MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[zaline]

Hi! I've heard back from all of the schools that I applied to and here is where I stand. I applied to all schools in textiles/fiber

RISD: Accepted with at 50% scholarship

VCU: Accepted and waitlisted for funding

Tyler: Accepted and still waiting to hear back about funding.

I am curious to know people's thoughts about going into debt for grad school? I guess my approach to applying to schools was to see where I got in first and then figure out how to pay for it later... I'm definitely not going to art school with the plan of going on to get a high paying job after (lol) so I am wondering if anyone is willing to share their thoughts about how they may or may not be thinking about debt. I suppose there is the possibility that I could still get good funding from VCU and Tyler, but i'm not banking on it.

[Kalonde]

6 minutes ago, zaline said:

Hi! I've heard back from all of the schools that I applied to and here is where I stand. I applied to all schools in textiles/fiber

RISD: Accepted with at 50% scholarship

VCU: Accepted and waitlisted for funding

Tyler: Accepted and still waiting to hear back about funding.

I am curious to know people's thoughts about going into debt for grad school? I guess my approach to applying to schools was to see where I got in first and then figure out how to pay for it later... I'm definitely not going to art school with the plan of going on to get a high paying job after (lol) so I am wondering if anyone is willing to share their thoughts about how they may or may not be thinking about debt. I suppose there is the possibility that I could still get good funding from VCU and Tyler, but i'm not banking on it.

Imo it's not worth it since like you said there is no guaranteed pipeline to success or money afterwards. Of course you can increase your chances through better access to connections and an active art scene but I think it also depends on your work. Do you feel like you're already on that path? In that case maybe some debt wouldn't be that bad. I would avoid it altogether. But if you just want the professional development and don't care about the rest I feel like you can always find a good fully funded program.

[intheclerb]

Hey guys I have my Columbia interview on Friday, applied with sculpture. I am very nervous and intimidated, has anyone interviewed there and if so can you tell me any info that would help me prepare?

I'm currently not accepted anywhere so feeling immense pressure to do well, but also I'm not not sure if I will get enough funding to attend even if I were accepted. Any thoughts are welcome!

[mmav]

5 hours ago, zaline said:

Hi! I've heard back from all of the schools that I applied to and here is where I stand. I applied to all schools in textiles/fiber

RISD: Accepted with at 50% scholarship

VCU: Accepted and waitlisted for funding

Tyler: Accepted and still waiting to hear back about funding.

I am curious to know people's thoughts about going into debt for grad school? I guess my approach to applying to schools was to see where I got in first and then figure out how to pay for it later... I'm definitely not going to art school with the plan of going on to get a high paying job after (lol) so I am wondering if anyone is willing to share their thoughts about how they may or may not be thinking about debt. I suppose there is the possibility that I could still get good funding from VCU and Tyler, but i'm not banking on it.

I also got into VCU (kinetic imaging) but am leaning away from it (despite it being a top ranked school for this discipline) because despite it being "fully funded", tuitition remission, they only are offering a TA ship for the first year (and no word on what would be available for 2nd year), and that TA ship only pays about 5.7k PER SEMESTER for 10-15hrs of work per week, on top of still having to pay student fees of 3k. I would definitely have to work a second job or take out loans to go there. 

On the other hand, I have a generously funded offer from UCSB (32.5k fellowship for 1st year, 5k summer stipend, and guaranteed TAship with decent salary 2nd year), which is a lower ranked program (but still a decent program with good proximity to LA). At the end of the day, like others have said, it is up to you to decide how much you want to invest in grad school but for me I knew that I did NOT want to take out loans because I don't feel like it's worth it. I'm gonna bet on myself really lock in/grind to make the most out of the opportunities I have regardless of where I end up name brand-wise, and not having to think about money too much would make that a lot easier.

 

Edited Tuesday at 01:27 AM by mmav

[Kalonde]

I got into Cranbrook full tuition and SAIC still waiting on financial aid.  Yale was my top choice but I did not make it past the first round. Rutgers was my second choice but I don't think I got in there either. As a Detroiter everybody knows about Cranbrook and there's some artists making good work that have taken off after attending but I've also heard a lot of not great things about it and it also feels like the easy choice for me.

I'm wondering what people outside of Michigan know or think about Cranbrook and it's standing and whether it'd be worth it to wait and reapply to my higher choices

[Momentum]

accepted to SAIC sculpture!

 

[Yaah]

I have been accepted to both Cranbrook and SAIC, both painting major, and I am struggling to decide between the two. 

There isn’t much information available about SAIC’s atmosphere in this forum, so I’m curious if anyone knows what it’s like—whether it provides a good environment for artistic development, opportunities to engage with external galleries, and overall growth as an artist. 

