MFA 2022 Freak Out Forum

[AlyPet]

1 hour ago, Strawberrycat said:

It's def not out of the ordinary.  Applying is a weird process and there are a ton of factors that go into decisions. Definitely apply again next year if it doesn't work out this time. If you want someone to look over your materials, I'd be happy to let you know what I think might help, but it could have just been bad luck with time/place this round. Where all did you apply? 

Yale, SAIC, RISD, UCLA, and Pratt.  Personally I feel the size of my paintings were the biggest drawback and that I do exclusively watercolor.  I'll take you up on the review offer, but in a few months.  I'm scrapping my entire portfolio and going larger and more for myself rather than for a university.

[slickjaketheruler]

10 hours ago, Antisocialprintmaker said:

Thank you I think I’ll try to do that. Because I don’t really want to leave the east coast and I like Maine a lot

You should definitely be able to negotiate more money with MECA. I did last year and I’m planning on doing it again this year.

[ORRI]

1 hour ago, lilyxia99 said:

My interview is yet to come ? mine is on 26th. But I do have interviewed KMD, and the interview is just asking very specific question about the portfolio, like the difficulties and what I found in the process, which are really easy to answer as you must have very deep feelings about those. 

Oh I see. Thank you for sharing. It might have been a good answer!  

[abceramics]

17 hours ago, Antisocialprintmaker said:

Has anyone heard back from FSU, UF, USF, Bard, or Syracuse yet? 
 

I got accepted to LCAD with a 10,000 a year scholarship and potential ta position. I don’t think that’s too bad for a two year program. And then MECA offered me 5,000 a year and a potential ta position. Was really hoping for a better offer from MECA so I don’t think I can attend. I’m really hoping FSU, USF, UF, Syracuse or Bard come through with some better offers. UF is fully funded and I can commute from where I’m currently living so I really hope I get in there.

The folks from Syracuse got back to me and said they're finalizing their decisions on the 16th so a few days after that... good luck!

[Antisocialprintmaker]

7 hours ago, slickjaketheruler said:

You should definitely be able to negotiate more money with MECA. I did last year and I’m planning on doing it again this year.

Cool I hope they give you more too. I really liked the school but can’t swing the almost 40k tuition

[Antisocialprintmaker]

30 minutes ago, abceramics said:

The folks from Syracuse got back to me and said they're finalizing their decisions on the 16th so a few days after that... good luck!

Cool thank you for letting me know and good luck to you too! Did they interview you?

[abceramics]

6 minutes ago, Antisocialprintmaker said:

Cool thank you for letting me know and good luck to you too! Did they interview you?

No problem! No, I didn't get an interview. Not sure what to make of that... I went to the program and met a bunch of faculty and have kept in touch with the grad panel so I'm honestly not sure if they aren't doing interviews or I just didn't make the cut LOL

[_redrabbit7]

Hello! Anyone online who's had their interview with SAIC? Mine's in an hour. And I'm freaking out already!!! 

[Antisocialprintmaker]

7 minutes ago, abceramics said:

No problem! No, I didn't get an interview. Not sure what to make of that... I went to the program and met a bunch of faculty and have kept in touch with the grad panel so I'm honestly not sure if they aren't doing interviews or I just didn't make the cut LOL

Lol I’m not sure either. I haven’t done any interviews yet but I got a couple acceptances so I’m not sure what’s up with the schools this year. Maybe they just feel like they know you really well and don’t think an interview is necessary if you got in? I hope you get in tho!

[whitewhales]

8 hours ago, AlyPet said:

Yale, SAIC, RISD, UCLA, and Pratt.  Personally I feel the size of my paintings were the biggest drawback and that I do exclusively watercolor.  I'll take you up on the review offer, but in a few months.  I'm scrapping my entire portfolio and going larger and more for myself rather than for a university.

AlyPet hang in there - Pratt is still reviewing and will be reaching out to applicants this second half of the month. I haven’t heard from RISD either but I think that means no interviews if no news by now. 

[_redrabbit7]

20 hours ago, Eric from America said:

@_redrabbit7 @1800goodluck @lamentyung I applied a couple years ago at Columbia. Applications were due Jan. 15, and then on Feb. 18 they sent an email asking me to interview. All interviews were on the same day, March 12, either in person or online. This was for New Genres; my memory is that the other disciplines' interviews were also on the same day. So, if they are on a similar timeline this year, you might hear in a week.

