MFA 2021 Freak Out Forum

[Hphphphp]

31 minutes ago, Sofullsofull said:

I read they do phone call interview. Thanks for posting. I guess I got rejected from UCLA. Anyways good luck! and congrats!

Thank you ??☺️

[vitbit]

Is anyone else feeling completely disillusioned waiting to hear back knowing how much money and time you dedicated to these applications? So far I got two rejections and one interview with MICA that I think went really well, but at the same time it's their job to make us feel comfortable and confident during the interview. Just knowing how hard I worked and seeing how passionate and talented everyone in this forum is makes me angry. It might be a little bit of entitlement, but gosh, we really are just begging them to let us owe them money for the next decade in most cases and yet it is such a demoralizing struggle. 

[refereemandem]

2 hours ago, Noe124 said:

Anyone interviewed with RISD? Would love to know your experience and the questions asked! Thank you! 

had a RISD painting interview.

they asked about why an mfa now first off, then they showed slides of my application portfolio and ask you to talk about the work and even a specific work, then ask about process, reading was mentioned off hand and then they asked about influences and then let you ask a questions. They even took time in the middle of interview to tell me about how the school programming is and also how TA'ing every semester is integral in their learning process. Which I appreciated.

I was very impressed by the faculties down to earth nature and how supportive they are. The interview was panel of 4 professors.

At the last moment they asked if I filed my fafsa yet, which I've been told by a past student of theirs is a good sign.

For me RISD is my top choice. 

I got an interview request from MICA Hoffberger painting thru email today, heads up if anybody is waiting on that.

like many I was rejected from Yale. Have not heard from Columbia or Hunter.

[refereemandem]

2 hours ago, Noe124 said:

Anyone interviewed with RISD? Would love to know your experience and the questions asked! Thank you! 

also 30 minutes goes mighty quick

[Sofullsofull]

6 minutes ago, refereemandem said:

had a RISD painting interview.

they asked about why an mfa now first off, then they showed slides of my application portfolio and ask you to talk about the work and even a specific work, then ask about process, reading was mentioned off hand and then they asked about influences and then let you ask a questions. They even took time in the middle of interview to tell me about how the school programming is and also how TA'ing every semester is integral in their learning process. Which I appreciated.

I was very impressed by the faculties down to earth nature and how supportive they are. The interview was panel of 4 professors.

At the last moment they asked if I filed my fafsa yet, which I've been told by a past student of theirs is a good sign.

For me RISD is my top choice. 

I got an interview request from MICA Hoffberger painting thru email today, heads up if anybody is waiting on that.

like many I was rejected from Yale. Have not heard from Columbia or Hunter.

Same. I applied to Yale, MICA, Columbia, VCU, UTA, UCLA. I was rejected from Yale and UCLA. And I got an interview request from MICA Hoffberger today. I chose next Friday time slot. I am waiting for Columbia too.

Good luck!

 

[katfude]

16 minutes ago, vitbit said:

Is anyone else feeling completely disillusioned waiting to hear back knowing how much money and time you dedicated to these applications? So far I got two rejections and one interview with MICA that I think went really well, but at the same time it's their job to make us feel comfortable and confident during the interview. Just knowing how hard I worked and seeing how passionate and talented everyone in this forum is makes me angry. It might be a little bit of entitlement, but gosh, we really are just begging them to let us owe them money for the next decade in most cases and yet it is such a demoralizing struggle. 

I've been thinking about this a lot, especially with there being so many varying procedures between schools AND EVEN PROGRAMS WITHIN EACH SCHOOL. I really wish they were more transparent about their admission timeframe, system for interviews, contact method, etc. I hate how we have to assume rejection after not being contacted, while others have. If we were kept in the loop we wouldn't have to have a freakout forum to update each other on where things are at. It's such a spread out months-long process that could easily be condensed, or they could at least provide more specific communication instead of this process being SO VAGUE. 

[vitbit]

Just now, katfude said:

I've been thinking about this a lot, especially with there being so many varying procedures between schools AND EVEN PROGRAMS WITHIN EACH SCHOOL. I really wish they were more transparent about their admission timeframe, system for interviews, contact method, etc. I hate how we have to assume rejection after not being contacted, while others have. If we were kept in the loop we wouldn't have to have a freakout forum to update each other on where things are at. It's such a spread out months-long process that could easily be condensed, or they could at least provide more specific communication instead of this process being SO VAGUE. 

