MFA 2020 Freak Out Forum

[Referableorc]

35 minutes ago, yungcoconut said:

Edit: Sorry, you only asked about Steinhardt. Please feel free to disregard my comments about Hunter, I am old and bitter  

 

Steinhardt is great, strong faculty and student work. The studio spaces are okay from what I remember but nothing particularly amazing. It's a small exclusive program so you get really close with your cohort. Very expensive so depending on your financial circumstances you might go into significant debt for it. 

I really do not like Hunter as an artist working in New Genres. It's disorganized and terribly underfunded. Faculty are spread super thin and students rely heavily on each other but everyone is broke/living off of loans so resources are scarce. You will have to fund everything yourself, from thesis shows to lecturers and studio visits. The only thing guaranteed is studio space for three years and participating in a handful of student shows on campus. I think it's better for painters and sculptors than interdisciplinary/New Genres artists. 

I'm sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with Hunter, which makes me feel more nervous about the interview lol.  As a fellow artist also working in new genres(mostly computer, digital image, game),  I would absolutely pay attention to all the problems you were saying.  Funding is just tough, I want to do motion capture but even the cheap option costs like one grand... being an artist without a paintbrush is not easy

For NYU, thanks for your positive feedback.  I've heard it's a very good program but I can't find much info about it, is it also a painting/sculpture oriented program? Do you happen to know any current students? 
 

 

[cliche]

Hi!

I am curious, if it comes to choose between Columbia College Chicago and Cranbrook, which will be the best choice?

My major is photography.

[Guest]

11 hours ago, Referableorc said:

I'm sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with Hunter, which makes me feel more nervous about the interview lol.  As a fellow artist also working in new genres(mostly computer, digital image, game),  I would absolutely pay attention to all the problems you were saying.  Funding is just tough, I want to do motion capture but even the cheap option costs like one grand... being an artist without a paintbrush is not easy

For NYU, thanks for your positive feedback.  I've heard it's a very good program but I can't find much info about it, is it also a painting/sculpture oriented program? Do you happen to know any current students? 
 

 

I visited NYU/had a tour of the MFA program and building and personally really liked the studios and facilities, nothing super fancy but old NYC vibe. Everyone was nice and chill. The woodshop was great and they have a bunch of materials available for students to use which is awesome and really set it apart from other places like Columbia where students are spending tons of money importing and buying materials...but maybe not helpful for New Genres/digital art. I do remember there being a digital lab nothing too fancy though. The student who I spoke to did mention the large amount of student debt they took on as an MFA student there but this particular student was also working and teaching at the school, you have the option to jump into a full on NYU teaching job through the MFA program which is awesome. Seemed like a really close knit community.

[ih8cinema]

Would really appreciate any perspectives on UChicago and/or Oxford (Ruskin MFA, specifically experiences from Americans/non-UK). DM me!

[Referableorc]

3 hours ago, Interdisartmfa said:

I visited NYU/had a tour of the MFA program and building and personally really liked the studios and facilities, nothing super fancy but old NYC vibe. Everyone was nice and chill. The woodshop was great and they have a bunch of materials available for students to use which is awesome and really set it apart from other places like Columbia where students are spending tons of money importing and buying materials...but maybe not helpful for New Genres/digital art. I do remember there being a digital lab nothing too fancy though. The student who I spoke to did mention the large amount of student debt they took on as an MFA student there but this particular student was also working and teaching at the school, you have the option to jump into a full on NYU teaching job through the MFA program which is awesome. Seemed like a really close knit community.

Sounds like a good place to go, I think I’ll go ask them about the teaching job and potential funding opportunities. They offer a lot of scholarships though 

[MYJ2020]

anyone have any experience/opinions about Washington Univerity in St. Louis's mfa program? Would really appreciate it!!

[lazuli.]

On 1/18/2020 at 3:18 PM, yungcoconut said:

Current MFA student at Hunter, happy to answer questions about the program but to be totally transparent, it is extremely flawed and I have had a negative experience during my time here. 

Can also answer questions about Yale, UCLA and other MFA programs in the city. 