I’m also interested in hearing more about Cranbrook’s reputation. I’m really torn between the two.:/

[wooowza15]

Received "nomination acceptance" letter from USC Roski for the MFA in Design. Anyone else applied to this program? I was a bit hesitant to apply because of the fiasco in 2015, but I just went for it. Curious to hear more about the current state of the department.

[boltcutter]

10 hours ago, Kalonde said:

I got into Cranbrook full tuition and SAIC still waiting on financial aid.  Yale was my top choice but I did not make it past the first round. Rutgers was my second choice but I don't think I got in there either. As a Detroiter everybody knows about Cranbrook and there's some artists making good work that have taken off after attending but I've also heard a lot of not great things about it and it also feels like the easy choice for me.

I'm wondering what people outside of Michigan know or think about Cranbrook and it's standing and whether it'd be worth it to wait and reapply to my higher choices

I went to undergrad in San Diego and my professor had gone to Cranbrook. Obviously he went long time ago, but he absolutely LOVED it and a few other people I graduated with eventually went to Cranbrook as well. All that is to say - I have only ever thought of it as a top school with great students matriculating. 

[unlikely012]

Has anyone had an interview with Pratt that might be willing to share a little bit about their experience? I have my interview with them this week and am a little nervous to speak to two profs together since the rest of my interviews have been one on one. Not necessarily looking for specific questions they asked if that's too personal, just the overall focus/style of the interview!

[yellosloth]

15 hours ago, intheclerb said:

Hey guys I have my Columbia interview on Friday, applied with sculpture. I am very nervous and intimidated, has anyone interviewed there and if so can you tell me any info that would help me prepare?

I'm currently not accepted anywhere so feeling immense pressure to do well, but also I'm not not sure if I will get enough funding to attend even if I were accepted. Any thoughts are welcome!

Mine felt short, like 15 minutes. They ask about your background, inspirations, why Columbia, and to speak about the process of one work. Also, a few specific questions about your practice. This was for painting, though, so sculpture might be a little different. Good luck! 

[mmav]

UCLA and UC Irvine sent out their rejections today 🥴

I'm officially only waiting to hear back from Parsons DT for anything, and waiting post-interview for UCSD and UW Seattle

Edited Tuesday at 05:31 PM by mmav

[swordfish111]

27 minutes ago, mmav said:

UCLA and UC Irvine sent out their rejections today 🥴

I'm officially only waiting to hear back from Parsons DT for anything, and waiting post-interview for UCSD and UW Seattle

wait did u get an email from ucla or portal? 

[mmav]

4 minutes ago, swordfish111 said:

wait did u get an email from ucla or portal? 

I got an email to check my portal -- also I applied to the DMA MFA, so it might be on a different timeline than the other depts.

[nanaaaa]

4 hours ago, unlikely012 said:

Has anyone had an interview with Pratt that might be willing to share a little bit about their experience? I have my interview with them this week and am a little nervous to speak to two profs together since the rest of my interviews have been one on one. Not necessarily looking for specific questions they asked if that's too personal, just the overall focus/style of the interview!

I had my interview 2 weeks ago with them I was really nervous prior too, but the two profs were super nice and friendly and it didn't come across as intimidating at all! They asked about my practice and background, and in what direction I want to go with during my MFA there, as well as what I expect to gain from attending Pratt. They also made me choose one work from my portfolio to talk about in depth. They generally asked a lot more questions about my work and practice then any other interview I attended thus far. But it was pretty chill overall. I don't remember the questions all to well though but I hope this helps at least a little bit 

[thenightowl212]

Hunter MFA came out, accepted

[boltcutter]

Is anyone starting to turn down schools as they get offers they are more excited about? This part feels really strange and icky. 

[Josh Turner]

32 minutes ago, thenightowl212 said:

Hunter MFA came out, accepted

Yay same! did you also apply for IMA program?

[manti]

3 minutes ago, Josh Turner said:

Yay same! did you also apply for IMA program?

Did you get an email? And which discipline?

[thenightowl212]

5 minutes ago, manti said:

Did you get an email? And which discipline?

Hey, I got an email, and I applied under painting!

[Josh Turner]

6 minutes ago, manti said:

Did you get an email? And which discipline?

Yes! I got an email to check my portal. Integrated Media Arts

[Cowbot]

Biting my finger nails off knowing Yale decisions are most likely coming out tonight or tomorrow 😬😬

[sarinnn]

anyone else still waiting to hear back from RISD after interviews? 🥲 it's not looking good chat

[kamlee]

32 minutes ago, Cowbot said:

Biting my finger nails off knowing Yale decisions are most likely coming out tonight or tomorrow 😬😬

same! I just want to know the verdict 🥲

[kamlee]

29 minutes ago, sarinnn said:

anyone else still waiting to hear back from RISD after interviews? 🥲 it's not looking good chat

what discipline did you apply/interview for?