Fool4nine

Just accepted to Cranbrook - but can I afford it? Oh this is tough. One good, but mid-tier school offering full tuition waiver and a substantial stipend, and another top-tier school that would likely require big loans to attend. I can't take this stress! It's good stress to be sure. Much better than no acceptances, but hard decisions never-the-less. Added pressure comes in that Cranbrook wants a deposit within 2 weeks. How can I decide when I still haven't heard from all schools? Cranbrook is highly rated to be sure. But offers no teaching experience and I want to teach when I'm done. So - Expensive, no teaching experience, but looks great on the diploma and I would undoubtedly grow greatly as an artist and have more doors opened for me in the way of exhibitions. Ohio State is not as highly rated but still a very good school. I like the 3-year nature of the program and I would get at least 2 years of teaching experience and possibly adjunct teaching opportunities with them afterwards. I get full tuition costs covered, plus a to-die-for medical/dental/vision insurance coverage for the whole family for pennies. Plus I get a very nice stipend that will cover a good part of my living expenses. I really need to hear back from RISD and VCU to help me decide what to do. I think RISD is out as I didn't get a request. Had my interview with VCU though and it seemed to go really great. They are making some interesting changes there that make the program sound really strong.

Just accepted to Cranbrook - but can I afford it? Oh this is tough. One good, but mid-tier school offering full tuition waiver and a substantial stipend, and another top-tier school that would likely require big loans to attend. I can't take this stress! It's good stress to be sure. Much better than no acceptances, but hard decisions never-the-less. Added pressure comes in that Cranbrook wants a deposit within 2 weeks. How can I decide when I still haven't heard from all schools? Cranbrook is highly rated to be sure. But offers no teaching experience and I want to teach when I'm done. So - Expensive, no teaching experience, but looks great on the diploma and I would undoubtedly grow greatly as an artist and have more doors opened for me in the way of exhibitions. Ohio State is not as highly rated but still a very good school. I like the 3-year nature of the program and I would get at least 2 years of teaching experience and possibly adjunct teaching opportunities with them afterwards. I get full tuition costs covered, plus a to-die-for medical/dental/vision insurance coverage for the whole family for pennies. Plus I get a very nice stipend that will cover a good part of my living expenses. I really need to hear back from RISD and VCU to help me decide what to do.

No... not terrible hard. Having several expectancies to some good schools is really great as I know at least that I have a "home" of some kind. I did apply to lots of schools as I wanted at least a few choices. I see you have at least one "home" so far so that's great. Good luck to everyone to fine a home with new photo friends and mentors.

I hope so. I really wanted to at least get an interview with RISD. Still licking my wounds over the Yale, Stanford, and other rejections. But I did get an interview with Cranbrook and VCU so that was good as both schools are really great. My SAIC and Temple/Tyler applications got screwed up. But the Temple/Tyler problems may get resolved. SAIC took my money but never looked at my application due to a web issue. I'm really sore about that one.

Ask the school. I know that some schools do not want you to bring anything. Others expect it.

Hi, welcome. Helps to know what your program/discipline is (you can list in in your profile so it shows up if you wish) as it helps to answer that kind of questions. But for photo at least... no, no word yet.

The interview was pretty light and easy. No real tough questions other than: "Where do you see your work progressing from your portfolio?" I've had several interviews by phone so far and they have not been all that probing. Of course every school and discipline can be different. The best advice is to prepare with the interview questions posted on the forum. Perhaps have a few responses typed out and in front if you in case you get flustered. Then relax about it and just try to be yourself. One thing to keep in mind is that I've heard that professors hate the interview process as much as the applicants. They often are required to do it but don't really enjoy it. With some schools, the interview is used to cut another 75%. However, I understand that with less than the most competitive programs, if you are getting interviewed it is because they likely want you already and just want to make sure that you have the ability to speak in complete sentences without using the word "like" every time you pause. Banish that word from your vocabulary and you will instantly sound more intelligent than 50% of most college students today (sorry... my age is showing).

Accepted to Rutgers and interviewed at Cranbrook today. Interviews coming up for VCU and Temple/Tyler.

Accepted to Rutgers and interviewed at Cranbrook today. Interviews coming up for VCU and Temple/Tyler.

Congrats! I really like your work so you deserve it.

