MFA 2022 Freak Out Forum

[Arduino22]

Anybody hear anything from Michigan State? Any type of communication ?

Edited February 2, 2022 by Arduino22

[jufielder]

Has anyone already had their interview with UofChicago? What kind of questions did they ask?

[seelamfa22]

I have been staring at my email waiting for any notification all day, but alas nothing. I feel like colleges took the day off today. Is 2-2-22 a holiday?

[SpillToBuilt]

25 minutes ago, seelamfa22 said:

I have been staring at my email waiting for any notification all day, but alas nothing. I feel like colleges took the day off today. Is 2-2-22 a holiday?

Groundhog Day, yo!

[slickjaketheruler]

Had my first interview today with Tyler which I believe went really well.

I’m spiraling with the constant waiting. What is everyone doing in their free time to keep occupied?

[nobodyok]

4 hours ago, nameless cat said:

I'm losing a little hope about hearing from UPenn.... I'm not sure if anyone shared, but immediately after you submit your app they send a a request to record an interview. Prerecorded questions, after each question the camera turns on, you have one minute and it shuts off. No redo's. It went VERY poorly for me. 

What kind of pre-recorded questions?

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

1 hour ago, Strawberrycat said:

Nothing from UCSD yet on my end. 

 

1 hour ago, javpppppp said:

Anyone heard from UCSD or CMU?

I've heard nothing from University of California San Diego, either. I did get the obligatory financial aid emails from University of California Irvine and the University of Southern California. Couple days ago got an update from San Diego State University. Nothing at all from Stanford, tho.

Maaaaaaaaaaan....... ???

COME OOOOON. JUST LET US IN. Lol! ?

[nobodyok]

1 hour ago, jufielder said:

Has anyone already had their interview with UofChicago? What kind of questions did they ask?

I interviewed last year, and they asked me about how I've been able to continue my practice since undergrad (I've been out of school since 2013), where my work fits in terms of genre (my work had changed and bounced around a bit within a 2 year span), they asked about scale and how I would work with scale in school (some of my work was large, I think this was a practical space question), and there were two questions specific to things I wrote about in my statement. I appreciated that all of the questions were specific to me. So, I think the only way you could really prepare is to study your own statement, be confident in yourself, and know why you're applying there and now. I had Pope.L and Catherine Sullivan, plus a grad student. I was naturally nervous but it was really pleasant. I had a very nice application experience there, and if you have any questions or concerns, Alison is extremely sweet and kind and helpful. I wish you the best and fingers crossed they make you an offer!!

Edited February 2, 2022 by nobodyok

[shivbat]

shot in the dark, anyone heard anything from SVA or Hartford? idk if anyone here applied to those this cycle.

[AlyPet]

Has anyone heard from Pratt or UCLA?

Edited February 3, 2022 by AlyPet

[HJAn]

1 hour ago, nobodyok said:

What kind of pre-recorded questions?

I did the pre-recorded interview as well. As far as I remember:

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why Upenn
3. Why should we pick you
4. Weakness and strength
5. What is your inspiration
6. How does your personal life influence your work

and I think there might have been 1 or 2 more questions but can't remember... hope this helps!

[HJAn]

Next week is SAIC interview weekend and they're offering interviewees to sign up for admission counseling. Has anyone who's interviewed with SAIC before signed up for this? or know anything about it?

[Forms Without Formula]

6 hours ago, hellotothefuture said:

Thanks! 

I also found it interesting that its three years studio based program. You can really explore different dimensions during those years. I also heard that the student strength there is quite low because many students left the program due to Pandemic. As far as I know there are only 4 students in second year graduate program.

Let's see. 

I think vibe is really important. Someone once told me that graduate schools look for the right "fit". It doesn't necessarily means that if your work is amazing you'd get an offer, the work should fit in the school program. It more like dating your work kind of thing lol 

 

Yeah the 3 years was a draw for me, it takes time to let ideas grow and evolve.

I somewhat regretting only applying to 1 school but it'll either happen or not, but I don't know how to stay calm while waiting! 

[whitewhales]

2 hours ago, AlyPet said:

Has anyone heard from Pratt or UCLA?

Pratt only just started reviewing applications and you will hear from them about the middle of the month to set up interviews. Like middle of the month is when they decide who gets interviewed. So it’s still a wait for them. I applied there too I’ll let you know. 

[AlyPet]

42 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

Pratt only just started reviewing applications and you will hear from them about the middle of the month to set up interviews. Like middle of the month is when they decide who gets interviewed. So it’s still a wait for them. I applied there too I’ll let you know. 

Thanks, WhiteWhales!

 

[Lynn9900]

10 hours ago, nameless cat said:

Very exciting news! I just heard back from UO for interview request! It had been a while since another member shared they had received one, so there is still hope if you haven't heard from places yet! I applied for everything the day it was due so maybe they are processing in order they are received. 

 

I'm losing a little hope about hearing from UPenn.... I'm not sure if anyone shared, but immediately after you submit your app they send a a request to record an interview. Prerecorded questions, after each question the camera turns on, you have one minute and it shuts off. No redo's. It went VERY poorly for me. 

I also applied to Upenn and did that quick recorded interview. I experienced a small technical difficulties and emailed the admission office. They say the interview wasn't that important so it's okay. I am not sure what it really means but well.

Hopefully we can hear something from Upenn soon.

[whitewhales]

7 hours ago, slickjaketheruler said:

Had my first interview today with Tyler which I believe went really well.

