MFA 2023 Freak Out Forum

[geminilibraaquarius]

HELLO

anyone have any advice or know what the deal is...can admitted students bargain for higher stipends for funded programs? i was admitted to one school but the stipend i was offered for TAing is pretty unlivable...but I don't want to seem unappreciative but I am not independently wealthy.

thank you!

[crisnyc]

28 minutes ago, scraps said:

HELLO

anyone have any advice or know what the deal is...can admitted students bargain for higher stipends for funded programs? i was admitted to one school but the stipend i was offered for TAing is pretty unlivable...but I don't want to seem unappreciative but I am not independently wealthy.

thank you!

Never personally done it, but I've read that you can do 2 things here:

1. ask financial aid dept to review ur aid package again. A lot of schools have like a financial aid appeal process, just call/email them. 

2. if u have a competing offer from another school, tell them they're ur top program, but the financial award is not enough to pick them over the other school. this increases ur chances of getting more money. bonus points if you connected with a faculty or committee member that can advocate for you. but if you go this route and they increase their aid, you kinda HAVE to accept it. 

Good luck. 

(EDITED TO ADD) this highlights the importance of sending thank you emails after the interview. you'll stand out from other applicants. easier to contact the committee member later to ask them to please advocate for you w/ the financial aid dept, specially if its your top program. 

Edited February 17, 2023 by crisnyc

[SocialKonstruct]

3 hours ago, crisnyc said:

According to Columbia Admissions, the committee is "in the middle of the review process of all first round applications." 

At least they didn't say the committee had already finished the review of 1st round applications. I haven't gotten invited for an interview either and I'm holding out hope because of the vagueness in the statement.  

+++++++++++

For those wondering how I know this info and for those this situation will apply to:

One of my recommenders never sent her letter. I've been stressing about it for a few weeks, thinking I was sh*t out of luck but inside hoping the rest of my application was strong enough to still warrant an interview. 

My old professor finally got back to me this week, saying she would submit the letter now. So I emailed admissions to see if it was too late to submit the letter. And if it was, whether my incomplete application would be reviewed by the committee or disqualified completely.

Admissions responded saying that the letter could still be submitted (almost a month after the official deadline). But that the committee was already in the process of reviewing the first round applicants. and the new letter of recommendation may or may be seen by them, depending on whether they had already reviewed my application. 

Which I inferred to mean: yes, the committee (at least in painting dept) will review incomplete applications. Obviously, the application would be at a disadvantage, compared to others, but it's comforting to know it's at least considered and not totally disqualified. 

Thanks for the update. I am going to assume that I got rejected from Columbia printmaking which leaves ArtCenter and UCLA open to interview and next week will be my Calarts interview hopefully

[crisnyc]

19 minutes ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Thanks for the update. I am going to assume that I got rejected from Columbia printmaking which leaves ArtCenter and UCLA open to interview and next week will be my Calarts interview hopefully

dont count yourself out just yet. remember they get like a 1,000+ applicants. hold out hope for at least another week or so ?

[crisnyc]

how many here have an existing studio practice? and who is coming straight out of undergrad? Is this your 1st time trying?

I've been out of school for over a decade, working in an unrelated field. Got serious about my studio practice a few years ago. And this is my first round/year of trying an MFA program.

Hope you guys dont mind answering. Not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a gauge of the competition ?

[Frank0000000]

Just heard back from Stanford, they just emailed me to say a change had been made to my application status, so I looked on the portal and I was rejected, of course ?

Also! San Francisco State University just sent me an interview invite. 

so all in all: 

Northwestern: Rejected 

Stanford: Rejected 

UCLA: 1st choice ID 2nd choice painting - still haven't heard back but assuming rejection because I didn't get an interview invite. 

University of Michigan: haven't heard back, assuming rejection because interview invites went out already. 

[SocialKonstruct]

15 minutes ago, crisnyc said:

how many here have an existing studio practice? and who is coming straight out of undergrad? Is this your 1st time trying?

I've been out of school for over a decade, working in an unrelated field. Got serious about my studio practice a few years ago. And this is my first round/year of trying an MFA program.

Hope you guys dont mind answering. Not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a gauge of the competition ?

Hmmm... going straight out of undergrad in photography but I already have an English bachelor's and masters in public health. and yourself?

[Miso]

48 minutes ago, Frank0000000 said:

Just heard back from Stanford, they just emailed me to say a change had been made to my application status, so I looked on the portal and I was rejected, of course ?

Also! San Francisco State University just sent me an interview invite. 

so all in all: 

Northwestern: Rejected 

Stanford: Rejected 

UCLA: 1st choice ID 2nd choice painting - still haven't heard back but assuming rejection because I didn't get an interview invite. 

University of Michigan: haven't heard back, assuming rejection because interview invites went out already. 

I also just received my $135 rejection letter from Stanford LMAO ?

Once I seen the email and it said "An update has been posted to your Stanford application", I knew immediately I was rejected because I figured if they wanted to interview me then they would just say it in the email. They were the number 2 school on my list but I'm just glad I don't have to stress about it anymore. 

[SocialKonstruct]

OMG I just got an interview set up for the 24th for ArtCenter and am overjoyed!

