layintwait

Are you kidding me? Yale is the highest ranked American program for a reason. Parsons is maybe the 4th or 5th best painting program in NYC. I'd guess around the 20th in the states. I heard they just fired all their visiting (interesting) professors. Seriously the fact that you are even debating between the two makes me wonder how you got into Yales MFA. When you have Yale you wont need new york. I feel like new york (collector/dealers) will almost comes to yale. After you graduate you'll have the rest of your life to live in NYC. Once your in the program you'll be so busy and focused on your work you'll forget about crummy new haven. Also i know its petty and superficial but Yales name will carry more wait throughout the rest of your career. sorry for the rant

heard columbia was interviewing this week or next. so if you hadn't heard a word don't hold your breath. You figure once they made their selections to interview they could at least do the courtesy of letting the rest of know.

Hey has anyone heard a word from Columbia Printmaking? I heard the department started reviewing a bit later. Ive only seen posts for new genres and painting so far. I interviewed last year, hope to get a second chance. Only school applied to this year. Top schools are worth the wait. This will be my third time applying. SIGH

You bet your butt you do. And to be honest,I havent heard of any programs that don't require an interview. They're holding all the cards so they can take their time. Also the snowstorm most likely delayed things. Fingers crossed I am right! otherwise were screwed.

I declined SAIC PostBac because i felt confident enough with my body work. When choosing to pay for an extra year of Gradschool (about the cost of the post bac) I thought it better to focus on working on my own and pay for a studio space. That said there is definitely a reason the post bac program exists and many can benefit from it. My question to you would be, how confident are you with your work? When you were in undergrad did you consider yourself to be a serious artist or consider your pieces to be serious. You really have to be your own judge as to whether your work is fully developed enough for grad school. For some taking the time to focus and develop a defined voice and keen eye, is necessary because they didnt have the chance in undergrad. Having said that deadlines are done due.

If you have really mind blowing stuff the schools are going to want you. Just because you went through a liberal arts program that doesnt mean you will not get in anywhere. I think it means that you just have to try a harder if you want to get into the really competitive MFA programs. It just a little bit of catching up. On another note. Look at the undergrad work from good art schools and look at the undergrad work from art program in liberal arts schools. There is a difference.

Unfortunately I do believe it may factor in. Though if you went to an OUTSTANDING(Ivy League)liberal arts school you may have to worry less, as they may see a highly intellectual person. Admissions panels can tend to see non BFA applicants as lacking a proper foundation wether it be technical or theoretical. I mean you will be up against applicants from top ungrad programs in the arts. What may happen is that they suggest you take a post bac session. True Story: I had applied to a SAIC they offered me the post bac (I graduated from a liberal arts school). I was curious about it. I talked with a professor from the school, we reviewed my portfolio online. I was startled when s/he told me there was no need for me to do the post-bac program, as my work was developed enough for the MFA program. I was puzzled, why would they suggest the post-bac program if there was no need for it. S/he went on to explain that the admissions panel most likely saw that I hadn't gotten my BFA so i wasnt right just yet. FYI I did not try for the program, but had heard that someone who did later got in to Yale. HAVING SAID THAT

You will get in. When they have space and how much funding you get are the real questions. KOWALSKI HOUSE!

If financial aid is a big issue for you and you dont really know much about rutgers..... i would not rush into a program you're not too sure about. Your only other option is to hear back from Parsons? I'd say take your time work on your portfolio, finish paying your debt for the moment and reapply. whats the rush? grad school isnt going anywhere. if anything rutgers will probably accept you next year and probably give you a shot at some money too. who knows maybe youll even get into some other programs that you're more excited about/know more about. my feeling is that you can only do grad school once so its best to do it right.

Yeah New York is better than San Francisco. Better in that you are given a greater opportunity to cultivate some connections in the New York art world. So as a professional and career minded choice Hunter is the way to go. That said, it is in no way insured that you are going to be picked up by a NY gallery after you graduate. Though in all honestly I am often disillusioned as to how regularly "connections" work out. NYC is also just a stronger scene, more interesting stuff happening and a lot more of it. Stronger ties to the international market too. It seems like Hunter and CCA have VERY different program structure. So you really might want to consider that first. Hunter does offer part time if cost is an issue too. Also i think if you go through Yale's program you don't need to worry about the fact that its in CT. Its prestige will carry you through.

27 I feel like thats the general age for the mfa programs, a few in the low 20s and a few in the low 30s. But who knows. I feel like they always want a "mix". I do have beef with kids going straight from undergrad though.

I agree with jkroman. Columbia is pricey but you get what you pay for. Famous faculty, the best studios, serious kids. I've gone to open studios and seen some of the work in GOOD chelsea galleries a year later. As disgusting as it is, having the name on your cv will benefit you in the long run. It really is on a separate tier than all the other programs in the city. I'd say Hunter is a close second. Huge studios, though the building is a little run down (but who cares about a leak here or there). The ability to go part time for 3 years, which is great since you'll have studio for next to nothing. They have some really great people drop by too. I've seen Roberta Smith talk there, I think Fred Tomaselli was speaking this year. It's also the best deal in New York price wise. Ive seen some the grads get picked up by younger galleries right away. There are also a bunch of people you graduate and don't end up showing. It is a big program though. SVA has a great location, but the studios are really small. Also in the same building as the undergrad. I know they have Jerry Saltz doing visits now which is a plus. I think SVA has strong background in Illustration as opposed to fine arts. A good amount of big names have also come out too. Though this might be irrelevant it is worth saying that SVA does have an amazing continuing ed program. Great facilities with a lot of classes. If your interested in trying out a new medium and need some studio space its the cheapest and well equipped program in NYC. I've taken a few. I know Pratt is bit better for Sculpture and Computer Graphics, but its out in brooklyn so it doesn't get as much attention. Ive heard the kids gets robbed a lot to. Consider it a taste of real new york. Don't know jack about parsons, its part of the New School which is a conglomerate of colleges. I'd say FIT is only for fashion, don't bother if you want to do anything else besides. NYU is trying to juice up its program, which is relatively unknown. I think Kiki Smith is teaching there now. If you are serious about having a career in the fine arts don't bother with he NY Studio School. It should be known that my interests are in Painting/Drawing so thats the basis of how I've evaluated these programs. The best way to get a sense of the schools is to do open studios. The quality of work speaks for itself in some regard. Also taking a tour on an off day gives you chance to really feel out the nuts and bolts of the program. I think its the right thing to look at schools in new york. RISD, VCU, MICA are all awesome program. Your work would benefit ten fold, but once you graduate and want to jump start your career by moving to NYC your still somewhat starting from scratch connection wise.

I feel your pain. I have been on Columbia's waiting list for sometime now. I know someone who got one of the spots, a few weeks ago. They say a spot might open up anytime from now until the end of the summer. Somewhat puzzled as to who is still waiting to decide accept at this point. Though its my only option, it's pretty hard to move with my life with out know whats going to happen. I wonder if they will even let me know that no more spots are available. hooooo huuuum

-yousername curious to know which program you accepted

Is anyone on the Columbia's Wait List? I know a few are, and we hear the final word sometime between now and end of summer??!! Does anyone even know a person that's been accepted?

Has anyone heard anything from Columbia at all? Particularly for printmaking? Heard there were only 3 spots. Letters supposedly went out on Friday but I live in NYC and haven't gotten a word. Curious to know about any other departments, how they sent responses if any. Apparently a sculpture person was called last week? Columbia Printmaking - Interviewed Columbia Painting - no word since i had the interview for printmaking Yale - Rejected