MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[blue2010]

I'm also curious about this!! I am waitlisted at BU and really curious when I could expect to hear news!

[wooowza15]

17 hours ago, kamlee said:

I officially accepted my offer at RISD today! So excited to attend in the fall. Has anyone else made decisions on where they are going? 

Congrats, so exciting!! I submitted my request to defer admission to next fall (hopefully it'll be approved)

[elevenplate]

Hey! just wondering if anyone got an acceptance from Columbia Sculpture/expanded practice yet?? I heard that they usually have  a short turn around time and we had interviews last Thus/Friday.

[desktop and keyboard]

Got acceptance mail from SAIC! Gonna have to figure out about possible financial supports..

[Rosebud510]

There is an agreement between most grad schools to allow students until April 15th to put down deposits and officially accept. Not all schools go by this, but most do. That being said, for waitlisted folks, I would imagine you should expect to hear shortly after April 15th. If you're top of the list, maybe earlier. 

[Kalonde]

I believe I'm waitlisted at Rutgers, so if I am accepted it is between that and Cranbrook Painting. Anybody out there know how these 2 compare based on reputation and student experience? Moreso Rutgers since I'm pretty familiar with Cranbrook. Rutgers has faculty I'm interested in and I like that it's connected to a larger university. These would both be free but I would have to move for Rutgers and I already live in Michigan

[freshman2024]

42 minutes ago, Kalonde said:

I believe I'm waitlisted at Rutgers, so if I am accepted it is between that and Cranbrook Painting. Anybody out there know how these 2 compare based on reputation and student experience? Moreso Rutgers since I'm pretty familiar with Cranbrook. Rutgers has faculty I'm interested in and I like that it's connected to a larger university. These would both be free but I would have to move for Rutgers and I already live in Michigan

Have you physically been to Rutgers? I thought their facilities were poor. 

[Kalonde]

Just now, freshman2024 said:

Have you physically been to Rutgers? I thought their facilities were poor. 

I haven't gotten the chance to visit but I was gonna try to make the drop in tour this month. That's something I was wondering about 

[Turtle222]

1 hour ago, Kalonde said:

I haven't gotten the chance to visit but I was gonna try to make the drop in tour this month. That's something I was wondering about 

I am also curious about people's takes on Rutgers. Mostly it seems like a well regarded program that people speak warmly of.

Edited March 11 by Turtle222

[freshman2024]

So multiple schools I got into and my top choice OSU, are now on Trump's list of investigations to possibly have funding pulled. 

I really dont know what to do about this, OSU has been quiet and hasnt followed up about a fellowship noimination and supposed increase in my stipend. 

I did get into UConn as well which seems to be staying clear of this whole mess? I was ready to commit to OSU yesterday now I'm scared I'll commit and my funding will get pulled and I wont have other options. Anyone else feeling that pressure? 

[sillygooseart]

33 minutes ago, freshman2024 said:

So multiple schools I got into and my top choice OSU, are now on Trump's list of investigations to possibly have funding pulled. 

I really dont know what to do about this, OSU has been quiet and hasnt followed up about a fellowship noimination and supposed increase in my stipend. 

I did get into UConn as well which seems to be staying clear of this whole mess? I was ready to commit to OSU yesterday now I'm scared I'll commit and my funding will get pulled and I wont have other options. Anyone else feeling that pressure? 

The school I was planning on attending is also on the list. I’m sure right now they’re just as lost as us.. we may have to wait and see what happens 

[freshman2024]

1 minute ago, sillygooseart said:

The school I was planning on attending is also on the list. I’m sure right now they’re just as lost as us.. we may have to wait and see what happens 

I also feel bad a school or two is starting to check in regarding my decision, and I don't want to hold up their waitlists but jeez I feel like I need more time to wait and see like you said. You were leaning towards UC right ? 

[sillygooseart]

7 minutes ago, freshman2024 said:

I also feel bad a school or two is starting to check in regarding my decision, and I don't want to hold up their waitlists but jeez I feel like I need more time to wait and see like you said. You were leaning towards UC right ? 

I’m leaning towards SUNY Purchase! It was one of the three SUNYs put on the list. I’m sure if you communicate with them your concerns they’ll understand. I’m not sure how far these threats to cut funding will go either. It could get held up, or even threaten more schools than what was already on the list. It’s an unfortunate scenario and I wish you the best of luck! 

[Cowbot]

Did anyone (particularly photo/video people) get a chance to visit Rutgers? I’m between Rutgers and Yale, and leaning Yale. I was really excited by the Rutgers program but was less enthusiastic after the way they handled interviews. It seemed kind of disorganized + didn’t leave a good impression. I was wondering if the in-person experience was different. Thanks!

