MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[Noreligion24]

58 minutes ago, Inthestu said:

I heard back from them on April 3rd!

Was it a? Acceptance?

[mmav]

16 hours ago, zaline said:

Hello I am once again looking to start a dialogue on taking out debt. To go to the school that I would like to, I would have to take out about $40,000 in loans. I am super paralyzed in making this decision because I'm super motivated to pursue this program and get an MFA, but am having a really hard time feeling good about taking on that much debt. I know many people take on more than that, but I am calculating a minimum of a $400 monthly payment for at least 10 years in order to pay that back. That is a really overwhelming thing to consider. I'm super disheartened because I was really hoping that this would be the year that I get to go back to school. 

I would really appreciate any thoughts from anyone who is planning to take out loans for their program! With the current state of affairs, I fear graduate funding is only going to become less available so part of me is thinking that maybe I should just accept the partial finding that I received? I worry that this is may be my best shot at this. I would really appreciate some insight !

$40k in the grand scheme of how much crazy debt some of these schools basically expect their grads to take out to be able to attend is not insurmountable, but it definitely is not small (especially with the way you broke it down). Do you have savings? Any family support? Do you plan to work during grad school to offset some costs? If no to these questions, then I personally would recommend against it. The state of federal student loans and how that program is administered is also chaotic right now with the move to defund/dismantle the Dept of Ed. so that's also something to consider. Of course, no one can really speak with finality about what the future state of grad programs will look like (even the departments themselves can't), but I do not think that arts programs are going to be affected to the same extent as STEM grad programs since they're typically not reliant on federal grants/funding. Their money usually comes from just general department budget the larger university gives them (at least for state schools), as well as donations. Just consider some of the lifestyle and opportunity cost you might have to sacrifice during and post MFA if you do decide to take out the loan. If you decide to try again next cycle, look at more fully funded programs too.

Edited April 10 by mmav

[sirconcision]

Any other waitlisters (im)patiently waiting to see what happens after tomorrow? Been over 2 months since waitlist notification... it's almost over!!!!

[beebaboobop]

Hello! Has anybody on this forum decided to attend the MFA program in photography at MassArt? I just committed and I am super curious how else will be attending! 

[Engraced1]

2 hours ago, sirconcision said:

Sorry. Where were you wait listed? Also on wait list.

 

[Engraced1]

2 hours ago, sirconcision said:

Any other waitlisters (im)patiently waiting to see what happens after tomorrow? Been over 2 months since waitlist notification... it's almost over!!!!

Sorry. Where were you wait listed? Also on wait list.

[tooold4artschool]

13 hours ago, sirconcision said:

Any other waitlisters (im)patiently waiting to see what happens after tomorrow? Been over 2 months since waitlist notification... it's almost over!!!!

Yep.  I signed a letter saying I acknowledged the process could take until August, but admissions told me May was more likely.  I am getting really invested in the other program, where I was accepted, but if I get off this waitlist, it would make my life a lot easier.  So much so, that I am thinking about taking a year off and trying again, even though the program I got into is perfect for me.  So stressful.  

[sirconcision]

10 hours ago, Engraced1 said:

Sorry. Where were you wait listed? Also on wait list.

Waitlisted at UT-Austin. I have a generous offer at RIT but UT is fully funded and would really like to not pay for the degree

[Engraced1]

Let's be hopeful. RIT ain't bad too. What funding did you receive from them? Maybe one can consider them.

[sirconcision]

1 hour ago, Engraced1 said:

Let's be hopeful. RIT ain't bad too. What funding did you receive from them? Maybe one can consider them.

95% so it's basically covered but no stipend. Will do that if it's the only offer that comes through 

[Noreligion24]

18 hours ago, sirconcision said:

Any other waitlisters (im)patiently waiting to see what happens after tomorrow? Been over 2 months since waitlist notification... it's almost over!!!!

Same here. Wishing you luck! (Though there still is a possibility we won’t know today:/ )

Edited April 15 by Noreligion24

[Calcifer]

Got all my waitlisted schools to inform me today that I won’t make it in. It’s bittersweet but makes me glad I accepted another school beforehand. The guessing and waiting game was the worst!

[Kalonde]

Anybody committed to Rutgers? I got a notification that I made it off the waitlist but they told me so close to the deadline that I'm not really sure anymore.

[sirconcision]

1 hour ago, Kalonde said:

Anybody committed to Rutgers? I got a notification that I made it off the waitlist but they told me so close to the deadline that I'm not really sure anymore.

Did they give you a deadline to respond by?

[Kalonde]

3 minutes ago, sirconcision said:

Did they give you a deadline to respond by?

It was today, but they said they would give me more time because I'm weary of moving across the country with the way things are looking even in comparison to a few months ago

[Inthestu]

Has anyone committed to Columbia for Visual arts, and what made you commit?!  I’m in between Columbia and NYU. Has anyone had luck with negotiating the financial aid package? 

[Noreligion24]

3 hours ago, Inthestu said:

Has anyone committed to Columbia for Visual arts, and what made you commit?!  I’m in between Columbia and NYU. Has anyone had luck with negotiating the financial aid package? 

Have you weighed out the pros and cons? Which program suits ur needs more?

[artluv]

Hi everyone,

not doing my MFA quite yet but wanted to see if anyone might have some advice for me! I was accepted into the summer painting intensive program at Columbia this summer- wondering if anyone has done this before? Could potentially give insight into the program and if it's worth it? I am trying to get my work fully developed for an MFA program and feel hopeful that this program may give me the guidance I need. Unsure about the price tag though. If anyone has advice i would so greatly appreciate it💖