Jaux

This is a super long winded explanation so I can save you the heartbreak of making my mistake of applying to too many programs.
A lot of (most?) programs won't let you apply to more than one program in a given year unless it is two very distinct degrees. For example, you may be able to apply to an MA/PhD in Art History and an MFA in Painting (for example), but they may not let you apply for both an MFA in Painting and an MFA in Sculpture (for example). I think I only applied to one place that explicitly allowed you to apply to more than one program in a single year (SAIC). UIUC and a couple of other places I saw allowed you to select an option to potentially be considered for a different area if they thought it would be a better fit but they didn't allow you to apply for these other areas even if you filed multiple applications. 
After finishing my first round of applications earlier this year I would seriously recommend applying to fewer programs and focusing more on the quality of each one. The multiple essays for each program will take quite a bit of time to do well from the initial writing phase to proofreading and editing. While the statement of purpose could be recycled from school to school with only minor changes (for my SOP I had one paragraph that I tailored to each school and the rest was left mostly intact) the other essays will be completely unique to each school. It is also not uncommon for schools to ask for up to 3 additional essays (especially if you want to be considered for any funding). Plus there's the time required to do the administrative tasks like filling out the applications, uploading the portfolio, requesting recommendations, and dealing with the inevitable glitches. There's no getting around these time commitments. I ended up applying to 8 schools (I intended on 12 but ended up cutting 4) and spent last fall semester either working, going to class, working in the studio, working on the first draft of my thesis, and working on grad school applications. I had no free time, no social life, and my studio practice ended up suffering because I had to dedicate so much time to my applications.
Yes my story is meant to be a cautionary tale because I only ended only being accepted to one program that I ended up turning down. That one program was one of two schools I ended up applying to that I had a good deal of contact with.
tl;dr: Grad apps take way too much time to complete, applying to too many will hurt your applications and therefore your chances of getting into a good program. Try to connect with faculty who will be making the decisions and really focus on perfecting each application. Work smarter not harder. That will get you in instead of using the spray and pray method.

Hey there - I'm sneaking in from the art corner of the forums since people just aren't really mentioning much of this there which is baffling to me. I totally agree with all your points.

Prior to everything shaking down I accepted an offer and now I'm just at a loss. Schools in the same region of my program have already announced online only semesters so it's only a matter of time until my school does too as these are all domino effects - and as you mentioned - there's a possibility of a second wave of this. Who's to say it won't make the whole year online? 

I know for some programs, being online isn't as detrimental, but for art? I won't have a studio, workshop access, materials, gallery and crits. I also have a partner that works at a university and other folks I know in the application cycle right now too and it's a mess. Admissions numbers are plummeting all over (understandably) And schools are still trying to sell the online option like it'd be comparable to the in person experience (which of course it isn't.) Why would I pay all this 'in-person' pricing for Zoom meetings? 

I also don't know how people aren't yelling more about the Visa issues - I'm not an international applicant but (Other admissions rate drops aside) are folks even going to have a full number of fellow students in their class if international applicants can't get their visas? 

I know some other folks that declined this round already because everything is just a mess. I'm going to be calling the school tomorrow and see if I have ANY possibility of deferral and can hold onto my scholarship given these time. I don't want to have possibly an entire half of my grad experience on a webcam. I'm trying to stay optimistic and see what options can play out given how weird everything is, I wish you luck!



 

Ugggggggggh . go away. stop externalizing your own issues onto people who are just trying to use this forum to share information. we are not babies we do not need a dad. go away
I am aware that Hunter students are struggling right now.  everyone is struggling right now. Like if you want to be a banker or work in tech just go do that. Or please start messaging people who are going to the $$$$ MFA programs. I know that arguing with trolls just eggs them on but please stop mansplaining. No one asked your opinion and in fact someone even made an account just to ask you to please stop sharing your opinion.

I know we're all bored from staying inside, so in the interest of keeping sanity I've handed out some week-long silences. PM me if you have questions.

Yes, you are doing it quite clumsily indeed. Some of us are not insecure egomaniacs like you and do not want the market to validate us. Wanting to get an MFA is fine. Get over the fact that your friend hit the art world jackpot and you didn't. Of course art is speculative, so are a million other things. Unless you are writing this out of your forest hermitage where all you partake in is some wholesome art pour l'lart, get off your high horse and ideally start a different thread so we can discuss the waiting period and waitlists here. 

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omfg it's like talking to a wall, but @Please Shut Up I choked on my tea when I saw your username, I love it ?

Accepted to Pratt Package design via email :)
Having difficulty deciding between Pratt and SVA. Does anyone know which college is better for an MFA in graphic/communication design?

Just received an offer from Pratt MFA Communication Design via e-mail if anyone is waiting on that program! Super excited. 

