rosch

I just got a call from SAIC photo about an acceptance and a dean fellowship! 

Shout out to all yall!  You are worth it!  This process is dehumanizing, you are beautiful, Please Keep making work!
Holler at Ya boy,
Martin

I haven’t heard back either, but the day’s not over

As an LA transplant living in DC, I'd say Washington, DC is an excellent place to live without a car. It's not as comprehensive/convenient as NYC (but really, nothing else is), but is much cleaner/safer than NYC's. I even lived in a DC suburb (Arlington) and was able to get by without a car. If you live in DC proper, the Metro will get you to most places (except for Georgetown, Mt. Pleasant, 16th Street, etc.), but you're still only a 20-30 minute walk to a Metro station. In any case, it's a small enough city to make the abundant taxis affordable. Plus, there's always Zipcar for those IKEA trips in the 'burbs. And really, I think outside of Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, Atlanta, and possibly NY and Boston is the airport as accessible as DC's Reagan Airport, which is an indicator of the quality of a city's public transportation to me. (If only LA had extended the Green Line all the way to LAX!)

LA is absolutely horrible if you don't have a car. It's true what they say- everything is "20 minutes away" in LA, if you have a car. If you're taking a bus, tack on 30-40 minutes to your commute. I went to UCLA and lived in Westwood without a car for a while, but as UCLA isn't a commuter campus, the surrounding area is pretty well set up to accommodate car-less students. I always had friends with cars though, of course, for those grocery trips and beach days

Syracuse Studio Art and Department of Trans Media are different programs, with different selection committees. I have spoken with the Studio Art director and know that they are usually a mid-March response, but that this year they are trying to fast track the process, and get notifications to people by the end of February. They are currently reviewing applications. I can't speak to what's happening in the Trans Media department. 
I went to visit the school last week and talk with everyone. The art program seems very interesting, and is spread across a few buildings on campus with ample facilities. It's a three-year program, and during that time you get to teach your own classes at the school (paid positions), not TA. This is a real advantage over other programs, imo. 
 
 

I am going on a hunger strike in relatively-quiet protest of how this whole MFA application process is making me feel. ? 

I'm going to a good program in the Fall, and these forums provided solidarity and were useful to me in the application process so I want to give back a little. I hope to prevent someone from getting stupidly in debt or making a huge decision without the right info.
 
Some background, I'm 32 and have been out of undergrad (RISD) for almost 10 years.  Since then I've worked for major contemporary artists and galleries in NY, LA and SF, and shown at mostly artist run spaces and small galleries.  All my friends and co-workers are artists, most went to good undergrad programs, some did MFAs all over.  Some have big careers now, some have are struggling.  So I've made my living in the arts and feel like I know the art world well from the inside, though not from the top .
 
So here it goes:
 
#1)  The best MFA is no MFA.  Don't apply unless you are sure. Most successful artists did not get an MFA. Some of the most promising artists I knew in undergrad got totally messed up by contradictory advice, head games, and debt burden. And if you're in a relationship you care about, it probably won't survive the strain of being selfish and immersed with a ton of new friends under stressful circumstances.
 
#2)  Experience the Real World First.  Don't go straight out of undergrad. Being an artist is a long haul. It's really hard to make work and earn a living at the same time, and you will probably have to at some point. It's hard to be an adult and mature. It's important to build relationships in the actual art world, not just the school based one.  You'll be best off if you learn how to handle all these things first, so that you can get the most of the MFA when you go back and do it.  By then you will also know exactly which program fits you, and will be a stronger candidate if you can prove the ability to work and exhibit outside of school.  
 
#3)  Pick the Right One: The Lists are B.S.  The U.S. News and World Report is at best misinformed, at worst, it's an outright scam. It's full of big expensive programs, and the people they survey for the list? Faculty at big expensive programs. Almost all the good artists i know, the type who could go anywhere, went to schools with some sort of funding.  With the exception of a unique few like Columbia and CalArts, if it's expensive, it's not worth it.
 
Here's my list of the best schools to which my friends who did undergrad at Cooper, RISD, MICA, CalArts and SCAIC went on to attend.  I'm sure people will have a problem with it, but this is where friends I respect have gone. 
 
UCLA - cheap
CalArts - not cheap
Columbia - not cheap
USC Roski - destroyed
Hunter - cheap
Bard - affordable
Rutgers - cheap
UC Riverside - cheap
UC San Diego - cheap
Yale - cheap (need based funding)
MIT - ?funding
OR, Anywhere you're sure there are good people and the $$ is good,
 
#4)  Location   Most of the above are schools in NY or LA, or nearby.  That is where most of the art world is.  When you graduate a school you will have lots of ties and opportunities in the place where you studied.  It can be very hard to find work in the art world in these places, so you will have a head start.  There are plenty of amazing places to be an artist, but NY and LA have way more going on than the others.
 
 
#5)  Big Star Faculty are Unimportant  So what if a school has a name you're blown away by.  The bigger they are in the art world, the worse a teacher they are probably.  They will be too distracted with their studio deadlines to give you any attention at school.  You want to learn from teachers who make good work, but a mega art star is a shitty faculty member. Unless the person is actively going to prioritize teaching for a time, I would not count on them being great. There are legendary artists who are great teachers, I'm talking about 'hot' artists.
 
#6)  Start Your Application Early  It is a big logistical hassle.  Asking references, writing CVs, updating websites, getting transcripts, these all take time. 
 
