MFA 2022 Freak Out Forum

[hellotothefuture]

1 minute ago, whitewhales said:

That’s awful I’m so sorry.. U Mich is a great program. Are you going to wait for next year or set your sights on your other schools? 
 

I didn’t realize schools took the LOR’S so seriously. They needed just 1 letter from 1 person? 

My referees had covid and somehow they missed the LOR deadline. I requested the U Mich if they could extend the deadline but they said the could not extend the deadline because they have to review applications. So...sheer bad luck.

I wasn't also familiar with the fact that Uni takes LOR so serious lol I had friend who got into UAL without LOR submission at the time of application submission and submitted her LOR at later stage.

I would see see and look for other options too. For me funding is the main issue, I can't afford graduate programme without funding. 

[slickjaketheruler]

1 hour ago, 1800goodluck said:

It was most of the painting department on zoom which is good to know beforehand as it can be pretty overwhelming to see 6 other people on the zoom screen. They each asked a question about my statement or my work but most questions were very open and not overly specific— “what will you bring to the program?” “What do you want out of graduate school?” “What do you plan on doing during your MFA?” 

Thanks for the input. I know mine is just with the department head and assistant professor, which will be nice to have only two people engaged with the work. I know the print department is much smaller than the painting. Tyler is my top choice so I’m a bit nervous. I’m sure I’ll do fine though.

[hellotothefuture]

2 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

Honestly looking forward to my rejection from RISD. They rejected my undergrad application lol, I did it for kicks this time around. And good luck. ?

Which program did you apply for? 

I was accepted at RISD in 2018 and was offered 50% scholarship but couldn't opt for it due to some personal reasons. Trying a luck in 2022. Lets see

I have a bad feeling that I blew up my application this time around. lol

I hope you get a good news soon from RISD.

[hellotothefuture]

9 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

That’s awful I’m so sorry.. U Mich is a great program. Are you going to wait for next year or set your sights on your other schools? 
 

I didn’t realize schools took the LOR’S so seriously. They needed just 1 letter from 1 person? 

They need 3 letters. 3? it's so embarrassing to keep sending LOR reminders to the concerned person. lol 

[whitewhales]

7 minutes ago, hellotothefuture said:

My referees had covid and somehow they missed the LOR deadline. I requested the U Mich if they could extend the deadline but they said the could not extend the deadline because they have to review applications. So...sheer bad luck.

I wasn't also familiar with the fact that Uni takes LOR so serious lol I had friend who got into UAL without LOR submission at the time of application submission and submitted her LOR at later stage.

I would see see and look for other options too. For me funding is the main issue, I can't afford graduate programme without funding. 

Sometimes these terrible things can be a blessing in disguise. I am sorry that happened to you, and I wish you the best of luck with your other schools. 
 

Keep us posted!

[hellotothefuture]

1 minute ago, whitewhales said:

Sometimes these terrible things can be a blessing in disguise. I am sorry that happened to you, and I wish you the best of luck with your other schools. 
 

Keep us posted!

Thanks. I wish the same for you. 

[whitewhales]

6 minutes ago, hellotothefuture said:

Which program did you apply for? 

I was accepted at RISD in 2018 and was offered 50% scholarship but couldn't opt for it due to some personal reasons. Trying a luck in 2022. Lets see

I have a bad feeling that I blew up my application this time around. lol

I hope you get a good news soon from RISD.

It was painting for undergrad and painting for grad. I like RISD, solid program. But I am not sure if I am a good fit for them - they have the Nature Lab and it’s a major resource for me and my work and one of the things that made me want to apply to get access to. 
 

I’m really crossing my fingers for UW, but all good wishes are welcome and deeply appreciated. ?

My brain is fried, sorry - are you applying for sculpture programs? 

[whitewhales]

8 minutes ago, hellotothefuture said:

They need 3 letters. 3? it's so embarrassing to keep sending LOR reminders to the concerned person. lol 

3 letters is what I worked with for my schools. Two from my undergrad professors back in 2010-2014, and then my boss for the last 5 years. I was worried about having to remind them, but the three of them were so nice by helping review my portfolio and statement as I was applying that they had absolutely no chance of needing a reminder that they were my recommended and that I had a deadline for each school. ? I guess that was super lucky, I didn’t realize that people didn’t have it any other way? 

[whitewhales]

14 minutes ago, slickjaketheruler said:

Thanks for the input. I know mine is just with the department head and assistant professor, which will be nice to have only two people engaged with the work. I know the print department is much smaller than the painting. Tyler is my top choice so I’m a bit nervous. I’m sure I’ll do fine though.

You’ve got this. 

