bordercrossings

USC thing: don't you guys think maybe it was a mistake? It seems like everyone got the email, and it's unlikely that everyone's transcripts got lost. If I were in your situation, I would definitely call or email to clarify (unless you've already been rejected :S)

My work is drawing-based as well, along with installation. I applied to painting programs, but leaned more towards schools that emphasize interdisciplinary practices, or I applied to schools that don't distinguish between media (studio arts programs). Look at the work of current/previous students on the schools' websites - if it's all oil on canvas, you probably shouldn't apply there.

Guess I should be careful what I wish for... earlier today I posted that I was not only jealous of people's acceptances, but of their rejections too, and then I came home to two rejections in the mail. I'm glad to have news, but it's still hard to open those envelopes. The worst part is that one of them came in a big padded envelope. The portfolios for that school had to be submitted on CDs, and it turns out they were just returning my CD. WHY? So I can use it again next year?

I feel exactly the same way! At this point, I'm not just jealous of everyone's acceptances, I'm jealous of their rejections too! Come on peeps, just give it to me straight, I'm tired of waiting! The stress and waiting and silence have definitely affected my ability to create, and I haven't been spending a lot of time in the studio. But I have been doing a LOT of reading and research, which is an important part of my process, so my time hasn't been completely wasted. But yeah, I find it very difficult to know what to do right now, since I don't know what I'll be doing over the next few months. I thought that if I was rejected from all schools, I would be completely devastated, but since I've been hearing nothing but silence for a very long time, I've had the space to think about alternate plans for the coming months, and re-applying next year, and I feel okay about it - even excited about new projects and new opportunities, but I can't plan anything either way until I hear back from schools. All I can do is try to be patient, and come to terms with the uncertainty... and go check my email for the millionth time today.

I looked into Emily Carr when I was researching schools and they don't offer an MFA, only an MAA (Master of Applied Arts). The program is designed to help you integrate into the work force, with a professional internship, etc. So it depends what you're looking for - I think that if you want to be a studio artist, it's probably not the best program (that's why I didn't apply).

I think that trying to please the committee is a mission doomed to failure. I think you just have to accept that the whole process is subjective and unpredictable. Like Noceh4 said above, the fact that you didn't get in doesn't necessarily mean that your work isn't strong - it could mean anything, it could mean that your work didn't fit in with the rest of the group that was emerging, or maybe it was too close to someone else who had already been selected and they wanted more variety, or it just didn't click with the committee on that particular day. When asking for references during the application process, one of my profs said "As they say in these things, it's a crapshoot. You never know what a jury will go for." And that's coming from someone who has BEEN on those juries. So you can be cynical about the unpredictability of the process, but I think it would be a big mistake to modify your practice in an attempt to cater to that unpredictability.

Some of Liz Magor's work would fit, not sure if the venue is appropriate though. http://catrionajeffries.com/artists/liz-magor/works/

There already IS an art hub in the Rockies... have you heard of the Banff Centre residencies? Very competitive, but if you get in, you're in a beautiful, amazing location nestled in the Canadian Rockies. http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/experience/

Ok, thanks! When I log in there's only one tab: mynewschoolhome, so I guess there's still no decision for me, I'll have to keep waiting... "paitently"...

CalArts is definitely a pricey school, and it makes sense to take funding into account, but if it helps, I have a friend in her first year there (MFA), and she said the quality of work is VERY strong, she's making big strides in her work, and really enjoying the program. Not sure if it's true that their reputation is not what it once was, but even if it is, there still seems to be a lot of good working happening there.

HI, fellow Canadian! Did you receive the rejection by letter mail? I'm waiting to hear back from Guelph as well. Good luck with your other schools!

Did you see the note in the "personal announcements" field? I logged in and don't see anything about my application status...

I'm pretty sure that Tyler doesn't do interviews for painting, but they've sent emails to people who are "finalists". The "finalists" haven't been officially accepted, so conceivably some of them will get offers and some will be waitlisted? I'm not sure what that means for those of us who haven't heard anything one way or the other. Third-choice waitlist?

I know how you feel, I've had nothing BUT the abyss of silence! I know that Tyler emailed people who are finalists - I didn't get that email, but I didn't get the rejection letter that other people have received either. I know that RISD and NYU have invited people for interviews - I didn't get an invite, but I didn't get a rejection either. What's happening? Who knows. It's a long shot, but I'm hoping that maybe I'm on some kind of wait list (hey, a girl can dream). I have a friend who interviewed at NYU last year in early/mid April, so you never know what might happen!

Which department were you interviewing for at Parsons? I haven't heard any news from them (Fine Arts MFA).