HONESTLY. I interviewed with MICA photo last week, still heard nothing from Mt Royal, it's hard not to expect the worst.

[Hphphphp]

3 hours ago, dramallama_07 said:

Has anyone interviewed here with Parsons? What kind of questions do they ask? It seems I'm the last one to be called for interview and am very intimidated seeing that their interview lasts 40 mins instead of the usual 20

Honestly, that’s WAY better than a 20 min interview. It will give you a chance to address anything you’d like and further contextualice your practice. It is also easier to relax and get into a rapport in 40 minutes. 

[Strawberrycat]

1 hour ago, Hphphphp said:

Omg, painting... cherry on top: I confused the first name and last name of the faculty who contacted me. I don’t know what’s wrong to with me today... I really hope she doesn’t take it to heart ?

Congrats on your interview!! I would hope they'd be understanding about that sort of thing. I'm sure it happens. Do you have a website or Instagram with your work you'd be willing to share? Interested to see what they're looking for in their program, but if not no worries! 

[slickjaketheruler]

I see a lot of people posting about applying to VCU here in Richmond. If anyone needs any advice on how to navigate the city or what the city has to offer artists, I'd be happy to chat. I currently live in Richmond and find the city to be a really awesome place to make. 

[artapplicant]

does anyone know the turnaround time for UT austin?  / what the breakdown is for those who interview vs. those who get in? 

Edited February 10, 2021 by artapplicant

[Iocoavehaunt]

18 minutes ago, Sofullsofull said:

Same. I applied to Yale, MICA, Columbia, VCU, UTA, UCLA. I was rejected from Yale and UCLA. And I got an interview request from MICA Hoffberger today. I chose next Friday time slot. I am waiting for Columbia too.

Good luck!

 

I haven't heard anything from UCLA and their portal shows nothing... good luck ob your interview!!!

[Sofullsofull]

3 minutes ago, Iocoavehaunt said:

I haven't heard anything from UCLA and their portal shows nothing... good luck ob your interview!!!

Me either. But someone got an interview request from UCLA painting faculty, so I just guess I was rejected from UCLA. Thanks! Good luck too!

[Sofullsofull]

6 minutes ago, artapplicant said:

does anyone know the turnaround time for UT austin?  / what the breakdown is for those who interview vs. those who get in? 

Hey I had interview 10days ago(painting).  They said they will choose only one person for the painting area and at the end they said they will let me know the result 2-5weeks later. I haven't heard anything by now. 

[SocialKonstruct]

4 hours ago, XSX said:

Plenty of successful artists right now that didn't go to Yale for grad school. Don't let this article, that I'm not discrediting at all, be a vector for success. There's also plenty of artists that have went to Yale and didn't get a "taste of the kingdom" upon exiting. It's all a crap shoot. 

Yes but consider art school like in baseball as a batting average. Perhaps going to School A will give you a roster's batting average as .250 but then going to Yale would be .400 in that case.

The question isn't whether success is guaranteed but in many cases, the connections which the Yale faculty, colleagues, and staff could be invaluable.

Admittedly we could do all of the hustling on our own and proclaim that all MFAs are worthless. Maybe...

My definition of success in my own practice would be manifold. But selling work at 7 million dollar auctions doesn't mean anything to me. Else I would have gone the Peter Max route, right? ?

[Iocoavehaunt]

3 hours ago, Hphphphp said:

Okay, I am so I don’t know... weird things always happen to me in these processes... I got an interview request from UCLA and I for some odd reason totally missed the email... I think it was in my spam folder, but I am not sure because when I opened it it changed inboxes... ??? I hope they don’t think I am uninterested... because I am so interested!!! AHHhh someone please persuade me this is not a big deal. I obviously did respond already. 

May I ask when you got this email? 

[slickjaketheruler]

Kinda a rushed panicked inquiry. Has anyone had complete technical issues getting into an interview? I am supposed to be having one right now, and the link isn't working and I'm starting to freak out.

[SocialKonstruct]

3 hours ago, Paintyface said:

I agree...the art world has changed pretty dramatically in the past couple of years. Yale and Columbia are fantastic ways to get gallery representation straight out of school, but there are a lot of solid programs out there, especially if you are interested in pursuing a career in academia. It really depends on your aspirations...and how you define success...