I’m spiraling with the constant waiting. What is everyone doing in their free time to keep occupied?

honestly i'm trying to "make work" but i am so distracted by this forum since i discovered it, has completely derailed my studio practice. i keep coming back here for news. trying to get back to reading and drawing now..... and wean myself off this forum. 

how did your interview go? i'm happy you feel good post interview. i hope we all get that "went really well" feeling afterwards.. these things are so intimidating.

Edited February 3, 2022 by whitewhales

[artsyfartsy2000]

10 hours ago, javpppppp said:

Anyone heard from UCSD or CMU?

The current students at UCSD have already submitted their picks. Faculty is left to decide now. Max amount of students admitted would be 10 but the newest cohort has 8.

[lilyxia99]

6 hours ago, Cmusurvivor said:

Don’t go to CMU. There is no faculty or program there. It’s not even really a university, it’s just a computer science camp.

Could you expand on this more? 

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

7 hours ago, Cmusurvivor said:

Don’t go to CMU. There is no faculty or program there. It’s not even really a university, it’s just a computer science camp.

What kind of first hand proof and evidence do you have that CMU is a bad university? Please drop some serious knowledge about your experience, as well as who you are. No one who posts anonymously about something so heavy such as smearing an entire department, again, and without any first-hand evidence again, online, should be believed about anything whatsoever whether they are from Sacto, or Blacksburg, or Philly, or the City of Lost Men, yadda yadda yadda...

Two friends of mine are CMU applicants, so in order to pass on peer reviewed information to them I'm gonna need some legit evidence from you please. And it should come from a real person, not a robotronic. Should be no problem since you feel so deeply about it, enough to have several other bots doing the same thing on this forum.

I'm willing to believe you. Just need some actual solid proof.

Edited February 3, 2022 by The-Fourth-Dimension
A late night bathes in sunlight.

[abceramics]

Hi lovely folks - new here but have been lurking. I applied at UMass Dartmouth, University of Oregon, and Syracuse. No word from UO or Syracuse but I got an interview last week and acceptance yesterday from UMass Dartmouth. Feeling slightly sad because UO was my top pick and crickets so far, but grateful and excited for Dartmouth... Hope you all hear from your dream schools soon! ?

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

1 hour ago, artsyfartsy2000 said:

The current students at UCSD have already submitted their picks. Faculty is left to decide now. Max amount of students admitted would be 10 but the newest cohort has 8.

That's rad. I didn't know it worked that way. It's a good idea to have students in on the process.

[whitewhales]

13 minutes ago, abceramics said:

Hi lovely folks - new here but have been lurking. I applied at UMass Dartmouth, University of Oregon, and Syracuse. No word from UO or Syracuse but I got an interview last week and acceptance yesterday from UMass Dartmouth. Feeling slightly sad because UO was my top pick and crickets so far, but grateful and excited for Dartmouth... Hope you all hear from your dream schools soon! ?

Hi there! Congratulations on your acceptance to UMass Dartmouth. I'm getting interviewed on Monday, it'll be my first one. What did they ask you if you don't mind sharing? I applied to their painting program. 

Hopefully you hear back soon from UO and Syracuse! Hang in there. It's still so early in Feb. 

[abceramics]

51 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

Hi there! Congratulations on your acceptance to UMass Dartmouth. I'm getting interviewed on Monday, it'll be my first one. What did they ask you if you don't mind sharing? I applied to their painting program. 

Hopefully you hear back soon from UO and Syracuse! Hang in there. It's still so early in Feb. 

Thank you so much! Congrats on your interview, so exciting! I also paint but applied in ceramics. I interviewed with the ceramics prof. It was pretty informal as we had met when I went to check out the program for a day of shadowing. It was mostly a conversational discussion about the direction of my future work and answering some questions that she had about my portfolio and experience. I asked some questions about financial aid. It lasted an hour. Good luck with your interview and please update us!

[katfude5]

4 hours ago, The-Fourth-Dimension said:

What kind of first hand proof and evidence do you have that CMU is a bad university? Please drop some serious knowledge about your experience, as well as who you are. No one who posts anonymously about something so heavy such as smearing an entire department, again, and without any first-hand evidence again, online, should be believed about anything whatsoever whether they are from Sacto, or Blacksburg, or Philly, or the City of Lost Men, yadda yadda yadda...

Two friends of mine are CMU applicants, so in order to pass on peer reviewed information to them I'm gonna need some legit evidence from you please. And it should come from a real person, not a robotronic. Should be no problem since you feel so deeply about it, enough to have several other bots doing the same thing on this forum.

I'm willing to believe you. Just need some actual solid proof.

People aren't always saying that they are bad universities when they speak out against a program at its current stance. The school as a whole is completely different than the current arrangement of faculty and administration members that are stewards of the institution at that particular time. Schools can be heavily influenced by one chair or professor, so if they leave and someone new comes in, the program can shift drastically without anyone having much say in that overall influence.

I understand the desire for more information, but in all honesty covid pretty much eviscerated most programs and they are all currently finding their footing. A program that was really strong three years ago, may be entirely different right now. I worked at an art school during covid, and started an mfa program last year, and it is all basically the same story of everyone was fired and now we are starting from scratch in a confusing and unproductive way.

It doesn't mean they're "bad" schools, it just means that the current state of the program is crisis. My one friend even graduated from Yale in 2020 and advised me against applying because she was disheartened by their handle on the pandemic and felt like it was a waste of money etc. 

Schools that are finding their footing without an established set of chairs and faculty are just more of a gamble, so people are just giving others a heads up that the shiny marketing on the outside is not matching up with the internal chaos. Everyone on here has the full capacity to message current and former students to check up on the status of their programs. I don't think anyone has to reveal their identity, but if you're really concerned about what you read on here about a school, try and contact a current student for some info!

Edited February 3, 2022 by katfude5