Jaholt

This May, I'll be five years out of undergrad. I'm the cofounding artistic director of a theatre company, so I've racked up quite a few directing credits over four season with my own company. (My partner and I pretty much split the season, with a rare guest director thrown in.) I also have a couple of professional directing credits from a youth theatre where I worked during undergrad, and a couple of assistant director credits from during and after college.
Just about all of the programs I applied to stayed pretty clearly that they were seeking applicants with 3-5 years of experience beyond college, but I'm sure there are many programs out there that are looking for different types of applicants. During interviews I've met current students with background very similar to mine, as well as folks with very different experiences. 
I interviewed at one school where they seemed almost turned off by the fact that I'd founded a company (a lot of "Well, why do you want to leave that to come to grad school?"). At others, my background seemed like a perfect fit, and no one batted an eye about the idea of stepping away from my company to pursue more training. 
All I can say is do your research, find the schools that speak to your reasons for pursuing grad school, and go for it. Be honest and clear about why you want to go to graduate school at this point in your career, and the programs that fit your wants and needs will come together. 

Hi everyone!
I am possibly looking into MFA programs for 2019 and I was wondering what all your backgrounds in directing are? Do you have professional experience or assistant work? It seems like you're all having good luck with the selection process and I'm curious where you are at in your careers and if I'm in a similar position so I too can have the success you're all having. Thanks!

@E. Karenina — if it helps, getting a few interviews and then being rejected from grad school during my first year that I applied was the best thing that ever happened to me. At the time, it felt awful, but in the past two years I’ve made the best work of my career and now I understand why grad school is the right choice for me.
I think, at the time, I was so concerned with “Will they like me?” and trying to impress them that I forgot that I was a smart and desirable candidate with a lot to offer. I made my application about THEM, not about ME.
I think one of the reasons I’ve been doing so well this year in my applications is that I’m coming to these interviews without any concern for impressing the schools I’m applying to. I’m thinking: What do *I* want to talk about in my interview, and I’m driving the conversation, rather than worrying “Is this the right answer?” 
Be selfish. Demand that this process bring you clarity about who you want to be as an artist. If you bring that into the room, you will understand if UMass is the right place for you. Sending you good vibes.
I had an insane day yesterday — woke up at 4am to get to the airport, my flight got delayed, then I missed my connecting flight in Philly, and there were no other planes that would get me there on time. Ultimately, I wound up taking a taxi at breakneck speed to catch a train to New Haven that got me in only 30 minutes prior to my interview (I had the last slot). I was deeply impressed with how much Yale helped me out to make sure that I got to my interview and they were apparently ready to stay late if I couldn’t make it. That generosity of spirit meant a lot during the stressful moments. I felt really great during the whole callback & interview and we had a really fascinating conversation; I articulated who I am as an artist! I’m proud and happy and excited. Also, when they called time on my rehearsal scene, both of the actors were like “Nooo! We’re having such a good time!” Which, honestly, is the only validation I need.
We will apparently hear in a few days! I wish I could just sleep until then.

My gut says to go with the freelance artist (especially if there are any that you've worked with multiple times). Have them explain their connection to you and their qualifications in brief. I would think that those three options gives a wide breadth of information about you, your working style, etc.