MFA 2023 Freak Out Forum

[Miso]

7 hours ago, Loleagle said:

The drama school is free. I have 4 friends at Yale MFA visual arts and no one is fully funded. Although they all get aid.

i know....you must have not read the message I sent: 

"Okay so I called Yale's Art Department, their Registrar and Admissions to be exact, and spoke with a nice lady. She said the Yale School of Art isn't fully funded, it is need based and you find out how much you'll get after you interview and get accepted. 

The fully funded program at Yale is through their school of drama, which is completely different from the School of Art where students paint, draw, etc."

[edgecase]

anyone know the details of funding at University of Arizona or Arizona State?

[slickjaketheruler]

On 11/29/2022 at 2:04 PM, Gaara said:

Update on the UGA situation for anyone applying:

 

They said this is their first year going away from SlideRoom. And now that they are going through Slate where they want a pdf no larger than 10MB....it is significantly lowering the quality of the photos I took of my art. If you have detailed work like myself this is probably a dealbreaker for you. They literally said I can be the "guinea pig" and risk uploading a portfolio to Slate that is larger than the requested 10MB limit. Sucks because UGA was one of my safer fully funded schools that I felt I had a good chance of getting into, but oh well...it is what it is, don't think I'll be applying. 

I wouldn't let this deter you from applying. I applied to UGA last year and got in. I ended up getting into my first choice school so turned down the offer. But Lamar Dodd at UGA is fully funded, and they throw a lot of money at their applicants in the form of scholarships and other stipends. If anything, and if you think you have a good chance, use that acceptance as a bargaining tool for other applications should you get accepted. I used the offer that I received at UGA for more funding at Tyler. 

As well, just remember that when schools review these applications, they are probably spending about an hour or two to get 200 applications down to a shortlist of 8-20 depending on the program and how many students they are looking at. They are going to fly through any portfolio and mostly likely won't be spending a lot of time with your work until the interview.

I know slide room makes things easy for people. Keep in mind that having good pictures is important, but they probably won't harp on the quality of the photograph or the details of your work until the interview.

[Miso]

2 hours ago, slickjaketheruler said:

I wouldn't let this deter you from applying. I applied to UGA last year and got in. I ended up getting into my first choice school so turned down the offer. But Lamar Dodd at UGA is fully funded, and they throw a lot of money at their applicants in the form of scholarships and other stipends. If anything, and if you think you have a good chance, use that acceptance as a bargaining tool for other applications should you get accepted. I used the offer that I received at UGA for more funding at Tyler. 

As well, just remember that when schools review these applications, they are probably spending about an hour or two to get 200 applications down to a shortlist of 8-20 depending on the program and how many students they are looking at. They are going to fly through any portfolio and mostly likely won't be spending a lot of time with your work until the interview.

I know slide room makes things easy for people. Keep in mind that having good pictures is important, but they probably won't harp on the quality of the photograph or the details of your work until the interview.

Thanks! This was great advice. 

I'm actually still going to apply to UGA because I recently found a way to reduce the file size of my portfolio without compromising the quality of the images. If you drag the high quality photos of your art into a google doc, then make a pdf, the file size comes out to around 10MB while keeping the quality pretty much the same. Idk how, but it's basically the same as the 80MB compressed portfolio I had. 

Was Tyler the first choice school you ended up choosing over UGA? If so, what made you not want to go with UGA? 

 

[slickjaketheruler]

44 minutes ago, Gaara said:

Thanks! This was great advice. 

I'm actually still going to apply to UGA because I recently found a way to reduce the file size of my portfolio without compromising the quality of the images. If you drag the high quality photos of your art into a google doc, then make a pdf, the file size comes out to around 10MB while keeping the quality pretty much the same. Idk how, but it's basically the same as the 80MB compressed portfolio I had. 

Was Tyler the first choice school you ended up choosing over UGA? If so, what made you not want to go with UGA? 

 

It was my first choice bc of how media fluid the program is and how the printmaking department at tyler has strong theory for printmaking in the expanded field. I was also really invested in working with faculty outside of print at Tyler in other departments.

