MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[sergecee]

On 10/16/2024 at 3:09 PM, prosthetic_head said:

Hi everybody! This will be my first year applying. I feel a little under-prepared after doing a TON of research and prep at the beginning of the year, and then life got in the way for a few months... I'm still finalizing my list of schools to apply to, but my short list at the moment is:

-CCA (I live in the bay and it would be nice to stay because I love my apartment. haha)

-RISD (was not on my list but I found a lecturer whose work I love is there, so might as well try despite the price tag)

-VCU 

-Tyler

I'm also on the fence about UC Davis, I may go ahead and apply there since it's also near me and I've heard really great things about it.
My work is sort of in-between mediums--I make collage and do some drawing and printmaking. 

Excited to hear from everyone else!

I'm from the Philly area. I can't speak to Tyler's program in great detail but Philly has a pretty decent art scene - lots of artist run spaces and regular openings of small shows where lots of artists go to hang out (second Thursdays, first Fridays, etc.), and a few bigger established places as well. Lots of artists are connected to NYC as well. Having never lived on the west coast I figure there could be some differences in schools of thought that could be fun to explore in grad school. 

[sergecee]

My list: comments or reflections are appreciated!

 

Stanford

University Illinois Chicago

Mason Gross - Rutgers

Michigan State

Northwestern

Yale

Sam Fox - WashU - St Louis

Indiana University - Bloomington

University of Washington - Seattle

SUNY Purchase

[prosthetic_head]

3 hours ago, sergecee said:

I'm from the Philly area. I can't speak to Tyler's program in great detail but Philly has a pretty decent art scene - lots of artist run spaces and regular openings of small shows where lots of artists go to hang out (second Thursdays, first Fridays, etc.), and a few bigger established places as well. Lots of artists are connected to NYC as well. Having never lived on the west coast I figure there could be some differences in schools of thought that could be fun to explore in grad school. 

Great to hear! I have a few friends in Philly and though I've only been there for half a day 10 years ago, people tell me I'd like it there 🙂 a good DIY/music scene is important to me.

I've spent very little time on the east coast in general but tbh I'm not really interested in living anywhere out west outside of San Francisco, so I'm going for it in terms of a big move.

Also thinking of adding SUNY Purchase to my list, their printmaking program seems strong! Are you looking at painting for all of your schools?
I would apply to Northwestern however I'm not sure I could hack the Chicago winters. Location has definitely been my #1 factor in terms of choosing programs.

[freshman2024]

On 11/21/2024 at 12:29 PM, sergecee said:

My list: comments or reflections are appreciated!

 

Stanford

University Illinois Chicago

Mason Gross - Rutgers

Michigan State

Northwestern

Yale

Sam Fox - WashU - St Louis

Indiana University - Bloomington

University of Washington - Seattle

SUNY Purchase

What concentration? NJ girl here, Rutgers/ Mason Gross is great. Train station right into NYC. 

[freshman2024]

Did anyone else apply to UMass Amherst ? I saw someone last year in here get invited for an interview around Dec 9th and an acceptance really quickly after. Does anyone know if that's typical for the school or was that a fluke.. or maybe a fib lol? There timeline on the site is more like the typical Jan/ Feb but would be great to not have to wait anxiously if that was true. 

Edited December 1 by freshman2024

[sillygooseart]

On 12/1/2024 at 10:22 AM, freshman2024 said:

Did anyone else apply to UMass Amherst ? I saw someone last year in here get invited for an interview around Dec 9th and an acceptance really quickly after. Does anyone know if that's typical for the school or was that a fluke.. or maybe a fib lol? There timeline on the site is more like the typical Jan/ Feb but would be great to not have to wait anxiously if that was true. 

Hey! I applied to Amherst. I’m not sure about the student who applied in the past, but usually what schools put on their website they stick with. That being said, it’s possible that they didn’t! Don’t give up yet!

[sillygooseart]

On 11/21/2024 at 12:29 PM, sergecee said:

My list: comments or reflections are appreciated!

 

Stanford

University Illinois Chicago

Mason Gross - Rutgers

Michigan State

Northwestern

Yale

Sam Fox - WashU - St Louis

Indiana University - Bloomington

University of Washington - Seattle

SUNY Purchase

I applied to Purchase as well! Are you applying for the dual degree program or just visual arts?

[ArtsyAF]

Hi everyone! Coming on here to post some insight as someone that recently attended Tyler for the Graphic and Interactive design MFA, I would unfortunately advise people to NOT attend there. I wish someone had told me this so I'm doing it in hopes it saves someone!  I was swayed to go because of the generous funding I received in comparison to my other school offers and I regretted it quickly. The program director is a nightmare and extremely difficult to work with, the entire cohort was unhappy and lodged several formal complaints against her and the overall program, which is abysmal. Many of us talked to past graduates that all had similar stories and were just as unhappy with their experience. While Philly is a great city and the facilities are top notch, the program itself is lacking true substance and structure. I can't speak on the other MFA programs at Tyler but if anyone wants more details on the GAID program I am happy to post more and help out!:)

[sergecee]

On 12/6/2024 at 5:57 PM, TNRic said:

I applied to Purchase as well! Are you applying for the dual degree program or just visual arts?

Just Visual Arts, how about you?

