MFA 2021 Freak Out Forum

[SocialKonstruct]

On 1/12/2021 at 10:03 PM, 123123435 said:

One route could be to go focused for the portfolio and then use a personal website to present more of the older work and then link to it in your CV or elsewhere

Linking a website doesn't matter. The committee doesn't bother with that during decision making. They have too many applicants to look over.

[123123435]

Oh really, what about during the interview process? Schools I applied to asked for a CV. If they look at the CV and the website is linked it, they may look at the website too -- no?

[aniben3]

I got a personalized email from a professor who had looked over my application a few months back (I had my applications done pretty early) and she mentioned she had checked out my website and instagram too, so I would say definitely link your website. 

I think it's always better to present the option.

Edited January 14, 2021 by aniben3

[Thursdayhasnofeel]

When does everyone think they'll here back I just wrapped up my last application (I applied for UCLA Painting, Yale Painting, and VCU sculpture)

[SocialKonstruct]

7 hours ago, aniben3 said:

I got a personalized email from a professor who had looked over my application a few months back (I had my applications done pretty early) and she mentioned she had checked out my website and instagram too, so I would say definitely link your website. 

I think it's always better to present the option.

That's interesting. I know that a lot of the top tier schools don't really do that as they get so many applications. In fact basically they just project the images on a huge screen and go through them one by one. So websites being looked at would be an exception and not the norm.

[SocialKonstruct]

7 hours ago, Thursdayhasnofeel said:

When does everyone think they'll here back I just wrapped up my last application (I applied for UCLA Painting, Yale Painting, and VCU sculpture)

Good luck! I can't wait to hear any results from this year's round.

[SpinTheWheel]

This happened yesterday: Got a hit on my website but it says that they were there ZERO seconds, what does this mean???? No changes today ?????

Edited January 15, 2021 by SpinTheWheel

[Scrambledmegs]

So does anyone know if NYAA just accepts everyone? I applied there and am now wondering if they are a total scam. For one, they let everyone interview AND they sent me an email asking me if I wanted to start Jan 11. Applications were not even due but they said they could “fast-track” my application and I could start right away. I said no obviously. I’m now dubious of the rigor of the program and the caliber of students. They don’t seem selective at all. I’m assuming the early start offer was on account of a desperate need for immediate tuition dollars. Am I right? 

[incoming first year mfa]

26 minutes ago, Scrambledmegs said:

So does anyone know if NYAA just accepts everyone? I applied there and am now wondering if they are a total scam. For one, they let everyone interview AND they sent me an email asking me if I wanted to start Jan 11. Applications were not even due but they said they could “fast-track” my application and I could start right away. I said no obviously. I’m now dubious of the rigor of the program and the caliber of students. They don’t seem selective at all. I’m assuming the early start offer was on account of a desperate need for immediate tuition dollars. Am I right? 

I don't know much about NYAA, but I would follow your gut. MFAs are a big decision both financially and personally. If it feels fishy, it probably is.

[Killerdonuts]

On 1/10/2021 at 5:06 PM, Painfullywaiting said:

Has anyone applied to ceramics programs? I’ve applied to Alfred, Cranbrook, VCU, Tyler, Penn state, UO, UW, PNCA, and Uni of Colorado Boulder. 
 

I have an interview with Tyler this week. Did not expect it so quickly! 

Hi @Painfullywaiting,

I'm wondering how your interview with Tyler went. I have an interview for the Tyler Painting department scheduled for next weekend. I know you interviewed with a different department, but I'm curious to know about your experience. What questions did they ask? Thanks!

 

[Painfullywaiting]

1 hour ago, Killerdonuts said:

Hi @Painfullywaiting,

I'm wondering how your interview with Tyler went. I have an interview for the Tyler Painting department scheduled for next weekend. I know you interviewed with a different department, but I'm curious to know about your experience. What questions did they ask? Thanks!

 

The first question they asked was, why an MFA and why Tyler. They asked where I see myself in 5 years and something along the lines of “what aspects do you hope to see in other graduate students within the dept that would be beneficial to you.” They asked how my work relates historically to the medium, which I totally blanked on at first.  I was extremely nervous because Tyler is my first choice, but they were really amazing. Hoping I saved it with some engaging questions. ?  

Good luck to you!!! 

[youraveragejoe]

23 hours ago, SpinTheWheel said:

This happened yesterday: Got a hit on my website but it says that they were there ZERO seconds, what does this mean???? No changes today ?????

It just means that Google Analytics tracked that they got in, but didn't track the time. Check this Zero (0:00) Average Time on Page in Google Analytics Explained (wordsbyevanporter.com)

[theundoing]

On 1/14/2021 at 7:20 PM, Thursdayhasnofeel said:

When does everyone think they'll here back I just wrapped up my last application (I applied for UCLA Painting, Yale Painting, and VCU sculpture)

I think Yale said the 1st or 2nd week of February. UCLA doesn't do interviews so I assume we will know in March. 

