MFA 2022 Freak Out Forum

[worldcleft]

On 4/9/2022 at 5:26 AM, hairyeyeball said:

I've seen some current/recent students posting about Bard here, sounds like their MFA program is struggling to keep up with the strains and challenges of the pandemic.

Did anyone here interview for Bard?I 'm curious to hear about other people's interviews, insights on the program, and where you're at with it now... I'm on the wait list.

Spoke to recent graduates of the programme (both international students and local) + one former faculty -- the Bard programme is in a tricky position rn and none of them recommend attending it at the moment. It's hard to say if it is in the same shape as it was prior to the pandemic.

[hairyeyeball]

21 hours ago, worldcleft said:

Spoke to recent graduates of the programme (both international students and local) + one former faculty -- the Bard programme is in a tricky position rn and none of them recommend attending it at the moment. It's hard to say if it is in the same shape as it was prior to the pandemic.

Thanks for the reply, @worldcleft. You've confirmed my concerns.

I am still hoping for acceptance off the waitlist. A lot can shift and change (for the better, one hopes) over the course of three summers. Plus, Bard's is the most interdisciplinary program I've researched, which is essential for me. On the other hand, it might be prudent to wait (and I may have to anyway, still being on the waitlist). But, like many folks here, I've been waiting because of the pandemic, I'm tired of waiting, and the "end" of the pandemic is nowhere in sight. And I'm in my 30s and more than ready to move forward.

Has anyone else received a waitlist update (good or bad news) from any school?

Thoughts on other interdisciplinary programs out there?

[tomatoriot]

I declined umich and washu today and accepted a spot in Iowa’s printmaking program. Here’s hoping people from this forum get those waitlist spots!! 

[Madamshaay]

GSU finally sent a rejection mail (MFA Graphic Design).

Still expecting 2 more decision

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

"CELEBRATE WORLD ART DAY APRIL 15TH

SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 15TH , 2022 - WORLD ART DAY

For the seventh consecutive year, Los Angeles will lead the charge in hosting World Art Day festivities in the United States. This global event organized by the International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP), in official partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), takes place yearly on April 15, Leonardo da Vinci's birthday, and promotes international collaboration through art. In honor of this worldwide celebration, IAA/USA, the US chapter of the IAA headquartered in Los Angeles, will host projects in the form of virtual and gallery exhibitions, artist talks, and pop-ups.

We invite you all to celebrate World Art Day, on April 15th!"

--->WORLD ART DAY LINK<---

Califas leads the way. So cool that there's a day for the men and women, boys and girls, that is about art and creativity.

Also coming up is the Abril 15th Resolution Date. The agreement among signatory graduate schools to provide applicants until Abril 15 to consider offers of admission that also include financial support.

I think it's pretty kool that these fall on the same date.

Haven't been on the boards for a while. Haven't even been creepin. Looks like things have chilled out and most have decided on your programs. That's rad. Looks like some of you also didn't get into grad, at all. That sucks. Good luck next year!!!

Before I put this joint away for good, I'm gonna be on here this week to see who else decided on the fabuloso University of Southern Califas Roski School of Art and Design in Los Angeles CA!!!!!!!  ??? YEAAAAAH!!! I'm pretty excited. Please P.M./D.M. me if you did commit to USC. I'd like to link up with people ahead of August.

Congratulations to all of you who are attending grad, this semester. Let's make the world a better place!!!

Fun Factoid: Did you know the Titanic sunk on Abril 15th??? I didn't either. According to history, however, the Titanic did in fact sink on Abril 15th 1912. Almost 2,000 people died. So don't trip if you didn't get into grad, this year. At least you didn't freeze to death and drown at night in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

[chewythecat]

I was curious if anyone else was in a similar situation where you are still waitlisted, and that 4/15 deadline is coming up soon. I am currently waitlisted for UCSB and Columbia, and wanted to make a final informed decision after knowing where I stand with these schools. Are these schools required to send their offers by the 15th, or do some send them out after that deadline? I was also curious if funding is affected if offers are sent out after the 15th as well.

