sculptor

Reapply. 2nd time was a charm for me.

Oh, I managed to forget the most important part of my post: Don't go if you're intending to transfer out. It's not fair to the program and the people who will be counting on you. My transferring out was not premeditated; I arrived with the intention to complete the program here. Saying goodbye to people (and failing to follow through on my commitment to them) is by far the worst part about my decision to leave.

I decided to go to a school that I was lukewarm about because it was the best financial offer (I got into favorite schools, too, but without the full funding). After two years in the program, I am leaving for another program that I believe fits my interests/goals much better. I have enjoyed a lot about my experience here, but it isn't right for me (and for reasons that I could have predicted). So here's my advice: If you're a glass-half-full type, you should go. Treat it as a great opportunity to focus on your work, and forget about the expectations and prejudices you had when you applied to grad school. But if you're a perfectionist, if you're highly critical, if you tend to beat yourself up for perceived mistakes, then maybe you should take a year to bolster your practice and reapply to other schools next winter.

I'll also add that Washington University in St. Louis is fairly generous. I believe they offer a range of scholarships to different students, but here's what they offered me (Tuition there is $34K/year, 2-year program): merit scholarship + teaching assistantship for both years totaling $24K. Not too bad. Also, you can apply to the Olin Fellowship for women, which offers full tuition remission, and/or the Chancellor's Fellowship, which offers full tuition remission plus a huge stipend. They also have a generous fellowship for international students. I highly recommend applying to their program.

Going to LSU! I love the program, people, and opportunities there--I'm so happy!!

Thanks for your input, and your perspective on the 2-year versus 3-year program issue is refreshing to me. Many of the people (lots of professors included) have been critical of 2-year MFA programs, but you make a good argument. Just FYI, while I was at the WUSTL open house, I asked about the TAship (I also was offered a teaching scholarship for both years). Apparently you never get to teach your own class, but instead are there to "help out" with a professor's class. That is one major benefit for me about LSU (and it sounds like that's the case for you with UNC): at LSU I would teach my own class for two years. I'm weighing that against the reputation/location issue. Washington University is a fancy, private university with a top-20 ranking, but LSU is a state school in the southeast, with a lower but respectable ranking. A number of great intellectuals in all disciplines come out of southeastern state schools, but still--unfortunately--people from the south often do not receive the respect they deserve. Regionalism is a real problem that professionals sometimes face. Do you guys think that having a degree from a southern state school (rather than WashU) would put us at a disadvantage for job placement in other regions of the USA? About WashU, working in drawing, you will have plenty of studio space. The studios are a little on the tight side for a sculptor, but are generous for people who can store work in flat files or bins. I agree that class size is important. If you mean that there are only 10 people in all of UNC's MFA program (not just painting/drawing), I agree that the number is pretty small. You better hope that you get along with your peers! I do sense that the faculty at WashU in general are somewhat distanced from the grads, but after talking to the grads it seems like the contact with their primary advisors is significant. Finally I will say that St. Louis is a great area. I wouldn't be concerned about that location if I were you. There is a lot to do, it is charming and affordable, and there is an art scene. It's not NYC but who cares. I come from a small city (smaller than St. Louis) and have seen a number of artists become successful in the larger art world after getting a start in our smaller scene here. You have to start somewhere. I'm visiting LSU on Wednesday... I guess I'll have a better idea then. This decision is making me crazy.

Congrats, inkhouse. Great choice! I may be headed south, too, we will see...

Thanks for the list! I can add a few for the South that give great funding: UGA (University of Georgia) LSU (Louisiana State University) UF (University of Florida) I know first-hand that these all offer great financial packages good luck, future applicants! I know you'll comb through this forum in a few months

Thanks, inkhouse, you make a good point. Really I think this boils down to this: more time and teaching experience at LSU versus better reputation at WashU. Plus the location issue and what you mentioned about the peer group. I guess I'll have a better sense of things once I visit LSU (I already visited WashU). I hope you choose UGA. I know a couple of the grads and former grads from UGA, and I can't say enough positive things about them. They have a good record of grads getting teaching jobs. If I go to LSU, maybe I'll see you at an SEC football game

Thank you!! Such a tough decision to make now... a happy dilemma!

Thanks, miyamoto81, that is good advice. I'll keep you guys posted. Good luck on your own decisions!

Yay, kazoo! So happy for you!!!

Thanks, ol'spice! I sent you a message Crossing my fingers for you about VCU!

Thank you!! This decision is WAY harder than I thought it would be. Man, it's nice to have all of the decisions in, though. Hopefully UTK will come through with some good news for you soon.

Hi, reddogshoe. I am facing a very similar dilemma. I posted it on the "MFA decisions" thread but I'll bring the conversation over here. Here's what I have: Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Art (Washington University in St. Louis): good funding (not 100%) + TA (but their grad's don't teach as the instructor of record) ranked 13th two year interdisciplinary program in a mid-sized city (St. Louis) versus LSU: 100% funding +TA (instructor of record for two of the three years) ranked 62nd three year sculpture program in a college town (Baton Rouge) but only an hour from a great art city (NOLA) My studio practice and exhibition activity is a career priority to me, but I am also very enthusiastic about teaching at a university (not just to make a buck... I really care about teaching). I want a happy grad school experience and of course I want my graduate education to help set me up for a successful career. I know that my work is the most important contributor to my success, but my grad school choice is important, too. WashU has an interdisciplinary program which I am really into, but there aren't very many sculpture grads there. Mostly painters and printmakers. I don't know what that means. It's important to me that I have the opportunity to mix media and formats, so that's a big plus for WashU, although I believe I will also have that opportunity (though maybe to a lesser extent) at LSU. WashU was my top pick when I applied to schools, but as this process has progressed I am becoming more analytical about it. The thing that really kills me about WashU is that it's only 2 years. Is two years at a highly respected university better than three at a good but lesser known state school? I have no idea. Glad I'm not the only one facing a decision like this... any and all advice is appreciated!