twentyeleven

With acceptances and aid/funding packages rolling it, many of us are now at the moment of truth: selecting a school. There are numerous factors to take into account: Where did I feel a connection? Which program seems like the best fit for me? What city/town do I want to be in? What reputations do these schools have? How are the facilities and faculty? What size is the program? And perhaps the hardest question of all, How much will it cost or am I willing to go into debt?

Whether you feel like you're willing to take out $10k in loans or $50k, it's worth figuring out what you'll actually end up owing. Remember, you have to pay off the principal plus accumulating interest. I've found this student loan calculator to be immensely helpful: http://apps.collegeb...fincalc/sla.jsp

It accounts for various types of loans, their interest rates, and what you can be expected to pay for the 10 ensuing years after you've received your MFA. Yes, there are some loan forgiveness programs, but it's probably not a good idea to depend on something like that. You should thoroughly understand your debt and what that means every month for the 120+ months after school.

For example, suppose you're eligible for the full Federal Stafford loan ($20,500 per year, only $8,500 of which may be subsidized) at a 6.8% interest rate. Say that's all that you're going to borrow–$20,500 per year, $41,000 total. Using the student loan calculator to account for interest, over a ten year payback plan, you'll actually end up paying the principal of $42,000 plus $15,620 in interest for a grand total of $56,620. Broken down monthly, you'd owe $472 a month for the 10 years (120 months) following graduation. And remember, if you have a longer payback term, like 25 years, you're paying interest for an additional 15 years which means you'll end up owing even more.

Suppose $20,500 per year isn't enough to cover the cost of tuition. You might then want to investigate the GradPLUS loan, but keep in mind that this loan requires good credit and an application process. If you do get it, the interest rate is also higher at 7.9%. If you're not eligible for the GradPLUS loan, you're faced with private loans which have notoriously high interest rates and bad terms.

In addition to paying for tuition and fees, you also have to account for the cost the living. To help myself better understand what that could potentially mean, I researched the following for rough figures:
- rent (including first, last, security)
- utilities (heat, gas, water, electricity)
- cell phone
- food
- health insurance (available through school)
- internet (for apartment)
- travel (locally; public transportation)
- travel (visits home)
- supplies

If you have a car or pets, those are obviously other expenses. I also didn't even account for 'spending money,' so this would be a pretty basic, frugal list. You also need to consider, Do I want to live alone or with roommates? How much can I actually work at a part-time job? The point of going back to school, usually, is to completely throw yourself into your work–having a job beyond TAing could seriously detract from your ability to focus on your art. If you haven't saved enough to live off of for two years, you'll have to build that into what you need to borrow. If you resort to credit card usage, you're playing with dangerously high interest rates, as high as 19%.

I'm not writing any of this to try to dissuade people from taking loans, but simply because when I looked at my offers, I realized that the debt just might not be worth it. I asked myself, are two years of awesomeness at a "big name" school worth ten or more of big bills and struggle? An MFA, even from the best school, guarantees nothing. I began asking myself, if I take loans, how will I pay for supplies after school? Will I even be able to stay in the city I attended school in? I realized that I'd probably have to give up travel, something I think is important for seeing new work and informing my own. I'd also probably have to take whatever crappy job I could find right away which wouldn't allow me to put that new MFA to good use. Moreover, that crap job still might not even allow me to cover the full monthly loan payment meaning prolonging–and increasing–the debt.

In the end, it's a really personal decision, but I think having some cold, hard numbers really helped me to put things into perspective and turn an abstract idea into something more concrete. I now have a better idea of how much debt I'm realistically prepared and willing to take on. I hope someone else finds the calculator as helpful as I have! Above all, make sure you choose on school based on what you think suits you best, and not the name. Good luck in deciding and even more luck on this wonderful adventure you're about to embark on!

This entire application process, as many of you have noted, feels like–and often is–a crapshoot. Why are you accepted to one school and rejected by another? Why is it that last year you were wait listed and this year, not even an interview? How can a highly ranked school accept you and a nothing school reject you? For most of these questions, there are no clear-cut answers and in fact, it's largely situational. Similarly, life beyond school–as a working artist–will be just as much a crapshoot. You can do things to improve your odds of success (such as attend a reputable art school and make connections), but in the end there are no guarantees. Emphasis: no guarantees. I doubt that every Yale, RISD, and SAIC graduate to walk the earth has gone on to have enormous success or even gallery representation. Perhaps most do, and certainly more so than some little known school with a tiny program, but remember that attending an 'Ivy League' art school is still not a golden ticket to success.