Alright, Eric. Thanks for the feedback!

[_redrabbit7]

9 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

AlyPet hang in there - Pratt is still reviewing and will be reaching out to applicants this second half of the month. I haven’t heard from RISD either but I think that means no interviews if no news by now. 

Oh. I had my RISD interview last week Wednesday and according to the dates given to me Wednesday February 9th was the last day of interview. Are you sure you didn't miss their emails? Can you reach out to them?

Edited February 13, 2022 by _redrabbit7

[abceramics]

7 minutes ago, Antisocialprintmaker said:

Lol I’m not sure either. I haven’t done any interviews yet but I got a couple acceptances so I’m not sure what’s up with the schools this year. Maybe they just feel like they know you really well and don’t think an interview is necessary if you got in? I hope you get in tho!

Well I certainly hope that's the case for us both! Haha. Thank you and I hope you do too ?

[whitewhales]

Just now, _redrabbit7 said:

Oh. I had my RISD interview last week Wednesday and according to the dates given to me Wednesday February 9th was the last date of interview. Are you sure you didn't miss their emails? Can you reach out to them?

Hi Red Rabbit. I know it’s funny so many people mentioned how the RISD invites were going to their promotions or spam folders ?? I have kept checking them neurotically. I think it’s a nope from them, it’s ok I was expecting that. How did your interview go? Congratulations! What programs are you applying in? 
 

I know a few people on here had SAIC interviews maybe you can check earlier posts.. just a page back or two or three.. forums are exploding I can’t keep up. 

[_redrabbit7]

10 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

Hi Red Rabbit. I know it’s funny so many people mentioned how the RISD invites were going to their promotions or spam folders ?? I have kept checking them neurotically. I think it’s a nope from them, it’s ok I was expecting that. How did your interview go? Congratulations! What programs are you applying in? 
 

I know a few people on here had SAIC interviews maybe you can check earlier posts.. just a page back or two or three.. forums are exploding I can’t keep up. 

Oh. I am surprised and sorry to hear that some people's invites went into their spam folders. Also sorry to hear you didn't get an invite. I can't explain how bad I felt too when I got a straight rejection from Yale two weeks ago. 

My interview? I honestly can't tell, although a part of me thinks I don't stand a chance coz I applied without even holding a bachelor's. I guess I'm hoping for the best and prepared for the worst. They told me they only select 10 applicants for their painting program? I wonder how many like me were shortlisted for the interviews.  

Will go pages back to read what other SAIC applicants wrote ...

 

Edited February 13, 2022 by _redrabbit7

[Antisocialprintmaker]

15 minutes ago, abceramics said:

Well I certainly hope that's the case for us both! Haha. Thank you and I hope you do too ?

Haha same and thank you! ?

[whitewhales]

Just now, _redrabbit7 said:

Oh. I am surprised and sorry to hear that some people's invites went into their spam folders. Also sorry to hear you didn't get an invite. I can't explain how bad I felt too when I got a straight rejection from Yale two weeks ago. 

My interview? I honestly can't tell, although a part of me thinks I don't stand a chance coz I applied without even holding a bachelor's. I guess I'm hoping for the best and prepared for the worst. They told me they only select 10 applicants for their painting program? I wonder how many like me were even shortlisted for the interviews.  

 

Don’t be sorry Red Rabbit, it’s ok! This forum has really helped me learn a lot and is so supportive in these crazy anxious times. 

(I got a straight rejection from Yale too, a few of us did - but that’s a scar a lot of people deal with, don’t feel too bad about it..)

Getting an interview with RISD is amazing, and brings you so close to getting in, don’t downplay it you should totally be proud and celebrate it. I’m sure you did very well - I don’t think they interview many people so definitely give yourself a pat on the back and keep that confidence up for SAIC. ??? 

[HJAn]

4 hours ago, _redrabbit7 said:

Hello! Anyone online who's had their interview with SAIC? Mine's in an hour. And I'm freaking out already!!! 