I would love to hear any and all info you may have about Columbia? I'm from the UK and didn't have the chance to visit.

Applied on a whim and have an interview coming up! Would deeply appreciate the intel!

[lazuli.]

5 hours ago, ih8cinema said:

Would really appreciate any perspectives on UChicago and/or Oxford (Ruskin MFA, specifically experiences from Americans/non-UK). DM me!

I did my undergrad at Oxford!

The MFA is really small and has a super critical atmosphere, its also 1 year and not 2 and it's really academically focused (it is Oxford after all). The intellectual atmosphere really pushes you to deconstruct and think critically about your practice and your choices which some may find intense. But if that is useful for your practice then youre in luck.

When you're there you'll be part of a college, and colleges make up the University itself, so theres no central campus in a traditional sense. So for example you might be at St. John's College, Oxford.

There is A LOT of grants available for materials and travel and the media experimentation is insane.

You can literally make anything provided its conceptually cohesive -- when I was in my first year I remember seeing entire crushed vans inside the studio.

The Bullingdon road studios are absolutely gorgeous, light, airy and spacious and the programme is entirely interdisciplinary. They have every facility you can think of as well and great workshop staff.

It is certainly a place you would go if you are concerned with process and theory, its super conceptual. And whilst I'm sure painters and sculptors in the traditional sense are welcome it is kind of uncommon. For instance there hadn't been an MFA show I went to during my undergrad (three years) where the works weren't really conceptual. But that's not a bad thing as such, as theyre really high quality.

I think the key thing which makes Ruskin good is that it attracts artists through and through. People don't go with the intention of being art world super stars (which is what I've heard is the case with Yale or UCLA etc) They go because they are dedicated/obsessed with making. And from what I've seen, it is not a competitive atmosphere either (also an apparent issue in the aforementioned schools), most likely because of the highly individualised program (which is made possible by being a part of a college AND the university and the fact that theres like 12 people a year).

Its far cheaper than american schools, probably more as an international student, but you get more for your buck. You're entitled to every single workshop and every collection and library that Oxford has to offer (LOTS).

The faculty are intelligent and dedicated, and include turner prize winning Elizabeth Price. Also it is Oxford! The literal best uni in the world!

The alumni network is also incredible, again because you're part of a college you'll meet people from all disciplines outside of Fine Art. From the Ruskin, I know quite a few alumni who are doing pretty well including those who are gallery artists, curators, doing PhDs in fine art (which oxford also offers) writers (a few guardian columnists), teachers. Also at least 2-3 people a year seem to be going onto the Whitney ISP, in the 2018/19 year there were 3 Ruskin peeps in one cohort at the Whitney so there must be something about them.

I could go on and on, Oxford as a city is cute and has really great galleries and eateries and perhaps the most beautiful architecture in the U.K. It is however quite small, but I am also from London.

On the whole, Ruskin is a one year program which works for some and not others. I would highly recommend if you're deeply intellectual and are interested in the potential that has for your work and if you are primarily concerned about your skills as an artist above all else. In all honesty, if you are expecting a success formula or are super commercially focused (not a bad thing, you do you!) then Ruskin really isn't that kind of place for you.

Hope this helped a bit!

[latenightlatte]

6 hours ago, Referableorc said:

Sounds like a good place to go, I think I’ll go ask them about the teaching job and potential funding opportunities. They offer a lot of scholarships though 

Just as a note I believe (don't quote me) they do a blanket 50% off tuition scholarship to all mfa students. 
Granted 50% of NYU is still like 25k+ and it's a super expensive city. I can't remember what they told me they pay to teach (i think they higher you as an adjunct to teach) but it quite a bit higher than the other TA stipends. 

Definitely a very expensive endeavor but not the shock and horror of 100k sticker.

Edited March 1, 2020 by latenightlatte

[Referableorc]

2 hours ago, latenightlatte said:

Just as a note I believe (don't quote me) they do a blanket 50% off tuition scholarship to all mfa students. 
Granted 50% of NYU is still like 25k+ and it's a super expensive city. I can't remember what they told me they pay to teach (i think they higher you as an adjunct to teach) but it quite a bit higher than the other TA stipends. 

