Doctor Ackula

I don't know anything about the rankings, but I visited both a few weeks ago. I went in preferring SFAI. I'm not sure why now, but I changed my mind. Part of it was that the faculty I met at SFAI Seemed pretty... I dunno... tired and unenthused, while the opposite was true of those I met at CCA. The other thing is that the facilities at CCA were about a hundred times better. Multiple wood shops, CNC routers, vacuformers, non-cramped studio spaces, large outdoor working areas, etc. SFAI's main building was pretty cool, though a labyrinth, and the grad facilities were way out in Dogpatch... a not great (though not bad) neighborhood that I had trouble getting to. That building was pretty bleak with grad students like sardines and sharing space with ad agencies. CCA's main building, on the other hand is an old train station (Greyhound station?) that's a giant glass tube full of daylight, gallery space, and work area. All of the facilities are in the same area, which was easier for me to get to than either of the SFAI campuses. Though I didn't go into it that way, and I didn't get in, CCA became my first choice. I'm a painter.

It hadn't occurred to me that the post-bac might be a ripoff. Somehow I doubt SAIC, with like 2000 students needs to con that extra little bit from like 80 extra students. I was already leaning toward SAIC, assuming get in, since I didn't get in to the school I really wanted (CCA). The idea that it's no different from a 3-year program gives that idea a little push. I'll be visiting both in the next week or so (hopefully), so I'll probably post what I decide whether or not anyone cares.

First, what's the deal with SAIC's post-baccalaureate program? I wasn't accepted to SAIC's MFA program, but was interviewed for the post baccalaureate program. The website says that anyone not accepted to the MFA is considered for the post bac. Could they have interviewed everyone who didn't get in? The interviewer told me that they admit about 15 students (per department?) a year to the one-year program, which seems strangely tiny for a school with 700 grad students. My general question isn't more specific than, "What's the deal?" Why is it so small? Should I expect to get in, having been asked to apply and interviewed? Does it mean anything that I was asked to schedule an interview immediately? Has anyone gone though this at SAIC or elsewhere? Secondarily, what's the deal with Burren in Ireland? How well respected is it? If I stayed on to get a studio PhD, would it make any difference in the US?