I also chose Tyler for location. I’m doing long distance with my partner and it made more sense location wise for me to relocate to Philly.

[DR19]

Does anyone know of low-residency MFAs in art on the west coast?

[Miso]

I'm curious to know anyone's opinion on this: 

How do you feel about a 2yr MFA in art program vs. a 3yr? 

 

I kind of break down the benefits of each like this:

2yrs: 

- earn the same piece of paper in one less year

- if the program isn't fully funded you'll be saving money 

3yrs: 

- extra year with a studio space 

- more time to network 

- if program is fully funded, an extra year might be better because on-campus graduate studio apt rent is often cheaper

[SocialKonstruct]

I like the 2 year program better. Plus you can network after you graduate.

Maybe this is all financial for me at this point. However, if you get a full ride to a 3 year program don't decline it LoL

[SocialKonstruct]

On 12/5/2022 at 12:36 PM, DR19 said:

Does anyone know of low-residency MFAs in art on the west coast?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-residency_program

[Garamond]

On 12/7/2022 at 3:12 PM, Gaara said:

I'm curious to know anyone's opinion on this: 

How do you feel about a 2yr MFA in art program vs. a 3yr? 

 

I kind of break down the benefits of each like this:

2yrs: 

- earn the same piece of paper in one less year

- if the program isn't fully funded you'll be saving money 

3yrs: 

- extra year with a studio space 

- more time to network 

- if program is fully funded, an extra year might be better because on-campus graduate studio apt rent is often cheaper

I'm only applying to 3-Year Fully-Funded programs for the reasons you provided. Plus, having to take around 15 credits a semester seems strenuous and I don't think I would enjoy the accelerated workload. Plus having that third year would mean extra time to get teaching experience and offers more flexibility in terms of things like traveling abroad.

[Miso]

2 minutes ago, Garamond said:

I'm only applying to 3-Year Fully-Funded programs for the reasons you provided. Plus, having to take around 15 credits a semester seems strenuous and I don't think I would enjoy the accelerated workload. Plus having that third year would mean extra time to get teaching experience and offers more flexibility in terms of things like traveling abroad.

Very true, these are great points. I applied to both 2 and 3 year programs. If the program is fully funded, I really don't see any problem with going to a 3 year. 2 years does seem like a fast pace, you'll blink twice and be graduating already. I feel like 3 year programs allow you to focus on your art more and avoid 'real world' problems like high rent. UGA program is 3 years and on campus rent for a 1br is less than $800....I know a lot of people that wouldn't mind 3 years of a stipend, living stress free while creating a lot of art, etc. 

My question definitely just depends on the person, program, and circumstances though. 

[SocialKonstruct]

On 12/2/2022 at 1:16 PM, Gaara said:

i know....you must have not read the message I sent: 

"Okay so I called Yale's Art Department, their Registrar and Admissions to be exact, and spoke with a nice lady. She said the Yale School of Art isn't fully funded, it is need based and you find out how much you'll get after you interview and get accepted. 

The fully funded program at Yale is through their school of drama, which is completely different from the School of Art where students paint, draw, etc."

Yale art program is fully funded if you qualify. Basically I suspect your family has to be impoverished.

[Miso]

2 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Yale art program is fully funded if you qualify. Basically I suspect your family has to be impoverished.

Yeah it's need based as I expected, so basically only apply to Yale if you're broke and homeless...maybe then you could get a full ride. For everyone else, you'll go to that 2 year program to graduate with over a 100k in debt.

 

Really wish people wouldn't fall for the Yale hype. Majority of the students art is below average (in my area of focus in particular: painting and drawing). Being in that much debt after graduating is artistic suicide. 

[cornchip]

Hi everyone. I haven't posted here in a while. I'm finally actually applying to grad school! I'm applying to sculpture and material/studies/craft/fiber programs. 

