AngryHarold

thanks for the information! i still haven't heard anything from RISD, so i assumed rejection. like you, i don't think i can go without a decent offer anyway, so no big deal. i was just honored to even be interviewed. good luck to you too! i'm pretty psyched on Pratt overall, but the living expenses in NYC are my biggest concern. that was a huge benefit of RISD.

bad news for me i guess. didn't hear from RISD yet. lol. good job though, in all seriousness. that's a good dilemma to have!

So now that I'm done with my interviews, I thought I would summarize my experiences so prospective applicants next year will have some more information going in. I couldn't find much info about Pratt or RISD interviews this year, so I'd like to offer some insight. I'm going to omit the specific questions they asked about my work, as it isn't relevant. I will note how many were asked, however. Boston U: Option between Skype or in-person interview. Flew there are I had someone to stay with. Three faculty members (Josephine Halvorson, Jaya Howey, Marc Schepens) and two MFA students were in the interview. It lasted about 15-20 minutes, and these are the questions posed to me: - Why BU - Why grad school/why now? - Talk about the process of making your work - How do you think your work fits into the lineage of contemp. painting (paraphrasing, but that's the jist) - What artists are you looking at/inspire your work - *Personal question about work* - Any questions for us? Overall tone was pleasant, but deadpan. I couldn't read the room at all, except for one moment of excitement from an interviewer. I ended up getting in and they seemed enthusiastic after all. I honestly thought I did something wrong initially, but I guess that's the tone they take during the interview. Pratt: Skype interview (no option for in-person, which i'm grateful for given the cost of flying). Two faculty members (Michael Brennan and Nat Meade). The whole interview lasted 17 minutes, with 3-4 of those being my questions. Here are the questions: - I'm looking at *insert piece name here* and it seems to have these types of influences. Can you talk about that and how you make your work? - Why grad school now? Why Pratt? - Talk about artists you are influenced by - Non-art influences - Do you know such and such artists? (I did, but I'm bad with names. They let me google them while interviewing and we talked about them) - *Few more personal questions about work* Overall tone was extremely pleasant. They were openly complimentary during and after the interview, and very positive about my work and answers to their questions. They were both enthusiastic about the program and about the potential for me to come there. They had good, direct answers for my questions. The whole thing felt like a more intimate conversation about my work with people who were genuinely interested. I sent both of them follow-up emails and they both responded within a day or two. I heard back 3-4 days later via a phone call from the chair with scholarship info. They were timely, friendly, enthusiastic, and accomodating. RISD: Skype interview, but it was complicated. They really discourage doing Skype interviews, but due to the untimely, massive storm that hit on the day I was supposed to fly out, I couldn't make it. They were understanding, but I think that's the only reason I got a pass. They more or less told me that I wouldn't get in if I didn't show up in person. There were at least 10 faculty members for the interview. This was my longest interview at about 30-45 minutes. Kevin Zucker was leading the interview. *All of the questions were very detailed, thoughtful (and tough) questions about my process, my concepts, my thinking, my interests, and my essay (which was a first). They asked me if I'd be ok with how rigorous their program was, and how it compares to the program I came from for undergrad* Overall tone was somewhere in the middle. It wasn't necessarily enthusiastic (towards me), and definitely wasn't complimentary, but not malicious or unreasonable either. They did seem to put a lot of thought into everything they asked, and I really appreciated the effort and time that would take. The questions were serious and very specific, and I'm extremely grateful this was my last interview. I needed the most time to prepare for this one, and if you don't think about your technique, influences, concepts, and goals often, you better start practicing. Another website mentioned that they "grill you tribunal style". I wouldn't call that accurate. If you can't handle hard questions about your work and you tend to take it personally, I can understand how it may feel like that, but I've had way worse experiences in undergrad crits, and it just requires that you have a good level of awareness about your work. I wouldn't really expect less from a top school. They answered my questions directly and thoroughly, and were helpful and accommodating. I left unsure of whether or not I'd be accepted, but I didn't falter at all or stumble on questions, and I answered honestly and accurately, so if it's not a good fit for them, I won't take it to heart. I was just honored to even be considered. I hope this is helpful for everyone, and good luck in our final days of this torturous season!

alright, good to know. they told me 40,000 specifically, so then that's less than what i was expecting. i'm still going to try to make it work, but it's going to be tough.

thanks! good luck to you!