I have also just gotten an offer from another school I've been waitlisted for, and only have a few days turnaround time to make a decision. Although a bit skeptical, I am asking for an extension on some of the schools I have been accepted to so far. Has anyone had any success on extending after 4/15? 

Edited April 13, 2022 by chewythecat

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

19 minutes ago, chewythecat said:

Are these schools required to send their offers by the 15th, or do some send them out after that deadline? I was also curious if funding is affected if offers are sent out after the 15th as well.

According to the International Council of Graduate Schools, member institutions are required by mandate to give a Graduate Applicant their admission and funding offer by the 15th of April. From what I gather, if you applied but were not offered admission then affiliates are not mandated to inform you of anything at all. It seems that offering an applicant a rejection letter is a courtesy that differs by academic institution. It is called the "April 15th Resolution Date."

The University of California at Santa Barbara, as well as Columbia are both signatory schools of the council and are mandated to inform you by April 15th that you have been accepted and what your funding will be.

I don't know if they are flexible about it or if the situation is affected by being waitlisted. All I know are the CGS rules that are outlined on their site.

Does an applicant have to accept summer, winter, or spring admission by april 15th?

"The April 15 Resolution only applies to offers of financial support for academic year offers beginning in Fall term. Admission to graduate programs that start in the Winter, Spring, or Summer terms are not bound by the resolution."

Members of the CGS are as follows:

LINK ---> CGS membership affiliates who are required to inform you by April 15th <--- LINK

LINK ---> What is the April 15th Resolution Date? <--- LINK

You might consider peeping the GradCafe Graduate Admission Results page and see what other applicants have posted about UCSB and Columbia. Maybe that can help.

LINK ---> Graduate Admission Results <--- LINK

I hope it works out in your favor.

[worldcleft]

On 4/12/2022 at 2:07 AM, hairyeyeball said:

Thanks for the reply, @worldcleft. You've confirmed my concerns.

I am still hoping for acceptance off the waitlist. A lot can shift and change (for the better, one hopes) over the course of three summers. Plus, Bard's is the most interdisciplinary program I've researched, which is essential for me. On the other hand, it might be prudent to wait (and I may have to anyway, still being on the waitlist). But, like many folks here, I've been waiting because of the pandemic, I'm tired of waiting, and the "end" of the pandemic is nowhere in sight. And I'm in my 30s and more than ready to move forward.

Has anyone else received a waitlist update (good or bad news) from any school?

Thoughts on other interdisciplinary programs out there?

I quite like the work I've seen from the current UCLA students. They seem to push form + good intellectual inquiry.
Although technically not interdisciplinary in set up, Yale Sculpture has a few good students that work their way from their last batch that graduated in the Spring. You would of course have the support of all of Yale's course offerings to bolster an interdisciplinary education. It is the most artistic ivy, along with Brown.
MIT has a very different kind of interdisciplinary programme, but it is an MSc, not an MFA. Your final product is a written thesis, not a work or a show.


 

Edited April 13, 2022 by worldcleft

[hairyeyeball]

2 hours ago, worldcleft said:

I quite like the work I've seen from the current UCLA students. They seem to push form + good intellectual inquiry.
Although technically not interdisciplinary in set up, Yale Sculpture has a few good students that work their way from their last batch that graduated in the Spring. You would of course have the support of all of Yale's course offerings to bolster an interdisciplinary education. It is the most artistic ivy, along with Brown.
MIT has a very different kind of interdisciplinary programme, but it is an MSc, not an MFA. Your final product is a written thesis, not a work or a show.


 

These are helpful observations, thanks for sharing, @worldcleft. To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated by the competitiveness of all three of those programs, but I'll definitely consider them if/when I apply this fall. 

I hear that UCLA has a new studio building, has anyone here seen it in person?