#7)  Do Residencies  If you're thinking of applying to grad school, but aren't sure, or your portfolio is weak, do a residency.  They are like mini grad schools in a way, and are a great way to get the time to do a discreet body of work to add to your portfolio.  Even if you don't get into one, applying to them will give you practice in putting together writing and images.
 
#8)  A Portfolio of Good Images  Borrow or rent or buy a good camera and lights, and learn how to color correct and clean it all up digitally.  It makes a huge difference.  The portfolio seems to be the #1 thing that matters, with your writing second, and references a close 3rd.  Don't worry if you have bad grades, or studied communications in undergrad.  
 
#9)  Take the Interview Seriously  Prepare for it some.  Spend a few days at the school.  At least don't arrive an hour before it starts.  Get some sleep the night before.  Hang out with the other students and poke around the program.  A lot of times the other students get some say in who gets in, so getting to know them can help.
 
#10)  Have Perspective, and Re-Apply  If you don't get into a school you like, re-apply. Don't settle for a crappy school because you were set on attending this year.  You will seriously regret it down the road.  Remember, you can only do an MFA once.  There are so many random reasons for accepting and rejecting people, I wouldn't take too much stock in a handful of rejections.
 
 
Hope this is helpful!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#

I accepted Pratt's offer and deposited before hearing back from RISD, because I was also concerned about losing my spot. I ended up having to tell Pratt that I was declining their offer, and while I felt terrible about it, they were pretty understanding. As someone said before, the lack of a universal deadline for deposits/confirmations really puts people in an awkward position. In the end it's about what works best for you though. 

For anyone with an upcoming SMFA interview, or really any interview:
 
Had my interview with Ethan Murrow from SMFA last Thursday. Questions were about my current work, my current career, reasons for choosing to pursue an MFA, specifically why SMFA, what am I trying to convey through my work, influences and more specific questions were built upon my responses. Very interested in what I hoped or planned on doing with my work, conceptually, professionally and practice-wise. Discussed in depth what I could contribute to SMFA and what made me different from other applicants. He stated that he only had access to my portfolio prior to our Skype interview and was not privy to supporting material (ie. resume, statement, application, transcripts). He did not even have info regarding where I am located or what my undergrad degree is. So I briefed him on all that info. Very causal, equally informative as questioning, went slightly over the allotted 30 mins, he mentioned that my answers to questions also answered questions that were on his list, so I suppose I seemed well prepared. I followed up with thank you emails to both him and Lennon, both of whom responded promptly and positively. He even provided further faculty contacts for me to pursue specific to my skills and interests. 

I think last year VCU sent out photo interview requests third week of Feb, so hopefully next week

VCU says notifications for interviews go out late Feb with acceptance decisions going out in early April, so you probably have some time to wait. 

Finished mine as well. Similar questions as yours and also takes about 13 mins.
I did not remember I answered right or not... lol... now, fingers crossed!

Lol, Yes I just read your previous comments. I am right after you I think. My schedule is 7:15pm.
I studied Broadcasting & Film (Media Studies) and Business Administration. 
& 
I'm preparing in a similar way with you guys. Looking over my SOP and portfolio and writing answers for general questions like Why RISD, Why DM? Why now? Why graduate school? Inspiration? Goal? and Questions about my works.

The MFA grad advisor attempted to call me, but instead received a UT Austin Painting acceptance via email!  Nominated for a recruitment fellowship through the University, which includes a full scholarship, free health insurance, and a more than a generous living stipend. The email goes on to mention that their decision was unanimous, which make me feel truly wanted at their program. 

I've seen mention of contact from VCU from certain departments. Has anyone heard yet from the photo/film dept? Also, is anyone here applying to the VCU for photo/film? Richmond seems like such a cool place.

You're going to have bad days. You're going to have bad days a lot at first, but even after you've been teaching for 5 or 10 years, you're going to have bad days then, too. Just accept them and move on.
 
Related to that, if your students don't like your class or your subject-matter (or even you), don't take it too personally. Remember that you're an "authority" figure in a required class, and that people don't really like authority figures or their "required" courses. (I know that nothing is really "required" in college, but students often perceive general ed classes as a chore.) More importantly, students lose a lot of respect for instructors who seem to take student disinterest really personally. Be open to student feedback (in the form of midterm evaluations) but don't chase after their approval. That just makes you look desperate.
 
Resist the temptation to grade too hard or too easy. Devise a rubric (or borrow one from someone) and stick to it. If it's a choice between being kind and being fair, be fair.
 
Don't lose sight of your own work or the reason you came to grad school. Don't let teaching eat your professional or personal life.

In the mail?! What is this 1982?! I wouldn't be surprised if some letters are delayed due to the PoLaR VoRtEx. ?️ Also - CONGRATS!!

Congrat!
I also got an invitation from RISD, digital media. Maybe at the same time. 
I also applied to Calarts art and tech, SAIC art and tech and USC roski. Have anyone heard from those departments? It seems SAIC already sent their invitations but I've never heard any from art and tech program.
Why am I sooo nervous

It's not really possible to "fail" the interview.  The interviewers at that point know that your work would fit the program and are sussing out whether you are good fit for the community.  As long as you show up engaged, and willing to answer questions, you'll be fine.  The week before, have a few studio visits with people who have never seen your work before - this helps work out jitters.
As for writing your intent, I find it's useful to talk about how you want your work to grow over the next 2-3 years, and how grad school is an important part of that progress.  What do you think you'd get out of participating in this program in particular?  I strongly recommend mentioning 1-2 faculty members you particularly want to work with.

Got an interview! wow