[Photo1]

Hi all! Did anyone here apply to Ohio State? I had an interview on the 7th and haven't heard anything back. Anyone in the same boat?

 

[SocialKonstruct]

On 1/16/2021 at 5:14 PM, theundoing said:

I think Yale said the 1st or 2nd week of February. UCLA doesn't do interviews so I assume we will know in March. 

That's correct :)

[Thursdayhasnofeel]

On 1/14/2021 at 1:25 PM, SocialKonstruct said:

Linking a website doesn't matter. The committee doesn't bother with that during decision making. They have too many applicants to look over.

When does Yale usually reach out for interviews? Just wanna deal with some anxiety lol this is only my second year applying for schools

 

edit: I read the answer wrong ignore this reply 

Edited January 18, 2021 by Thursdayhasnofeel

[bonesbines]

   =

Edited January 18, 2021 by dollabills yall

[craftthought]

On 10/7/2020 at 6:51 PM, aniben3 said:

I'm applying, but I have to say it's hard to keep up motivation with everything going on right now. Maybe that's why people aren't posting? 
I'm a fiber / interdisciplinary person. Got into SAIC & Cranbrook last year, but couldn't afford it unfortunately, especially with all the uncertainty with the uh, state of the world. This year's list is Oregon, Iowa, VCU, ASU, Indiana -Bloomington, and Pennsylvania.

We'll see how it goes, haha, I really like the programs.

Hi! I'm also working in interdisciplinary fiber, and just applied to Cranbrook and SAIC... Wondering if you have any advice about the interview process? Also wondering if Cranbrook offered you any scholarships? 

[SocialKonstruct]

5 hours ago, Thursdayhasnofeel said:

When does Yale usually reach out for interviews? Just wanna deal with some anxiety lol this is only my second year applying for schools

 

edit: I read the answer wrong ignore this reply 

Typically it's March-ish but I don't know with the new COVID era protocol when it would be nowadays. Probably the same?

[BrownBunny87]

Hey everyone I hope you are all staying safe. I am new to this forum but have been following for several years and this is my second round applying for an mfa in painting. I did a post Bac at MICA which really elevated my work, I definitely would not be where I am today without it.  Last year I intended to apply only to Yale, which my professor who was recommending me (also a Yale alum) advised against. I ended up applying to SAIC and UCLA too, and getting rejected by all three. It was a bummer but I wasn’t too surprised because I didn’t put serious effort in my applications... scrambled to work on the artist statement from an airport actually.

bc of quarantine I was able to invest more time and energy into to nailing my application efforts... I’ve applied to vcu, UCLA, u Oregon, uc Davis, u Irvine, ucsd and u Hawaii this time around.

Now we all gotta play the waiting game. I’m wondering if there are other people here who are also in their early 30’s and have families (I became a mom this year) and what their experiences are. 
 

best of luck to everyone!

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2021 by BrownBunny87

[aniben3]

8 hours ago, craftthought said:

Hi! I'm also working in interdisciplinary fiber, and just applied to Cranbrook and SAIC... Wondering if you have any advice about the interview process? Also wondering if Cranbrook offered you any scholarships? 

Hey! Yeah, so last year I got an email about interviews from Cranbrook on January 28th, and SAIC on January 27th. My Cranbrook interview was a really nice conversation with Mark Newport. We set it up via skype, but I assume it'll be zoom this year...? He asked me why Cranbrook, why grad school now, my ideal studio space, what I'm currently making, what will determine the school for me, and a few others that I can't recall. I highly advise googling common MFA interview questions. I made a list of potential interview questions and practiced what I'd say because when it comes to interviews I am all nerves. Having some exposure to what might be asked helped a lot. Also be sure to have a few questions about the schools for the very end. 

SAIC was a bit more complicated. I got my email, then I had to set up the interview time with a coordinator, and then I had my interview with Stacia Yeapanis and Danielle Andress. They were both very fun to talk too, and very enthusiastic. They also asked why SAIC, why grad school, what piece is my best and why, what books I'm currently reading, etc. You'll have a specific time slot for the whole thing.

I did get a scholarship from both Cranbrook and SAIC, as well as a TA position from SAIC, but it was still too much for me - especially since I'd have to move internationally beforehand (during a pandemic lol.) I honestly think both schools are great and the faculty is top notch.

Hope this helps! Fingers crossed for you!!! 

Edited January 19, 2021 by aniben3

[theundoing]

On 1/18/2021 at 2:21 AM, SocialKonstruct said:

That's correct

 PS I asked my friend who applied to yale last year and interview decisions came out around 1/28. But maybe they said February because that is their COVID timeline. 

Edited January 19, 2021 by theundoing

[123123435]

Wow that's soon! Does anyone know about Bard MFA?

[theundoing]

Skowhegan 2021 has been cancelled!!!?

 

 

 

[theundoing]

4 hours ago, 123123435 said:

Wow that's soon! Does anyone know about Bard MFA?

last year interview notifications went out 2/11 but I think the app was due later this year