MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[Cowbot]

46 minutes ago, Lala4477 said:

accepted to rutgers and waitlisted at yale for photo.. hehe whats the likelihood of getting off the waitlist at yale? ❤️

First of all congrats!! People don’t usually give up spots at Yale but it’s not unheard of! I know someone who made it off the waitlist for Yale Photo, and John Pilson (who’s faculty there) was actually admitted off the waitlist! They did say in their open house that they don’t rank their waitlist and there’s usually 4-5 people on it max. And who they admit off of the waitlist is about who would fit in best to the existing cohort and not about one artist being “better” than another. So idk that there’s anything to be done on your end. It’s an achievement in and of itself as much as it sucks to be in limbo. Crossing my fingers for you! Hope this was at all helpful 

[Lala4477]

thanks cowbot  and congrats! 

 

[Turtle222]

Anyone have an insight on Columbia vs Rutgers other than the obvious differences in tuition? Painting concentration but also interdisciplinary....

[yellosloth]

3 hours ago, unTraceableBeing said:

Same, it just says "Submitted" for me. I applied for painting

The top says submitted, but when I scroll to the bottom, mine says, "Decision Status: Available beginning 3/4/2025 Your application decision is now available online." 

[unTraceableBeing]

15 minutes ago, yellosloth said:

The top says submitted, but when I scroll to the bottom, mine says, "Decision Status: Available beginning 3/4/2025 Your application decision is now available online." 

Thank you! I just checked again but there is nothing like that for me on the dashboard or even when I click into "Check your application". I just see

Congratulations <name> ! All required questions have been completed and your Application has been successfully submitted.

[VanillaYogurt]

Has anybody gotten their final letters from RISD yet?

[tooold4artschool]

2 hours ago, Kalonde said:

Can I ask how you found out? I haven't heard anything at all and don't see an update in the portal

Email to check the portal.  All very bureaucratic.  

[keytomyheart]

 

I emailed Hunter, and they replied that application decisions will be going out over the next week!

 

 

 

Edited Thursday at 09:30 PM by keytomyheart

[boltcutter]

24 minutes ago, VanillaYogurt said:

Has anybody gotten their final letters from RISD yet?

No and it's driving me a little nuts was told me we'd be getting them this week, so I'm trying to settle down. Eager to get this signed and sealed.

[Kalonde]

has anybody else been rejected or not heard back from Rutgers? I would assume schools send rejections out at the same time but maybe not

[boltcutter]

19 hours ago, kamlee said:

Has anyone decided what school they are going to attend? If so, what has led  you toward choosing that program? I’m deciding between two schools and I’m having a hard time knowing which to choose. 

Yes! I applied to four programs that I could get to from my home (I have 3 kids and my husband's job is here...so no re-locating). 

I got into all four programs which was a shock - SMFA, BU, MassArt, and RISD. I chose RISD primarily because it has everything I want from a program from the course load, pedagogical structure, facilities, student work past/present, and a professor who makes work that I love and want to learn from.

It is unfortunately by far the most expensive program and I received the least amount of funding for it; however with my kids it is childcare that is the greater barrier to my enrollment over finances, and not only is RISD my favorite program, it is also a bike ride away which will allow me better tailor my studio hours to my availability. 

[manti]

Yale rejection. Is it even worth reapplying next year if I interviewed but wasn't waitlisted this year? 

[sarinnn]

Got into RISD D+M!

[wooowza15]

For anyone who got into RISD, did you get any financial aid breakdown in your award letter? There's none on mine and if this basically means there's no support, I'm unfortunately going to need to decline. 

[Rosebud510]

Hello - new to posting but have been following along! This was my first year applying and its looking like I will have to apply again (waitlisted, so we'll see!).

I am just curious, for those who were accepted into Yale or Columbia - what is your exhibition history like?

I have a very strong arts admin resume, but have not shown my work very much. I am trying to figure out if its worth it to apply again.

Also I got waitlisted from RISD painting today, if that is helpful to anyone!

[Rosebud510]

1 hour ago, manti said:

Yale rejection. Is it even worth reapplying next year if I interviewed but wasn't waitlisted this year? 

Just getting an interview is huge! Someone else mentioned that their waitlist is very minimal - reapply! Everyone I spoke to said to be prepared to apply more than once for the top tier programs.

[thenightowl212]

2 hours ago, manti said:

Yale rejection. Is it even worth reapplying next year if I interviewed but wasn't waitlisted this year? 

If you believe it's the program for you, then yes. It took me three tries before getting the acceptance. Perseverance is all that I can say

[Cowbot]

37 minutes ago, Rosebud510 said:

Hello - new to posting but have been following along! This was my first year applying and its looking like I will have to apply again (waitlisted, so we'll see!).

I am just curious, for those who were accepted into Yale or Columbia - what is your exhibition history like?

I have a very strong arts admin resume, but have not shown my work very much. I am trying to figure out if its worth it to apply again.

Also I got waitlisted from RISD painting today, if that is helpful to anyone!

Didn’t apply to Columbia but got into Yale photo and have never exhibited outside of on-campus undergrad shows! I don’t think they take work/exhibition history into consideration. Helpful if you have it but not harmful if you don’t. 1000% worth reapplying IMO. Especially if you were waitlisted. Everyone I’ve known who’s reapplied to Yale after getting waitlisted has gotten in

[kamlee]

5 hours ago, VanillaYogurt said:

Has anybody gotten their final letters from RISD yet?

I got mine this evening! Have you received yours yet? 

[beanbagboy]

13 hours ago, ArtsyAF said:

What discipline are you referring to? I can speak to the Tyler Graphic Design MFA but not the others specifically.

The facilities are phenomenal at Tyler and Philly is a really cool city to be in! Most of the MFAs have very small cohorts, some as small as 3. The campus isn't in the best of areas but the buildings are all key card access and have security. Just like any city there's some rougher areas so you just have to be aware:) 

Thanks for sharing! I would be a part of Tyler Sculpture, but I was specifically wondering about how student centric and collaborative Tyler as a whole was. 

[sCuLpTuRe123]

14 hours ago, beepbeepmeep said:

thank you! i did get the fully funded program and accepted! SAIC will be giving the 100% to someone else

Hell yeah! Congrats! 

[mmav]

Does anybody know how much money the stipend at UCSD is? I'm trying to decide if I should stay on the waitlist or consider my other funded options more.

Edited Friday at 05:10 AM by mmav

[Rosebud510]

@Cowbot Okay thanks! Good to know!

[unTraceableBeing]

17 hours ago, keytomyheart said:

 

I emailed Hunter, and they replied that application decisions will be going out over the next week!

 

 

 

Just got an email saying I got waitlisted. They say “many” people on the waitlist ultimately get offers…back to the waiting game

[bluemargo96]

2 minutes ago, unTraceableBeing said:

Just got an email saying I got waitlisted. They say “many” people on the waitlist ultimately get offers…back to the waiting game

Same here