You'll have a leg up for sure. For some people, that could make or break a career. For others, particularly those relentlessly driven individuals who are both dedicated but intelligent about their pursuits, their success might come in other (slower) ways. School is a large factor, but not the sole factor. Character, commitment, personality, and, of course, quality/marketability of work also play into it. The fact is that most of us will not succeed in the big-NYC-representation sort of way. The market is huge and always on the brink of saturation. Remember, you're competing with a world (literally) of artists, old and new, some of whom are very established. And, as with fashion, technology, etc, there are trends in art. Perhaps you'll find and lose success because you went from being 'in' to being passé. Perhaps you'll become jaded and realize that the kind of art that sells is no longer the kind of art you want to make. Or, perhaps your entire idea of 'success' won't even include galleries in major cities, but making art and sustaining life. Why should that be dismissed as a lesser form of success? Many people go their whole lives hating their jobs and being forced to sacrifice what they love just to make ends meet–I'd count myself lucky to just do what I love and be able to survive. Anything else is icing on the cake.

Here's a question I have to many of you who are torn: if you only wanted to go to a big name, reputable school, then why did you even apply anywhere else? There must have been some qualities about this lesser-known school that really resonated with you or you shouldn't have applied to begin with and you wouldn't have this decision to make. Take some time to look beyond name value and rank and really concentrate on the faculty, facility, and current caliber of student work. Can you get a pretty good, albeit not the best, deal for less and if so, is that worth a debt-free life? Are you in it to become a marketable, clamored-after artist or to make the work you want to make? What, in short, does pursuing an MFA mean to you? Knowing these answers might help you prioritize and decide because only you can answer them!

I know I've been playing devil's advocate, but I really have nothing against big name, highly ranked schools and I often think the investment is actually worth it–to an extent. I grew up in a frugal family and I know that I don't want a future mired in debt–it really can destroy your life–but some debt is certainly ok. Obviously if you're good enough to be accepted to any top tier school, you have some components of 'what it takes' to make it as an artist. If you don't get that leg up that goes with attending a Yale or RISD, are still driven enough to make it happen? If you do go, are you confident in your ability to leave school and start selling yourself/your work right away to start paying off loans (because it really is both that you'll have to sell). I say think long and hard about how much debt you can and are willing to assume–maybe there's a middle ground you can bargain your way to (don't forget about counter-offers!). Or, you might find that a fully-paid experience elsewhere is worth the extra struggle to catch up to your Columbia, VCU, etc peers. Or, you might feel confident that borrowing a ton of money is just simply the way to go. In the end, it's up to you. Just be sure to make your decision on more than one factor alone.

This entire application process, as many of you have noted, feels like–and often is–a crapshoot. Why are you accepted to one school and rejected by another? Why is it that last year you were wait listed and this year, not even an interview? How can a highly ranked school accept you and a nothing school reject you? For most of these questions, there are no clear-cut answers and in fact, it's largely situational. Similarly, life beyond school–as a working artist–will be just as much a crapshoot. You can do things to improve your odds of success (such as attend a reputable art school and make connections), but in the end there are no guarantees. Emphasis: no guarantees. I doubt that every Yale, RISD, and SAIC graduate to walk the earth has gone on to have enormous success or even gallery representation. Perhaps most do, and certainly more so than some little known school with a tiny program, but remember that attending an 'Ivy League' art school is still not a golden ticket to success.

You'll have a leg up for sure. For some people, that could make or break a career. For others, particularly those relentlessly driven individuals who are both dedicated but intelligent about their pursuits, their success might come in other (slower) ways. School is a large factor, but not the sole factor. Character, commitment, personality, and, of course, quality/marketability of work also play into it. The fact is that most of us will not succeed in the big-NYC-representation sort of way. The market is huge and always on the brink of saturation. Remember, you're competing with a world (literally) of artists, old and new, some of whom are very established. And, as with fashion, technology, etc, there are trends in art. Perhaps you'll find and lose success because you went from being 'in' to being passé. Perhaps you'll become jaded and realize that the kind of art that sells is no longer the kind of art you want to make. Or, perhaps your entire idea of 'success' won't even include galleries in major cities, but making art and sustaining life. Why should that be dismissed as a lesser form of success? Many people go their whole lives hating their jobs and being forced to sacrifice what they love just to make ends meet–I'd count myself lucky to just do what I love and be able to survive. Anything else is icing on the cake.

