ORRI

Hello Guys. I was a member of MFA 2022 forum and I came back to promote Stamps MFA program (University of Michigan) No one knows this hidden gem. I got admission from 5 different amazing programs but I chose this program after having a lot of conversation with recent graduates and doing almost 1-month research on resources, funding, structures, faculty, etc. I even traveled across the country. This program has not been promoted well and I did not consider this program at all during application just because I did not know if this program "exists." I did not get any payment or request from the program to promote it but I am here to promote this program. I just want to meet many amazing peer artists next year. I am wondering if my recommendation will open a new opportunity for someone who have not considered this program as an option (as I have done) Here are some pros of the programs I experienced. 1) "REALLY"* 100% covered. (*Not fake) Even thought some MFA programs promoted themselves as 100% funded, actually you need to pay for your insurance (super expensive), material fees, housing, etc. So they are not actually 100% funded. This U-Mich MFA program promotes itself 75% funded program but actually it is more than 100%. It covers your material fee for 2 year (almost fully) and there are a lot of scholarship offered to accepted students. I got almost 18,000 $ extra funding this year which was not mentioned on the website. GSI(TA) stipend is extra hidden funding (you will get more than 1,000$ per month). I have never used my personal saving during the program. If you become second year student, you can apply for GSIR (student lecturer) and it will fully cover your tuition and gives much more stipend. 2) Structure/Resources of the program International project in summer (which will be fully covered) is amazing. You can go anywhere in the world. There are frequent invitations of artists, curators, and critics from Detroit and other cities. You can eat lunch and dinner with them by invitation. They come to attend weekly Friday MFA critique and Stamps Speaker Series. Intensive theoretical coursework in the first semester is also great. In addition, you can travel to other cities to see museums and art galleries almost every semester. blablabla.... Apply for the CEW+ scholarship (before or after you apply for the program). There are a lot of resources in the Rackham as well. Also, post-graduate funding is extra plus. You can get $5,000 (approx) just because you graduate from the program. Also, Duderstadt Center is my favorite place... you can work with them and many technicians will help you for free. Great for performance art, video installation, or interdisciplinary people. 3) Faculty See Rebekah Modrak, Holly Hughes, Osman Khan, Emilia Yang... They are very supportive and rigorous. The program is now hiring many new faculty. The list of faculty will be updated next year which will be great for new upcoming MFA students. 4) Interdisciplinary REALLY interdisciplinary. Many of my peers now participate in the World Performance Studies certificate program, Engaged Pedagogy Initiatives, Museum Studies certificate program, Digital Music Ensemble, VR and AR learning courses, etc. 5) Environment Transportation is great and for free. Bus goes everywhere on campus. Ann Arbor is really safe and clean. This is close to Detroit and Chicago (but not dangerous as them). I visited Chicago as well for an accepted school visit but I literally ran away. I was scared by violent moments I could see occasionally. Idk if it helps someone. The application is until Jan 5th. Hope to see many great peers who will enjoy those rich resources with me

There is no extra funding at CMU ?

Hi I need some advice. My practice is mainly about social practice. U-Michigan (2-y program) : amazing funding (for any kind of production and travel) and exceptional facility (duderstardt center), a lot of scholarly opportunities. literally 0 costs for 2 years. Center for Asian studies. CMU (3-y program): amazing faculty and competitive students, fit to my practice, opportunities to work with neighboring museums, but 32000 $ for 3 years. What will you choose?

oh! not 75 % but 100 % scholarship + extra funding?

First of all, congrat!! It's amazing result. Personally, I consider the works of alumni and student resources. My works are a bit specific. It involves social practice and participants often. So I tried to find programs which have resources or centers related to this kind of works. Also, if I could love alumni's works and career, it might mean my future community is inspirational. Btw, being accepted with 100% scholarship from SAIC is amazing! I heard they offer 1 person in each department. I applied for SAIC last year and only got 20 percent discount haha. ps. I am not a current student!

Is there anyone who did an interview with VCU sculpture? It was a bit unfriendly and tough for me. I felt I am not in mutual conversation but in one-sided test process (?)

Is there anyone who did an interview with CMU or Rutgers? In my interview with one of the universities in Chicago (interdisciplinary practice), I got questions like -Why do you want to go to the MFA program 'now' -Explain the direction of my art practice -What kinds of expectations I have (regarding MFA academia) -Tell me the making process of one of my artworks in portfolio

VCU sculpture MFA sent an interview offer on early Feb

Congrat! Well done! What is the major?

Big digital hug to you also. It will all work out! (and you have already done so well!) Here, I am hoping to get an interview offer from UCLA New Genres the most. (somehow there is nothing in this forum. or I missed sth)

Oh Really? Did UC Berkeley Art Practice already offer interviews?

Oh I see. Thank you for sharing. It might have been a good answer!

WOW! CMU! Could you please share some of the experience of the interview? Hope you all good luck

So lovely comment!!!!! ? You make me feel so far better. God bless you ? Thank you for the comment... You are so warmhearted

Hey guys. I am an international student. I work on interdisciplinary practice. I read our forum thoroughly to understand what's going on... Do you guys think it means "rejection" if I did not get an interview offer email while some other applicants got interview mails from the Stanford MFA program? I can see one of the peers in the forum got an interview offer around 1st Feb and had an interview a few days ago. I checked other past forums as well. It seems like they do not tell anything for those who are rejected until mid of March. It was sad because Stanford is one of my favorites. The department even wrote, "please do not contact the department." I really wanna ask whether my application is out of consideration or whether interview offers were all sent, but I cannot.