I read about this workshop tonight: https://www.vvrkshop.art/is-it-time-to-kill-the-mfa

One of the guest speakers is Chris White, the director of the Carnegie Mellon school of Art...interesting timing with offers going out over the next couple of months. Thought it might be worth sharing...

Also wanted to say that this thread is alleviating much of the anxiety I've felt this application season ?

 

 

Indeed, for me, gallery representation and being able to engage with the critical dialogue of the contemporary art world makes me happiest. Let's look at a sample gallery to see which MFA programs the graduates went to.

Rachel Uffner Gallery (NYC gallery)- https://www.racheluffnergallery.com/artists

Represented artists-

1) Bianca Beck-  MFA from Yale University

2) Strauss Bourque-LaFrance- MFA from Tyler School of Art

3) Gianna Commito- MFA from the University of Iowa

4) Joanne Greenbaum-  BA from Bard College, Annadale-on- Hudson, NY

5) Hilary Harnischfeger- MFA from Columbia University

6) Maryam Hoseini- dual MFA degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL and Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

7) Shara Hughes- BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design

? Leonhard Hurzlmeier- N/A

9) Arghavan Khosravi- MFA in Illustration from the University of Tehran

10) Anya Kielar- MFA from Columbia University,

11) Pam Lins- MFA from Hunter College

12) Hilary Pecis- MFA from the California College of the Arts

13) Sara Greenberger Rafferty- M.F.A. Columbia University

14) Curtis Talwst Santiago- Studio School, New York, USA

15) Sally Saul- MA in American Literature from the San Francisco State University

16) Roger White- MFA from Columbia University

17) Molly Zuckerman-Hartung- MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

RATIO PERCENTAGE- 5/17 of the roster are Yale or Columbia MFA graduates... Not a bad batting average! (plus SAIC is dope too)...

[sunnydelightt]

Did anyone get anything back for UCLA new genres?

[Scrambledmegs]

59 minutes ago, vitbit said:

Is anyone else feeling completely disillusioned waiting to hear back knowing how much money and time you dedicated to these applications? So far I got two rejections and one interview with MICA that I think went really well, but at the same time it's their job to make us feel comfortable and confident during the interview. Just knowing how hard I worked and seeing how passionate and talented everyone in this forum is makes me angry. It might be a little bit of entitlement, but gosh, we really are just begging them to let us owe them money for the next decade in most cases and yet it is such a demoralizing struggle. 

Yes!  I applied to Yale, RISD, MICA, SAIC, University of Washington, Tulane, Goldsmiths, CMU, Northwestern ATP, NYAA, and Smu.  It was my first year applying and I spent every cent of my money on the fees. So far I’ve had a rejection from CMU and Saic, an interview from university of Washington and Yale (and NYAA), and not a peep from anyone else. Honestly I wish schools would just email me I’m rejected at least. I do feel grateful for the Yale bit because that’s my dream school, but it’s hard to keep my spirits up when every other school seems so devastatingly uninterested. Mica told me today that this is just the “first round” of interviews so anyone waiting on mica, don’t lose hope.  But yeah, this whole process is disheartening, stressful, and difficult. 
 

of course we all are silly chaps trying to get our MFA. A terrible investment for any sane person. Luckily we’re artists so sanity doesn’t apply. A ridiculous process for ridiculous dreams! ❤️? but ahhh what dreams they were...

[SocialKonstruct]

1 minute ago, Scrambledmegs said:

Yes!  I applied to Yale, RISD, MICA, SAIC, University of Washington, Tulane, Goldsmiths, CMU, Northwestern ATP, NYAA, and Smu.  It was my first year applying and I spent every cent of my money on the fees. So far I’ve had a rejection from CMU and Saic, an interview from university of Washington and Yale (and NYAA), and not a peep from anyone else. Honestly I wish schools would just email me I’m rejected at least. I do feel grateful for the Yale bit because that’s my dream school, but it’s hard to keep my spirits up when every other school seems so devastatingly uninterested. Mica told me today that this is just the “first round” of interviews so anyone waiting on mica, don’t lose hope.  But yeah, this whole process is disheartening, stressful, and difficult. 
 

of course we all are silly chaps trying to get our MFA. A terrible investment for any sane person. Luckily we’re artists so sanity doesn’t apply. A ridiculous process for ridiculous dreams! ❤️? but ahhh what dreams they were...

