Resendes8909

Your artist statement should not have anything to do with why you are applying to graduate school. That should be a paragraph or two about the type of work you make, the research you do, other precedents, future ideas, etc. A statement of purpose/intent for anything (in your case, for graduate school) is a more in-depth investigation of where your work has lead you both professionally and personally. But most importantly, it is a declaration of your goals, why graduate school is necessary for you to meet those goals, and why that particular program and faculty are a great match for you - based on the fundamentals of the program and the work of the faculty. Its also a way for you to sell yourself by writing about certain exhibitions or projects you've been involved with. You may have that outlined somewhat in a resume or cv, but the statement is where you can really highlight those moments you have in your repertoire that will set you apart from the pack.

You WILL get in somewhere, with your caliber of work and your writing ability (read your essay - very interesting). I applied last year at 23 and got in, so if its your age/experience that is bothering you I wouldn't worry. Work speaks for itself.

Well, you have only given her a week, correct? That is not a very long amount of time. When are your deadlines? My app cycle was last year and I asked for letters in September / October for December and January deadlines. The holiday season is a very busy period, so I wanted my referees to have enough time to write for me before things got too hectic. Still, one of my referees didn't submit his letter until the day the application was due, so that should tell you something about how people prioritize letter-writing. If the deadlines are fast approaching, I would suggest finding as many back-ups as possible as quickly as possible.

It is a huge misconception that these drugs will help you study longer and do better on tests because they keep you up all night, and I commend you for not trying this again. I take stimulant medication similar to ritalin and I have taken it since I was about 17. I am diagnosed with adhd and a sleep disorder associated with adhd. These drugs are meant to be taken at around the same time every day to encourage a regular schedule, or work-time throughout the day and sleep-time at the end of the day. I have never taken the medication after about 12-1pm because that would disrupt the schedule I am so desperately trying to maintain. The idea behind the drugs are to encourage people to work in ways they are meant to, rather than having erratic (hyperactive) schedules. That lifestyle is not conducive to an 8-hour work days. But neither is staying up all night before an exam. That is not natural, yet I understand we all do it sometimes. While some people seem to strive by working through the night, it really can devastate the body. Taking these drugs when your body is tired, at 4am, when you haven't taken the drugs before and do not know how you will react is also very dangerous. These are stimulants, and when mixed with other stimulants like a coffee, they can cause serious heart problems. They also adversely affect people who already have anxiety disorders. They are also addictive when not taken properly and at the right dosage. Obviously, there are reasons for medications being controlled substances.

I don't want to scare you, but I am currently enrolled in an MFA program and our professors basically told us that our statements were the most heavily considered parts of our application. I believe the statements allow professors to see who is serious and who can think critically. However, my program is very competitive and non-traditional. I think that in most cases, the portfolio is the most heavily considered. I have been told by people from many different types of programs that letters of recs are almost always the least heavily considered part of the application, but most of those people also said that applicants who were missing letters of recs were not considered. To me, that seems somewhat contradictory... So take that how you will. I suppose some measures are in place simply to weed people out in a competitive applicant pool. Cruel, cruel world. I think GPA seems to be a logical way to create a cut-off and is not actually used to weigh applicants against one another. However, statements and portfolios seem to be the most logical aspects of the application to use when weighing applicants against each other and also to see if those applicants are a good fit for the professors and other grads already enrolled. When I applied to grad school, reading statements by people already enrolled in similar programs was extremely helpful for me. Reading other people's statements helped me figure out how to frame my own. It wasn't so much that I was copying their rhetoric or anything like that. I just needed help framing the outline of the statement. Mine ended up being around 1000 words. I know some programs have lower word-count max. Talking to your POIs at the programs you are applying to might help you figure out what those professors are looking for in application statements. Also, reading up on rhetoric and persuasive writing might give you some ideas. resources: http://rhetoric.nuvv...ting-techniques http://services.smar...iteman/1_07.cfm If you have a library nearby, go check out as many books on persuasive writing as you can get your hands on. Most importantly, just write. You are making a huge life-changing decision by applying to graduate school - clearly there is something you are incredibly passionate about. That may be your work, the content of your work, etc. Write about that passion. On a side note, good luck to 2013 applicants!!!

