MA vs MFA / NYU vs Columbia

[SHA]

Hi all,

I'm an American citizen but I recently completed a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in Australia. I work as a lawyer at the moment but am looking to do either an MA or an MFA in the USA as part of a fairly formidible life change.

However, because I'm unfamiliar with the system over there I have a few (too many!) questions I was hoping someone may be able to offer some answers to:

1. I have had a few art shows and would really like to develop as an artist but it seems that isn't exactly the best plan in terms of structuring a career. Therefore, I'd like to look towards teaching, specifically teaching something in the area of visual art, media, social theory. Do you think an MA or an MFA is best suited to this? Also, is an MFA much more difficult to get into, especially with a limited portfolio?

2. If I do either, I am looking at either Columbia or NYU. Is one of these drastically more suited towards a teaching career than the other? Also, is one drastically harder to get into? I have heard that you need to be able to speak a foreign language fluently in order to be admitted to Columbia – is this true?

3. I would like to do whatever I can to avoid losing my life saving (and some) in paying for a degree. Are fellowships/scholarships or other forms of merit-based financial aid near impossible? My grades are approximately a first-class honours average for both my undergrad degrees (I'm not sure if that term is used over there?) but I'm sure the competition is incredible.

4. Has anyone else made the trip from international undergraduate degree to US masters degree? I would love to hear some success stories.

Sorry for the vague questions – just looking for a starting point and it's difficult to find much detailed information on the websites!

Thanks very much