[hellotothefuture]

2 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

It was painting for undergrad and painting for grad. I like RISD, solid program. But I am not sure if I am a good fit for them - they have the Nature Lab and it’s a major resource for me and my work and one of the things that made me want to apply to get access to. 
 

I’m really crossing my fingers for UW, but all good wishes are welcome and deeply appreciated. ?

My brain is fried, sorry - are you applying for sculpture programs? 

ikr

Feelings are mutual. The whole process is nerve wrecking but I guess we'll see.

I think RISD museum is also cool and it's location.

Yes, applying to sculpture programs so far.

[Poodledog]

5 hours ago, shivbat said:

Has anyone else here applied to UT Austin? I applied for Art Education so probably not the same as Studio Art, but wondering if anyone has heard anything

I applied to the studio art but haven’t heard anything… nervously waiting…

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

Phone rings... Area code is 619!!! Could it be the UCSD MFA Dept??? Chill out, and, ANSWER THE FONE, ANSWER THE FONE, ANSWER THE FONE. 

Clears throat... *AHEM* (politely) - Hello? 

In robot-lady voice... "Hello. We have been trying to reach you regarding expired automobile warranty service."

???

[Hjuoollpphhfcvn]

7 minutes ago, The-Fourth-Dimension said:

Phone rings... Area code is 619!!! Could it be the UCSD MFA Dept??? Chill out, and, ANSWER THE FONE, ANSWER THE FONE, ANSWER THE FONE. 

Clears throat... *AHEM* (politely) - Hello? 

In robot-lady voice... "Hello. We have been trying to reach you regarding expired automobile warranty service."

???

??

[Strawberrycat]

15 minutes ago, The-Fourth-Dimension said:

Phone rings... Area code is 619!!! Could it be the UCSD MFA Dept??? Chill out, and, ANSWER THE FONE, ANSWER THE FONE, ANSWER THE FONE. 

Clears throat... *AHEM* (politely) - Hello? 

In robot-lady voice... "Hello. We have been trying to reach you regarding expired automobile warranty service."

???

? The torture!!! 

[Strawberrycat]

11 hours ago, whitewhales said:

I applied to painting programs with a dominantly drawing, photo, writing, video and sculpture portfolio, and like 1 "painting". ? And it was, mostly drawing. I feel like school's don't worry too much about the formal distinction between mediums. I am attracted to painting and history behind it. I think I want to do more formal painting for grad school, but maintain other mediums as part of my practice. I am kind of nerdy so I want to take a lot of classes outside of the art department to inform my work. I noticed you applied to a lot of California schools, I haven't applied to a single program in California only because living with a car is not realistic for me and I felt the competition is so high compared to East Coast? I wish you all the best during this difficult time of waiting. ❤️ 

I wish I could have applied to University of Oregon, their program seems rad and the cohorts are producing awesome work. But I tried to keep my applications limited for financial purposes. 

The forum's moving so fast, I almost lost this one! (I'm living for it, though. Even if my email is silent, at least there's stuff to read here, haha. )

Ah okay! Well it does say "painting and drawing" anyway in the program title! I applied with a mix of painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation. I think a lot of schools are really looking for people like that, who want those outside research opportunities, so that's great. 

Yeah, it's not the easiest to get by most places without a car in California, unfortunately. Doable, but not easy. Yeah, a lot of the programs are very small and get a lot of applicants. I've also heard from some professors that there are different leanings in what West Coast schools / East Coast schools look for stylistically/conceptually (as a general statement, not a rule, though), which is interesting to think about. Thank you, I wish all the best for you too! 

University of Oregon does seem really cool and their funding is great. But yeah, app fees add up so quickly, I feel that. ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

Lame.

Boring.

Deleted.

Edited February 1, 2022 by The-Fourth-Dimension
Enqoyism has a cotton candy goat.

[HJAn]

3 hours ago, hellotothefuture said:

Hey everyone!

 

I am an international applicant and I applied to MFA sculpture programs at different universities in USA but I haven't heard back from any of them so far?  I applied to RISD and Hunter in the first week of January but no words so far. Does this mean rejections are around the corner?

I just got interview invite from RISD for sculpture a couple of hours ago. Check your inbox!!

[pkaz]

1 hour ago, whitewhales said:

I was wondering, between interview and formal acceptance how long did you have to wait?
 

 

Not much. about two weeks. half of them told me at the end of the interview that they liked my application and  I should receive the official letter soon.
But I'm happy that I didn't accept it. it was like a big trap. paying 30K for a film program is ridicilus. I can make a feature-lenght film with 30K. I'm telling you man, most of these universities are preying on students. you get a useless degree and end up with an empty bank account or a life long debt. they escpecailly love us, internationals because we have to pay in cash. So no wonder they keep emailing me about "when am I going to apply again".

