jess_is_over_it

For anyone with an upcoming SMFA interview, or really any interview: Had my interview with Ethan Murrow from SMFA last Thursday. Questions were about my current work, my current career, reasons for choosing to pursue an MFA, specifically why SMFA, what am I trying to convey through my work, influences and more specific questions were built upon my responses. Very interested in what I hoped or planned on doing with my work, conceptually, professionally and practice-wise. Discussed in depth what I could contribute to SMFA and what made me different from other applicants. He stated that he only had access to my portfolio prior to our Skype interview and was not privy to supporting material (ie. resume, statement, application, transcripts). He did not even have info regarding where I am located or what my undergrad degree is. So I briefed him on all that info. Very causal, equally informative as questioning, went slightly over the allotted 30 mins, he mentioned that my answers to questions also answered questions that were on his list, so I suppose I seemed well prepared. I followed up with thank you emails to both him and Lennon, both of whom responded promptly and positively. He even provided further faculty contacts for me to pursue specific to my skills and interests.

Applied to MICA Mount Royal and Hoffberger, have yet to hear anything. Did reach out to Mary Baum last week to inquire, we had been in close contact since November and I felt it would be acceptable to reach out. Her response was short but cordial, says they are “still in the review process”...which “continues all month”.

Applied to UConn as well, no response. Also curious why you are regretting applying?

Congrats! When did you hear from Georgia State? I applied there as well.

Thanks for the positivity ? I just finished my skype interview with SMFA and I feel like it went really well!

Finally got a letter from SAIC, rejected. They offered me a spot in their undergrad BFA program as a "prior degree student", which is kind of insulting although my undergrad is a BA in Film and Video, so maybe that's going to end up being a hard sell for a lot of MFA programs. No one mentioned it negatively so far though and my Portfolio Day review with SAIC went very well, he even said "your work is exactly the language we look for in our students at SAIC"...Sigh ?

I have yet to hear from SAIC either. Assuming rejection at this point but haven't heard anything either way. Frustrating. Especially since my review during Portfolio Day went so well.

Tulane will likely still be a wait. The deadline was only Feb 1st. I applied there as well. Also applied to two programs at MICA. I'm curious as well, last year interviews invites rolled in around now. Decisions weren't made til 2nd week of March through the end of March. ALTHOUGH they did extend their deadline due to inclement weather so I would assume everything is pushed by a week or so. Crossing my fingers for us both!

I agree with MJamesPDX. A good friend of mine from undergrad (we were in undergrad 14 years ago, wow that makes me feel old af!) - he's currently in the curatorial program at MICA, he suggested I do post bacc program before an MFA program - if my round of applications don't yield positive offers. Post Bacc programs are helpful for a number of reasons. For me personally, I have spent the last 10 years working in film and video production, not in an artistic sense, completely Hollywood. I have continued to make my own work and show my work on a very local scale when I have time, which is not often. Obviously, working in this Hollywood drenched industry has influenced my work and that may or may not be a direction I choose to follow in my graduate work. Having an additional year to focus on myself and my work could be helpful. For me, this round of applications is very important - if I don't get a deal I am comfortable with I will certainly consider a post bacc program. Otherwise I will likely continue working in the film industry and remain stuck in this predicament I'm currently in - no time to focus on my art, no time to properly show my work, too many career distractions and responsibilities to truly practice my art in the way that is necessary for me to be happy and content. There is a lot of growth and maturity that happens after completing undergrad. I don't think schools necessarily write you off simply because you will be fresh out of undergrad but more so I think they want to see what you do without the constraints and expectations of undergrad studies.I certainly wouldn't take it as a negative that they suggested the post bacc program - they are definitely interested in you and your work, otherwise they wouldn't have suggested the post bacc program.

Stay positive! I got rejections from Yale and Carnegie, rumor seems to be SAIC and Tyler sent out invites already, so I can basically cross those off as well. I was feeling really down until I got this SMFA interview invite. Something will come for you!

Got an interview invite from SMFA this morning!!

Is it abnormal to have hits from colleges you didn't apply to? Fordham University, Cornell, University of Illinois all show up on my analytics but I did not apply there. Didn't even contact them in any way. I know when you go to events like Portfolio Day you end up on all the mailing lists but it seems weird that anyone would go to my website, no?

CMU rejection via email just now. ?

Do you guys think SAIC did all the callbacks already or will continue on Monday? Stressing out over here, lol ?

Congrats! Haven't heard from SAIC (also painting)...?

Congratulations! My friend, Chelsea Rafflo, graduated from FSU MFA a couple years ago.

Haven't heard back yet either ?

Have you read Ninth Street Women yet? That’s a good way to distract yourself.

So far I’ve applied to Yale, Tyler (hit from Philly on my website), SAIC, Carnegie, UConn (hit from Mansfield CT), SMFA. Still left to submit apps to: MICA (already got hit on website, been in pretty close contact with them throughout), Tulane, GSU, and possibly Purchase. Yes, I’m one of the supposedly rare kind that is applying to 10 schools. Spent 2 years researching schools and still couldn’t narrow it down. Yes, it is laborious. My theory is that a couple schools I likely won’t get into, a couple schools aren’t ideal so my decision hinges on the aid packages, a couple locations aren’t ideal, so again, it depends on the aid package, and one school is a safety in case something crazy happens and I need to/want to stay in Atlanta. I’m 34 and a bit jaded, I know the politics often involved in this process, I have experienced the untimely unexpected events that screw plans up, and I’ve seen the unheard of strokes of luck. So, I’ll take my chances Anyone else get website hits? I told myself I wasn’t gonna freak out in anticipation but here we are ??‍♀️

I did too!

Hi! I’m curious if anyone has experience with having to use references outside of just former professors. My undergrad years were a bit broken up with a 4 year gap in the middle and attending a total of 5 institutions before graduating. I graduated nearly 7 years ago with a BA in Film. I’m applying to MFA Painting programs. So I had a difficult time figuring out to use as references. As it is I have a former studio professor who only had me for 1 semester, an Art History professor who had me for 2 consecutive semesters, an employer in the film industry who knows me very well and is also an artist, the owner of a small, local gallery who frequently shows my work, and a fellow artist/mentor. I’m a little worried that this might not be an ideal selection of references. And since i know we’re all curious to see where others are applying here’s my list. I’m really casting a wide net here but haven’t been successful at narrowing my list down more: Carnegie Mellon Tulane SAIC MICA SMFA Tyler UCONN Yale RISD Purchase Hunter

Where did you end up going? I'm curious.

1) Does anyone know about the curatorial studies program at Bard firsthand? 2) I'm also considering SUNY Purchase. Even though it doesn't seem to be as good of a program, it is closer to NYC. I've heard mixed things about Purchase. It also seems like an easier program to accepted in and definitely cheaper. I'm from Atlanta, very much into fashion, arts, pop culture, could be described as hipster - I like being in a city where there are different types of people and lots of variety/ things to do. I don't want to be isolated. I'm worried that I would feel bored at Bard without the option of a quick escape...I want a balance between a good education and a fun social life. I'm 26, so I also don't want to be surrounded by immature, under-age, party kids. Opinions are appreciated! Thanks!

I currently have only 9 credits in art history. Last year, when I returned to school after being out for some time, I was considering switching to Art History (I am extremely interested in it and always do very well) but I would be throwing out a good number of studio art credits - I am considering doing a summer study abroad which would give me an additional 9 credits (18 credits are required for an Art History minor at my university). I want to work more with new media and video within a museum though so I wonder if an art history MA would even be best suited for me. I'm thinking museum studies would be more suited for me, given the courses I have taken as an undergrad and the area I would like to be in.

Thanks so much. Today a good friend of mine recommended Bard's CCS program and it really seems like exactly what I'm looking for. I will definitely look into it and shoot you any questions I have.