justaylor

I think we are all going a little crazy right now, and definitely for good reasons, but I want to say I’m super happy with this forum this year. I’m loving how supportive and informative it is. I know we all applied to some of the same schools and we are all cheering for each other and it’s super good to see! I think at this point, let’s lift each other up and share self care techniques and reads and things that could calm us all down. Cause honestly. This isn’t the end of the world! We all have super bright futures and what will be will be! Super thankful for all of you all and knowing I’m not going through it alone!

My girlfriend has banned me checking my website because the last time I got so deep into checking IP addresses she said I looked like stalker.... BUT SHES AT WORK SO I JUST CHECKED. Hits from Southern California (UCI and UCSB) Hits from Oregon One hit from Michigan Nothing from Louisiana (Tulane)

haha this genuinely makes me want to throw up out of anxiety.....like im looking back at the previous years freak outs and they started interviewing in early to mid February. AHHH.

Im about through with The 12 Million Dollar Shark- The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art and I have learned SO much from it. It starts to get kind of heavy and difficult throughout the middle when the author is really getting into the economics of auction houses and private sales but its definitely worth the read. I am much more confident talking about the contemporary art market now and I really recommend it to any one going after a Masters.

I’m just dumbfounded at the amount of false information here to be honest. A minimum of ten schools? So your mentors were encouraging you to blow 1000 dollars on app fees? That’s just bad advice? Your art should speak for itself. And then you get the opportunity to do so in your statements and essays. The faculty spends weeks and months going through applications and finding the proper candidates. How the hell is that anything like a lottery? I’m just genuinely at a loss for words for how wrong all of that is.

Also, I’ve been researching programs and preparing my portfolio for almost 2 years. I know that it is nothing like a lottery. It literally couldn’t be less like a lottery.

No I wouldn’t be terribly upset, though I do think I will be accepted into at least a couple of programs. I believe in my work and I had my recommendations written by well known artists in their fields who know a number of faculty at the schools I applied to. I am currently teaching art and English in Barcelona and will soon move to Madrid with my partner so if I don’t get accepted then I’ll just continue to teach here and apply again next year. I am also tattooing and traveling so I would not be devasted if I didn’t get in but I still have my hopes!

I know! I started it because I was shocked there wasn’t already one in the works! So yeah I am also hoping there aren’t as many people applying ?

I think it’s fine as long as you can do it well and make it look natural but if you can’t I would leave it as is

my direct visits went up 80% ? and most came from California. ILL BE IN MY ANXIETY NEST IF ANYONE NEEDS ME

HAHAHA DAMN YOU! I totally did forget until LITERALLY NOW ???

I finished all my applications today and will now try not to obsessively refresh my application status tabs ? all together I sent apps to UC Irvine UCSB Tulane U Michigan U Oregon ive got all my fingers crossed for everyone! Let’s keep updating with news!

I just applied to UO today ? AND NOW WE WAIT

I don’t really think it’s here nor there. I have also read that applying multiple years can help but that’s only if they see growth in your work. So, if you feel confident in your growth and the work you’re going to show them, I would say the fact that you’ve applied before could help a lot. That being said it will definitely work against you if you’re just sending the same work, if they rejected it once they’ll do it again.

Idk about doing it in the artist statement. It might seem out of place. I would carefully read what they ask you to include and include only those things.

right?! I mean, I wouldn't want to read all that if I were them either but damn..

All of the schools I’ve written for so far actually state in the instructions to include it. And UC Irvine actually requests that you include professors outside of the art department you’d like to work with as well (all in just 600 words ?) . My advice is to absolutely include atleast two, even if it’s just name dropping. It shows you’ve done your research and also, if someone sees their name included they’ll be more inclined to push you through. It’s that tiny little narcissist in all of us lol

You should absolutely include images from various disciplines! But try and keep them cohesive and focused. They aren’t much interested in seeing assignments or craft per say. They just want to see that you’re thinking in a broad way and that you’re “teachable”. Basically meaning that you aren’t stuck in your artistic ways and that you’re willing and ready to experiment and absorb the knowledge the program can offer.

I asked one of my old professors about this and he said that just an email introducing yourself and your interest in the program and them specifically are generally pretty well received. From what I gathered they are pretty used to this kind of thing. It definitely helps to reach out before applying though, recognition can go a long way for standing out among other applicants. I have yet to do so but I'm planning on drafting some emails soon.

How was the UO open house? Thats a top pick of mine and I'd love to hear about your experience!

I honestly just recommend researching researching and researching more. I’ve spent 2 years researching programs before applying and my lists changed quite a lot in that time. There are a lot of factors I consider though and the biggest is available funding. I look at the current and past students, find their websites and have even sent dms through Instagram. All have always been super excited and willing to answer questions and what’s better is that the faculty takes current students opinions into consideration. So if they recognize your name and work you’re more likely to get further. Look at their facilities and definitely research faculty. It’s tempting to try to make a decision based on location or name recognition but I promise the more you research the happier and more confident you will be with your final program decisions.

I saw this same thing on the University of California Irvine site, I would really prefer to include my personal statement but it says to just put 'Personal Statement Not Required for MFA' so I'm not sure if including it would just be annoying for the faculty or if it would help.

I did a lot of research on Yale and the past students didnt seem very happy with the art program atleast they felt it didnt live up to the high price tag it came with. I wish I could have gone to NPD but I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from past mentors at SCAD and SAVS so that feels encouraging.

From what Ive gathered and researched about this subject it seems as though they should be similar but cover a couple of different things. One being more comprehensive about your personal artistic practice (the artist statement) and the SOP would go into more detail about the school specifically and why their program would help you grow and achieve your artistic goals.

Hi! Sorry for the late reply! I've been in Spain completing and artist's residency, mainly just so I can have the time to finish up the last few pieces I want to include in my portfond so I can have the time to focus on my applications. Because I was overseas I was unable to attend NPD but would love to know how it went for anyone that was able to attend? My final FINAL (lol) list of schools is UC - Davis, Irvine, Santa Barbara and San Diego ( I got a fee waiver for all University of California Schools [up to 4] ) University of Michigan University of Oregon I've already started all of my applications and have all my letters of recommendation out. I decided not to go with Carnegie Mellon because of the lack of funding. While they do provide some funding the program isnt completely covered and they cant guarantee you an assistantship which is a big deal breaker for me because I'm pursuing the MFA largely so I may teach at the collegiate level. Though, if those arent things youre concerned about very much I would totally recommend the program. It looked super cool and experimental, their faculty is incredible and they very recently renovated their studios and they look pretty sick.