Received a phone call from Pratt today (only three days after the interview!). Accepted with about a half-ride. I'm a little unclear about the exact tuition amount, as Pratt's site is a little hard to navigate, but the offer is about half from what I can tell. I think this is probably where I will end up (if I can swing it), as it sounds perfect for me. The interview went really well and the faculty that interviewed were personable and enthusiastic. I want to start integrating 3D Printing/Scanning/Photogrammetry into my work, and they encourage you to take courses on this stuff while you're there. My RISD interview is tomorrow, which I hope goes as well as Pratt's. Ended up having to cancel my trip to Providence due to the weather, so I'm doing it via Skype. When I'm done with all of this, I'm going to post a list of interview questions I found from a post on here a few years back and add some other questions I was asked through this process.

Interviewed with Pratt for Painting/Drawing MFA this morning. It went really well, was just conversational for the most part, and the interviewers were enthusiastic and friendly. I feel like I nailed it, but we'll find out. Got a quarter scholarship to Boston University, which is disappointing, but it is what it is. we'll see what happens with RISD and Pratt.

thanks!

does anyone know who is conducting the Pratt MFA Painting interviews? i've received no extra info, even after requesting it.

BU Acceptance call 20 minutes ago! Supposed to hear about funding tomorrow apparently.

i assumed a mail delay possibly because of the storms, but maybe they had to close the schools. idk i'm trying to not read into it too much. just hard to not obsess, lol.

still haven't heard anything either, so i guess there was a delay or bad news. not entirely sure. it's taking a reallllly long time though.

thanks! good luck with your SVA interview!

yes, i received a Pratt Painting/Drawing invite. my Skype interview is Friday. right before my RISD one on Wednesday, lol. I'll be happy to be done with this process.

alright, well i hope that's how mine goes too. i've heard words like "grilled" and "tribunal style" thrown around about their interviews, which i can deal with, i just want to be ready.

hey, would you mind sharing your interview experience? i've heard that RISD interviews are brutal, so i'd like to prepare for a lashing beforehand.

she got about a half-ride, but it wasn't really enough to justify the living expenses. we're sort of in the same boat again. i know i'm going to have to take out more loans for either tuition or living expenses, but i can't really do both. guess we'll see what happens.

my girlfriend interviewed and was accepted last year and they sent the results via mail, so i'm just assuming it'll be the same this year.

nope. i think they sent out letters via snail mail yesterday, so i'll probably hear tomorrow one way or the other. i did just receive an email from Pratt for an interview, just so everyone knows (MFA Painting). so all the schools i've applied to i've heard from at this point, for everyone's information: RISD- Interview Request Boston U- Interviewed Pratt- Interview Request i'll try to leave a post about my experience interviewing at these places for applicants to look at next year. if anyone has interviewed at Pratt or RISD, i would appreciate hearing about your experience, just so i know what to prepare for specifically.

how so? if you don't mind me asking.

nope, but it should be soon.

me and another forum member had interview requests for RISD Painting already. not sure if there's going to be another round. i haven't heard from Pratt either. i don't think anyone has.

same here

heard from Boston Haven't heard from RISD Also haven't heard from Pratt

Hey all, I'm curious if there's a difference in acceptance rates/scholarship offers for doing a Skype interview as opposed to an in-person one. I understand the benefits of going to the campus, but as a Midwesterner with limited funds, I can't fly out East multiple times this year. I'd like to hear some opinions on this.