refereemandem

Just to clarify my stance on all of this. After much thought, I am most likely going to decline. Nobody wants to enter a program feeling resentful, nobody wants to leave a program feeling resentful and in $100,000+ debt. It was a great experience applying to schools, and I also learned a lot by having such an annoying, frustrating, disappointing experience in regards to the financial aid package. There are a lot of aspects to their decision making process that will never be revealed to the public. I was able to get a glimpse into that process, and realized that this is not a system that I truly want to be a part of. Looking back, I'd apply to Fully funded programs, or NY State programs (I'm a NY'er) that are much more affordable. But looking forward, I'm going to just keep on painting. Parting thought: Our time is more valuable than money, and in the end I didn't feel like they valued my time.

RISD's waitlists are ranked. Last year I was told by the Painting MFA Program Director thru email that I was at the Top of their ranked waitlist. It didn't work out last year, so I applied again this year. The faculty also ranks the initial accepted students, the program director told me this in a phone call this year. I've attached the words, that I've sent to the admissions office email address. This transcript of my email summarizes the communications I've had with RISD over the last month. I hope this information will help current and future RISD applicants make informed decisions. I've contacted as many current, former, and prospective RISD students as I could, so that I could also try to make an informed decision about the financial aspect of attending RISD. In this day in age, time and money equal freedom. I think it's very important to keep that in mind, when a prestigious programs cost is so high. It's also important to remember that we are artists already, with or without going to a graduate program. This path may or may not work out for me, but I am happy that I tried my best. I am also grateful that there is a resource like this forum, where we can have these transparent conversations. In the end, know your worth, and do your best to advocate for yourself.

risd painting interview notice... 5 days ago, but I didn't see it until yesterday. It was tucked away in my promotions folder in gmail - don't forget to check your promotions tab if you haven't already.

Applied to RISD painting this year - got waitlisted there last year.

Sounds like an appropriate question to me. Feels like they didn't like being put on the spot.. I wouldn't feel bad about it, I think you got a good insight into the dynamics there. Was this the Hoffberger program? I felt a little uneasy about the program, just due to it's lack of faculty and reliance on the director to keep things going. Which is where my uneasiness rests, I thought if my relationship with this Director goes South, then there's no other faculty to turn to for guidance.

Mica hoffberger? If so it is one on one with the director. Be prepared for a very in depth questioning about your work. And prepared to talk about pieces in the portfolio you applied with specifically if asked about them. Other questions include: What's your process? What do you hope to get from the program? What can you offer to the program? What do you do outside of art making? Hobbies? What media (books, movies, etc. )has influenced you of late? Why this program? Questions for us? There were a few more q, but i cant remember them right now The interview impressed me, way more questions were asked than my other interview and maybe because it's one on one it was very conversational. Very lucid and candid observations of the work from the director. Mainly be ready for many specific questions about your work and it's themes. That was the main dish of interview, the other questions were side dish. interview went on 10 minute overtime- 40 minute total . So do not feel any time pressure- bring the honest answer to the table and director will bring their honest perspective/ q's Good luck!

my honest opinion is if you're committed to gaining knowledge and becoming a better artist then that's valid enough reason for an mfa at any school. Every rejection makes you stronger. Life is inherently not easy. Especially the life of a working artist. If you've gotten an interview anywhere, I'd mention taking a brief moment to be proud of yourself, it's an accomplishment. If you haven't gotten an interview then perhaps take it as fuel to work harder. There's always room for improvement. Your best work is ahead of you and not in the present. From lurking on this site for many years, through many rounds of my own applications. The main source of dissatisfaction seems to be the the difference between expectation and reality. (end of rant) ps. interview tip- get a friend to mock interview you, multiple times- so you get used to talking and answering the questions commonly asked in the interviews. This will get your ideas coherent and you will be able to speak fluidly.

also 30 minutes goes mighty quick

had a RISD painting interview. they asked about why an mfa now first off, then they showed slides of my application portfolio and ask you to talk about the work and even a specific work, then ask about process, reading was mentioned off hand and then they asked about influences and then let you ask a questions. They even took time in the middle of interview to tell me about how the school programming is and also how TA'ing every semester is integral in their learning process. Which I appreciated. I was very impressed by the faculties down to earth nature and how supportive they are. The interview was panel of 4 professors. At the last moment they asked if I filed my fafsa yet, which I've been told by a past student of theirs is a good sign. For me RISD is my top choice. I got an interview request from MICA Hoffberger painting thru email today, heads up if anybody is waiting on that. like many I was rejected from Yale. Have not heard from Columbia or Hunter.

yale, hunter, columbia, and mica(hoffberger). wbu?

you welcome, and thank you. I've been out of undergrad for 6 years and this is my 4th round applying to MFA programs. First time i've ever gotten to a interview round.

sorry, i'm not sure what their process is. I do have a friend who also applied for risd Painting and he got an interview invitation yesterday as well. other departments may have different schedules.

application portal looks the same as before. The admission sends an email with a google drive link to the information about your interview.

www.simontosky.com

interview scheduled for RISD painting. got email few hours ago, heads up for those waiting on that.