped jeans (go for a nice, new dark denim pant), no grossly un-ironed shirts, etc. Also, don't be overly perfumed. You are an artist. Therefore, your personal style should reflect this, in whatever way you deem appropriate!

This is my final semester at the University of Arizona, in Tucson. I moved here 3 years ago from Yuma, Arizona, also known as the Devil's Armpit. For those who aren't geographically acquainted, Yuma is in the Southwestern most tip of the state, and is 10 minutes from the border of Mexico. Tucson is a 3.5 hour drive to the Northeast, and is 45 minutes from the border. Here's what I have to offer: * HOT. This is southwestern Arizona. Granted, it is the middle desert, but isn't high enough to be cool year-round. If you are coming from colder weather, it is absolutely imperative that you obtain housing with Air Conditioning. Don't rent a place that has only swamp cooling (evaporative cooling). You WILL NOT fare well during the summer months, as temperatures can be in excess of 120 degrees F. * Transportation. People are right. You will probably want a car in Tucson. The public transportation only runs 'til about 11pm or Midnight every day of the week. Tucson, like most cities in Arizona, is VERY sprawling. That being said, it *is* possible to get away with a bike, but only if you plan on living on or around campus (which is quite large). There is one grocery store within a mile of campus--Safeway. It is walkable, but somewhat of a trek. You won't want to be walking during summer, though. One of the best benefits of having a car is exploration. If you're new to the desert, you'll want to make trips outside the city. There is LOTS to see. The BioSphere is currently available for touring. There are two Desert Museums, one of which is an enclosed sanctuary/zoo with native animals and plants. There's Colossal Cave within 30 minutes or so, Old Tucson Studios (used for filming westerns back in the day), and Tombstone and Bisbee, which are great for weekend trips. Lots and lots of history everywhere. * Campus. Big, but not the biggest. Very, very nicely maintained. It is an arboretum, so there are TONS of native and non-native plants and trees, all with information placards at every turn. Buildings are almost all new or newly remodeled. The new Student Union is very large and central, and houses a large bookstore (looks like a Barnes & Noble), a StarBucks, arcade, several eateries, lots of study room and a huge downstairs TV lounge/computer lab. UofA is a public university. This means that *anyone* can visit campus proper. As such, there are a fair amount of strange folks wandering campus at any given time, but I have never encountered anything threatening or out-of-the-ordinary. * Food. Some great places to eat, no doubt. Most of what you'll want to try is some distance from campus, but there are areas within walking distance that are up to snuff. Everyone should visit 4th Avenue, straightaway. Lots of bars, but some great little restaurants. Congress Street is another destination. This is in Downtown Tucson, which feels like a *completely* different city. Would highly recommend walking around there at dusk during the spring. Beautiful! Mexican Food is good, but in my humble opinion, it is not "authentic." But, there are different regions of Mexico, serving altogether different food. There are no good Mexican Food restaurants near campus. But that's just my opinion. Go to La Parilla Suiza for *Spanish* food, or Maya Quetzal for *Peruvian* cuisine, to spice things up. * Food on Campus. I hear that, due to complaints about the substandard food options, students can use their ID cards (which are linked to meal plan accounts) to shop at Safeway Grocery. Good thing. Campus eateries include: Chik-Fil-A, Papa John's Pizza, Burger King, Panda Express, a Sandwich Deli, and three, school-operated cafeteria-style options--two of which are Mexican and Italian cuisine. One is a standard cafeteria fare option. All of these eateries are located in one of the two Student Unions. Last but not least, don't believe what MANY coed undergraduates complain of incessantly: "There isn't anything to do here but drink!" But I didn't have to tell you that. You're going to grad school, you've got a brain, and you're resourceful! There are many, MANY things to do in Tucson. Just ask people! Lots of hidden gems everywhere. P.S., if you ARE a bar-goer, you'll want to check out "The Meet Rack"--just look it up. It's the stuff of Tucson lore. Also, if you dig Midcentury Modern--straight up drinks on the rocks, martinis and swanky furnishings, go to "The Shelter." It was built to look like a Fallout Shelter, and is very hip. "The Surly Wench Pub" is on 4th, and it's like a dark, seedy pirate bar with arcade games, pool and foosball tables, air hockey, and an awesome jukebox. Nice melting pot, too. HAVE FUN!

