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SetDec

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Posts posted by SetDec

  1. @E-P Rumor has it the humidity can get bad in the summer in the Midwest, is that true for West Lafayette in what you have heard and your experience so far? I've been in Florida in August but I knew I wasn't going to be staying long in that weather so that helped...

  2. On 5/14/2018 at 8:52 AM, E-P said:

    @SetDec  Nice - I'm guessing you're coming for the set design the MFA program?  What area are you relocating from?  Do you have any specific questions?

     

    Yeah, hammocks seem to be allowed on campus - or, if they're not, they're doing a really bad job at enforcing that rule. :P

     

    In terms of general advice, we're doing a 3 month sublease to get here, and then figuring out a longterm living situation.  That probably won't be as much an option for you, since most leases are August 1 - July 31.  We're in the Launch apartments, which are about a 15 minute walk (or 5 minute bus ride) from campus - super convenient, and reasonably priced.  That said, I think you could find cheaper living across the river in Lafayette, and it's still convenient.  My home needs are probably more picky than most (I have a spouse who works from home, we have pets, etc.), but I've found several reasonable, relatively inexpensive options within my price range.

    For grocery stores, you're looking at Meijer, Aldi, Payless, and a couple of fancy food stores.  There doesn't seem to be a "standard" grocery store.  I suspect Meijer is the cheapest....

     

    ...but I haven't found any grocery stores walking distance from campus.  So you're looking at Lyfting, or driving.  Most people in my department seem to drive?  Your mileage may vary.  But if you flash your Purdue ID, bus rides are free.

    In terms of financial stuff, I'm assuming that you're TAing, and that your tuition is covered?  If so, be sure to be on top of your department about getting that taken care of in the payment system.  Since you're starting at the normal time, you'll probably be okay...but if you start getting emails that you need to pay thousands of dollars or your classes will be dropped, contact your departmental contact.

     

    LMK what specific questions you have!

    ? Awesome! Yes, only person entering the set program this year so its a little weird not to be able to contact someone else in my department about how their transition is going. I'm moving out from San Francisco and have never lived in snow ( only visited winter-y places for a few days) so a little anxious about cold weather gear and that whole deal. I did lock down an apartment in March because I heard how competitive housing can be and I am going to be in the building literally across the river from you in River Walk. My department seems to be on top of the system thing, they have an orientation and take care of all my registration and classes when I arrive but I do have to arrive kinda earlier then most because of that. I did have more specific questions but I just got out of rehearsal and a little brain fried, so I will definitely post them when I remember! :D Thank you!

  3. @E-P YAY communication/ media people! I'll be at Purdue for theatre but usually work film... are they hanging hammocks on trees around campus? One of the campus' I worked on allowed it and the other didn't. Got any new on campus grad advice ? I have to report to campus beginning of August

  4. 4 hours ago, ohdeargodwhy said:

    It's still heartbreaking to me that I got into what would have been a dream program, to have it so completely out of reach. I could have dealt with a flat-out rejection and moved on, but to have been so excited.... it's like getting dumped vs not getting swiped. 

    I also spoke to someone in the program currently and they told me about some of the program's shortcomings. Which I know every program has it's faults and it is difficult to find negative opinions on ANY program. All you hear is students working for the admission's office and no one wants to plainly talk about how they went through a program that sucks. And even though they saw my (resume) and said what's lacking in the program wouldn't apply to me, it's made a hard decision harder. Gah!

    That is true, I also had that happen with a dream program but what made it harder for me is they took my friend instead! So I had to keep hearing about the program even though I wasn't a part of it.  HEY you got into a program! I am unsure about your specific program but in mine they only take 1-5 people per school so only 3% of all applicants get accepted since there aren't very many spots open. YOU GOT A SPOT!! it may not be the dream but YOU GOT IN! That is an accomplishment! Start doing your research on where you are going and see what you want to be involved in and the opportunities you can take advantage of. Honestly that is really what is getting me excited for fall, opposed to the stress of logistics of moving and housing :D

  5. On 3/30/2018 at 7:16 AM, ohdeargodwhy said:

    I'm still pretty sad to be going to my second choice overall school and not my first (masters). I was accepted at both but the lack of financial aid and blasé attitude the admissions office displayed toward the cost of the program was ridiculous and off-putting.  It doesn't matter how much you "believe" in the program and it's value - the job prospects are well-paying but not surgeon, corporate lawyer, wall street, take out 100k well-paying. I still have debt from undergrad and I know how soul-sucking throwing money at interests payments and seeing the balance go nowhere can feel... and even more I would likely have the same job prospects from either program. But I liked the idea of going there more and the location. I should be thankful to have had options considering the cycles other had - but I still need to let out a whine. 

