Meaou

UT Austin grad coordinator mentioned during their open day that graduate school application rate is down in the U.S in general in the last two years. So maybe there would really be fewer people applying...

Is anyone applying to the University of Houston? Their supplemental application for Studio Art program has some weird instructions for a Letter of Academic Interest: A brief letter stating your interests within the field of art history and career goals. I wonder if it's just a mistake (they have an Art History department too)? Their grad advisor wasn't able to clarify, unfortunately.

They're half-private, you're sharing with one more person and you're separated by thick curtains/wall. Also, studios with nice lighting seem to be for photographers and painters (maybe sculptors too?), transmedia people were in larger and somewhat newer studios, but the lighting was not great.

I'm an international student, so the lack of funding is a deal breaker for me, unfortunately. I also hope to make work related to the ocean ecosystem while in MFA, and being 5.5 hours away from the coast will be difficult. Austin is 3.5 hours away from Corpus Christi, and that's already a stretch. How was your experience with UCLA last year? I'm curious if you went to their Open Studios? I'm considering going in December.

It's my first year trying to apply, my shortlist is: UCLA (Photography) CalArts (Art and Art&Technology) UT Austin (Studio Art) I'm still considering VCU (doesn't have research facilities that I'm interested in) and Yale (doesn't have an interdisciplinary program and studios for photographers). It was my second NPD, I went last year to see how things were and how realistic it was to get in with the kind of work I make. It was incredibly helpful this year as I received application waivers from a few schools; two schools I'm most interested in recalled me from the last year, saw my projects progress and were encouraging about my chances. I'm not sure if it translates to anything admission/funding-wise, but it made me feel more confident. It was also a great way to meet faculty and have an hour-long conversation to see if I'd be a good fit to work with these people for 2 years. I went to UT Austin MFA Open Day last weekend, and although it was helpful to see their facilities, it was far less useful as it didn't have a portfolio review component.

Is anyone going to the National Portfolio Day in NYC this Sunday? I'm curious how busy does it get. I was in Miami last year for an undergrad event and arrived 2 hours before the opening time – I was expecting lines, but it was packed.