Here's a question I have to many of you who are torn: if you only wanted to go to a big name, reputable school, then why did you even apply anywhere else? There must have been some qualities about this lesser-known school that really resonated with you or you shouldn't have applied to begin with and you wouldn't have this decision to make. Take some time to look beyond name value and rank and really concentrate on the faculty, facility, and current caliber of student work. Can you get a pretty good, albeit not the best, deal for less and if so, is that worth a debt-free life? Are you in it to become a marketable, clamored-after artist or to make the work you want to make? What, in short, does pursuing an MFA mean to you? Knowing these answers might help you prioritize and decide because only you can answer them!

I know I've been playing devil's advocate, but I really have nothing against big name, highly ranked schools and I often think the investment is actually worth it–to an extent. I grew up in a frugal family and I know that I don't want a future mired in debt–it really can destroy your life–but some debt is certainly ok. Obviously if you're good enough to be accepted to any top tier school, you have some components of 'what it takes' to make it as an artist. If you don't get that leg up that goes with attending a Yale or RISD, are still driven enough to make it happen? If you do go, are you confident in your ability to leave school and start selling yourself/your work right away to start paying off loans (because it really is both that you'll have to sell). I say think long and hard about how much debt you can and are willing to assume–maybe there's a middle ground you can bargain your way to (don't forget about counter-offers!). Or, you might find that a fully-paid experience elsewhere is worth the extra struggle to catch up to your Columbia, VCU, etc peers. Or, you might feel confident that borrowing a ton of money is just simply the way to go. In the end, it's up to you. Just be sure to make your decision on more than one factor alone.

This entire application process, as many of you have noted, feels like–and often is–a crapshoot. Why are you accepted to one school and rejected by another? Why is it that last year you were wait listed and this year, not even an interview? How can a highly ranked school accept you and a nothing school reject you? For most of these questions, there are no clear-cut answers and in fact, it's largely situational. Similarly, life beyond school–as a working artist–will be just as much a crapshoot. You can do things to improve your odds of success (such as attend a reputable art school and make connections), but in the end there are no guarantees. Emphasis: no guarantees. I doubt that every Yale, RISD, and SAIC graduate to walk the earth has gone on to have enormous success or even gallery representation. Perhaps most do, and certainly more so than some little known school with a tiny program, but remember that attending an 'Ivy League' art school is still not a golden ticket to success.

You'll have a leg up for sure. For some people, that could make or break a career. For others, particularly those relentlessly driven individuals who are both dedicated but intelligent about their pursuits, their success might come in other (slower) ways. School is a large factor, but not the sole factor. Character, commitment, personality, and, of course, quality/marketability of work also play into it. The fact is that most of us will not succeed in the big-NYC-representation sort of way. The market is huge and always on the brink of saturation. Remember, you're competing with a world (literally) of artists, old and new, some of whom are very established. And, as with fashion, technology, etc, there are trends in art. Perhaps you'll find and lose success because you went from being 'in' to being passé. Perhaps you'll become jaded and realize that the kind of art that sells is no longer the kind of art you want to make. Or, perhaps your entire idea of 'success' won't even include galleries in major cities, but making art and sustaining life. Why should that be dismissed as a lesser form of success? Many people go their whole lives hating their jobs and being forced to sacrifice what they love just to make ends meet–I'd count myself lucky to just do what I love and be able to survive. Anything else is icing on the cake.

Here's a question I have to many of you who are torn: if you only wanted to go to a big name, reputable school, then why did you even apply anywhere else? There must have been some qualities about this lesser-known school that really resonated with you or you shouldn't have applied to begin with and you wouldn't have this decision to make. Take some time to look beyond name value and rank and really concentrate on the faculty, facility, and current caliber of student work. Can you get a pretty good, albeit not the best, deal for less and if so, is that worth a debt-free life? Are you in it to become a marketable, clamored-after artist or to make the work you want to make? What, in short, does pursuing an MFA mean to you? Knowing these answers might help you prioritize and decide because only you can answer them!