[worldcleft]

Hi hi. Does anyone know if it is possible to defer places at two schools, or do you usually have to choose?

 

[Salsasanasa]

Any other VCU accepted and committed candidates wanna connect?

[709 LurkerA2V]

hi Who email school??

Is Over?! lol

lutker hi. ?‍♂️?   ✌

?‍?

[f.m.m]

I declined the Purdue university (Interaction Design) and UMass Dartmouth (Graphic design) offers.

Hopefully, someone will be happy to receive an offer from them.

Edited April 15, 2022 by f.m.m

[slickjaketheruler]

Any other people commit to Tyler School of Art and would like to connect? PM me!

[imnotsure]

I just got an offer from a school I was waitlisted on so hopefully that gives y’all some hope because honestly I had lost hope 

[Ponygurl]

1 hour ago, imnotsure said:

I just got an offer from a school I was waitlisted on so hopefully that gives y’all some hope because honestly I had lost hope 

Me too! This morning

[imnotsure]

8 minutes ago, Ponygurl said:

Me too! This morning

Congrats!!

[Ponygurl]

Just now, imnotsure said:

Congrats!!

Congrats to you too!!! Which school if you don’t mind me asking

[imnotsure]

On 4/6/2022 at 11:01 AM, painting549 said:

anyone else waitlisted from rutgers hear back yet?

 

4 hours ago, Ponygurl said:

Congrats to you too!!! Which school if you don’t mind me asking

Rutgers

[gizmo]

I've heard some people received acceptances to NYU Studio Art, I guess I am on an unofficial waitlist? Is anyone else waiting too?

I was accepted to another school that requires the deposit by May 1st.  I've never been on a waitlist before, I suppose you just lose your deposit later if you get off the waitlist? I'm considering reaching out to NYU for more information/update, curious if anyone has done something similar or has any thoughts/experience?

Edited April 17, 2022 by gizmo
typo

[709 LurkerA2V]

h aha!!?

✌️?‍♂️

[whitewhales]

I think at this point most people have committed to a school and then there’s the waitlist group - I got called in to talk from the waitlist and offered a spot in my top program. The vibes and dynamics are so great, I love the faculty member I spoke with - but I’m being asked to commit to a decision in 24 hours without a formal acceptance letter.. is this commonplace for others in waitlist mode? I don’t feel like it’s exactly fair and it seems like there isn’t even a deferral policy at the school (also a bit odd). I have a lot of commitments that I need to account for as an international student and things that need tying up here, and I’m heavily leaning towards declining the offer in a very long polite but thorough email on how this is not enough time for me and that I will apply again next year. 
 

Given this is my first time applying to schools and first time being in a waitlist situation and offered a position - please advise on how to transition gracefully moving forward while maintaining good standing with my school of choice.  

[hairyeyeball]

@whitewhales I believe that many schools required their initially accepted applicants to commit by last Friday, April 15th. Now the schools will try to fill any remaining spots as fast as possible, hence the 24 hour pressure you're dealing with. Why so time sensitive? Because if you and any of the others at the top of the waitlist say no, they'll need to hustle to contact other applicants on their waitlist, hopefully reaching them before they've committed to other programs. It's a high-pressure shuffle for all involved.

I suggest telling them you're thrilled and interested but you need until this Friday or whenever to figure things out. If you're already considering turning them down, you have nothing to lose by asking for a little more time

edit: also, congrats on the acceptance! That's a triumph even if you don't end up going

Edited April 18, 2022 by hairyeyeball

[kiwi_mango]

Does anyone if schools notify people on the waitlist once all spots in a program are filled? 

[Strawberrycat]

On 4/19/2022 at 8:18 AM, kiwi_mango said:

Does anyone if schools notify people on the waitlist once all spots in a program are filled? 

I think most will send a rejection letter once all spots are for sure filled and they close the waitlist. Every school does things a little differently, though, and on varying timelines.