Definitely a very expensive endeavor but not the shock and horror of 100k sticker.

I feel you. I lived in a tiny Coso bedroom Upper West near Columbia for about a year and I can't believe the price I was paying for. But good to hear they offer 50% off and teaching jobs. 

 

[brho]

Hello guys,

I was wondering if any of you had an interview for SAIC Sculpture and heard from them. At this point, I assume that I am probably rejected but just still curious.

SAIC Sculpture: Interviewed and waiting

Columbia Photo, Hunter, NYU: Invited for an Interview

[emox4ever]

1 hour ago, brho said:

Hello guys,

I was wondering if any of you had an interview for SAIC Sculpture and heard from them. At this point, I assume that I am probably rejected but just still curious.

SAIC Sculpture: Interviewed and waiting

Columbia Photo, Hunter, NYU: Invited for an Interview

Hi, may I ask that when NYU (mfa studio art  yes?) invited you, was it on campus interview? Thanks!

[SeriouslyStellar]

18 hours ago, MYJ2020 said:

anyone have any experience/opinions about Washington st louis's mfa program? Would really appreciate it!!

Hi! I am from the STL area and I know some friends/people who did their MFA at WashU. I also applied to WashU but I haven't heard a peep from them. Have you heard anything from them, acceptance or rejection? 

I'll be honest and this is just what I was informed, I haven't heard any great reviews about the program. You really have to self-advocate yourself there if you need any attention, such as scheduling critiques, etc. If you're POC, you're probably going encounter disconnects and/or various forms of racism from professors or staff when it comes to perspectives. 

Being aware of these bad reviews, I applied there mainly for funding/fellowships and sort of as a safety school (not that safety schools totally exist for MFA programs). The school also recently completed renovations on campus so new studio spaces are available, (I think they do have individual spaces) along with having good work facilities and resources. I've attended some of their artist lecture series, which is free to the public a lot of the times, and they do bring a decent variety of artists, including some well-known ones. As for living in STL, and depending on where you live, it's a very affordable city in comparison to Chicago, New York, or LA. 

I hope I was able to provide the feedback you needed. Let me know if you're curious about anything else regarding the school and more. 

 

[MIQI]

6 minutes ago, SeriouslyStellar said:

Hi! I am from the STL area and I know some friends/people who did their MFA at WashU. I also applied to WashU but I haven't heard a peep from them. Have you heard anything from them, acceptance or rejection? 

I'll be honest and this is just what I was informed, I haven't heard any great reviews about the program. You really have to self-advocate yourself there if you need any attention, such as scheduling critiques, etc. If you're POC, you're probably going encounter disconnects and/or various forms of racism from professors or staff when it comes to perspectives. 

Being aware of these bad reviews, I applied there mainly for funding/fellowships and sort of as a safety school (not that safety schools totally exist for MFA programs). The school also recently completed renovations on campus so new studio spaces are available, (I think they do have individual spaces) along with having good work facilities and resources. I've attended some of their artist lecture series, which is free to the public a lot of the times, and they do bring a decent variety of artists, including some well-known ones. As for living in STL, and depending on where you live, it's a very affordable city in comparison to Chicago, New York, or LA. 

I hope I was able to provide the feedback you needed. Let me know if you're curious about anything else regarding the school and more. 

 

Thank you for your input! I was also curious about WUSTL. I was notified acceptance through phone call yesterday.

Could you elaborate on the part about not getting attention? Is it because of their large class size? (Judging from their 2013–2015 graduate classes, seems like there're 20+ people each class year.) Or is it more about their faculty being not very accessible and approachable in general? Thank you!!

[SeriouslyStellar]

38 minutes ago, MIQI said:

Thank you for your input! I was also curious about WUSTL. I was notified acceptance through phone call yesterday.

Could you elaborate on the part about not getting attention? Is it because of their large class size? (Judging from their 2013–2015 graduate classes, seems like there're 20+ people each class year.) Or is it more about their faculty being not very accessible and approachable in general? Thank you!!

Congrats on the acceptance! 

