boltcutter

the letter I opened on the 6th had no specific information about financial aid but then a new letter was added that had the payment breakdown.

Yes! I applied to four programs that I could get to from my home (I have 3 kids and my husband's job is here...so no re-locating). I got into all four programs which was a shock - SMFA, BU, MassArt, and RISD. I chose RISD primarily because it has everything I want from a program from the course load, pedagogical structure, facilities, student work past/present, and a professor who makes work that I love and want to learn from. It is unfortunately by far the most expensive program and I received the least amount of funding for it; however with my kids it is childcare that is the greater barrier to my enrollment over finances, and not only is RISD my favorite program, it is also a bike ride away which will allow me better tailor my studio hours to my availability.

No and it's driving me a little nuts was told me we'd be getting them this week, so I'm trying to settle down. Eager to get this signed and sealed.

Did you get funding anywhere else? For my top choice I did NOT receive need-based funding for but every other program offered my merit scholarships immediately. I shared the scholarships with the grad director and they were able to negotiate with the financial aid office for some funding, albeit not a ton.

GOOD FOR YOU! by the time I was 28 I thought I was too old and then gave up the dream. What bunk that was.

NOT TOO OLD. I'm in my later 30s with a family and a job. Every school I talked to seemed not only accepting of but excited for older students - they told me the median age for grad school is now is actually like 27-35.

Is anyone starting to turn down schools as they get offers they are more excited about? This part feels really strange and icky.

I went to undergrad in San Diego and my professor had gone to Cranbrook. Obviously he went long time ago, but he absolutely LOVED it and a few other people I graduated with eventually went to Cranbrook as well. All that is to say - I have only ever thought of it as a top school with great students matriculating.

In my conversation they just said official letters/aid info sent by the 6th...anxious to get it signed

incredible feeling!!!!

Hey that's killer! Good luck on your other interviews and maybe we will end up being in the program together if that's where you decide to go!

I got an acceptance call on Thursday for RISD Sculpture! This is my absolute dream program. I keep pinching myself.

I had an interview for RISD sculpture last week, so sorry you didn't get an invite. I've been there when I applied to schools in the past and I know that is really hard.

@Sleepyguy@Painter55 @prosthetic_head I do think that making personal connections at programs where such a thing is possible is HUGE, but it doesn't need to be an in-person thing. I was able to do portfolio reviews with the four programs I applied to, 2 as part of the national portfolio review day and 2 offered reviews independently.I also attended every virtual open house/virtual Q&A session that these schools offered, and in two instances that meant I was able to talk "face to face" with program directors and to ask them questions. With all of this not only was my name at least on some vague list, I felt like I **KNEW** what these programs were looking for and was able to tailor my portfolio/writing accordingly.

How is everyone's studio energy during this time? Getting the applications done was so intense an the waiting is so distracting. I'm getting in there but my stamina/attention span is real low.

I'm so sorry to hear that The whole experience really roughs you up. For my essays I tried to be really specific about why I wanted to go to each school and in the end it felt like I wrote four separate essays, especially since all four had different length requirements. I got great advice from someone who said to look up each school's learning outcomes (they do vary a lot!) and to embed those into the essay as things I wanted to learn. I probably spent four months on my essays, did many rounds of edits on my own and had 5-6 people read them. For the portfolio I just kept hearing about having the best pictures possible so that was a huge focus for me. I re-photographed some work once I got better lights. Did you do any portfolio reviews with what you submitted? Those are so helpful. SMFA offered one hour portfolio reviews and I got a ton of 1:1 feedback in that session which ultimately helped my portfolio for all the programs I applied for.

I've had 4 interviews but none have asked me what I was working on now, definitely didn't ask to show pictures. Two of them showed my slides during the interview so I could talk about my work but that's as far as it went!

Hey how'd it go? Also I'd love to know what your work is like!

Oh you're going to do great!! I know I talked too fast because I was nervous but they really were a great group.

Hey! I had mine with RISD sculpture 2 days ago. Hope I'm not catching you too late to help. The group was extremely attentive and kind. They asked me questions like...where do you get your ideas from and how do you make meaning? what do you think about the relationship between teaching art and making it? do you think artists have a social/moral responsibility? Why RISD/why now?

I feel you so hard on this! I felt like my last interview I rambled some because I felt so nervous.

I've had two and they felt very different. One was two professors and it was very warm and though they asked broad questions (why grad now/why this school) there was a little back and forth within that discussion that made it comfortable. Another one I did was with 3 professors and the first question was really 5 questions wrapped into one - so broad! - and after I fumbled through a long answer they went right into the next question without a real reaction or response to my answer. I have no idea how to evaluate how it went because I felt like I was kind of bringing up what was already in my essay, there were no additional specific questions about what I submitted. I think you are very likely to asked to summarize your practice, why graduate school now, why that particular graduate school. I know I'm going to use what I experienced in these two interviews to help me prepare really well for the two I have next week!

I bet you did better than you think! Sometimes thinking you did awesome is just false confidence. Can I ask what types of questions they asked you? I have one with them on Thursday.

Has anyone heard from Boston University especially for Sculpture? I am touring in a couple days and I'm hoping if I'm out of the running they'll let me know before I make the trek...

I agree with all that letting them know your situation is helpful - but I would also be surprised if that came up in an interview. I think more likely if they offer an acceptance you can use that time to leverage their interest in you to discuss financial aid.