ackey

Finally heard back...rejection. Apparently I was towards the bottom of the waitlist, and there was no funding left.
Argh this process...I applied to a total of five schools (max I could afford), interviewed with one (and rejected), waitlisted by two (ultimately rejected)—needing to regroup, wishing I had the money to go sit in a beach somewhere.  

What is a graceful way to decline an offer?
 

What is a graceful way to decline an offer?
 

Being on two waitlists at this point in the game is pure torture. I think it means I/we are a great fit for each program but there are snafus keeping us in a holding pattern. I know I have many opportunities beyond or instead of grad school right now-but, damn, this waiting for a likely/uncertain rejection is just brutal!! Sending good vibes to all.

How is everyone making decisions about $$$?? I got in to NYU & Goldsmiths, but even though NYU has funding for everyone, it's really not enough, and Goldsmiths doesn't have any funding at all for international students. My advisors from undergrad are both telling me to just do it, basically, but everyone else seems much more hesitant, and I'm looking at something like 80k - 100k worth of debt. That seems totally crazy, and I don't know if I should accept one of these offers, apply for external funding, and hope for the best, or if I should just reapply in the future and do better research on funding next time! 

Sorry to hear
I feel your pain. Out of 10 applications I got 8 rejections, 1 vague, pseudo-waitlist, and 1 acceptance and scholarship but still not enough financial aid to do it. I've contacted them explaining that I need more financial assistance and am visiting the school this weekend during an "Admitted Students' Day", so crossing my fingers now more than ever.
Best of luck to everyone! This process is a killer. 

I am considering SVA, although concerned about $$! 
Now I'm wondering if asking for more funding would be an option...SVA is the only acceptance I received (unless I get off the MICA waitlist), so I don't have any other funding offers to mention to them. 

I wrote a poem for you all after a year of applications to grants/ open calls/ 2 interviews at VCU and RISD that resulted in a rejection and waitlisted status.     —————————————————————     We regretfully encourage you to apply to our online print institution with a cv, slideroom sacrifice, numbered explanations of your sense of criticality, and a brief statement explaining the origins of your rigor in contemporary practice.    Due to the volume of applicants we will be unable to tell you wether you were selected or not. A full faculty interview panel will be planned to gender reveal your destiny via Skype if the panel selection includes your final application.    Please reach in if you have questions.  Thank you.   Departmental chair  

welp, rejected from Tulane 5 weeks after interviewing. Got an email with a link to the admissions portal, which seems to be the kiss of death in these things. 
Not sure if grad school will work out this year, but currently not keen on repeating this process again. 

I got $12,000 a year in merit scholarship. I'm happy to receive the scholarship, but cost of living with the remaining cost of the program would definitely result in me taking out more loans than I feel comfortable with

Hey! I got waitlisted at MICA too. So I had a conversation with an admission counselor about the same thing. If you have any further doubts, just use the chat feature on their website, its pretty awesome!
You must have recieved a survey link, you can just fill out your deadlines there and they'll fast track the process.  He said they'll try and get back by April 13 (which is a very short deadline) but if its your first choice like mine, I highly recommend it. 
However does anyone know How likely is it to get into a school off of their waitlist? I'm curious too. The counselor told me there are 21 seats and except the ones accepted, 19 others were waitlisted for each program (top 40).

Got accepted to Pratt with 38k in aid, but cost of attendance is like 110k so I dunno if I'm going to be able to make it to New York this year.?
 

Still haven’t heard from parson’s fine arts mfa or Tyler’s sculpture department... think I’m officially starting to lose it ?

Interviewed for 3 and heard back from one 3/4 weeks later and from the others roughly 2 weeks later. I think they were exceptionally quick though and it's dependant on when faculty can meet up, how many finalists they had etc. 
All the best with hearing back :-) 

Interview tomorrow..and my voice has completely gone!! Can barely even whisper?
Hoping I will be able to speak at least a little by then...."I"..."paint"..."please"..."accept"

Accepted to SMFA at Tufts University with an extremely generous scholarship ??. Super happy and excited about it!

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 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. 

The only thing I found was this: https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/applications/ethics
Basically, they say it is acceptable only when you are waiting to hear back from other schools (as you are), and I would have to agree. If you do decide to cancel your acceptance and accept a second offer, I would just let the first school know ASAP so that someone else has a chance to take your spot. Honestly, these different programs should try to figure out a universal timeline so that this is not even an issue.
 
Best of luck.