I know I've been playing devil's advocate, but I really have nothing against big name, highly ranked schools and I often think the investment is actually worth it–to an extent. I grew up in a frugal family and I know that I don't want a future mired in debt–it really can destroy your life–but some debt is certainly ok. Obviously if you're good enough to be accepted to any top tier school, you have some components of 'what it takes' to make it as an artist. If you don't get that leg up that goes with attending a Yale or RISD, are still driven enough to make it happen? If you do go, are you confident in your ability to leave school and start selling yourself/your work right away to start paying off loans (because it really is both that you'll have to sell). I say think long and hard about how much debt you can and are willing to assume–maybe there's a middle ground you can bargain your way to (don't forget about counter-offers!). Or, you might find that a fully-paid experience elsewhere is worth the extra struggle to catch up to your Columbia, VCU, etc peers. Or, you might feel confident that borrowing a ton of money is just simply the way to go. In the end, it's up to you. Just be sure to make your decision on more than one factor alone.

This entire application process, as many of you have noted, feels like–and often is–a crapshoot. Why are you accepted to one school and rejected by another? Why is it that last year you were wait listed and this year, not even an interview? How can a highly ranked school accept you and a nothing school reject you? For most of these questions, there are no clear-cut answers and in fact, it's largely situational. Similarly, life beyond school–as a working artist–will be just as much a crapshoot. You can do things to improve your odds of success (such as attend a reputable art school and make connections), but in the end there are no guarantees. Emphasis: no guarantees. I doubt that every Yale, RISD, and SAIC graduate to walk the earth has gone on to have enormous success or even gallery representation. Perhaps most do, and certainly more so than some little known school with a tiny program, but remember that attending an 'Ivy League' art school is still not a golden ticket to success.

You'll have a leg up for sure. For some people, that could make or break a career. For others, particularly those relentlessly driven individuals who are both dedicated but intelligent about their pursuits, their success might come in other (slower) ways. School is a large factor, but not the sole factor. Character, commitment, personality, and, of course, quality/marketability of work also play into it. The fact is that most of us will not succeed in the big-NYC-representation sort of way. The market is huge and always on the brink of saturation. Remember, you're competing with a world (literally) of artists, old and new, some of whom are very established. And, as with fashion, technology, etc, there are trends in art. Perhaps you'll find and lose success because you went from being 'in' to being passé. Perhaps you'll become jaded and realize that the kind of art that sells is no longer the kind of art you want to make. Or, perhaps your entire idea of 'success' won't even include galleries in major cities, but making art and sustaining life. Why should that be dismissed as a lesser form of success? Many people go their whole lives hating their jobs and being forced to sacrifice what they love just to make ends meet–I'd count myself lucky to just do what I love and be able to survive. Anything else is icing on the cake.

Here's a question I have to many of you who are torn: if you only wanted to go to a big name, reputable school, then why did you even apply anywhere else? There must have been some qualities about this lesser-known school that really resonated with you or you shouldn't have applied to begin with and you wouldn't have this decision to make. Take some time to look beyond name value and rank and really concentrate on the faculty, facility, and current caliber of student work. Can you get a pretty good, albeit not the best, deal for less and if so, is that worth a debt-free life? Are you in it to become a marketable, clamored-after artist or to make the work you want to make? What, in short, does pursuing an MFA mean to you? Knowing these answers might help you prioritize and decide because only you can answer them!

I know I've been playing devil's advocate, but I really have nothing against big name, highly ranked schools and I often think the investment is actually worth it–to an extent. I grew up in a frugal family and I know that I don't want a future mired in debt–it really can destroy your life–but some debt is certainly ok. Obviously if you're good enough to be accepted to any top tier school, you have some components of 'what it takes' to make it as an artist. If you don't get that leg up that goes with attending a Yale or RISD, are still driven enough to make it happen? If you do go, are you confident in your ability to leave school and start selling yourself/your work right away to start paying off loans (because it really is both that you'll have to sell). I say think long and hard about how much debt you can and are willing to assume–maybe there's a middle ground you can bargain your way to (don't forget about counter-offers!). Or, you might find that a fully-paid experience elsewhere is worth the extra struggle to catch up to your Columbia, VCU, etc peers. Or, you might feel confident that borrowing a ton of money is just simply the way to go. In the end, it's up to you. Just be sure to make your decision on more than one factor alone.

