Artist1

Thanks! That is kinda small, but seems standard among most of the schools. My work is 10 - 12 feet in either direction. I really hate to be constricted if I want to go larger. I wonder if they would make any exception for first year students that work really large scale. Anyone know about Yale and Columbia studios???

Thanks for sharing! Congrats! I started visiting some Grad schools when I was in Undergrad 2nd year in 2002. Although, they are completely different ones that I'm applying to this coming year. I haven't applied before but I did go to the Grad Portfolio Day in Chicago last November. I showed my portfolio to SMFA (I was first in line!) and received a good review - they said my work and statement were strong and encouraged me to apply. Syracuse gave me a good review and said my work was the best they had seen that day. Chicago gave me a weird review/critique but said mine was the best they had seen all day and that I would make it past the first round, but not sure about the second. I decided not to apply to SAIC because of the studios being too small and was put-off by the faculty and students I talked to. Plus, I don't want to stay in the midwest with the type of work I'm doing. I need to get back to the East Coast. So I'm applying to Yale, SMFA, Columbia and Syracuse. Now, I might be looking into Hunter since I've been reading about it on here. I've been out of school for 4 years now. I guess I'm feeling rusty. I haven't had a critique in the past 4 years. I've been going to art openings, reading, and watching documentaries but I don't have the same daily interactions with other artists, students, professors, etc. I have forgotten a lot of art history and things from undergrad. So I'm going back and reading notes and things I wrote from old critiques and art theory classes. I'm confident that my work is strong and I can definately talk about my work and the direction it is going in. I'm nervous about the "how do you fit within Contemporary Art" question. I don't know how to answer it. I've been stumped on it for a while. And there are artists that I like but no one that directly influences my work. I do narrative figurative work that deals with personal experiences. So while I'm working, I don't look at other artists. I don't want to become too influenced by other work. But when I'm in between pieces or done with a piece, I then look at other artist's work. I don't want to just throw names out there. I do look at other artists work and read about contemporary art but feel rusty talking about it since I haven't been in a school setting or involved in any artist discussions for so long. And interviews just make me nervous! Just worried I'm going to fumble and go "uhhhhhhhhh ummmmmmm uhhhhhhhhhh" when they ask me about contemporary art. And I have an anxiety disorder that makes it all worse So I'm trying to just focus on the work. I don't really have to do any more pieces, but I want to. Never know.. new pieces might be better and can cut some of the other pieces out. How was the financial aid/scholarships with Yale?

It's so hard to just focus on the work right now. I have enough work for my portfolio but am still working on some more pieces so I can pick the strongest. Not only does the work have to be strong enough to get in, but to get a scholarship(s) as well. I'm not too nervous about the SOP. I have a strong artist statement and am clear about what I want to do and why. And I write well. I'm nervous about interviews. I know.... I haven't even applied and I'm nervous about interviews... So I'm trying to push it all out of my mind and just concentrate on finishing my work in the studio. It's hard. That's a great idea about giving all the info to my mentors. I didn't think of it. Thanks for the tip!

I know this was posted over a year ago. But I wanted to post some info on MCAD if anyone was thinking of applying. I received my undergrad at MCAD and have friends that went to the grad program. I wouldn't suggest going to MCAD for an MFA. They aren't known for this program and it isn't very strong. Now, MCAD is a GREAT!!!! place for undergrad in painting and drawing and has some great instructors. Even my friends that went to MCAD for MFA's said that it isn't hard to get into and wish they went somewhere else. Minneapolis is a nice place to live and there is an art community but you won't go anywhere with your art here. Once you show at a few of the well known galleries, that's it. Galleries are more interested in conceptual based work, illustration, and performance art. If your work doesn't fit into these categories, good luck with even getting into group shows, much less solo shows. Grad studios are okay size, but walls aren't really tall. You do paintings 6(h) x 8(w) feet comfortably on the longer wall of the studios, but it would have to sit on the floor. Hot in the summer and a little chilly in the winter in the studio space off campus. John Gaunt is the best painting instructor at the school. He graduated from Syracuse University with his MFA in Painting and highly recommends that school for pursing an MFA. So MCAD isn't super selective for MFA's as some of the more prestigous schools are. They do offer good financial aid packages and scholarships based on merit. TA positions available and work study at $15 / hr.

