MFA 2022 Freak Out Forum

[emoly]

Hi everyone-

Just wanted to throw this out there. If anyone wants a mock interview buddy, I'm available! We could meet up on zoom and throw questions at each other. If anyone's interested let me know! ?

[whitewhales]

Just now, beeebeeeebeebeebo said:

Interviewed with UMASS Dartmouth. it seemed to go well, though even with my preparation it seemed difficult to talk about transferring (since I am presently in a different MFA program). I don't know anyone else who has done this in grad school so it's sort of uncharted territory.

I have still not heard back from Tyler at Temple, SUNY Purchase, or UCONN. fingers crossed!

Just finished mine right before yours I think. Mine was 2 hours ago. Did you interview with the painting/drawing faculty member? They are so so sweet and chill. I loved the energy. 

[beeebeeeebeebeebo]

7 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

Just finished mine right before yours I think. Mine was 2 hours ago. Did you interview with the painting/drawing faculty member? They are so so sweet and chill. I loved the energy. 

Yes, I got to speak with one of the faculty. I was very appreciative of the conversational style- it was more like getting to meet somebody new, versus being analyzed by a bunch of strangers, like how some interviews can feel.

[whitewhales]

1 minute ago, beeebeeeebeebeebo said:

Yes, I got to speak with one of the faculty. I was very appreciative of the conversational style- it was more like getting to meet somebody new, versus being analyzed by a bunch of strangers, like how some interviews can feel.

It was my first grad interview ever so I feel so grateful for that ? 

 

I hope your transfer works out, I feel like their 3 year MFA track could accommodate that somehow??? 

[beeebeeeebeebeebo]

9 minutes ago, whitewhales said:

It was my first grad interview ever so I feel so grateful for that ? 

 

I hope your transfer works out, I feel like their 3 year MFA track could accommodate that somehow??? 

thanks! yes, it seems like it may be a good fit in that way

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

13 hours ago, MFA-Painting-2022 said:

BTW, I’m a man ?

 BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ???

[blueviolet]

20 hours ago, Frank14 said:

That's really good to know, thank you!! Seems like it could be any day now, at least we'll know soon. 

Just got the call! Accepted to VCU Craft and Material Studies (ceramics). I was surprised there was no interview as I know they have done them in past years. Maybe because I am a post-bacc already they decided to skip it?

[RyanV]

Has anyone interviewed at Parsons fine art yet? Mine is tomorrow and would love any tips:-)

[pepperoncini]

Did anyone hear back from Berkeley?

[slickjaketheruler]

Anyone hear back from Rutgers at all? 

[sunflowertime]

Posted just now

Hello,

This has been a great forum. I think it's my turn to ask for some advice.

 

I have socially anxious tendencies, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. I'm realizing they may be hindering my application process. I know I can't be alone here.

 

I applied to programs for the first time in 2021 (Hunter, NYU, and Columbia for painting). I didn't get accepted anywhere. I was going to try again for 2022, but decided instead to spend the year developing my work and becoming a stronger candidate. I've learned a lot since then and now see that I may be fumbling some crucial steps because I get nervous about the parts that involve other people.

Reaching out to programs in advance so they have some familiarity with me - This is a big one and the topic I'd really appreciate advice on. I only reached out to Hunter in advance and never got a response. I emailed the head of the painting dept, which feels silly now. I don't know where to begin with this. I know there are people at the programs specifically for this purpose. How do I go about connecting with people/faculty at schools and who should I reach out too? Is there anyone that would want to look at my portfolio in advance and get to know me beyond answering generic inquiries? I'm interested in Yale, UCLA, Hunter, Rutgers, CalArts, and Columbia. When is a good time to start doing this?

 

Rec letters - It took me years to apply the first time because I got really hung up thinking about this. I can naturally develop good relationships w/ instructors at first, but after a while, once I start getting individual attention from someone I admire, I get nervous about disappointing them and retreat. I know a lot of this is in my head, but it stresses me out. 

 

Statement - I only shared my statement with my sister and my closest friend. Neither of whom are visual artists. How do I get solid feedback on this part of the app?

 

 

Halp. Thank you very much.

 

[SadPainter]

57 minutes ago, slickjaketheruler said:

Anyone hear back from Rutgers at all? 

Also waiting to hear back from Rutgers. And also waiting on hunter, Columbia, and Tyler.

 

The wait is really starting to get to me! 

[Frank14]

I just had my interview with MICA (Mount Royal) this morning! It was stressful!! Haha and only 15 minutes long. My interviewer got right down to business and asked why I want to go to grad school and asked some clarifying questions about my artist statement. I wonder how long it will take to hear back and haven't heard anything from my other programs: 

University of Montana 

Colorado State 

UCI 

Cal State SF

VCU 

[ambiguousfigures]

49 minutes ago, sunflowertime said:

Posted just now

Hello,

This has been a great forum. I think it's my turn to ask for some advice.

 

I have socially anxious tendencies, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. I'm realizing they may be hindering my application process. I know I can't be alone here.

 

I applied to programs for the first time in 2021 (Hunter, NYU, and Columbia for painting). I didn't get accepted anywhere. I was going to try again for 2022, but decided instead to spend the year developing my work and becoming a stronger candidate. I've learned a lot since then and now see that I may be fumbling some crucial steps because I get nervous about the parts that involve other people.

Reaching out to programs in advance so they have some familiarity with me - This is a big one and the topic I'd really appreciate advice on. I only reached out to Hunter in advance and never got a response. I emailed the head of the painting dept, which feels silly now. I don't know where to begin with this. I know there are people at the programs specifically for this purpose. How do I go about connecting with people/faculty at schools and who should I reach out too? Is there anyone that would want to look at my portfolio in advance and get to know me beyond answering generic inquiries? I'm interested in Yale, UCLA, Hunter, Rutgers, CalArts, and Columbia. When is a good time to start doing this?