I've enjoyed the process so far, which I didn't expect. The best thing that has come of this so far is being forced to write a solid statement about myself and my work. I have a question for those of you writing statements right now: 

Do you think it's important to use the school's name/specify the program you are applying to in the statement? I wrote one statement and will alter it based on what each school is asking, but do you think it's important to say "I want to go be in X's program because Y"?
 

[Boolakanaka]

On 12/13/2022 at 2:49 PM, Gaara said:

Yeah it's need based as I expected, so basically only apply to Yale if you're broke and homeless...maybe then you could get a full ride. For everyone else, you'll go to that 2 year program to graduate with over a 100k in debt.

 

Really wish people wouldn't fall for the Yale hype. Majority of the students art is below average (in my area of focus in particular: painting and drawing). Being in that much debt after graduating is artistic suicide. 

The hype has some legitimacy.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Yale_School_of_Art_alumni

[dawndothat]

Hello guys! I'm working on my MFA applications, and I found that some schools have a description or an additional details section on a portfolio(slide room). I guess this part is to explain the material or media of the work. I want to give a detail of my works (painting series) regarding the idea or theme in two or three sentences, do you think it is unnecessary?

[Miso]

3 hours ago, Boolakanaka said:

The hype has some legitimacy.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Yale_School_of_Art_alumni

So the hype has enough legitimacy for students to go over 100k in debt? Wow...to each their own.  

[SocialKonstruct]

Trying to take a huge break and work in the art studio during the holidays. Exploring new avenues. Next month will be fun.

[SocialKonstruct]

7 hours ago, dawndothat said:

Hello guys! I'm working on my MFA applications, and I found that some schools have a description or an additional details section on a portfolio(slide room). I guess this part is to explain the material or media of the work. I want to give a detail of my works (painting series) regarding the idea or theme in two or three sentences, do you think it is unnecessary?

Just give material and media and year for the work. They are going to be too busy to read through heavy descriptions.

[Boolakanaka]

7 hours ago, Gaara said:

So the hype has enough legitimacy for students to go over 100k in debt? Wow...to each their own.  

Wow, for someone going into graduate education you don't seem really into research but rather conflated to anecdotal opinions and gossip.

Here, I will provide you some facts: The average debt for master's of fine arts students at Yale turns out to be $21,573 — a significant but manageable sum--as reported by the NYT.

[cornchip]

11 hours ago, dawndothat said:

Hello guys! I'm working on my MFA applications, and I found that some schools have a description or an additional details section on a portfolio(slide room). I guess this part is to explain the material or media of the work. I want to give a detail of my works (painting series) regarding the idea or theme in two or three sentences, do you think it is unnecessary?

I spoke with a graduate coordinator from SAIC at National Portfolio Day. I asked the same question. She told me to use the caption section to explain older work and how it has led me to where I am now. She said "it's a good place to explain things unseen."
For context I was showing her my fiber/installation work and then a piece that looked slightly unrelated, and I wondered if I had to explain the odd one out.

imo it would not hurt to add some explanation to the caption section, but they really do flip through the portfolio quickly so keep that in mind too. 
 

[Miso]

3 hours ago, Boolakanaka said:

Wow, for someone going into graduate education you don't seem really into research but rather conflated to anecdotal opinions and gossip.

Here, I will provide you some facts: The average debt for master's of fine arts students at Yale turns out to be $21,573 — a significant but manageable sum--as reported by the NYT.

This forum has been very peaceful and I refuse to argue and go back and forth with someone when I don't even know what their face looks like....so I'll leave you with this:

I have been in contact with several Yale MFA in Art alumni and spoke directly with their admissions team multiple times. What I say isn't gossip or a guess or from a wikipedia link. Yale's funding is need based so it is determined by tax returns, etc. All they offer for first year students is work study, they don't give merit based scholarships. The work study is part time, minimum wage, and for the academic year. You get 4-6 hours a week IF you're lucky enough to receive work study. That amount of hours and hourly rate will not have a huge impact on your overall cost. (Work study in 19'/20' was $14.25 an hour) So if you come from a good amount of money you will essentially be paying the full amount your first year. (which is around 67k, stated directly on their website..... https://www.art.yale.edu/about/resources/financial-aid/tuition-fees-general-expenses ) 

Now for your second year, students with financial need receive more funding that can cover their living expenses which at Yale is 18k. Second year students can also apply for scholarships that they may get if they qualify for them. So yes, the second year will be cheaper but most students that come from money get hit big in that first year and end up nearly 100k in debt, if not over. Yale is a good program to go to if you don't come from money....otherwise, it is financial suicide for an artist. 