Yes, they do take more students, between 15-20 per year. From what I can recall through past conversations, I think professors weren't always reliable or helpful for that matter. I don't know why that is..I am unsure if they are on campus consistently or are hard to reach out to. I even heard someone having a terrible time there, eventually quitting making art, because they didn't get the attention they thought they would receive but they never made an effort to reach out to professors for attention either. I have met a few of the professors, some of them were on the friendly side though I can't say what they are like as professors. Low-key, and at least the few times I've attended an event there, I have felt some pretentious vibes there but that's "prestigious" schools for you. That's all I am able to explain at the moment if that helps.

Have you or will you receive a formal letter of acceptance? Curious about financial funding, does it mention or did they mention on the phone that you will be getting full-funding, partial funding or have been accepted to any fellowships?

Edited March 1, 2020 by SeriouslyStellar

[MIQI]

36 minutes ago, SeriouslyStellar said:

Congrats on the acceptance! 

Yes, they do take more students, between 15-20 per year. From what I can recall through past conversations, I think professors weren't always reliable or helpful for that matter. I don't know why that is..I am unsure if they are on campus consistently or are hard to reach out to. I even heard someone having a terrible time there, eventually quitting making art, because they didn't get the attention they thought they would receive but they never made an effort to reach out to professors for attention either. I have met a few of the professors, some of them were on the friendly side though I can't say what they are like as professors. Low-key, and at least the few times I've attended an event there, I have felt some pretentious vibes there but that's "prestigious" schools for you. That's all I am able to explain at the moment if that helps.

Have you or will you receive a formal letter of acceptance? Curious about financial funding, does it mention or did they mention on the phone that you will be getting full-funding, partial funding or have been accepted to any fellowships?

Thank you for elaborating—it's very helpful! According to the phone call, I will receive formal acceptance next week, and the funding details the week after. There will be a short Skype interview early next week, and may have some bearing on the funding.

Which brings me to another issue... Can you speak to your impression/your friends' experience with their funding there? Judging from what they have online, my impression is that they offer full tuition remission in the best case scenario? But then again, I didn't apply to any of the University-wide fellowships.

Edited March 1, 2020 by MIQI

[SeriouslyStellar]

37 minutes ago, MIQI said:

Thank you for elaborating—it's very helpful! According to the phone call, I will receive formal acceptance next week, and the funding details the week after. There will be a short Skype interview early next week, and may have some bearing on the funding.

Which brings me to another issue... Sam Fox's funding packages don't look very attractive to me, at least online. Seems like the best they can offer is full tuition remission? But then again, I didn't apply to any of the University-wide fellowships. Can you speak to your impression/your friends' experience with their funding there?

I can't speak about those who attended with partial funding, but the ones I know had been accepted to fellowships. The fellowship package has generous benefits and comes with healthcare, stipends that are quite excellent, basically they are paying for school, enough that you can live off it while attending there. I think they have special events and ceremonies for selected fellows, I don't know what it consist of. I assumed that the fellowships were specifically selected if you applied with the grad app but then I had received an email a few days before the deadline that you have to apply for them separately from the graduate application. They ask you to write in under 500 words about what would you do with the MacArthur Fellowship if you were selected. I don't know if they ask a different statement question every year but this was on the application this year. These two particular fellowships are the Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship and the Olin Fellowship. The Chancellor's fellowship selects anyone identifying with historically/financially marginalized groups for fellowships and the Olin selects women/WOC. I also saw one for an international students called the McDonnell International Scholar Academy. Also, Sam Fox school recently announced a number full-funded scholarships for both art and architecture MFA candidates for 2020/2021. 