I totally agree! If you REALLY want it, you'll make it happen. Another two cents on when to return to grad school (I graduated with a BFA in 2007 and will now return for my MFA after living/working in NYC for the past four years)...

'Real world' experience is invaluable. I really don't think that many people are mature enough to directly pursue an MFA, though, as always, there are exceptions. Initially upon graduating, I had wanted to return to school, but in hindsight, I'm so thankful I waited–I just wasn't ready nor was my work. There's something to be said for living independently, surviving on your own, and being forced to balance the responsibilities of life (rent, food, job) with art making. Two years ago, I was finally able to afford a separate studio space from my apartment and the result was vastly improved work. Still I was working and dealing with other life stresses–a challenge that has made me a better, more productive artist. There's no one around to kick my butt into gear except myself, no parents to feed me, no free rides. The fact is, an MFA doesn't guarantee immediate success as an artist. It's an incredibly important experience that may help you get there–eventually. All of our paths as artists will be different, but I truly believe that learning how to be an adult, for lack of a better phrase, can only help. To be frank, I think it's whiny to say you want to be an artist so badly that you simply can't stand to do anything else. Many, many, many successful artists have had to suck it up and pay their dues, so to speak, with crappy jobs, crappy apartments, and little money. Others get married, have kids, or have and quit day jobs. None of that stands in the way or indicates a lesser commitment! Hey–being an artist ain't easy, so you might as well get used to the struggle and learn how to juggle life's crap.

There shouldn't be rush to get another degree–it's about the experience, so consider when that experience will benefit you most. If you've just spent four years in school (or maybe you've been out barely a year), a breather might help you gain a fresh perspective and push your work in new and unexpected ways. If you can't motivate yourself or find the time to keep making work after graduating with a BFA, then it seems doubtful you're ready for an MFA.

Of course, only you know! Just think it out and remember–there's always time to return to school! Lots of luck making your decision and here's to making work no matter what.

I totally agree! If you REALLY want it, you'll make it happen. Another two cents on when to return to grad school (I graduated with a BFA in 2007 and will now return for my MFA after living/working in NYC for the past four years)...

'Real world' experience is invaluable. I really don't think that many people are mature enough to directly pursue an MFA, though, as always, there are exceptions. Initially upon graduating, I had wanted to return to school, but in hindsight, I'm so thankful I waited–I just wasn't ready nor was my work. There's something to be said for living independently, surviving on your own, and being forced to balance the responsibilities of life (rent, food, job) with art making. Two years ago, I was finally able to afford a separate studio space from my apartment and the result was vastly improved work. Still I was working and dealing with other life stresses–a challenge that has made me a better, more productive artist. There's no one around to kick my butt into gear except myself, no parents to feed me, no free rides. The fact is, an MFA doesn't guarantee immediate success as an artist. It's an incredibly important experience that may help you get there–eventually. All of our paths as artists will be different, but I truly believe that learning how to be an adult, for lack of a better phrase, can only help. To be frank, I think it's whiny to say you want to be an artist so badly that you simply can't stand to do anything else. Many, many, many successful artists have had to suck it up and pay their dues, so to speak, with crappy jobs, crappy apartments, and little money. Others get married, have kids, or have and quit day jobs. None of that stands in the way or indicates a lesser commitment! Hey–being an artist ain't easy, so you might as well get used to the struggle and learn how to juggle life's crap.

There shouldn't be rush to get another degree–it's about the experience, so consider when that experience will benefit you most. If you've just spent four years in school (or maybe you've been out barely a year), a breather might help you gain a fresh perspective and push your work in new and unexpected ways. If you can't motivate yourself or find the time to keep making work after graduating with a BFA, then it seems doubtful you're ready for an MFA.

Of course, only you know! Just think it out and remember–there's always time to return to school! Lots of luck making your decision and here's to making work no matter what.

I totally agree! If you REALLY want it, you'll make it happen. Another two cents on when to return to grad school (I graduated with a BFA in 2007 and will now return for my MFA after living/working in NYC for the past four years)...