How important do you all think the prestige or rank of a school is to later getting a university teaching position? I mean, isn't it more about your portfolio (like applying to grad school is) and your exhibition record rather than your diploma? Would it be a mistake to pass up a much higher ranked school for a school that feels like a better fit or offers more funds? I've heard it said that one usually doesn't get a teaching position as a school that is considered more prestigious than the school you attended. Do you think this is true or an urban legend?

At Ohio State University they have: Arts & Technology is an interdisciplinary studio art program in computer mediated art, which includes interactive installation, robotic and kinetic sculpture, multimedia, digital video, 3D modeling, animation, digital imaging, holography, web based works, and sound. Students are encouraged to consider content, contexts and approaches that may not fit with the traditional definitions of art or display venues.

Well said. That is certainly a valid perspective. If you are young and committed, then waiting and producing better work and perhaps getting into a better program is certainly a worthwhile strategy and perhaps the BEST strategy. For me, it's now or never as I'm 51 years old and starting a third career as an artist/educator.

Additionally, I've heard of people getting rejected by programs that aren't even in the top 100, only to be then accepted by a top program like Yale or RISD. Getting rejected does not mean a whole lot other than your application wasn't what they were looking for this year or that there were a number of applicants that were a better fit for them. That said, make sure your portfolio is the best that it can be and apply to more programs if you have to reapply next year. I've seen people on here that only applied to the top three programs in their discipline. That says to me that they are already an accomplished artist or that they are naive and do not realize what a long shot the top programs are. I also have heard that some people send in unfinished work, foundation pieces, sketches and diagrams for potential work, work that is outside their primary medium, and unfocused and unrelated pieces as a portfolio. A sloppy presentation is a quick way to find your portfolio in the rejection pile.

Accepted to Ohio University (fine art photo) via phone today!

It is too early to hear from RISD from last years threads. Perhaps not for another 2 weeks or so. Many people don't list all the schools that they applied to (or even any of them). Yes, I applied there. Also, most people who apply, aren't on here. I'm sure that they get many applications.

I'm sure it is and my lack of interest really has nothing to do with the school (although this thread has turned it even more sour). I lived in Southern Cal. for 8 years and that was about 5 years too long. I just don't care for it that much. Though I do enjoy visiting San Diego and San Francisco. Yes, it did apply to UCLA because of its high rep and funding levels and a couple of schools in San Fran because it's a great city. But I just don't care much for all the real estate in between the two San's. I just don't dig the wall to wall sprawl, masses of people, and high cost of living. I'm just saying if you want to promote a school, then talk about the damn school and not the applicants. End of story. But really... I'm sure the program will be great for those who want to go there. Good funding at UC Santa Barbara is much better than no funding at $57K-a-year Columbia any day.

What a stupid thread - Makes me glad I had no interest in applying there. I name it the anti-recruitment post.

So go to a school that provided lots of financial aid. There are at least 15 such schools that I'm aware of (likely many more). A few will even pay you to attend so you may not have to borrow anything. Of course you would likely have to move wherever those programs are.

Yes you CAN check online using your ASU login to the My ASU site linked from their main webpage, if and when they restore the site. According their IT dept., they are experiencing critical issues.

My ASU site is down. Uhhg!

By the way - I think your work is really good and conceptually strong. I'll bet you could have gotten into Yale or RISD or SAIC. If you don't accept somewhere, I suggest you reapply next year but to a lot more programs including those top programs.

UCLA interview - congrats! That a big deal. Good luck! That's a long time to wait. They must be very busy. I spoke with Linda Connor. I was terrified for a second because I've heard she can be scary to some students. But she was kind and cool and I think we bonded a bit over our shared love of cat's. So far, all the phone interviews have been just pleasant chats about photography and my work. Good luck to everyone.

Just finished my phone interview. But mine was for photo which may be very different than for painting. Was pretty laid back with a single professor. She did ask a few tough questions about my work but was pretty chill overall. At the end she said she was going to recommend my acceptance. Pretty cool as its a great school. However, money is going to be an issue as I got a killer offer at OSU. Zecchi's Jerry Maguire movie post was apt - "Show me the money." I'd rather have money placed in my pocket while going to school than have money going out via debt.

Congrats! One in the bag!