That leaves UCLA and Columbia left to hear back for an interview.

Edited February 17, 2023 by SocialKonstruct

[SocialKonstruct]

31 minutes ago, Gaara said:

I also just received my $135 rejection letter from Stanford LMAO ?

Once I seen the email and it said "An update has been posted to your Stanford application", I knew immediately I was rejected because I figured if they wanted to interview me then they would just say it in the email. They were the number 2 school on my list but I'm just glad I don't have to stress about it anymore. 

I am so sorry to hear about this Gaara. I hope that you find the program of your dreams soon.

[Miso]

3 minutes ago, SocialKonstruct said:

I am so sorry to hear about this Gaara. I hope that you find the program of your dreams soon.

It's fine, I'm still very excited about the interview I have with Northwestern University tmrw, I love everything about their program and they are top 4 on my list of 8. Only reason they aren't number 1 is because of the weather in that Chicago area lol 

[SocialKonstruct]

Evaluation of my programs so far:

Yale University	Sculpture (REJECTED)
Yale University	Painting and Printmaking (REJECTED)
UCLA	New Genres or Photography (WAITING)
Columbia University	Printmaking (WAITING)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago	Painting/Drawing (REJECTED)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago	Photography (INTERVIEW COMPLETED)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago	Sculpture (REJECTED)
Calarts (California Institute of the Arts)	Art (Integrated Media addition) (REJECTED)
Calarts (California Institute of the Arts)	Art + Technology (INTERVIEW PENDING)
Calarts (California Institute of the Arts)	Photography and Media (Integrated Media addition) (REJECTED)
ArtCenter College of Design	Art (INTERVIEW PENDING)

 

Hope this spreadsheet helps now

[redCat]

2 hours ago, crisnyc said:

how many here have an existing studio practice? and who is coming straight out of undergrad? Is this your 1st time trying?

I've been out of school for over a decade, working in an unrelated field. Got serious about my studio practice a few years ago. And this is my first round/year of trying an MFA program.

Hope you guys dont mind answering. Not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a gauge of the competition ?

Honestly I'm quite curious as well. I'm coming straight out of undergrad with a BFA in graphic design and it's my first time applying. It seems as though I'm the minority here which surprised me a bit, but I am the only one in my current program continuing to grad school at the moment

[SocialKonstruct]

4 minutes ago, redCat said:

Honestly I'm quite curious as well. I'm coming straight out of undergrad with a BFA in graphic design and it's my first time applying. It seems as though I'm the minority here which surprised me a bit, but I am the only one in my current program continuing to grad school at the moment

Nice... yeah in some ways I am not surprised that Yale rejected me since I already have my MPH from there before. I don't think that institutions like the idea of having a person in one place too long LoL.

I have a thriving studio practice in fact. I just sold a painting with a NFT at XVERSO so I know that it's worth doing this!

Edited February 17, 2023 by SocialKonstruct

[redCat]

Just now, SocialKonstruct said:

Nice... yeah in some ways I am not surprised that Yale rejected me since I already have my MPH from there before. I don't think that institutions like the idea of having a person in one place too long LoL.

I have a thriving studio practice in fact. I just sold a painting at XVERSO so I know that it's worth doing this!

Wow that's amazing!! Congrats on the sale! I also got rejected from Yale. I mostly just applied for kicks and giggles since I know they prefer applicants with industry experience.

Anyways, can't wait for this process to be over. It's difficult to concentrate on my classes when I'd rather just be refreshing my email lol Good luck!

[SocialKonstruct]

On 2/12/2023 at 11:04 AM, Yoasianguy said:

Would anyone be open to share their portfolio?

Here is a recent painting I just completed: https://www.albertabdulbarrwang.art/portfolios/selected-paintings--2023----/view/6803647/1/6928731

My website is at: https://www.albertabdulbarrwang.art/

[Freya1011]

anyone got interview from UCLA DMA (Design Media Arts) program? It's mid Febuary already and didn't hear back from them

[Garamond]

6 hours ago, scraps said:

HELLO

anyone have any advice or know what the deal is...can admitted students bargain for higher stipends for funded programs? i was admitted to one school but the stipend i was offered for TAing is pretty unlivable...but I don't want to seem unappreciative but I am not independently wealthy.

thank you!

I'm sharing a post from a previous freakout that has a nice email template to follow if you are able to get multiple offers:

If that link doesn't work, I'm copypasting the text from user Afein:

I emailed the graduate program director, who then emailed the financial aid officer. (I'm sure the contacts for all school are different. I would have emailed both the program director and financial aid directly, if the program director had not responded so promptly.)

The email I wrote is below:

 

Hello Bethany,

 

I have eliminated all but two schools from consideration. RISD is my number one choice. I really believe in your faculty, the vision behind the recent curriculum changes, the whole ethos of critical making. I also related to the students I met, and I loved Providence. I have a hard time envisioning myself anywhere else. I am so excited by your offer.

 

However, Parsons has offered me a 75% scholarship, which reduces total tuition for me to $12,500. I've attached the admissions letter from Parsons.