I won't go into details. But... Basically, I am trying to get students to objectively look at their work, their peers' work, and even the work of experts in the field and critically discuss ways for improvement. Critique. But I noticed from the very beginning of the semester that students seem more concerned with being nice than objective - which is not constructive or professional. So, I have been running a series of experiments in class to open up forum for debate (not based on their work yet, based on precedents and ideologies). This seemed like a good idea until one student came forward and basically told me off for asking them to challenge each others views. This student thought I was trying to breed bullying in the class and that this type of dialog was unprofessional (boy is this kid in for a surprise post-undergrad). I don't wholly agree with the student, but obviously I need to rethink some of the structure of these in-class debates. I have no intention of having anyone leave the class feeling hurt or having hurt someone else. But if they don't learn how to be objective we as teachers have failed them. Any ideas to help an overly sensitive group think critically? Any thoughts on this subject?

I've been lurking around - forgive me for the interjection. I didn't apply to Yale, nor am I a painter by profession. I am going to graduate school for graphic design. However, I did attend undergrad at what is generally considered one of the more popular or "revered" institutions of fine art where I initially intended to study fine art rather than design. Featherlight, I think you pose a valid argument that many who study illustration AND who study painting often pose. What is the value of proficiency in painting in this modern era, and what does proficiency in painting even mean anymore? (Paint is a medium in which you can express something) I don't have an answer because its not *my* question. But perhaps this question or the exploration and research that could result from asking the question could be *your* focus. I guess what I am getting at is this - finding a thread to follow and make your own is the most difficult task there is for an artist working in any medium. But it is essential. Graduate programs seek students who have a grasp on it but want more direction. I certainly haven't fully grasped my own, but I am working on it.

WOW.... so 5 months later, 2.5 months after the waitlist letter, I get a letter from my top choice school: Accepted off the waitlist, with a fellowship and in-state tuition for both years. Possible TA-ship second semester. floored. Well, I guess I know what to do now. decision: Univ. Texas - Austin for Design.

Well guys, I got full funding and a TAship stipend at my safe choice and still not word on my waitlist status at my top choice. So I am going to enroll at my safety and if by some miracle I am accepted later at my top choice, I may just have to selfishly turn down the safety. I've heard that its been done before. But full funding is a hard thing to pass up.

Still waiting on my waitlist status at my top choice. I spoke with someone last week who said that they are still waiting on accepted students' responses. With one acceptance in hand myself I can understand that but April 15 is approaching. Good luck to everyone else.

chances of getting of a waitlist at a program that only accepted 5 people this year? Any ideas?

Don't assume that. I got into a school with a thin envelope.

I am waitlisted for my top choice program... Was informed two weeks ago by e-mail and a letter from the department head. Any advice on improving my chances? I have already e-mailed the department head - I tried not to sound like I was begging him or anything, but I truthfully admitted that this program is my top choice for various reasons.. He replied with a courteous but short e-mail letting me know he will take into consideration that if accepted I would definitely attend. I called the grad coordinator and left a message recently too. I mainly want to know if the waitlist is ranked. Any advice?

I think it depends on what you want out of a graduate program. I am going for design rather than fine art, and I'm approaching graduate school as an opportunity to learn more about design and to do research and make work based on that. For fine arts it is a little different. Graduate school can open doors for networking purposes I suppose. It is an opportunity to have your work critiqued and to work with other artists. As a designer collaboration is really important, but for fine artists I can see why some wouldn't find it necessary.

So, I got into my safety school with funding and a TAship. Offered a post-bacc at one other school (in a city i don't want to live in - but the program is better). One rejection from a long-shot (UCLA). And I am waitlisted at my top-choice school where only 5 people were accepted into the program I applied to this year. What to do if I don't get in off the waitlist at my top-choice, which is likely... -Take the post-bacc from the better school? Pay tuition and take courses that ultimately don't lead to a degree (for a year, whilst re-applying elsewhere) -Go to my safety school, with funding. Possibly only for a year whilst reapplying... -Say screw it to grad school for now, move somewhere, try to find a job doing something relevant, (and reapply). Help.... If you want to know which schools you can message me. This is so stressful...