Purplepinkey

Thanks! Feeling torn about the "monetary value" of having those networking opportunities in bigger cities vs. seeing the MFA experience as more of an insular experience to refine and polish work in smaller city with more financial support.

I am trying to decide between fully funded + stipend programs in smaller (relative to the third program) cities, compared to one I would have to go in debt for, that is situated in a larger city. Does anyone know how much the city you are in for an MFA matters, or are people just too busy in their academics/campus bubble to really build networks beyond their program?

I got an email saying to check the portal at midnight PDT. But I don't think there is any information about $$...yet? Feel free to correct me anyone.

Is bargaining for/to get more funding packages even a thing for MFA degrees?

Thanks! Yes! Will be too I'm having a hard time, they all have profs I want to study with. But I hope to have more clarity with gathering more information about each program this upcoming month. And getting final offers/rejections....

Thanks for those who have been updating! Just sharing my side of things if it helps: UCI: no interview, rejected UIUC: interviewed, accepted with funding DOVA: interviewed, accepted with funding UCLA: no interview, probably rejection UCSD: interviewed, waiting ATP: interviewed, waiting ISU: no interview, accepted with chance to apply for funding April 1 SAIC low res: no interview, accepted no funding

Seconding this!!!!! I have been in three different interviews and two was much more casual (why do you want to come here? what do you like to do for fun?) and one felt like a mini critique (you mentioned blah blah blah about your influences but i noticed xyz in your work that has a history of zxy. Can you share with us reading you have done that supports xyz?) But they all made me excited about starting grad school. So I guess, mission accomplished? ??‍♀️?‍♀️??‍♀️

Yes! I second a mock interview as prep. Although maybe because I only did it once so I still felt super nervous and my mind still did go blank a couple times. Lol. But it did help to get feedback prior to the real thing. My other interview is for UIUC tomorrow. Good luck to those still preparing and waiting!! I agree that wherever you are in the process, recognizing your efforts so far before continuing to work is important too!

RE: Interviews Don't know how much this helps, as maybe not all interviews requests don't go out in a batch (or maybe they do and I am just being a Don Quixote ???)? I did hear back with interview requests for U of Chicago (for this week) and UC San Diego (for week of Feb 22.) Good luck to all those prepping! And to those waiting, don't forget to check your Spam or Promotions inboxes (as one of my request emails did land there :/)