hairyeyeball

Bard MFA update: for anyone considering applying, FYI they're pretty disorganized and unprofessional when it comes to admissions. I wasn't going to bother posting about this because I thought I would eventually get some answers, but it seems there is no one on the other end of the several email addresses I reached out to. All of the status updates and good news I received came from their automated system, not from real people. Just a heads up for future applicants: don't expect a personal touch from Bard.

@whitewhales I believe that many schools required their initially accepted applicants to commit by last Friday, April 15th. Now the schools will try to fill any remaining spots as fast as possible, hence the 24 hour pressure you're dealing with. Why so time sensitive? Because if you and any of the others at the top of the waitlist say no, they'll need to hustle to contact other applicants on their waitlist, hopefully reaching them before they've committed to other programs. It's a high-pressure shuffle for all involved. I suggest telling them you're thrilled and interested but you need until this Friday or whenever to figure things out. If you're already considering turning them down, you have nothing to lose by asking for a little more time edit: also, congrats on the acceptance! That's a triumph even if you don't end up going

These are helpful observations, thanks for sharing, @worldcleft. To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated by the competitiveness of all three of those programs, but I'll definitely consider them if/when I apply this fall. I hear that UCLA has a new studio building, has anyone here seen it in person?

Thanks for the reply, @worldcleft. You've confirmed my concerns. I am still hoping for acceptance off the waitlist. A lot can shift and change (for the better, one hopes) over the course of three summers. Plus, Bard's is the most interdisciplinary program I've researched, which is essential for me. On the other hand, it might be prudent to wait (and I may have to anyway, still being on the waitlist). But, like many folks here, I've been waiting because of the pandemic, I'm tired of waiting, and the "end" of the pandemic is nowhere in sight. And I'm in my 30s and more than ready to move forward. Has anyone else received a waitlist update (good or bad news) from any school? Thoughts on other interdisciplinary programs out there?

I've seen some current/recent students posting about Bard here, sounds like their MFA program is struggling to keep up with the strains and challenges of the pandemic. Did anyone here interview for Bard?I 'm curious to hear about other people's interviews, insights on the program, and where you're at with it now... I'm on the wait list.