 

Could you make this decision easier by increasing my fellowship aid?

 

Again, I want to emphasize how grateful I am to be offered a place in the incoming class. At this point, I'm just trying to resolve whether the best choice is the best fit or the most economical. I was fortunate to receive a lot of offers, but it has been fairly easy to see that RISD is where I want to be.

Sincerely,

[Garamond]

5 hours ago, crisnyc said:

how many here have an existing studio practice? and who is coming straight out of undergrad? Is this your 1st time trying?

I've been out of school for over a decade, working in an unrelated field. Got serious about my studio practice a few years ago. And this is my first round/year of trying an MFA program.

Hope you guys dont mind answering. Not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a gauge of the competition ?

I earned my BA in Graphic Design in 2010. Started off doing retail work first and moved onto photo editing/graphic design contract work and was unemployed for months in between jobs for the first 3 years. I've been working as a Graphic Designer full-time for the past 10 years in various industries. Finally got a stable job 5 years ago that allowed me to save money.

If you count doing personal work outside of work hours as studio practice, I guess I've done it on and off, but got serious in January 2022 as I was going to apply a year from then.

I actually just earned an MFA in Creative Writing, as that has helped tremendously in interviews since I want to write about design, art, and the creative practice. It also shows that I am capable of graduate study. I work at a university that offers tuition remission for that major so I got lucky and got the degree at a reasonable price and attended class in the evenings while working as a designer there full time.

This is my first time applying, but I spent 2 years planning for it by doing research on programs and previous Grad Cafe Freakout threads and visiting campuses in that period. Over the course of two years I have visited campus and/or met with faculty at 14 universities. I ended up applying to 9 of the 14, I cut out the other 5 for various reasons. I also applied to 3 others that I wasn't able to visit in person for a total of 12 applications.

Current Results:

1. Michigan State - Was told weeks ago that I might hear back around mid-February.
2. Missouri - Accepted!
3. Iowa - Haven't heard back, but I know people have gotten interviews from reading this thread...
4. Wisconsin-Madison - Interviewed a month ago, but haven't heard back.
5. Georgia State - Just interviewed today, actually.
6. Arizona - Interviewed two weeks ago.
7. Indiana-Bloomington - Accepted!
8. Ohio - Haven't heard anything back yet.
9. Florida State - Haven't heard anything back yet.
10. Nebraska-Lincoln - Haven't heard anything back yet.
11. Oklahoma - Haven't heard anything back yet.
12. Kansas State - Rejected. They don't use Slideroom and only accept PDFs less than 10MB. I had to cut out some magazine spreads to try to make it under the MB limit, so I couldn't show the whole scope of my work. I think Gaara had the same experience with Georgia? That's my theory as to why I was rejected.

[risaurus]

Hi, can anyone tell me what's the right format to write an email to the faculties post interviews?

Edited February 17, 2023 by risaurus

[thisisnotapipe]

12 hours ago, crisnyc said:

how many here have an existing studio practice? and who is coming straight out of undergrad? Is this your 1st time trying?

I've been out of school for over a decade, working in an unrelated field. Got serious about my studio practice a few years ago. And this is my first round/year of trying an MFA program.

Hope you guys dont mind answering. Not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a gauge of the competition ?

I have an existing studio practice that I have been developing while working on my undergraduate degree (non BFA degree). This is my first time trying for my MFA (I graduate in May). My studio practice has been pretty successful (residency award, grants, a solo show at a museum, etc). So I feel like despite not having a BFA I'm in a pretty good spot. I applied to three schools. I've gotten interviews to all three. Been accepted by one and am waiting to hear from the other two. 

[reallyfamousartist]

Hi- anybody going to Northwestern in-person interview this weekend?

How did the virtual interviews go for those of you that were invited? Get any tough questions?

[cornchip]

13 hours ago, crisnyc said:

how many here have an existing studio practice? and who is coming straight out of undergrad? Is this your 1st time trying?

I've been out of school for over a decade, working in an unrelated field. Got serious about my studio practice a few years ago. And this is my first round/year of trying an MFA program.

Hope you guys dont mind answering. Not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a gauge of the competition ?

I'm also curious about this. I graduated with my BA in Art/History of Art in 2019. When I graduated I wanted to prove to myself that I could still have a somewhat rigorous practice outside of an institution. Some of my best work has been in the last couple of years. This is my first time applying for my MFA and this is how it's looking:

1. MassArt - 3D Fine Arts - nothing so far
2. Tyler - FMS - Accepted!
3. Yale - Sculpture - Interview
4. SAIC - FMS - Accepted!
5. VCU - Fiber - Accepted!
6. Hunter  - Fine Art - Interview 
7. MICA - Sculpture - Interview
8. Cranbrook Academy - Fiber - nothing so far
9. VCU - Sculpture - nothing so far

[Garamond]

Update: I just found out I was accepted to Iowa (Graphic Design)! I'm surprised, they didn't even ask for an interview.

I did visit campus last fall and met with the Director of Graphic Design there. That probably helped. ?

[abcdefg23]

Any input on UNC vs. Penn State MFA programs? Both fully funded with varying stipends. Hoping to meet students and faculty in person next month.