'Real world' experience is invaluable. I really don't think that many people are mature enough to directly pursue an MFA, though, as always, there are exceptions. Initially upon graduating, I had wanted to return to school, but in hindsight, I'm so thankful I waited–I just wasn't ready nor was my work. There's something to be said for living independently, surviving on your own, and being forced to balance the responsibilities of life (rent, food, job) with art making. Two years ago, I was finally able to afford a separate studio space from my apartment and the result was vastly improved work. Still I was working and dealing with other life stresses–a challenge that has made me a better, more productive artist. There's no one around to kick my butt into gear except myself, no parents to feed me, no free rides. The fact is, an MFA doesn't guarantee immediate success as an artist. It's an incredibly important experience that may help you get there–eventually. All of our paths as artists will be different, but I truly believe that learning how to be an adult, for lack of a better phrase, can only help. To be frank, I think it's whiny to say you want to be an artist so badly that you simply can't stand to do anything else. Many, many, many successful artists have had to suck it up and pay their dues, so to speak, with crappy jobs, crappy apartments, and little money. Others get married, have kids, or have and quit day jobs. None of that stands in the way or indicates a lesser commitment! Hey–being an artist ain't easy, so you might as well get used to the struggle and learn how to juggle life's crap.

There shouldn't be rush to get another degree–it's about the experience, so consider when that experience will benefit you most. If you've just spent four years in school (or maybe you've been out barely a year), a breather might help you gain a fresh perspective and push your work in new and unexpected ways. If you can't motivate yourself or find the time to keep making work after graduating with a BFA, then it seems doubtful you're ready for an MFA.

Of course, only you know! Just think it out and remember–there's always time to return to school! Lots of luck making your decision and here's to making work no matter what.

I totally agree! If you REALLY want it, you'll make it happen. Another two cents on when to return to grad school (I graduated with a BFA in 2007 and will now return for my MFA after living/working in NYC for the past four years)...

'Real world' experience is invaluable. I really don't think that many people are mature enough to directly pursue an MFA, though, as always, there are exceptions. Initially upon graduating, I had wanted to return to school, but in hindsight, I'm so thankful I waited–I just wasn't ready nor was my work. There's something to be said for living independently, surviving on your own, and being forced to balance the responsibilities of life (rent, food, job) with art making. Two years ago, I was finally able to afford a separate studio space from my apartment and the result was vastly improved work. Still I was working and dealing with other life stresses–a challenge that has made me a better, more productive artist. There's no one around to kick my butt into gear except myself, no parents to feed me, no free rides. The fact is, an MFA doesn't guarantee immediate success as an artist. It's an incredibly important experience that may help you get there–eventually. All of our paths as artists will be different, but I truly believe that learning how to be an adult, for lack of a better phrase, can only help. To be frank, I think it's whiny to say you want to be an artist so badly that you simply can't stand to do anything else. Many, many, many successful artists have had to suck it up and pay their dues, so to speak, with crappy jobs, crappy apartments, and little money. Others get married, have kids, or have and quit day jobs. None of that stands in the way or indicates a lesser commitment! Hey–being an artist ain't easy, so you might as well get used to the struggle and learn how to juggle life's crap.

There shouldn't be rush to get another degree–it's about the experience, so consider when that experience will benefit you most. If you've just spent four years in school (or maybe you've been out barely a year), a breather might help you gain a fresh perspective and push your work in new and unexpected ways. If you can't motivate yourself or find the time to keep making work after graduating with a BFA, then it seems doubtful you're ready for an MFA.

Of course, only you know! Just think it out and remember–there's always time to return to school! Lots of luck making your decision and here's to making work no matter what.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfjlqZf6Aao


If anyone can find the scene where hes like "DON'T TAKE A LONG TIME!" plz post

no need to be.

just think it's really dumb the question couldn't be answered.

so like I asked what was the point of posting?

Perhaps LC could have been more tactful, but the point she made is still valid. If you consider the purpose of this board to be the dissemination of helpful information, I think you have to agree that racuerex's post was written with the sole intent of inspiring people to congratulate him or her.

Also, looks like racuerex and LC both got into UCSB. I'd say LC has every right to be a little vexed that racuerex won't say which school the offer came from.