Please have a wonderful day, I will no longer be responding to you because I don't go back and forth with strangers on the internet. I have better things to do with my time. Happy Holidays! 

 

[Boolakanaka]

2 minutes ago, Gaara said:

This forum has been very peaceful and I refuse to argue and go back and forth with someone when I don't even know what their face looks like....so I'll leave you with this:

I have been in contact with several Yale MFA in Art alumni and spoke directly with their admissions team multiple times. What I say isn't gossip or a guess or from a wikipedia link. Yale's funding is need based so it is determined by tax returns, etc. All they offer for first year students is work study, they don't give merit based scholarships. The work study is part time, minimum wage, and for the academic year. You get 4-6 hours a week IF you're lucky enough to receive work study. That amount of hours and hourly rate will not have a huge impact on your overall cost. (Work study in 19'/20' was $14.25 an hour) So if you come from a good amount of money you will essentially be paying the full amount your first year. (which is around 67k, stated directly on their website..... https://www.art.yale.edu/about/resources/financial-aid/tuition-fees-general-expenses ) 

Now for your second year, students with financial need receive more funding that can cover their living expenses which at Yale is 18k. Second year students can also apply for scholarships that they may get if they qualify for them. So yes, the second year will be cheaper but most students that come from money get hit big in that first year and end up nearly 100k in debt, if not over. Yale is a good program to go to if you don't come from money....otherwise, it is financial suicide for an artist. 

Please have a wonderful day,I will no longer be responding to you because I don't go back and forth with strangers on the internet. I have better things to do with my time. Happy Holidays! 

 

will no longer be responding to you because I don't go back and forth with strangers on the internet. 

 

Hint, you just did. And what you effetely suggest is that if you have already assets and resources, that you should NOT be required to spend them towards you own education.

Again, Yale will attempt to meet full demonstrated full need--but what you insinuate is that need should not be the primacy of how they distribute aid---that despite having your own money, they should still some how still provide aid--despite the documented and demonstrated of other students--that reeks of non-sensical privilege.

A total of under 25k in debt, is not a huge number for a prestigious graduate degree--

[SocialKonstruct]

8 hours ago, Boolakanaka said:

will no longer be responding to you because I don't go back and forth with strangers on the internet. 

 

Hint, you just did. And what you effetely suggest is that if you have already assets and resources, that you should NOT be required to spend them towards you own education.

Again, Yale will attempt to meet full demonstrated full need--but what you insinuate is that need should not be the primacy of how they distribute aid---that despite having your own money, they should still some how still provide aid--despite the documented and demonstrated of other students--that reeks of non-sensical privilege.

A total of under 25k in debt, is not a huge number for a prestigious graduate degree--

In any case, I did apply to two programs at Yale. First, I will see whether I get in. Second, I will see what money they will give me.

Plus the community of Yalies are pretty nice. One of my close friends attends there and she LOVES it.

So no regrets.

[dawndothat]

10 hours ago, cornchip said:

I spoke with a graduate coordinator from SAIC at National Portfolio Day. I asked the same question. She told me to use the caption section to explain older work and how it has led me to where I am now. She said "it's a good place to explain things unseen."
For context I was showing her my fiber/installation work and then a piece that looked slightly unrelated, and I wondered if I had to explain the odd one out.

imo it would not hurt to add some explanation to the caption section, but they really do flip through the portfolio quickly so keep that in mind too. 
 

Thank you for your answer. I'm gonna apply to the painting program at SAIC. Based on your comment, it seems there is no need to write a description of each work if they are related to each other (I explained my older work and how it has led me to where I'm now in my SOP).  Good luck!