[Leee3]

Hi Everyone, 

This is my second year applying for an MFA program. Last year, I was accepted into SAIC, but I couldn't attend due to the lack of a scholarship. This year, I’m reapplying with the hope of securing a merit scholarship.

As I prepare my application, I have several questions and would really appreciate your advice:

1. Should I rewrite my statement of purpose? My main artistic concept and approach haven’t changed much since last year.
2. How many artworks should I include in my portfolio? Last year, I submitted five projects. This year, I’m planning to include 3 new projects and 2 or 3 old ones. What do you think about this balance? How many old artworks should I keep?
3. Should I place the older projects at the beginning or the end of the portfolio?

I’d be grateful for any insights or suggestions!

[sillygooseart]

On 12/11/2024 at 11:50 AM, sergecee said:

Just Visual Arts, how about you?

Dual degree!

[nanaaaa]

On 12/12/2024 at 7:48 AM, Leee3 said:

Hi Everyone, 

This is my second year applying for an MFA program. Last year, I was accepted into SAIC, but I couldn't attend due to the lack of a scholarship. This year, I’m reapplying with the hope of securing a merit scholarship.

As I prepare my application, I have several questions and would really appreciate your advice:

1. Should I rewrite my statement of purpose? My main artistic concept and approach haven’t changed much since last year.
2. How many artworks should I include in my portfolio? Last year, I submitted five projects. This year, I’m planning to include 3 new projects and 2 or 3 old ones. What do you think about this balance? How many old artworks should I keep?
3. Should I place the older projects at the beginning or the end of the portfolio?

I’d be grateful for any insights or suggestions!

Hi

I'm reapplying this year again too.

As for the statement, what one of my professors recommended was to write a new statement, even if nothing much has changed in regards to your practice, because after all, a year has gone by and by that time you have likely changed as well as your perception and views on your own work, or the theoretical framework etc. And if you then still prefer the "old version" of your statement, you can still just leave it as is. 

As for the others, it really is just personal preference ig and what the school is asking for in a portfolio specifically. 

Either way, good luck for this years application!

[nowhere00]

hey! I'm kind of last minute thinking of applying, only to Bard for the MFA in writing. Does anyone know if the situation over there is improved? I know a few years ago it was in shambles after covid and they lost a lot of faculty. I'm really excited to see Hannah Black on there now though. Also, I remember this program used to be funded? Like a small stipend. Am I imagining things? Maybe ten years ago or so 

[masterstothemax]

On 12/16/2024 at 1:43 PM, nowhere00 said:

hey! I'm kind of last minute thinking of applying, only to Bard for the MFA in writing. Does anyone know if the situation over there is improved? I know a few years ago it was in shambles after covid and they lost a lot of faculty. I'm really excited to see Hannah Black on there now though. Also, I remember this program used to be funded? Like a small stipend. Am I imagining things? Maybe ten years ago or so 

hi. this is the visual art form. there is another forum that should have the right information for in one of the literary forums. Maybe this one? https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/167120-2025-creative-writing-mfa-applicants-forum/ 

[masterstothemax]

hi I'm not an applicant this season but I am preparing for the Fall 2027 application season. I'm in my junior year of undergrad concentrating in painting, drawing, and graphic design.

My current goal is to go to grad school in NYC for an Interdisciplinary program.

I have huge master doc of art masters programs I am considering and some baseline information about them including types of funding and types of programs offered. I'm still in the process of creating this but I'll be happy to share it in the few months for any other applicants that might be interested. 

I'm excited to hear about everyone's 2025 results!! Good luck to all!! 

[freshman2024]

anyone applying to unc? / have a read on the program? 

Edited December 17 by freshman2024

[prosthetic_head]

I had a portfolio review with SMFA Tufts today and it was incredibly helpful! The admissions director gave me some things to think about as I finalize my portfolio and gave me reassurance that this is the right time to pursue an MFA, so, fingers crossed 😬

My final list of schools, all printmaking or interdisciplinary:

RISD 
VCU
Tyler
Yale
SMFA Tufts
SUNY Purchase
SVA because I got an application waiver
 

[paintstress]

Hi everyone! Joining the freakout right now, I graduated from my undergrad in 2023 and im currently applying for the first time for Fall 2025. Im a painter who dabbles in sculpture from time to time

Im applying to

Yale (i mean why not haha)

Northwestern

SAIC

UCLA

either pratt or parsons

MICA

Maybe NYU, Uchicago and RISD though i realistically wouldnt be able to afford RISD and living in new york

I know these are all very competitive programs but there are very few schools im willing to go into debt for tbh. My absolute top choices are Yale and Northwestern but it seems like they prefer abstract painters and im a staunch figurative painter whos work has elements of humor (but are NEVER funny!). Plus we all know theyre notoriously ultra competitive. When i toured Northwestern, the person giving me the tour mentioned that they got about three times more requests for tours this year than previous years and that they believe that this upcoming cycle will be a lot more competitive. I even attended a portfolio review event in person where a few of the not super competitive schools told me I seemed ready to apply this year although i was not able to get a review with more competitive schools as the lines were either insanely long (The event ended while i was in line for RISD  ) or time slots were instantly snatched up. Are there any Yale or Northwestern grads/alumni here who are willing to provide some insight on what they are looking for in the application and what the program is like? haha... 

[freshman2024]

has anyone heard back from umass amherst? I interviwed on 12/13 havent heard back and no update on my app portal. kind of assuming rejection.