Sadie Benning is awesome! She taught at SAIC briefly. I wish she were still there...

Don't know if anyone here (participating or browsing) applied for Columbia College Chicago, Interdisciplinary Arts, but I received an e-mail this evening for a phone interview. Still waiting on Parsons Graphic Design. No word on the waitlist status with UIC, Graphic Design. Accepted SAIC, Visual Communications.

Wow! This just gets better and better! I am currently finishing up my BFA at UofA. I'm originally from Yuma, Arizona, so college was on the "backburner" for some time. I'll be 29 in a few months, so to say that this has been a long time coming is a *bit* of a understatement! Soooo cool that you know about Tucson! It's THE best place in the state, hands down. The All Souls Procession is just the tip of the iceberg. Thanks for the congrats, btw. No interview--the VisCom department doesn't interview, for reasons unknown to me. Just got the letter in the mail today. It was the ONLY thing in my box. And, it was a thin, standard size. My heart sank. I was doubly proud when I opened and read it! I did find something quite interesting--right above my name and address on the envelope face. A student number. I guess they assign them, straightaway, so you can make the deposit payment on the ARTIC student portal. I can only surmise this, but I'm thinking that all admissions mailings will include this 7-digit number. Don't hold me to it, though! Just a guess. Could be different from dept to dept. Still hoping for you, Michelle. I am going to friend you on FB, too! Would love to hear what your decision is, ultimately!

Accepted to SAIC for Visual Communications. Holy wow! Hopefully, all hopefuls for *other* SAIC programs will hear soon. Hang in there, Michelle! I'm totally waiting for your news!

I received an e-mail stating that I was on the waitlist. This was last Tuesday. I am confident in your chances, Jestem. I have seen your website (you thanked SAIC on their Facebook admissions page, right?). You are skilled.

Have you heard from UIC, yet?

Any applicants to the UIC Graphic Design program? I was wait-listed there, and was wondering if I could get a better sense of when I might know *something* Hope the mail gets here early, today...

elaine, your situation sounds rather unique! I have always thought of the Post-Bac offer a rather "back-handed compliment" of sorts. To have been "out-of-the-loop," so to speak, since 1999, but offered a BFA with funding--that sounds worlds better! I would ask them if there is *any* possible way of expediting this degree. How many semesters/years would the work entail? There's got to be some give there. In the end, it all depends on what you're looking for, and where you are coming from; both geologically and intellectually speaking. I think the city (Chicago) has some great opportunities to network. The extra time spent could be *well* worth it in the long run. Best of luck to you!

General question for all Visual Arts MFA hopefuls: Anyone know about the Post Baccalaureate certificate programs? Anyone been encouraged to apply for this "in between" year, in lieu of immediate acceptance? I have a feeling SAIC has done that to me. I logged back into SlideRoom for SAIC, and there was a new "pending submission" folder, entitled "Post Bac" admission. Ugh. So confused!

Still so nervous! Asked SAIC admissions (via their Facebook page) if domestic applicants--to the MFA Visual Communications--can expect to hear soon. Yes. I urge you to seek out SAIC Admissions on Facebook. There is someone answering all questions, every day! We're all getting pretty antsy. In the meantime, I have to deal with the fact that, not only am I going stir crazy, but I seem to be alone in that I can't find any fellow MFA VisCom applicants! Where are my people?!? Beginning to think I should've been a painter--there seems to be solidarity in that!

Hello, all... Just found this site, and am simultaneously relieved and FREAKED OUT. Any stateside applicants for the MFA in Visual Communications at SAIC? I've so far found only two admissions, and they are both international. (Congrats, Jestem--you are one of those two.) I only applied four places, as I'm trying to coordinate with my partner's teaching applications. We are both looking to relocate to Chicago. University of Illinois at Chicago -- waitlisted Have yet to hear from: Parsons SAIC Columbia College