    I think if you can accomplish your goal of receiving your degree and be able to mitigate your undergrad debt and not have any/minor/significantly less grad debt as a whole your self-health will be better in the long run since as you said you aren't guaranteed a job after graduation. I had the same decision and in a similar scenario with most of what you listed. I joke around a whine a little about it with my friends because its going to be a significant lifestyle change for me (going from a metropolitan area on the west coast to a small farming/ industrial town in the midwest) but thankful for the opportunity. I think the more you figure out what at the school are things you are passionate about, besides your program, the more exciting its going to be, at least what I am doing and seems to be working :lol:

  6. 16 hours ago, SomeoneThrewMyShoe said:

    So yesterday I visited one of my schools, felt like the biggest imposter in the world, maybe had a bit of a stroke, and then I SIGNED A CONTRACT?

    I haven't even heard back from two of my schools (one I'm waitlisted at, another is an assumed rejection) but I FELL IN LOVE with the labs and the department and some potential advisers and the current grad students were all really cool (and sooooo intelligent, I'm kinda out of my league here). 

    And because of the snow that's hitting the East right now I'm stuck here for another day (and the department generously paid for another night at the hotel) so I'm going to go buy some apparel and explore.

    I.am.so.at.peace. 

    CONGRATS!

  7. 2 hours ago, iwearflowers said:

    I officially submitted all of my decisions today! Most of the emails I got in response to my rejections were very warm, but one professor just wrote "I hope this is a good decision for you." That kind of cemented my feeling that I made the right choice in turning them down. I mean . . . that's a bit passive aggressive, right?

    @iwearflowersI try to interpret emails in the best way possible, like texting it can sometimes sounds more passive aggressive then they intended. I would hope that a professor would genuinely hope you make the right decision for you since the decision impacts your life! Congratulations on your decision! 

  8. On 1/12/2018 at 4:02 AM, IrisR said:

    Thank you guys. I get along with about any age group. Critique is part of the whole process, I try to write down the feedback I get and go read over them after some time has passed. It allows me to look at it with an open mind. 

    When it comes to the teaching part, I look at it this way if the opportunity comes along great. The MFA is one more tool in my toolbox and it will allow me to become an educator at a University. I find myself teaching on an unofficial level all the time. That comes when you worked in a field for an extended time. Someone bound to come along and ask you advise. My dream is to gain gallery representation on an international level. I myself like it when my professors are working artists. 

    I am very open to feedback not only from faculty, but from fellow students. I often ask my kids to look at my work to give me feedback. If you want honest and brutal feedback ask a child. Since I am just the mom they do not hold back. Most every time the feedback is really good. They in return are learning how to look at art from a different perspective. 

    I am not worried to be the only older student in an MFA program. I returned to school after working as a professional photographer for over 20 years to complete my BFA. I was by far the oldest student in all the classes. 

    Most all the MFA program I applied for this round I opted for the funded ones. They for the most part have the advantage of gaining teaching experience on top of the artistic growth in their program. Any new skill gained is a bonus. As an experienced photographer I have something to offer to a MFA program. It's another way of giving back to the arts community. 

    So if you hear a German accent talk to that person it might be me.  I was not aware of Mills College in Oakland CA MFA program. I see I have still time to look into it some more. Thanks

    I'm not in the over 50 club, but I am returning to school to get my MFA next year after working in the entertainment industry for a lengthy time and wanted to hear what others experiences are, since I haven't heard back from others on a different thread. I did however grow up in the Bay Area and Mills is a highly reputable school, although very over looked because of how small it is with a lot of other larger schools so close by. I know a lot of people that either attended both at under and grad levels or teach there, they all loved it! If you get a chance I highly recommend you to visit!

  9. So all of the forums and columns I have found has been on what it is like to go back to school for law,  med, or a social science none of them have focused on art. Anyone have any perspective on attending the same department of graduate program after working in the same field of study for a lengthy period of time? 

  10. I use Le Pen in various colors for note taking and drawing, I like their thin profile which is able to just slip into a pocket. I do carry cheap/free pens for those that need to borrow something. I also use General's Draughting Pencils and Blackwings as a daily pencil. I do work/study art so I get picky about what I use. ^_^

  11. On 1/30/2018 at 4:39 PM, KAM13 said:

    I was a TA at Syracuse University. You don't have to go overdressed like in a suit and tie or dress and heels.

    - Jeans and diff color pants are fine.

    - Nice shirts ( No t-shirts, see-thru, low cut, or with excessive/oversized writing)

    - Closed-toe shoes, boots, flats or strappy sandals. 