Thank you! I got an email saying they accepted me and there’s a link to the unofficial letter as well.  I’m expected to respond by April 15th

Hey thats great! Do you know how good the course is compared to SVA's MFA Design?

I've been accepted to USF - Tampa and UGA - Athens! Now I have to figure out what program is the best choice

UChicago acceptance via email just now! Anyone else???

Ahh, I'm just patiently waiting for the 15th deadline for two of my apps to hit and then I can rest knowing everything is under review! 

I haven't seen as many design leaning folks on here - but I'm applying to: 

SVA Interaction Design
Pratt Communications Design
Parsons Communication Design
ArtCenter Graphic Design 

Ahhhh, this is my first time applying to grad programs so I'm nervous and excited : D I hope everyone is boding well during the wait times! 

has anyone heard back from sva / artcenter / cca for graphic design? 

Putting into the record that New York Academy of Art acceptance letters went out on this date 

received acceptance through phone call from SAIC MA VCS yesterday!
I dont think they sent out email yet though

Accepted to Cranbrook fiber this morning via email, so if anyone is lurking & interested, those are out. 
Official acceptance letter & financial package will be sent out later. 

Just got an interview request from Hunter for painting!

Hang in there! This process is very opaque and can indeed feel defeating and hard to figure out. Remember that sometimes "right fits" matter and not hearing back doesn't reflect on the quality of your work. I hope you hear good news! 

Good luck to you!! It's hard for me to not lose faith in the programs that have not yet contacted me at this point, but yes we should remain positive  I feel like self-doubt can be so prevalent in admissions season. I hope we all recognize our own worth no matter the outcome.

Thanks MIQI  There were two dates offered to me, Feb 8th and 9th. 
I feel you on the anxiously waiting! I'm pretty sure I've missed out on an interview for my  #1 - even though I had one last year. Not meant to be I guess (but really want it to  be 

Got a phone call this morning from the Performance dept. at SAIC inviting me for an interview!

Me trying to negotiate with these grad schools in a month or two:

I went digging and found this list in the 2018 freak out forum I think. Not sure if it's the same one. Hope it helps! Good luck
Common Questions Visual Arts Applicants are Asked During an Interview
How does your work fit in with the contemporary art world/scene?
Why do you want to go to XXXXX?
Why do you want to go to grad school? Why now?
What resources of this program will be the biggest benefit to your development as an artist?
What is your work about?
What are your influences?
What for you constitutes a good work of art?
What draws you to a piece of work?
What motivates your work?
Who are your main influences?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What do you think is a good critique of your work/bad critique?
Why/how did you choose the people who wrote letters for you?
How will you contribute to this program?
What do you do for fun?
 
What artists do you like? (you can have a list prepared)
What artists who are no longer living influence you?
What book are you reading right now? What do you think about it?
What are you working on right now?
Please explain this work (xxxx03.jpg)
What is your favorite piece of art? Why? (Title, artist, year)
Can you describe yourself, such as personal habit, etc.
Do you get along well with others?
What would you bring to a group dynamic ?
 
What can you offer this program? Any special skills?
What do you think is a good way of critiquing? a bad way?
What other aspects of culture influence your work besides art/art history?
How do you see yourself taking advantage of this school’s environment/program?
What exhibition have you been to in the last year?
What have you done since you’ve graduated?
What contemporary artists are you into, and why?
Tell us about the conceptual underpinnings of your work?
Talk about your process.
What do you think about *this essay*? (related to your work)
How is your work related to *this movement*?
Do you have any questions for us?
What do you think about (artist, movement, subject/topic)
What can't you stand? Why?
What do you think about your own work?
How do you want your work to develop?
Why are you making the work you're making, and why do you want to keep doing it?
Meaning behind your subject matter?
So you've written a good amount about your practice in your statement...can you expand a little more?
What was the last show you saw that had a profound effect on you?
 
Ideas for Questions to Ask During Your Interview
What's the degree of permeability between the department's different studio areas?
What do the teaching assistantship duties generally consist of?
Will I be assisting a professor, or will I be teaching my own class?
Have recent alumni stayed in the area or ventured elsewhere? 
What is the grad student to faculty ratio? 
Ask for more information about particular courses in the curriculum.
 
Other Tips
Be able to speak about the professors work and why you are influenced by it. 
Write a follow up Thank you email within 48 hours after your interview.

Heyyy all,
This is my second time applying. I applied to four programs last year and was rejected from three and waitlisted at one. Stung at first but I was ultimately sooo grateful for the extra year and feel that my work is in a much better place-- definitely feel ready!. This year I'm applying, for painting/printmaking, to the following:
 
UCSD
UCLA
RISD
CalArts
Yale
VCU
 
Shooting high. We'll see!  Pretty anxious to start hearing.