I already had my interview with SAIC yesterday. I think the dates may be different per department. I really enjoyed their interview process of having a whole weekend full of activities where I got to meet and talk to the faculty and current students prior to my scheduled interview. I was actually chatting with my interviewers during the lunch time Q&A and my interview was right after, so it just felt like an extension of our conversation, which was great. The only downside is maybe at the end of interview when they asked if I had any questions, I had run out of things to ask lol. I asked like a dozen questions to the faculty as well as the students prior to the interview already.

Hope your interview went well!!

[HJAn]

Also I thought I would share my status so far:

Yale - rejected

Northwestern - rejected

Tufts(SMFA) - interviewed

UPenn - interviewed

RISD - interviewed

SAIC - interviewed

Waiting on: Columbia, Hunter, MIT, VCU, Pratt, UCLA

I'm assuming rejection from VCU and UCLA - as I've seen people have already received interview invites.

Also, assuming rejection from Pratt. I realized after I clicked submit that my essay had another school's name... ? 

I think Columbia should come out next week, but I'm not so sure on Hunter and MIT. Has anyone heard from these?

[Forms Without Formula]

38 minutes ago, HJAn said:

Also I thought I would share my status so far:

Yale - rejected

Northwestern - rejected

Tufts(SMFA) - interviewed

UPenn - interviewed

RISD - interviewed

SAIC - interviewed

Waiting on: Columbia, Hunter, MIT, VCU, Pratt, UCLA

I'm assuming rejection from VCU and UCLA - as I've seen people have already received interview invites.

Also, assuming rejection from Pratt. I realized after I clicked submit that my essay had another school's name... ? 

I think Columbia should come out next week, but I'm not so sure on Hunter and MIT. Has anyone heard from these?

Hunter interview requests should be coming out this week based on past forums!! Ahh can't wait

[GradCat2022]

2 hours ago, HJAn said:

I already had my interview with SAIC yesterday. I think the dates may be different per department. I really enjoyed their interview process of having a whole weekend full of activities where I got to meet and talk to the faculty and current students prior to my scheduled interview. I was actually chatting with my interviewers during the lunch time Q&A and my interview was right after, so it just felt like an extension of our conversation, which was great. The only downside is maybe at the end of interview when they asked if I had any questions, I had run out of things to ask lol. I asked like a dozen questions to the faculty as well as the students prior to the interview already.

Hope your interview went well!!

I actually applied to SAIC's New Arts Journalism program, their other writing program, and adored the whole process/the people I met and really want to go there now! My interview didn't go too great so, fingers crossed I get in! They actually only interviewed 5 people for my program (not sure how many applied) and each incoming class is only about 3-4 people, which I really like because I like the individualized attention and the opportunities you get. But we'll see!

[thehamburglar]

Anyone who applied to MECA:

Check the promotions folder in your email! A link to my decision went there for some reason!

[Strawberrycat]

15 hours ago, AlyPet said:

Yale, SAIC, RISD, UCLA, and Pratt.  Personally I feel the size of my paintings were the biggest drawback and that I do exclusively watercolor.  I'll take you up on the review offer, but in a few months.  I'm scrapping my entire portfolio and going larger and more for myself rather than for a university.

Ahh okay, yeah, those are some of the most competitive schools, so I think a good amount of people that end up going to them apply more than once from what I've seen. I think that working in watercolor could definitely be a benefit, rather than a drawback, depending on what you're doing. Going larger could help. But there is merit to small works as well. But making work for yourself sounds like the most important part. Good luck with everything and I hope you find joy in the making. ♡ 

[Hjuoollpphhfcvn]

16 hours ago, lilyxia99 said:

My interview is yet to come ? mine is on 26th. But I do have interviewed KMD, and the interview is just asking very specific question about the portfolio, like the difficulties and what I found in the process, which are really easy to answer as you must have very deep feelings about those. 

Mines on the 27!! Please let me know how yours goes!!! 

[AlyPet]

39 minutes ago, Strawberrycat said:

Ahh okay, yeah, those are some of the most competitive schools, so I think a good amount of people that end up going to them apply more than once from what I've seen. I think that working in watercolor could definitely be a benefit, rather than a drawback, depending on what you're doing. Going larger could help. But there is merit to small works as well. But making work for yourself sounds like the most important part. Good luck with everything and I hope you find joy in the making. ♡ 

I think you're right.  If your offer to look over my work still stands, I could use an objective eye.