MFASkepticism

Hey MFA 2024 crew! Massive congrats on all your acceptances and the diverse range of schools you've applied to. It's impressive to see how many doors have opened up, even ones we might not have considered initially. Seriously, you're all rock stars, and I'm really proud of each and every one of you. Now, onto my current dilemma. While I'm pretty content with minimizing the financial strain of my degree, I'm stuck choosing between UT-Austin and UCSD. Both are offering full tuition coverage plus some impressive stipends. UT-Austin is offering $25,000 per year for two years, while UCSD is a bit higher at an average of $37,000 per year for three years. Both programs sound amazing, and I feel confident in my ability to thrive in either. Economically, Austin seems like the more favorable option due to lower living costs and no state income tax, potentially balancing out the slightly lower stipend. But UCSD's longer program duration is appealing because it offers more time to develop my artistic practice and craft a solid MFA thesis show. I've heard great things about their structured program too. Reflecting on past experiences and chats with MFA pals, opinions on program length vary. Some love the intensity of a two-year program, while others appreciate the depth of exploration a three-year program allows. And then there's that niggling worry about "losing" a year, especially as I'm approaching the end of my twenties. It's a nagging concern, but maybe it's just my brain overthinking things. Ultimately, I know this decision is deeply personal, but I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights. What's your take on the three-year vs. two-year debate? And hey, if anyone has some juicy gossip or insider info about either program, spill the tea! I'm slightly leaning towards UCSD because of the higher stipend and the allure of experiencing SoCal life for the first time. Thanks a bunch, everyone. Your input means the world to me!

Hey everyone, I wanted to share my updates now that the application process is mostly wrapped up. First off, a huge thank you to all who have shared their experiences and supported each other along the way. Your camaraderie has been an invaluable source of comfort during those nerve-wracking moments. Regardless of the admission outcomes, I want to emphasize the importance of continuing to nurture our artistic pursuits. I'm genuinely rooting for each and every one of you! I am an international student who graduated with a BFA degree from a US-based Art School. I applied for this MFA admission cycle, (Photography / Transmedia) depending on the school. UChicago: Accepted, with 75% funding and a $9K TA position per year. UT-Austin: Accepted, with Full funding and an approximate $21K TA stipend per year. XYZ StateUniversity: Accepted with Full funding and a TA stipend (I'd rather not disclose the name due to the school's size). UCSD: Waitlisted, received an email saying "We anticipate sending official notification of your acceptance or non-acceptance to the program by April 22, 2024. At this time, you are under no obligation to respond to any offers but we would greatly appreciate a response if you are interested in remaining on our waitlist." Yale Photography - Rejection Northwestern - Rejection UCLA (no news, assuming rejection) UC-Berkeley (no news, assuming rejection) UC-Davis (no news, assuming rejection) MIT (SMACT) (no news, assuming rejection) Reflecting on this admission cycle, my primary goal was to find a school where I could pursue my passion without accumulating overwhelming student loan debt. I'm somewhat satisfied with the results, as I have options where I can focus on my practice without financial strain. I hope everyone else found something valuable in this process as well.