Agreed. Talks like these suggest that the MFA route could be extinct soon? Or just like painting... never will die out?

https://www.vvrkshop.art/is-it-time-to-kill-the-mfa

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ebd8d21e3ef9659c2b9fec9/t/6019fe8692748b7055973b22/1612316295146/Is+It+Time+to+Kill+The+MFA+Press+Release+(1).pdf

[Hphphphp]

34 minutes ago, Iocoavehaunt said:

May I ask when you got this email? 

A few days ago, not ver long :

[Painfullywaiting]

19 minutes ago, Scrambledmegs said:

Yes!  I applied to Yale, RISD, MICA, SAIC, University of Washington, Tulane, Goldsmiths, CMU, Northwestern ATP, NYAA, and Smu.  It was my first year applying and I spent every cent of my money on the fees. So far I’ve had a rejection from CMU and Saic, an interview from university of Washington and Yale (and NYAA), and not a peep from anyone else. Honestly I wish schools would just email me I’m rejected at least. I do feel grateful for the Yale bit because that’s my dream school, but it’s hard to keep my spirits up when every other school seems so devastatingly uninterested. Mica told me today that this is just the “first round” of interviews so anyone waiting on mica, don’t lose hope.  But yeah, this whole process is disheartening, stressful, and difficult. 
 

of course we all are silly chaps trying to get our MFA. A terrible investment for any sane person. Luckily we’re artists so sanity doesn’t apply. A ridiculous process for ridiculous dreams! ❤️? but ahhh what dreams they were...

Which program did you interview for at UW? 

[refereemandem]

my honest opinion is if you're committed to gaining knowledge and becoming a better artist then that's valid enough reason for an mfa at any school.

Every rejection makes you stronger. Life is inherently not easy.

Especially the life of a working artist.

If you've gotten an interview anywhere, I'd mention taking a brief moment to be proud of yourself, it's an accomplishment. If you haven't gotten an interview then perhaps take it as fuel to work harder. There's always room for improvement. Your best work is ahead of you and not in the present. 

From lurking on this site for many years, through many rounds of my own applications. The main source of dissatisfaction seems to be the the difference between expectation and reality. 

(end of rant)

ps. interview tip- get a friend to mock interview you, multiple times- so you get used to talking and answering the questions commonly asked in the interviews. This will get your ideas coherent and you will be able to speak fluidly. 

 

[Scrambledmegs]

32 minutes ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Agreed. Talks like these suggest that the MFA route could be extinct soon? Or just like painting... never will die out?

https://www.vvrkshop.art/is-it-time-to-kill-the-mfa

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ebd8d21e3ef9659c2b9fec9/t/6019fe8692748b7055973b22/1612316295146/Is+It+Time+to+Kill+The+MFA+Press+Release+(1).pdf

Well, I think the whole higher educational system will reach some sort of breaking point not just in art.  Tuitions are skyrocketing but teachers are paid the same, facilities are no better, the salaries of graduates aren't increasing, and so many people are defaulting on their debt.  Who knows what will happen?  Lots of broken systems do seem to hobble on endlessly though.

Coincidentally yesterday, I sent my Dad the same article that you posted about Yale and the power law.  (Fruitlessly trying to get him to be excited but he's still heart broken I didn't go on to med school or the like haha)  I feel the larger takeaway of that article is that MFAs simply don't teach you how to be an artist. Yale doesn't have the secret, it just has the prestige.  The numbers wouldn't look like that if these schools were truly shaping their students in the way we like to believe they are.  Sure, a great MFA program will give us great critiques, help us be more open in our practice, and tie us to the art world, but it won't make or break us.  Atelier programs and a few places like NYAA can help realists sharpen their toolkits and give us some good skill exercise too!  Maybe Yale can even get some of their students a gallery.  But being an artist is an extraordinarily self-directed venture and in the end it's simply up to each one of us to keep working towards it.  I don't mean what I say to be negative and I do believe every program tries it's best to be everything it advertises and more.  But the art world is simply too random, subjective, and exclusive for success to follow a linear path.

Edited February 10, 2021 by Scrambledmegs