Edited March 1, 2020 by SeriouslyStellar

[amy8cc]

4 hours ago, SeriouslyStellar said:

I can't speak about those who attended with partial funding, but the ones I know had been accepted to fellowships. The fellowship package has generous benefits and comes with healthcare, stipends that are quite excellent, basically they are paying for school, enough that you can live off it while attending there. I think they have special events and ceremonies for selected fellows, I don't know what it consist of. I assumed that the fellowships were specifically selected if you applied with the grad app but then I had received an email a few days before the deadline that you have to apply for them separately from the graduate application. They ask you to write in under 500 words about what would you do with the MacArthur Fellowship if you were selected. I don't know if they ask a different statement question every year but this was on the application this year. These two particular fellowships are the Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship and the Olin Fellowship. The Chancellor's fellowship selects anyone identifying with historically/financially marginalized groups for fellowships and the Olin selects women/WOC. I also saw one for an international students called the McDonnell International Scholar Academy. Also, Sam Fox school recently announced a number full-funded scholarships for both art and architecture MFA candidates for 2020/2021. 

Thanks for this back and forth, didn't really have a sense of their reputation before this. also heard from wustl on Saturday, and didn't realize the call next week would have bearing on funding!

Also currently waitlisted for Northwestern's program if anyone has any particular thoughts about it.

No word back from UPenn after an interview a few weeks ago.

Edited March 1, 2020 by amy8cc

[Yunazin]

16 hours ago, brho said:

Hello guys,

I was wondering if any of you had an interview for SAIC Sculpture and heard from them. At this point, I assume that I am probably rejected but just still curious.

SAIC Sculpture: Interviewed and waiting

Columbia Photo, Hunter, NYU: Invited for an Interview

Hi

I had an interview for SAIC (not for Sculpture major) and still waiting. I was so worried since they didn’t give me any email. But when I read their very first admission process email, they said ‘As soon as decisions are made (typically in mid-March) letters will be mailed immediately to the address you provided in the application.’ 

So I guess we can wait a little more ! 
Hope you can get in.

 

[MYJ2020]

7 hours ago, SeriouslyStellar said:

Hi! I am from the STL area and I know some friends/people who did their MFA at WashU. I also applied to WashU but I haven't heard a peep from them. Have you heard anything from them, acceptance or rejection? 

I'll be honest and this is just what I was informed, I haven't heard any great reviews about the program. You really have to self-advocate yourself there if you need any attention, such as scheduling critiques, etc. If you're POC, you're probably going encounter disconnects and/or various forms of racism from professors or staff when it comes to perspectives. 

Being aware of these bad reviews, I applied there mainly for funding/fellowships and sort of as a safety school (not that safety schools totally exist for MFA programs). The school also recently completed renovations on campus so new studio spaces are available, (I think they do have individual spaces) along with having good work facilities and resources. I've attended some of their artist lecture series, which is free to the public a lot of the times, and they do bring a decent variety of artists, including some well-known ones. As for living in STL, and depending on where you live, it's a very affordable city in comparison to Chicago, New York, or LA. 

I hope I was able to provide the feedback you needed. Let me know if you're curious about anything else regarding the school and more. 

 

Thank you so much!!! I kind of applied there as safety school too. I was notified of acceptance but I'm still waiting to see what funding I could get. Did your friends mention if this program is helpful for careers after grad? e.g getting networks&getting help to really make good works...

[pollypocket]

On 2/28/2020 at 12:05 PM, hinata said:

I've been accepted to USF - Tampa and UGA - Athens! Now I have to figure out what program is the best choice

Hi @hinata Congrats!

Wondering if you received an official offer letter from USF with details of funding?

Best of luck on your decision!

[hauxkage]

For the folks that applied and were accepted to WashU/WUSTL, what program did you apply to?
I've been on the edge of my seat waiting to hear about the Illustration/Visual Culture program. I've had a few correspondences, but nothing major of concrete. 
I was told I would likely hear something this coming week.

Congratulations to everyone!

[MIQI]

2 hours ago, hauxkage said:

For the folks that applied and were accepted to WashU/WUSTL, what program did you apply to?
I've been on the edge of my seat waiting to hear about the Illustration/Visual Culture program. I've had a few correspondences, but nothing major of concrete. 
I was told I would likely hear something this coming week.

Congratulations to everyone!

I applied to their MFA in Visual Art program. Good luck!

[ih8cinema]

On 2/29/2020 at 5:15 PM, lazuli. said:

I did my undergrad at Oxford!

