sarah J

On the one hand: big schools give you great networking, great visiting artists, great environment (hopefully) to create and grow. On the other: I have friends who went to big schools (mica, pratt, etc) and regret the huge loans/are not making very much art because of them. And on one more hand (3 now!) I have friends who have somehow started remarkable careers without any MFA at all. (but they did loads of residencies: LMCC, skowhegan, ISP, AIM, etc) So it seems to me that though the schools can help a LOT, its the work and the commitment that matter the most. IMO art is a long distance marathon, not a sprint. My question is if going to a lesser known school can be detrimental to your CV.. Certainly if the school is not a good fit it can be detrimental to your work. thoughts?

you can add me to the happy list!! so great you found a school that fits you!

I dont think there is any stigma. You would not get as much teaching exp. at a low-res, but otherwise it just depends on the program. Bard and MICA are pretty well-known schools. There are a lot of low-res programs though...

I guess that means they did not get many applications! too bad if so- it sounded pretty cool.. they had nato thompson visiting! I talked to a lady at USC about my MFA app and she said they would get back to people in mid-march. if that helps. : )

If I were you-- (and Im not) I would wait and work some more if I did not get a better deal. Its HARD to make a living as an artist, even without debt. Plus working on your own is also great for developing as an artist. (ie you practice for when you are out of school.) There was a thread out there somewhere about this... That said, I know plenty of people with huge loans, and they are not dead on the street or anything- they are even still making art. But I do think it limits their options somewhat. It just depends on your priorities. In my case I waited quite a while, and have been very busy in my studio. I dont regret waiting to go back to school at all. BTW did you ever think about VCU? its a great program, and if you are in virginia the in-state tuition is super cheap (i was drooling over it, if I recall) Good luck to you whatever you decide!

I imagine that USC will be late, as their deadline was in Feb..

Uh-oh. I gave my new york address in my app, but am not there to receive mail. (if I got anything!) I assumed everyone would use email.. Now I need to check up on that one.

well, you dont _HAVE_ to go to grad school. I have friends who are doing great in the art world without. (they are amazing and work their butts off though!) I am mainly looking to get teaching experience to help support my art and a couple of years to focus on making stuff. tho the "stamp of approval" from somewhere famous would be good. I did not even apply to RISDI or Yale - it just frustrates me that there is this expected path that great artists must go through (which often involves huge debt) that said I would certainly love to be in the final 14 out of 900+ applicants. what an ego boost!

cool I like the aura installation.. Well i guess you have to trust that people will accept you where you fit. That does not really soften the blow of rejection though. Im still waiting for mine to roll in! I guess we all get over it in time

what is your work like? just curious...

oh just two of us. Yeah and I had heard about davis and its location, etc. I actualy applied to it over UCB because I thought it might be too much of a pain to live in oakland and commute to school.. I like bikes, it could be fine.. if I get a good vibe from the place and faculty. I applied to a couple in LA, but Im not sure i am keen on LA car-culture anyways. (Or that I will get in.) well we will see. has anyone heard from hunter, UCLA or VCU regarding interviews yet? I still have not, and am wondering if that means I did not make the cut. thanks all.

well, I think all cali residents get a full ride, but i am from out of state- so I normally would not. but they said they would cover my out of state tuition and give me a monthly stipend as well. plus they are playing for me to fly there and check it out too. they want me bad. arg! i miss the east coast already! so hard to make these decisions. Im still waiting to hear back from 5 schools but I am sure there are some rejections coming. i would also love to go to hunter, but even their program (only 9000 a year for me, in-state) would be sooo expensive compared to getting PAID to go to davis.

They dont specify, its just a general MFA. The art dept also has this technocultural program (for undergrads) which has some amazing faculty in new media/sound art- I can take classes there as well but would not be "officially" under the art studio umbrella. I suppose any school is what you make it, but its such a big commitment.... was your friend in grad or undergrad?

BTW this 8-ball is rad.... i have gotten addicted already.

I wanted to ask folks what they thought about davis. they made me a very sweet offer, but I am now feeling scared that the program is just desperate/ failing or something..It was not my 1st pick anyway. does anyone want to chime in on what they have heard about the program, or their general opinions on deciding between a perhaps less fabulous school with great aid or a "better" ranked school with large loans? thoughts?

res arts and trans arts are good places to start looking. One thing you can do is look at the bios of the recently accepted artists to get a feel for how much experience the residency program wants. If you are on level or close, or just love it, apply!

Yeah! at the retreat I met another girl who is applying for an MFA in dance.. she was even smarter, and is going to BALI soon for a traditional dance residency while she waits it out. Droooooooolll.... ; )

In a dissenting opinion.. if you have lots of money then I am sure a post bacc could be great. But I think that being in a major city as a working artist and applying for residencies, showing your work, and getting experience as an artist in a non-acidemic setting shows even greater commitment (ie: you will keep going without the structure of a school program to build off of) Plus, its free. but that is only if you are ready for it.. I guess it depends on what YOU feel you need. personally I am scared of huge debt.

I heard from them on the 25th.. But did not call back till today (I was on vacation) This was just for sculpture mind you, the other departments might be managed differently. It was certainly a faster turnaround then I expected!

Even in the worst case, you should just keep on trying! In my case this is my 3rd year applying. once out of undergrad in 2003, then to just hunter in 2008 (both times rejected.. well I got in a SAIC postbac in 2003, but did not want it) now again. in between I moved to nyc and made art like crazy, now I think this time I will do OK. but point being, I would not let the rejections get you down too much. they keep coming, and you keep going. in the end we get to where we need to go.. I think art is like an endurance contest sometimes. if you keep at it you will get by.

hi all so, me and "vermillion" might be classmates, depending on what happens!! I also heard back from davis recently (admitted with aid via phone/email) and from tyler a couple weeks ago (interview for sculpture).. I talked to Jude on the phone and lost my voice beforehand! hah! i think it went ok though, even with my cold...who knows. Davis offered some funding but I am confused about exactly how much it will be. i guess i will talk to them later. Still waiting on the rest ( VCU, hunter, Carnegie Mellon, UCLA, USC) I imagine I will get some rejections too.. wozas it moves fast. Now I get to figure out funding crazies. and make decisions! its going to be hard, i bet. Does anyone know how much federal aid is possible? Say, if you are super broke like me and probably qualify for the maximum? also, just a strategy on my part- I went on a meditation retreat after finishing my apps. I would highly recommend this, or some other kind of vacation ...it was a great way to keep myself positive and keep from freaking out. I hope we can all manage!!

hi all, I have heard back from two... Faster then I ever expected! UC davis (fellowship offer, but Im not clear how much..I wanna full ride!) and tyler wants an interview. (for sculpture) still waiting on 5 schools. march is going to be a tricky month. gotta get ready for the Tyler talk--- they want a 20 minute slide presentation and Q and A about my work. yikes!!!! practice speeches, here I come.. I hope it helps someone, at least slightly, to know that the results are starting to come in. my friend is applying (for east asian studies not art) and commented there is a touch of destiny in these things. thinking about it I have to agree..... its so out of our hands! good luck to everyone!