cornchip

Honestly, it's a pretty ridiculous to expect artists to spend money out of pocket to travel for a 20 minute interview after which you could still get rejected. The most important parts of your application they have already seen, I feel like they can glean the same information from a virtual or in person interview. That being said though I understand why people want to travel and it's a good idea if you have the resources. But I'm not traveling unless it's reasonable driving distance tbh. I know some schools will pay to fly you out after you get accepted so you can get a sense of the program, so keep this in mind too!

I submitted my application on January 10. I wouldn't worry too much yet. The email I got was an "unofficial notice" and I was told I'd get an official invite for an interview Feb. 1 or 2. Plus, each department seems to be on their own schedule. I wonder if the departments might communicate, like if your work is strong and obviously fits better within fiber that the sculpture department might hand off your application to fiber? This is optimistic but possible!

I got an interview with MICA Rhinehart and SAIC Fiber in the last week I was accepted to Tyler in Fiber/Material Studies! (the acceptance was in my spam folder!!) Haven't heard back from Hunter, VCU (Fiber and Sculpture), Yale (Sculpture), MassArt (3D Fine Art), or Cranbrook (but their deadline is tonight)

I just had a short interview with Tyler. Here are a few questions they asked (not verbatim, just from memory): Why graduate school? Why now? Why Tyler specifically? What kinds of conversations do you want to have about your work? What social/political/contemporary issues are you dealing with in your work? Who are your influences? How do you deal with conflict in a group setting? How do you feel about moving to Philly? I thought these were great questions, especially the second one. Good luck everyone, I hope you get lots of interviews!

I spoke with a graduate coordinator from SAIC at National Portfolio Day. I asked the same question. She told me to use the caption section to explain older work and how it has led me to where I am now. She said "it's a good place to explain things unseen." For context I was showing her my fiber/installation work and then a piece that looked slightly unrelated, and I wondered if I had to explain the odd one out. imo it would not hurt to add some explanation to the caption section, but they really do flip through the portfolio quickly so keep that in mind too.

Hi everyone. I haven't posted here in a while. I'm finally actually applying to grad school! I'm applying to sculpture and material/studies/craft/fiber programs. I've enjoyed the process so far, which I didn't expect. The best thing that has come of this so far is being forced to write a solid statement about myself and my work. I have a question for those of you writing statements right now: Do you think it's important to use the school's name/specify the program you are applying to in the statement? I wrote one statement and will alter it based on what each school is asking, but do you think it's important to say "I want to go be in X's program because Y"?

mentioned before but I am not applying this round but good luck everyone! I'm particularly interested in the interview questions, so please update us all!

I'll totally look them over! I've also had a tough time getting good lighting for my pieces and editing can be such a pain sometimes. you can message me

good advice. I think my main concern is that if I decide to move away from paper and use other sculptural materials, that I would feel constricted in a fiber program. but I will just continue to make the work I want and see where it leads me. your site is beautiful! I am especially interested in the Bundles.

I was looking to get into teaching, even if it's not art. the skill translates well if you ever want to teach art during/after an MFA. Thank you! nearly all the pieces on my website are made with paper in some way. I have been thinking about if I would want to get an MFA in fiber arts vs. sculpture. I think in previous posts you have made you mentioned you are a fiber artist? what materials do you use?

an online residency sounds great...maybe that'll be something for me to look into. sounds like you are doing a lot atm!

haven't posted on here in a minute. I have decided not to apply to any programs this year for a variety of reasons. the way I see it, there is no harm in waiting. I heard someone refer to an MFA as a 'get out of jail free card,' which I kind of like. takes the pressure off of trying to rush there from my undergrad. in the meantime I'm continuing to make work in my home, which has proved to be difficult and I'm sure a lot of you can understand this struggle. a few questions for the thread in general... post-undergrad, where/how have you continued to make work? i.e. do you make art in your home, a studio, do you have a part time job, full time job, is art your job? and have you found any community of artists where you are able to share ideas and critique each other? on that note, I'll drop my website, comments and criticism always welcome ?

I feel like I'm kind of in the same boat- my work is almost always made from fiber/textile, whether flat or 2D. I think sculpture tends to be a catch-all for art that is interdisciplinary or wavering between 3D and 2D. Obviously if there is a fiber specific program that might be the best fit. Otherwise, sounds like sculpture to me.

late reply but yes I agree with you. I was in Japan previously, and the art world, although somewhat difficult for me to understand bc language barrier, seemed to be on a slightly different track than the US - tons of small galleries that weren't 100% profit driven, art that wasn't conceptual, permeable barrier between art and craft... But yeah, I do want to make connections and find a community. I enjoy being in school. I wouldn't mind the added perk of being able to teach during and post grad.

I've gone back and forth about applying to programs this year, but I decided that I'll throw just a few applications out there to see what happens. If I get in anywhere I'll probably defer unless things happen to improve a lot. The reason I've been torn about applying is that the art world as we know it seems to be crumbling before our eyes and people (myself) are beginning to buy into the fact that institutionalized art and art education are not always necessary components in good art/art communities. and maybe the future of art is separate from those overpriced institutions. Basically I'm very unsure but still will apply to see what happens.