The MFA is really small and has a super critical atmosphere, its also 1 year and not 2 and it's really academically focused (it is Oxford after all). The intellectual atmosphere really pushes you to deconstruct and think critically about your practice and your choices which some may find intense. But if that is useful for your practice then youre in luck.

When you're there you'll be part of a college, and colleges make up the University itself, so theres no central campus in a traditional sense. So for example you might be at St. John's College, Oxford.

There is A LOT of grants available for materials and travel and the media experimentation is insane.

You can literally make anything provided its conceptually cohesive -- when I was in my first year I remember seeing entire crushed vans inside the studio.

The Bullingdon road studios are absolutely gorgeous, light, airy and spacious and the programme is entirely interdisciplinary. They have every facility you can think of as well and great workshop staff.

It is certainly a place you would go if you are concerned with process and theory, its super conceptual. And whilst I'm sure painters and sculptors in the traditional sense are welcome it is kind of uncommon. For instance there hadn't been an MFA show I went to during my undergrad (three years) where the works weren't really conceptual. But that's not a bad thing as such, as theyre really high quality.

I think the key thing which makes Ruskin good is that it attracts artists through and through. People don't go with the intention of being art world super stars (which is what I've heard is the case with Yale or UCLA etc) They go because they are dedicated/obsessed with making. And from what I've seen, it is not a competitive atmosphere either (also an apparent issue in the aforementioned schools), most likely because of the highly individualised program (which is made possible by being a part of a college AND the university and the fact that theres like 12 people a year).

Its far cheaper than american schools, probably more as an international student, but you get more for your buck. You're entitled to every single workshop and every collection and library that Oxford has to offer (LOTS).

The faculty are intelligent and dedicated, and include turner prize winning Elizabeth Price. Also it is Oxford! The literal best uni in the world!

The alumni network is also incredible, again because you're part of a college you'll meet people from all disciplines outside of Fine Art. From the Ruskin, I know quite a few alumni who are doing pretty well including those who are gallery artists, curators, doing PhDs in fine art (which oxford also offers) writers (a few guardian columnists), teachers. Also at least 2-3 people a year seem to be going onto the Whitney ISP, in the 2018/19 year there were 3 Ruskin peeps in one cohort at the Whitney so there must be something about them.

I could go on and on, Oxford as a city is cute and has really great galleries and eateries and perhaps the most beautiful architecture in the U.K. It is however quite small, but I am also from London.

On the whole, Ruskin is a one year program which works for some and not others. I would highly recommend if you're deeply intellectual and are interested in the potential that has for your work and if you are primarily concerned about your skills as an artist above all else. In all honesty, if you are expecting a success formula or are super commercially focused (not a bad thing, you do you!) then Ruskin really isn't that kind of place for you.

Hope this helped a bit!

Wow, thank you so much for this!! This confirms a lot of what I already considered to be the case, but really helpful to hear it from another perspective. I noticed the ISP correlation in the back of my mind but it's wild if it's as consistent as you say... Definitely something I'd be interested in, though I'd also want to consider continuing into a practice-led PhD (probably also non-US)... But who knows.

I listed Teddy as my college preference due to the Ruskin MFA scholarship they have and also it seemed to have one of the highest amounts of Ruskin people year-to-year. I didn't know that the graduate housing is a separate building pretty far from Bullingdon, though only 10 mins on bike... I'll be happy wherever to be honest, just waiting on the college response and hopefully more funding!

One question: how would you describe the accessibility of the full-time faculty (assuming you're a recent graduate)? One MFA alum told me the full-time professors based in London are usually at Oxford roughly every other day. Of course, like most artist-educators, their professional lives vary in intensity over time which is unpredictable, but just want to make sure there's not a general feeling amongst students that professors are hard to reach out to for one-on-one time.

And by the way, Elizabeth Price doesn't seem to be there anymore, though that would be awesome. Love the current group of faculty.

[brho]

20 hours ago, emox4ever said:

Hi, may I ask that when NYU (mfa studio art  yes?) invited you, was it on campus interview? Thanks!

Yes, Studio Art. I got email on 29th around 11pm. I thought I was not getting invited for an interview as I read that some people were already invited on this thread.