mmmh

As of today, I still haven't got my I-20. I am worried. I actually just submitted my financial guarantee information to Penn State. It's a bit of a complicated situation, but basically, whoever at the international student office hasn't been answering any of my emails I sent asking in what amount I need to prove that I have, considering the funding I am getting (tuition remission + a stipend) from the department. I sent the email in late March, after accepting the assistantship offer from the school in mid March, and it wasn't only until the first week of May, when I finally called the office, that I got an answer for it. I know, I should have called them earlier, but they have this online "check your status" thing, that states something like "wait three weeks before you email for inquiry", so I just emailed twice during the time, thinking that they'd been so busy getting their work done... Anyhow, for almost two months, I never got a reply email from the international student office. I mean, what is the purpose of listing an email address for inquiry?!? The person I spoke to on the phone was really unfriendly and sounded annoyed that I called. The person didn't tell me how long it would take to issue an 1-20. Not even an estimate. And no "sorry" even once for never getting back to me. I will call again, to check if they have my financial information and everything to issue me an I-20... Anyone going to Penn State, what's your experience like so far? Anyone else still waiting for I-20?

I'm going to Penn State from Fall09. I'm looking for an apartment (1br or 2br) with my boyfriend who will be also attending the school. We are not planning to have a car there, so we're looking for someplace within 2-3 miles away from school where biking to school is still an option during summer. Since we live abroad, we have to find something on craigslist or something and decide without seeing it in person. Any recommendation which part of State College to look into? we would like to avoid areas that are too overcrowded by undergrads... is that impossible?? We are a little frightened by the idea of living in a college town. Some people told us to live in Bellefonte, but without a car, it seems impossible.

Hi cool90068, Congrats! Did you have an interview with them??

Hi Sarahb78, I had a phone interview about a week ago. (though the post on the result search wasn't me.) And still waiting. I have a feeling that they are doing/ did interviews with international applicants, which I am. I remember the status of whoever posted on the result list was also non U.S. citizen or some sort. Plus my phone interview with Amy wasn't really like an interview. She said that the purpose of the call was to find out more about what kind of person I am. She was very nice and I got to ask many questions about the school. Compared to interviews I had with Hunter (gosh, I did so bad) and CMU (not sure what to say, it went ok), it was more like a healthy conversation. Anyhow, my American friend who also applied there hasn't heard anything from them either. but yeah, we should be hearing from them any day.

I'm accepted into a master's program in the states and the school requires me to get my own health insurance. Any recommendation where to look?

Thanks for responding, everyone. I think the quality at Penn State varies from department to department. Personally I chose it because I think the sculpture faculty is quite strong. I don't think there is much of a point in going to a school who's faculty doesn't interest you, even if it is free. I would agree that you should set your aim high.

Where are the well-funded MFA programs in studio art (painting, sculpture, interdisciplinary art, photography, etc)? I should have posted this question here before I applied... Compared to other programs, funding opportunities for MFA studio art students seem rather limited. My friends doing their MAs and phDs in literature studies, anthropology, engineering and others got full-tuition coverage + something like 18K - 30K/year stipends. crazy. some get more than what I get working several part-time jobs. I know these are just fortunate cases and it's not an easy thing to get into a well-funded program regardless of fields. This is my first year applying to grad school and I applied to ones where I might be able to receive decent financial support, in addition to a few super famous schools just to see if I could get in. Money is a sensitive issue, and some might feel uncomfortable sharing all the details, but let us hear what you got, heard or found. I got into Penn State University with full tuition + $6000/year stipend. Also, I found an article on university funding for MFA in writing here. sounds better... http://www.pw.org/content/show_me_money ... a_programs

I'm waiting to hear back from Tyler (sculpture). I'm just hoping that each department does differently in making decisions... but I also saw someone posted a result on the "admission results" list saying this person got an email from Tyler's sculpture program in Feb. 17th, 2009, regarding interview or some sorts. what's going on?? I don't want to, but am starting to speculate that they did the first round in Feb. I also applied to UCLA, VCU (sculpture), nothing yet. (i know vcu is just taking time to go though the applications...)