MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[boltcutter]

48 minutes ago, sarinnn said:

Curious how people are feeling/coping post interviews. I've done 3 so far and while I haven't bombed yet I've definitely stumbled a lot. Trying not to ruminate too much but I'm waiting until March for final decisions... I might go a little crazy!

I feel you so hard on this! I felt like my last interview I rambled some because I felt so nervous. 

[olayak]

For those of you who got responses from Purchase, which program in the MFA did you apply for? 

[sillygooseart]

1 minute ago, olayak said:

For those of you who got responses from Purchase, which program in the MFA did you apply for? 

Purchase is interdisciplinary so it’s just the one! But I’m painting based. They do have a dual degree program but they have separate apps.

[olayak]

ok! My husband hasn't heard anything yet, I hope that's not a bad sign! 

[intheclerb]

Just got a Columbia interview for sculpture!

🥳

[sara-z]

On 2/7/2025 at 3:58 AM, paigethecat said:

Just got an Interview for SVA!

What is your major? I applied for a master's degree in Interaction Design, and I haven't received an interview invitation yet.

[mmav]

9 hours ago, Tumadre01 said:

Anyone here interview with UCSD?

wondering what questions they may ask 🥲

I have mine scheduled for Feb 10th-- they broke down the structure of the interview in the email invite I think

[freshman2024]

Accepted into IU Bloomington, very exciting. Does anyone know the stipend amount? Going to visit OSU at the end of the month, I think IU is my only other possibility over OSU. Any input on either sculpture program? 

 

I feel like I might life balance wise enjoy Columbus more but ultimately it comes down to teaching opportunities and $. 

[dhjin]

I received an acceptance from CalArts for the MFA Graphic Design -- any others? Price is scary so I'll just see what comes out of the financial aid, but super excited to see success in the first round. 

[sirconcision]

Hey all, any photo applicants out there hear back from UCLA yet? Had interview with UT-Austin and RIT (had verbal admission after interview, waiting on offer letter). This is my first time applying - grateful for you all sharing your experiences here.

[intheclerb]

5 hours ago, sirconcision said:

Hey all, any photo applicants out there hear back from UCLA yet? Had interview with UT-Austin and RIT (had verbal admission after interview, waiting on offer letter). This is my first time applying - grateful for you all sharing your experiences here.

I also applied to UCLA (ceramics) and have heard no reply yet

[Sleepyguy]

10 hours ago, intheclerb said:

I also applied to UCLA (ceramics) and have heard no reply yet

I applied last year and got my rejection on Feb. 8. I would expect that we'll hear back pretty soon

[paigethecat]

On 2/7/2025 at 9:19 PM, sara-z said:

What is your major? I applied for a master's degree in Interaction Design, and I haven't received an interview invitation yet.

Photography, Video, and Related Media!!

[Morallycorruptfayeresnick]

Heads up, Got an interview for UCLA ceramics! They should be sending them out

[fleisch]

22 hours ago, sirconcision said:

Hey all, any photo applicants out there hear back from UCLA yet? Had interview with UT-Austin and RIT (had verbal admission after interview, waiting on offer letter). This is my first time applying - grateful for you all sharing your experiences here.

Hey! I'm a photo applicant too, I'm also applying to UT for photo, how long ago did you get your invite to interview? I haven't heard anything back from them, no rejection nor invite.

[sirconcision]

34 minutes ago, fleisch said:

Hey! I'm a photo applicant too, I'm also applying to UT for photo, how long ago did you get your invite to interview? I haven't heard anything back from them, no rejection nor invite.

The interview invite was sent out late January and interview was on 2/1

[strawberrygirl47]

Does anyone know how many people typically get accepted into Hunter's MFA program for painting? I was talking to some friends the other day and they said a cohort  is typically around ten or so people? Hunter contacted me for an interview, but after hearing that I'm even more nervous than before...

[mmav]

For those of y'all that are applying to UT Austin, I live in Austin right now (and have lived here since I started undergrad at UT Austin in 2018), so if you have any questions about what it's like being a creative/living in Austin I'm happy to answer -- I know how hard it can be to sus out the vibe of a program or city you've never been to. Also-- idk if any of y'all are painters applying to the program but tbh I've heard a lot of mixed things about the strength of the UT program...(I didn't apply because I wanted to expand beyond Austin and also it's not a great program for new media artists).

[unlikely012]

Got accepted to SVA today! Kind of curious about one line in the acceptance email though—they said that enrollment fees will only be accepted if space remains in the chosen program. Does this mean if I choose to enroll closer to the deadline there’s a chance they’d rescind my acceptance if all the spots are full? Is this common practice for MFA programs? 

Edited February 11 by unlikely012

[drpaints]

On 1/30/2025 at 6:46 PM, FreakinOut24 said:

Hi everyone, congrats on all the interviews and for applying in general, the process is brutal! This is my third time applying.

I applied to sculpture or interdisciplinary programs.

I have gotten interview requests from UT Austin (interview tomorrow in sculpture/extended media) and UCSD (interview being scheduled for end week of February.)

I have not heard back from Stanford or UC Davis which I'm thinking I have been rejected by considering the past timelines and other 2025 posts I've read about interview requests. 

I am still waiting to hear from Yale, Tulane, UCLA, and Cornell. 

Has anyone heard from Stanford? 

Best of luck to everyone!

I got invited to interview with UC Davis on January 29th. If you have still not heard from them, I would consider them to be out of the picture as far as schools you will be accepted to. Best of luck with other programs!

Edited February 11 by drpaints

[drpaints]

Has anyone heard back from UC San Diego, Michigan State, or University of Arkansas, or University of Connecticut yet? Acceptances, rejections, or interview invitations?

[mmav]

1 hour ago, drpaints said:

Has anyone heard back from UC San Diego, Michigan State, or University of Arkansas, or University of Connecticut yet? Acceptances, rejections, or interview invitations?

I got my UC San Diego invite on Jan 28th. All of their interviews are being held this week

[mmav]

On 2/6/2025 at 8:08 PM, freshman2024 said:

Do you know what their stipend offer is? I cant find a super clear answer. 

After much digging, I finally found it -- "As stated above, historically, the department has been able to provide all of our MFA students who aren’t already receiving tuition/fee remission through central campus fellowships with Teaching Assistant appointments of at least 25% time (approx 10 work hours per week during the quarter) for all registered quarters in the program. Employment as a TA at 25% time or greater provides full in-state tuition remission, as well as remission of most fees (including health insurance.) Additionally, TAs also receive a monthly salary (approximately ~$1889 per month of appointment during the quarter at 25% time.) More info on student academic employment is available here from the Graduate Division.

Edited February 11 by mmav

[nanaaaa]

4 hours ago, unlikely012 said:

Got accepted to SVA today! Kind of curious about one line in the acceptance email though—they said that enrollment fees will only be accepted if space remains in the chosen program. Does this mean if I choose to enroll closer to the deadline there’s a chance they’d rescind my acceptance if all the spots are full? Is this common practice for MFA programs? 

Congratulations!!! me too. And I am also a bit confused as to what that line meant. initially I thought it meant that after the deadline it's based on whether or not any spots are left. But since it doesn't state that explicitly I'm not too sure anymore. 

[nanaaaa]

1 hour ago, nanaaaa said:

Congratulations!!! me too. And I am also a bit confused as to what that line meant. initially I thought it meant that after the deadline it's based on whether or not any spots are left. But since it doesn't state that explicitly I'm not too sure anymore. 

ok nvm on their website it says: "Enrollment fees will only be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as space remains available in your chosen program."