 

Rec letters - It took me years to apply the first time because I got really hung up thinking about this. I can naturally develop good relationships w/ instructors at first, but after a while, once I start getting individual attention from someone I admire, I get nervous about disappointing them and retreat. I know a lot of this is in my head, but it stresses me out. 

 

Statement - I only shared my statement with my sister and my closest friend. Neither of whom are visual artists. How do I get solid feedback on this part of the app?

 

 

Halp. Thank you very much.

 

i think if you live in a city, you should get involved in community of artist surrounding you. for example go to shows and be friendly. and look for some kind of work in galleries or otherwise art related if you can. maybe you could try reaching out to past teachers youve had for advice? 

 i also don't really think forming relationships out of the blue via email is likely to produce much. ive seen this advice before and maybe someone has experience that indicates otherwise, but i would imagine, that a lot of these professors at the big schools you mentioned have a lot to deal with as is, and just don't really have time for random emails.

IF youre going to do something like that, I would pick a teacher whose work you admire in some way and work the conversation out of an interest in art, but looking for advice in a kind of teacher student dichotomy. And I would think about the time of year you send the email, are they busy with finals or whatever else.

wrt to dialing in your artist statement - i would read statements from artists you look up to. maybe look for artists whose content is circulating around similar ideas to your own and see what they had to say.

 

good luck!

[ambiguousfigures]

11 minutes ago, 1800goodluck said:

Also waiting to hear back from Rutgers. And also waiting on hunter, Columbia, and Tyler.

 

The wait is really starting to get to me! 

you guys are not alone. i think rutgers sent out interviews on the like 15th in past years so may be a few more days. WELL SEE SOON

[Westcoasty]

Good morning, All!

Has anyone heard from Bard (Milton Avery/MFA)? Anyone have any insights about new faculty in that program?

[artcat]

Woohoo! I just got my first interview request from Alfred (Sculpture).  Still waiting to hear anything from VCU, SUNY Purchase, UCLA and UT Austin..... 

[medsuppy]

11 minutes ago, Westcoasty said:

Good morning, All!

Has anyone heard from Bard (Milton Avery/MFA)? Anyone have any insights about new faculty in that program?

Applied for Bard MFA painting. Haven't heard back. The new faculty looks very exciting

[recyclable]

4 hours ago, sunflowertime said:

Posted just now

Hello,

This has been a great forum. I think it's my turn to ask for some advice.

 

@sunflowertime I can't speak to all of these questions, but personally, I never reach(ed) out to any programs which I applied to, it would make me uncomfortable; and this is my first season applying to Art MFAs. I have two acceptances (UIUC, Ohio State), and two interviews (Northwestern, Oregon), so from personal experience, I would say I can't imagine this is important for all candidates.

That being said, I did share my personal statement with a few peers [strong writers] who I trust. My approach to this cycle was to submit one cohesive project [of 20ish images/documentations, depending on place], and tailor my application around that. And from my conversations with mentioned programs, it seems to have been perceived well by faculty so far.

For some background, I did not apply to painting/drawing, and though I have never painted and would not describe my work as drawing, I was admitted to Ohio State under that dept. So, might be worth something, idk. Happy to support/help out as well. But more so hoping you kill it this season!

I should also say -- my priority in applications was programs which are Fully Funded [I would define fully funded as full tuition remission + a stipend that can pay rent, at least + includes healthcare]. So it's hard for me to say any of this may apply to other art colleges which are not on this model.

Edited February 8, 2022 by recyclable

[tomatoriot]

Just got an email from Sam Fox / WashU saying that they are working on reviewing applications and that they will let us know our admission status in “early March.”

At least it’s not a rejection but my god the waiting. 

[cirrostratusphere]

For anyone waiting on Rutgers results, check your portal. I didn't get an email, but I did get rejected. Oh well!

[SadPainter]

37 minutes ago, cirrostratusphere said:

For anyone waiting on Rutgers results, check your portal. I didn't get an email, but I did get rejected. Oh well!

Thanks for the heads up. Also got rejected. Tough way to find out but at least I can cross one off of the list. 

[slickjaketheruler]

14 minutes ago, 1800goodluck said:

Thanks for the heads up. Also got rejected. Tough way to find out but at least I can cross one off of the list. 

I wish you hadn’t told me tonight. Rejected as well. 

[thehamburglar]

Hi everyone,

It's my first time applying to MFA programs, and definitely getting the jitters as the results roll in. I've applied to:

Yale, Rutgers (reject)

SAIC (interview this week!)

UCLA, MECA, SUNY, Pratt (still waiting on)

If anyone has advice for the SAIC interview I'd be very grateful, and best of luck to you all!

Edited February 9, 2022 by thehamburglar

[The-Fourth-Dimension]

57 minutes ago, cirrostratusphere said:

For anyone waiting on Rutgers results, check your portal. I didn't get an email, but I did get rejected. Oh well!

19 minutes ago, 1800goodluck said:

Thanks for the heads up. Also got rejected. Tough way to find out but at least I can cross one off of the list. 

4 minutes ago, slickjaketheruler said:

I wish you hadn’t told me tonight. Rejected as well. 

That sucks, you guys. Fingers crossed for your other schools. And if it doesn't work out this year, there is always next. You'll make it happen!!! That goes for EVERYONE who got any sort of rejections. STAY UP!!! ?

LOOK AT THESE CRAZY DOGGIES WHO ARE GOOD BUDDIES AND HELP EACH OTHER!!! ??

Edited February 9, 2022 by The-Fourth-Dimension
The light at the end of the tunnel is like a painted flower; it never wilts.