bertyruss

What about WUSTL? BTW, when I interviewed at SMFA, they said 1,200 applicants, 100 interviewees, and roughly 35 admits (2.5%!!) (not sure this is right, because I thought their class size was around 30-50, and they'd need to admit more than 35 to get there). thanks!

I look at rankings this way. There are two issues, (1) are they accurate, and if so, (2) accurate about what? First of all, they are a little old, based entirely on a 2008 survey of "reputation." In other words, they are not based on data about resources of the school, the success of their grads, or anything like that. They are based on reputation opinions. Okay, so let's say they are reasonably accurate rankings of the reputation of a school. The question would then be, how valuable is this to a graduate? I would say that it could be fairly important in getting a teaching job (after all, to respond to one post, you don't have a shot if you don't get an interview), and maybe gallery owners would give you a harder look. Not sure the consuming public cares too much though. The art and entertainment bizz's aren't so "linear." Put a different way, there is (1) credential value, and (2) educational experience value. The problem is, it is fairly easy to measure the status of an institution as an applicant, but it is fairly hard to REALLY know what your educational experience is going to be like, apart from a vibe you get during a campus visit, or an assessment of the resources available to you. That said, the big question is how important IS the credential value. I'd say it is very high for the top 10 schools or so, but the returns diminish after that. But again, how do we really know what the educational experience is going to be like?

People are starting to get acccept to programs, so I wonder about making decisions. I've been lucky enough to be accepted to two programs (WUSTL and SMFA), and I like them both and am a bit torn. I tried to start a new thread for this..."Comparative merits of....." Thanks, BertyRuss

Isn't it time to stop freaking out (just a little) and start evaluating programs, especially if we've gotten into 2 or more?! I'm into WashU and SMFA. WashU has more reputation and resources, but I really liked the SMFA vibe (although it was Saturday that they interview, so it was more relaxed than the mid-week WashU visit). Part of the analysis, I supppose, is program versus credential value, and the program is quite hard to evaluate until you are into it. Thoughts anyone?

Painting drawing. The programs are starting to blur in my head, but as I recall they divide things into representational or conceptual. How did you like the experience?

Got an email. Very thorough and professional.

I applied to painting/drawing. Got a very nice letter, snail mail.

Hi everybody, I've applied at about 10 schools, from Pratt to CalState Long Beach. Rejected at Otis and Michigan, got an interview with SMFA first week of March, but have no idea what that means in terms of ultimate odds. How close is interview to accetance? Thanks, and good luck everyone! -John