[whitewhales]

41 minutes ago, The-Fourth-Dimension said:

No apologies necessary. I like to get a handle on other artists opinions on artwork and what drives and motivates them in their MFA decisions. Peripheral discussion often bears more fruit than adamant discourse and direct assertions. Dialogue regarding artistic preferences is a good threshold with which to engage with other artists beyond any sort of pure data. It's been brought up in other MFA FOF's that I've been involved with.

Please remember that this forum exists as a way for artists to share on many levels, and no one is forcing anyone to answer any questions they don't feel like answering. This forum does not exist for you or me or anyones singular leisure. 

If you do not feel like engaging in a topic, you do not have to. If you don't like a specific person then you can mute them. This forum does a good job of policing itself in a natural manner, it always has. It's not productive for members to advise other members to take their light hearted inquiries elsewhere, especially when the question posed is relevant to the thread.

People regularly go off topic from DIRECT information relating to the MFA practice. Some people even make unsubstantiated claims with no evidence whatsoever.

For example:

whitewhales said: "People are antsy and unsettled. It’s going to take a decade at least post end of the actual pandemic to feel like things were as they were before."

All in good cheer, fun, and levity. Again, No apologies necessary. You do you, and others will do what they do. ?

But I would certainly like to apologize for my claim. 
 

I understand you hold a heavy weight in this forum, dominate it almost, are the most active person, have a lot to say - I did not mean to upset you.
 

Just wanted to be frank and tell you that I didn’t want to read your essays, that’s all. Or even have to engage in long messages such as the one I’ve had to write right now that have nothing to do with grad school and as I have witnessed others in this forums history have to. Actually, I was most hesitant to engage in the forum due to this very reason. 
 

Anyway. I regret posting that because now I’ve had to write this.
 

I’ll try to figure out how this website works so I can find those settings you’re describing. Thank you for the tip.   
 

 

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

Lame.

Boring.

Deleted.

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by The-Fourth-Dimension
"Utter nonsense always strikes for the heart."

[whitewhales]

6 minutes ago, The-Fourth-Dimension said:

Stop apologizing. You don't owe me an apology. You didn't upset me. I don't have any "weight" in this forum. I like to talk and listen to interesting stories from other artists, and I like peace. That's what you do with social media and a community that you care about. You engage in it instead of just using it like a vampire to suck energy out of.

Look, I'm done with this sophomoric nonsense. Just Block me. I don't care.

I think I upset you. 

Vampire? I just got here last night, didn't know this place existed. Don't think that's a very nice thing to say or an informed statement either. I was pretty happy to find this place. I know it provides a refuge for a lot of people during these difficult times of waiting. And I know you are very giving in your knowledge, and experience. 

I can tell from your writing patterns that you are a little on edge. Warranted, during these difficult anxious times, and spending so much energy on a stranger like me. And a newbie, too. 

My engagement with the forum will be very limited now, 4th Dimension. There's some really nice people on here, and I wish them all the best. You are, nice people, too, you're just high-strung. Too high strung for me, at least. And I wish you the best. I hope you get into Stanford. I read that you're really into their program.

So I will be in incognito mode, not Vampiric mode, but thats to keep peace and save my energy during my anxious time of waiting. 

Good luck to you. And I would like to apologize again, for causing you any distress and putting you on edge with my words on the internet. 

 

 

[Lynn9900]

Hi guys, has anyone received an interview invite for RISD Sculpture MFA?

I heard they have been sent out and I am on edge right now. I am an international student so I am not sure if didn't receive an invite today means they are not interested in me or maybe it's a bit slow for the international students.

[whitewhales]

Was a nice 20 something hours of chit chatting with you guys. 

A final note to all who applied to Pratt and are waiting: They're just about to review Sliderooms and will be deciding sometime in Mid-February who they will be interviewing and proceed setting up the interviews. So there's a wait for that. 

Good luck everyone. Is there a private message on here? Feel free to get in touch.. 

[katfude5]

Just heard from Boston University Painting for an interview

[HJAn]

18 minutes ago, Lynn9900 said:

Hi guys, has anyone received an interview invite for RISD Sculpture MFA?

I heard they have been sent out and I am on edge right now. I am an international student so I am not sure if didn't receive an invite today means they are not interested in me or maybe it's a bit slow for the international students.

Yeah! I got an interview request this afternoon actually. I have no idea if they do things differently for international students. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but the email did say they reviewed all applications for the program.... 

Hopefully you'll get some good news soon.

Side note: I've been trying to prepare for interview questions and kind of stumped by How does your work fit in with the contemporary art world/scene?

Does anyone know how you're supposed to answer this question? Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated!