Whinchat

Oh for god sakes you lot, stop directing such thinly veiled attacks at one another. To be honest I think this is a good question. For me, doing an MFA is about moving away from being a 'bedroom artist', and gaining a group of critical peers who can help me look at my work from a different angle. It’s also about having the time to completely immerse myself in my practice, as over the last year and a half I've had to juggle making art with a full time job. Essentially, What I want is access. Access to opportunities that I am aware aren't just going to be presented to me, but with a bit of initiative and hard work on my behalf, may come to really benefit me. Unfortunately I can't do this in the position I am in at the moment, I need to be out of my comfort zone with a group of people unlike me. I think the word 'career' throws people. Career sounds vocational, and where as many people have plans, a lot can't say for certain where they would like to end up - or feel goofy saying something as unreal as being an artist. I think most institutions would rather hear the goals you would like to obtain from doing their course, and which direction you are generally heading in. Of course they would also like to establish that you don't have your head completely in the clouds, but I think you can communicate that without giving them a blow by blow career plan.

Cheers, your advice has been really helpful over the last few days. Are you on an MFA yourself, or do you teach? I've found it quite hard picking the right programmes, with only the use of the internet and the opinions of a few people close to me. I am looking forward to going over in October and at least speaking face to face with some of the representatives for each University. I've recently had to drop the idea of the Royal Danish Academy as although I've been in touch with them for awhile, they've massively overhauled their course structure. I feel like I should apply to another European school just so my options are open, but I'm not entierly sure where.

Thanks for the feedback - I'm super excited about SAIC, the more I look into it the more I fall in love with it. On the same topic, I think I may have sorted the final list: SAIC, Slade School of Fine Art (UCL), Danish Royal Academy, CalArts, SVA, UCLA and Pratt. What does everyone else think?

Hello All, I've been lurking for awhile on this board, but now we're all looking toward 2012 applications I'm ready to wade in. I'm originally from the UK, but looking to study abroad for a post-graduate degree in art. My work is mainly photographically based, but not pure photography, I tend to montage found images but have been know to dabble slightly in video and film. I am currently looking to attend either SAIC or Columbia University. So far most of my research has been over the internet, however I hope to get a more hands on view of SAIC when I visit for the national graduate portfolio day in November. I would be greatful if anyone could give me some impartial advice for either Institution and their aesthetic. I have noticed that the graduates at SAIC are rather polished, but I'm weary that this could lend itself to being rather commercialised, much like some of the work coming out of the Royal College of Art in London. I think I would prefer a freer type of education, but then location is also really important to me - I like being in big cosmopolitan cities. Any feedback or school recommendations will be welcome, when I get the chance I'll stick up the first draft of my portfoilo.