    I work with TAs (going to be one next year though! :D) but working in theatre/film/art environment the dress code is a little lax compared to other departments, they tend to wear what they normally would wear. If they wear heels and a tie on the daily, they continue to wear it as a TA just because you have a new job doesn't mean you need to lose your identity. However, that does not mean hot pants and a see-though top is appropriate for the class room (unless its for a character for acting class! ) I live near the Timbuk2 HQ so most of the TAs use their backpacks and messengers since they are slim profile and waterproof, which helps since our winter and springs are just rain storms. I have had mine for 6 years never had a problem with it, even carrying heavy tools and books, and the only wear on it is courtesy of my cat scratching the back pad..... :(

  12. 13 minutes ago, GreenEyedTrombonist said:

    Rejected a school (for the first time) today. It just didn't have the same funding opportunities as my other schools, had way more fees (like, double the fees) of the other programs, more requirements for classes, work, and living situation, and, on top of that, they misspelled my name in their docs. :/

    I kept getting emails from a highly sought after programs starting with "Dear Prospective Grad Student..." My friend and I kept replying "Dear Prospective Grad School" they stopped emailing us.... There are programs that auto-fill your name into their letters it shouldn't be that hard to put the correct spelling of someone's name

  13. On 2/28/2018 at 6:28 PM, SomeoneThrewMyShoe said:

    My field isn't even that small but I feel like I'm going to offend someone? A pretty big name in my field is my assigned advisor at one of my schools; he JUST got there and he said he's never had a doctoral advisee before and he's so excited for me! I'm pretty sure I'm not going there but I AM FEELING ALL OF THE GUILT. Like...is he going to resent me when I see him at conferences? 

     

    Honestly, you should brag! That's amazing!

    Waitlist Guilt should be a named phenomenon. I'm fairly confident that I'm going to one of the schools that accepted me - but I can't confirm until I visit next month. Gotta get a feel for it. Hopefully in mid-March I'll let schools know and that's enough time for them to notify the waitlist. Like this is such a nice problem to have but it's also the source of all of my anxiety. 

    I agree about the bragging that is amazing! @SomeoneThrewMyShoe its a great contract to have the advisor that is excited for you, you can always keep in contact with him. There was a program I interviewed with and realized it wasn't for me but I still email one of the professors I connected with even though I'm not going to attend her school.

  14. 15 minutes ago, Makerak said:

    Uhhh what are you writing lol? Shouldnt sound like your refusing them in any way possible. 

    Maybe "looking forward to the results" + invite them to contact you if they have any further questions as a means of indicating continued interest. 

     

    Remember all you need to do is the following

    1. Thank them specifically

    2. Indicate how happy u were talking to them, meeting the program, faculty etc

    3. Indicate your continued, increasing interest with contact info

    @Makerak and @cklos Thanks! It just sounded a bit brash before. They already informed me of my results of acceptance, I'm just trying to decide what to do....

  15. 6 hours ago, Makerak said:

    Send them out individually and refernece their name in the letters content. It takes more time but it makes a much better gesture

    Is there a way to not make it sound like you are rejecting them but still deciding? Every time I draft thank you letters for interviews it sounds like I'm thanking them and refusing them.

  16. @SomeoneThrewMyShoe I am in the exact same boat, my field is so incredibly small that I don't want to offend anyone a burn any bridges.  I keep having to explain that traveling across the country to a completely different environment, especially the fact that I would be moving from 75 and sunny 340 days a year to snow for a majority of fall/winter, for three years is an extremely personal decision. I also haven't heard back from one program, they said they would have decisions out this week and another program is pressuring me to accept without hearing back from everyone. 

  17. 3 hours ago, Makerak said:

    At my interviews, the only person who looked he shouldn't be there was the guy wearing the full suit & tie. 

    Besides that, anything goes really as long it doesn't make you ridiculous (i.e. Dinosaur costume)

    Hi! This past year I have had a lot of interviews for high-level design jobs and grad school interviews and as a woman it is a little difficult for interview dress code in the creative industry. What I normally wear, which has not been an issue, is clean black booties ( I have a pair of all black leather oxfords from Frye I got on sale for $20) they are comfortable and easy to walk in yet polished; a casual blouse (look at Daniel Rainn for examples) and a pair of dark/black skinny jeans (I go for a cut that is between a straight but and a skinny so it is a little form fitting but not leggings) or a poly blend trouser (wool tends to attract lint and I don't want to worry about that) and finally a nice blazer in a fun color or causal cut. I work in theater and film and most of the time I look more put together than the interviewer (but they already have the job so its not a priory for them) but like I would fit in the environment well. I wore a variation of this at my interviews and most people commented that they liked an element of the outfit upon walking me out, so adding fun details like a brooch on your jacket or a fun but not distracting jewelry piece can help showcase your creativity and style without being too over the top.

    Hope this helps!

  18. I have had over the phone interviews and skype so far since I'm on the West Coast and I applied to schools all over the US. So far, all the programs I'm interested in have tried their best to figure out which works best for both parties involved since they understand the expense but want to get to know the students they accept. It gets a little awkward with the freezing and buffering sometimes. As long as you treat it as you would an in-person interview, all the schools I've talked to it was fine.

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