SAIC may have great facilities but the PAINTING STUDIOS are really small with low ceilings. They have very little storage space, if at all. It's great they have the sewing, foundry, and everything but I won't be using it. I need a decent sized space to work in. I do narrative figurative work (large scale). I was told during a review that my "work doesn't fit in with what everyone is doing here", that noone is doing figurative work there, but that I'd "make a good fit". That doesn't make any sense to me. The guy was also defensive when I mentioned that the studios were small. He said they were large enough. I had mentioned the size of my current studio and he asked why I didn't just stay there and go to _______ University in my hometown. But then he said my work was the best he had seen all day. And he encouraged me to apply. wtf? So no. I won't be applying to SAIC. Goodbye Midwest. I am applying to Yale and it seems everything is conceptual coming out of there. I don't know if my work fits? At least the narrative figure is making a come back!

I am not going to have the chance to visit the schools before applying. I wanted to know if anyone has visited the painting studios of SMFA, Columbia, or Yale and how big they are? I work quite large and need a good sized studio. Estimated square footage, how high the ceilings - would be helpful? I visited SAIC recently and the studios were super small and low ceilings. Impossible to work in. They also said I couldn't use the classroom space when noone was there. That I'd have to stay working in the studio space. And argued with me when I said their studios were small. They said they were quite big and told me I should just stay where I live and go to school here instead then. But they gave me a good review and told me to apply.. Screw SAIC.

Anyone have interviews for Painting/Drawing at: Columbia SMFA Yale What questions did you get asked? How did it go? Did the interview differ from any other schools? How long was it? Did you get in?

This is something I was thinking about as well. Let's say I was accepted to Yale and another school. I could mention that I was accepted to Yale and whatever aid I received to possibly get more funding from t he other school? or would it really make no difference. Are the funds (scholarships, grants, TAs) set in stone or some flexibility if the school really wants you there?

Congrats! Do you mind if I ask what kind of questions they asked during the interview? How did it go? I'm applying to Columbia next Fall and am nervous about interviews! Thanks!

As part of the Statement of Intent for Syracuse University - It asks "how you expect to finance your studies?" I'm not sure the best way to address this. Honestly, I really don't have any money to contribute to going to grad school. I'm saving up enough to move, get an apartment, food and supplied. I doubt I will have enough to really contribute toward tuition. So I need ALL of the financial aid I can get. I can only take out Fed Loans (I defaulted Private). I have a strong portfolio for scholarships. So what do I say about how I expect to finance my studies??????? that I'm hoping to scholarships, grants, and loans? that I'm a struggling artist from a poor lower-class background but will work my ass off TAing and whatever it takes to get the scholarships/grants to go?

I'm looking at Yale, Columbia, SMFA, and Syracuse. SAIC was on my list but I visited for Grad Portfolio Day last November and was disappointed in the MFA studio space provided. I work large and there's no way I could work in a space that small. My undergrad studio was bigger. And they said I couldn't use an empty class room to work in. And the school and campus just didn't "feel" right. I received a good review though. I just don't want to waste my money applying to a place that I don't really want to go to after visiting. My ex was rejected three times by SAIC (after interviews). I've been trying to track down admission information for the schools - when they start accepting applications and the deadlines. Same with financial aid. The only real info you can find on their websites is the deadlines. I want to know when I can start applying so I can plan for the time frame. I already have a portfolio but am working to make it stronger. Not only to get into a school but to compete for merit based scholarships. I'm nervous about being interviewed. I can talk and write about my work, but I get really nervous with interviews.

Hi KMC88 - I'm applying to Yale for next Fall. I wanted to know what questions they asked you during your interview, if you don't mind sharing? And Super Congrats! Thanks!