richardsimmons

@LittleBlueHouse It's a two-year program. All programs are different, and I can't speak to how common it is (or isn't). But I knew I didn't want to pay for my MFA, and hoped to get teaching experience. Many places offer TAships, and some are Graduate Student Assistantships. That actually reminds me of another thing to consider when you're looking at programs. Another reason I chose UC Davis is that it's privately funded through an endowment, so I don't have to worry about the government interfering with my funding or TA opportunities. Something to keep in mind as y'all go thru the process!

Hi everyone! I'm in my first year of the MFA program at UC Davis, and a colleague's post convinced me to apply last year, so I wanted to pay it forward. I was accepted to three funded programs, but UC Davis was the best choice for me because of its TA opportunities, overall atmosphere, and genuinely interdisciplinary program. If you TA 10 hours a week, your tuition is fully covered with no fees, you get free health insurance, and you receive a stipend of about $17,000 for the academic year. If you TA 20 hours a week, the stipend is roughly double, and there are other employment and fellowship opportunities as well. IMO, the community is one of the best parts. People are kind, curious, and supportive, and everyone is making very different and interesting work. The faculty is present, engaged, and very accomplished, and the program blends group critique, visiting artists, and generous time for individual exploration. The studios are huge, and Davis itself is a charming college town about an hour north of San Francisco. It's very bike-friendly and walkable, and rent is much more reasonable than in the Bay Area. I highly recommend checking it out. Feel free to DM me; I'm happy to answer any questions. Good luck out there!