RISD vs. YALE MFA PAINTING

[yyy]

Hi everyone, I've been following this forum for a while and decided it's time to join. I recently just got accepted into RISD's MFA PAINTING program and I am now awaiting the final decision from Yale. The wait is on for about a week, but can we start a forum as to which school to pick if both were an option? Everytime I ask for advice, it seems to contradict the information that was just given to me.

I've heard so many stories about how Yale has exceptional contacts in the art world (2nd year students getting signed to galleries w/international exhibitions before they even graduate). Even folks at RISD agree have told me this. On top of that Yale has an very generous funding package for most if not all of their graduate students. I personally felt at home while visiting RISD and loved the facilities. The graduate students at RISD demonstrate a huge belonging within their rigorous studio practice, and the faculty feel like family. Although RISD is known for not providing a lot of funding, most likely a student will accumulate $60,000 in debt after two years. Yet RISD provides semester after semester of TA positions, and they have a great 3 semester program with Brown for teaching theory and practice.

.

So...if you had to choose

RISD.........or YALE

Edited April 2, 2010 by yyy

[atrawickb]

congratulations.

i'd recommend that you visit both, and go with your gut.

--how and when did you hear from risd?

[yyy]

congratulations.

i'd recommend that you visit both, and go with your gut.

--how and when did you hear from risd?

Hey thanks for the response! I've visited Yale a bit too much over the past week I had to take my work to Yale last monday for the interview, then I drove to RISD on tuesday for another interview, then drove back to Yale on Wednesday to drop off the work again, and so today I just went to pick it up.

RISD called me at 10:00am on March 29th. My interview was on the 23rd.

I was also accepted to MICA, but tomorrow I'm going to send them my notification that I won't be attending.

Just waiting on Yale now.

Edited April 2, 2010 by yyy

[atrawickb]

Hey thanks for the response! I've visited Yale a bit too much over the past week I had to take my work to Yale last monday for the interview, then I drove to RISD on tuesday for another interview, then drove back to Yale on Wednesday to drop off the work again, and so today I just went to pick it up.

RISD called me at 10:00am on March 29th. My interview was on the 23rd.

I was also accepted to MICA, but tomorrow I'm going to send them my notification that I won't be attending.

Just waiting on Yale now.

well i guess that means crapola for the rest of us who interviewed at risd but didn't get a call...

good luck and congrats on your acceptances.

[vieveview]

Hey thanks for the response! I've visited Yale a bit too much over the past week I had to take my work to Yale last monday for the interview, then I drove to RISD on tuesday for another interview, then drove back to Yale on Wednesday to drop off the work again, and so today I just went to pick it up.

RISD called me at 10:00am on March 29th. My interview was on the 23rd.

I was also accepted to MICA, but tomorrow I'm going to send them my notification that I won't be attending.

Just waiting on Yale now.

If you don't mind my asking, which school were you accepted to for painting at MICA?

I only ask because I know I'm first on the waitlist for the Summer Low Res program...

[waitingbus]

Hey thanks for the response! I've visited Yale a bit too much over the past week I had to take my work to Yale last monday for the interview, then I drove to RISD on tuesday for another interview, then drove back to Yale on Wednesday to drop off the work again, and so today I just went to pick it up.

RISD called me at 10:00am on March 29th. My interview was on the 23rd.

I was also accepted to MICA, but tomorrow I'm going to send them my notification that I won't be attending.

Just waiting on Yale now.

I heard from RISD at around 10:00am on March 29th as well. My interview was the 25th.

[brianmc]

Hey yyy,

Major congratulations. Do you have any work online? I would love to see it.

[yyy]

Hey yyy,

Major congratulations. Do you have any work online? I would love to see it.

Naw, I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't built a website yet. By the end of this month I should have one up.

Also, I just got my official Yale rejection e-mail at around 10pm tonight. Which puts all my questions to rest I suppose

I appreciate all the feedback and wish everyone the best of luck with their grad school runs this year. Just keep strong and don't give up on your work or start considering another professonial field, I've had those moments way too often in the past few years. Right after undergrad in 2007 I applied to 9 schools and only to find out that I would be rejected by all of them. I waited until now to re-apply to only the top 5 schools that I was initally aiming for and that wait paid off.

Best of luck,

yyy

[brianmc]

Sorry about Yale...but getting into RISD and MICA is really impressive. Both are supposed to be great programs. It's kind of comforting to here that you didn't get in the first time around for someone like me who didn't get in this year. Pop back on here next winter and let everyone know what you think of your program after a semester. No one seems to do that and everyone applying wants to know. Best wishes in your forthcoming adventure.

Edited April 3, 2010 by brianmc

[yyy]

Sorry about Yale...but getting into RISD and MICA is really impressive. Both are supposed to be great programs. It's kind of comforting to here that you didn't get in the first time around for someone like me who didn't get in this year. Pop back on here next winter and let everyone know what you think of your program after a semester. No one seems to do that and everyone applying wants to know. Best wishes in your forthcoming adventure.

Mos definitely! Also, everyone remember that your work itself is the most important aspect you are presenting at the grad interviews. If your work is strong, it will speak for itself and they will notice that. It speaks beoynd any other accomplishments, awards or gallery shows (which they never even talk about during the inteview, it's all about the work you brought) It's important to remember also it's not the school you attended during Undergrad that they are looking at, or how many exhibitions you've had since then, but rather if you're capable of making a cohesive body of work that can reflect collective thoughts.

I exhibited my work nationally and internationally as much as I could up until now, and not once did any faculty memebers from all the schools I interviewed at discuss the awards, fellowships or residencies I had aquired over the years. I came from an Big Ten University for undergrad that's probably ranked 54 in the art world by US NEWS and in the long run none of that shit really matters. The work has to be strong.

Yale nailed me on art history a bit, it was a lot of name dropping from almost every single time period you could think of. If you mention an artist you admire, be prepared to discuss that particular artists own inspirations in depth. It felt a little too pompus for me since one of the faculty members at yale regurgitated everything that was listed on wikipedia's topic "history painting". word for word, image for image in the exact order. A cheap shot now that I think about it. Then again he's a young adjunct and I heard he's now getting fired next year.

I'm writing so much because there's nothing rational about the selection process, or the art world for that matter. At Yale you're in there with 75 other applicants for 20 spots (10 male 10 female) so go figure.

Just apply to the school that program fits you the best and tackle them head on. Also present your excitment in full force about being there during the interviews, they will pick up on it for sure.

All the best,

yyy

[sheez]

Congratulations of getting accepted!! You are super amazing!!

 

I'm interesting in applying for RISD as well and I was wondering if you could tell me the requirements for Painting at RISD. On their admission's page they didn't post the requirements for Painting which I find odd. Thanks for your help!!