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This is true, and most schools like to see a cohesive body of work. I would recommend that you use your undergrad time to try as many things as possible--you never know what you're going to fall utterly in love with. You might end up becoming more passionate about glass than painting. If you can find some way to combine them, you could also begin researching mixed media programs. However, if you decide to apply for painting MFA, the schools will judge you first and foremost for your portfolio in that area. They will ask you about your other skills and strengths at an interview, but you won't get one unless your painting portfolio is solid (and it appeals to that particular committee at that particular time). In my [limited] experience applying for exclusively painting programs, your other concentrations will neither help nor hurt you. Most people have at least one, and the schools didn't seem too concerned about what they were. Mine was graphic design, and it didn't even come up. ETA: in terms of future employment, you'll probably have an equally hard time with painting vs. glass--it's best to go with what you're most passionate about so you'll keep up the fight longer. You'll have to seek out your own opportunities either way.

Yeah, I've noticed that, but I don't have any other offers to consider! haha. As you can see, I'm not too broken up about it. I'm glad I only applied to a short list of schools that I would be enthusiastic about going to--any one of them would have thrilled me.

Accepted to MICA Hoffberger! With a pretty generous scholarship! It seems I didn't catch anyone else's attention, but I couldn't be happier with MICA. I loved the school and the people when I visited. So glad the wait is over. I hope everyone else hears good news, and soon.

Your BFA thesis works are incredible--the photos actually made me wish I could have seen the show in person. Great work!

@justclara: I love the Valencia, Spain series. It's so delicate yet expressive.

Congrats! Good luck!

Congratulations, that's great! I've got my fingers crossed for painting emails to go out next, that's for sure.

Thank you very much. I wish it were easier to accurately photograph the textures I've been using lately, so I'm glad it still stands out on the screen. I love your work, too. My favorite is "It's Alive!" It's fascinating for a fellow painter, because I'm not able to discern your process just by looking. Good luck to you, too. Who knows? Maybe we'll end up at Hoffberger together.

I posted a tumblr a few weeks ago, but I finally got my real website up and running! http://www.traceyparkerart.com I'm really digging Project 02--very haunting images.

Bingo about the transparency. Without this forum, for example, I never would have found out approximately how many people school X interviews for their program Y, because they don't usually release that info to prospective students. It's wonderful to be able to talk to people who are going through the same thing and have done so before; we can share information with each other that's difficult or impossible to find elsewhere.

So, I've been ogling people's signatures around here and thinking about this whole process more and more, noticing when someone is a finalist at one prestigious school but hasn't heard back from another (when interviews have already been scheduled). It's positive in a way, because it made me feel better about being selected to interview by MICA but not SAIC, but it's also a bit scary and fascinating to consider. It makes me think about what may have resonated with one school and their program goals, etc., but not another--when the two schools have a lot in common and received the same portfolio. I don't really have much to say about it except to wonder if anyone else has been taking note of this. It's my first time applying to grad school, too, so I'm still getting used to the whole thing.

I'm starting to think we missed the boat on that one if we haven't gotten a letter yet; the latest one I heard about was received on the 13th. Ah, well. Best of luck to those who have interviews there!

I'm satisfied with my 4 apps, personally. Not hearing back from SAIC (although we still might? but I've given up hope for that one) made me accutely aware of how much cash I forked over for their rejection. I couldn't have afforded to double my number, although I easily could have come up with 4 more schools that I'd be honored to attend.

Yep. They're sending out regular reminders to all applicants, even the ones who filled out the FAFSA and their separate financial form weeks ago. But the deadline's today, so it should stop now. Everyone make sure you did it if you haven't--don't wait for an offer.

Thanks, that helps! Not as bad odds as I thought. Here's to hoping and practicing and preparing.

I've been browsing the forums and seeing conflicting info--are there any statistics about how many people a school interviews vs. how many they're planning to accept? I'm flying to Baltimore in two weeks to interview at MICA Hoffberger, and I want to know how much I should get my hopes up, essentially. I mean, are they interviewing 100 people for the 10 spots (or however many? I tried to look it up just now and couldn't find an exact number)? 50? 30?

Congrats! If nothing comes tomorrow, looks like I'm out for them. =/ BUUUUUT--just got the email from MICA! I have an interview

Art theory and philosophy books are great, but personally I also find a lot of my inspiration through fiction and poetry. Usually the more experimental variety. I'd recommend Jeannette Winterson's Sexing the Cherry and Oranges are Not the Only Fruit for the off-beat and thrilling use of imagery--her novels and poetry have definitely influenced my painting. Also Margaret Atwood's Good Bones. I'm interested in writing as well, and I find that great fiction writing really resonates with me as a visual artist.

Ah, thank you so much! That makes me feel a lot better. SAIC sent me one as well, but I thought it was a nice gesture since they must've sent them out right when the apps went in--I knew they couldn't possibly have made a decision in two weeks or so, and I wasn't expecting anything when I opened it. However, I do think it was nice of both them and MICA to at least give us something for our application fee, you know? MICA just freaked me out because it's within the possible notification window x_x

Thanks for the info No email yet. Guess I'll try and hold out a little hope until some other painters hear back.

Congratulations! I'm curious when and how you heard from MICA. I'm applying there for painting and am anxious to get some news. I know you're applying for GD, so it's also possible that the dates are different for different programs. Has anyone else heard a peep from MICA? EDIT: Okay, funny story. I realized now, at 4am, that I hadn't checked the mail today. So I went out, and sure enough, there's a massive envelope from MICA!! So I'm actually almost crying in the dark by my mailbox. Run inside, tear it open, shaking... it's A BUNCH OF PAMPHLETS. About their exciting new programs. *screams* What??? Why would... whaaat???? Is this some kind of joke, to send us your pamphlets at this precise moment in our anticipation process? If so, okay, it's a little funny. But that moment when I read "Dear [my name]," and down a line to: "generic stuff about programs you didn't apply to, I'm the new Vice Provost, MICA's pretty cool. Okay bye!" Man... that was a serious emotional bait-and-switch. MICA, I already want to go to you! You do not need to convince me, just please tell me whether or not I can.

It doesn't help with trying to quit smoking, though, that's for sure. =X Congrats on the show! I just got rejected from one, coincidentally, but it was clear from the work they did accept that mine would not have fit with the direction the juror chose to go. So, I'm not taking it personally, but it is a bit of a blow to my confidence.

I'm not a musician, sadly, but I keep going back to writing. I've started work on my second full-length fiction novel (the first was just practice and scrap), and I'm going to shop around the manuscript if I don't get into grad school. I should have a superhuman tolerance for rejection by then, so, um, silver lining?

Hoffberger. Fingers crossed! That's what I'm telling myself. I'm just going to focus on getting through the days until I get a response. We will?? Oh, dear. Don't mind me, I'll just be in a tent next to my mailbox...

Hello, everyone! I just registered but have been reading this forum for a while throughout the application process. Now that it's ~*February*~ I'm starting to freak out for real. It's bad, you guys. I'm waiting to hear from MICA, SAIC, RISD, and Columbia. I recently lost my studio access as well, so I've made maybe two dinky little drawings in the past month... it feels like I'm at this critical impasse, and I can't make new work until I get an answer. It doesn't matter what that answer is, but I have to know!