Also if anyone has thoughts on how these programs compare for photo that would be MUCH appreciated!

[Kalonde]

2 minutes ago, Cowbot said:

Did anyone (particularly photo/video people) get a chance to visit Rutgers? I’m between Rutgers and Yale, and leaning Yale. I was really excited by the Rutgers program but was less enthusiastic after the way they handled interviews. It seemed kind of disorganized + didn’t leave a good impression. I was wondering if the in-person experience was different. Thanks!

Also if anyone has thoughts on how these programs compare for photo that would be MUCH appreciated!

What was your interview experience like?  

[She Ate]

Got into Columbia and Hunter for Visual arts! Anyone care to discuss?

I'll be curious to hear Columbia vs. Hunter discourse.

Still waiting for a decision from Rutgers, I interviewed there 3 weeks ago 

[sarinnn]

Anyone else considering RISD but not sure yet? RISD was my top choice and I got 50% tuition coverage, it'll be very tough financially for a couple of years but I think its possible. Only other programs I'm waiting for are UCLA DMA and parsons

[Cowbot]

17 minutes ago, Kalonde said:

What was your interview experience like?  

It was good overall! They only asked me 3 questions (I’m pretty sure they asked everyone the same things) but I loved their answers to my questions and the political slant of the program. They also called me to notify me of my acceptance which was a nice touch. I just didn’t like the way interviews were organized. I wanted to visit in person but they didn’t have enough space for everyone they invited. When I booked my zoom interview they only let me choose a day not a time, and I was assigned a time just a few days in advance. Kind of annoying since the reason I didn’t visit campus was because I couldn’t take a full day off of work and I wound up having to do that anyway because I couldn’t predict when I would have to interview.

Edited March 11 by Cowbot

[She Ate]

15 hours ago, elevenplate said:

Hey! just wondering if anyone got an acceptance from Columbia Sculpture/expanded practice yet?? I heard that they usually have  a short turn around time and we had interviews last Thus/Friday.

I interviewed at Columbia for Sculpture on Friday. They sent me an acceptance email the next day!

 

12 minutes ago, Kalonde said:

What was your interview experience like?  

I also got the sense the interview process was a little disorganized in person. They kept getting my name wrong. It was not a match for me, I still have not heard from them.

This past week I got acceptance letters from Columbia and Hunter.

[Kalonde]

5 minutes ago, She Ate said:

I interviewed at Columbia for Sculpture on Friday. They sent me an acceptance email the next day!

 

I also got the sense the interview process was a little disorganized in person. They kept getting my name wrong. It was not a match for me, I still have not heard from them.

This past week I got acceptance letters from Columbia and Hunter.

 

6 minutes ago, Cowbot said:

It was good overall! They only asked me 3 questions (I’m pretty sure they asked everyone the same things) but I loved their answers to my questions and the political slant of the program. They also called me to notify me of my acceptance which was a nice touch. I just didn’t like the way interviews were organized. I wanted to visit in person but they didn’t have enough space for everyone they invited. When I booked my zoom interview they only let me choose a day not a time, and I was assigned a time just a few days in advance. Kind of annoying since the reason I didn’t visit campus was because I couldn’t take a full day off of work and I wound up having to do that anyway because I couldn’t predict when I would have to interview.

I definitely get the unorganized vibe since I had to wait a little while after my alotted time for them to finish the last interview. Someone from last year said the same thing. Crazy that they emphasize in person interviews without the proper structure. I haven't heard anything either but someone here got a rejection.

[Cowbot]

8 minutes ago, She Ate said:

I interviewed at Columbia for Sculpture on Friday. They sent me an acceptance email the next day!

 

I also got the sense the interview process was a little disorganized in person. They kept getting my name wrong. It was not a match for me, I still have not heard from them.

This past week I got acceptance letters from Columbia and Hunter.

Oh wow! I’m glad it wasn’t just me. I’m sorry they got your name wrong, that’s super tacky and not okay! Did they also only ask you 3 questions? Also did you have a chance to tour facilities?

[She Ate]

2 minutes ago, Cowbot said:

Oh wow! I’m glad it wasn’t just me. I’m sorry they got your name wrong, that’s super tacky and not okay! Did they also only ask you 3 questions? Also did you have a chance to tour facilities?

hmm I feel like they asked more questions but they did not pass the vibe check from my end. I took the train right back to NY after the interview so I did not tour the facilities 

[Leee3]

On 3/3/2025 at 11:36 PM, Yaah said:

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.:/

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit both campuses, each with a wonderful atmosphere and stunning views. I explored several painting studios shared with fiber students in SAIC, and the building itself offered a great view and an inspiring vibe.

Cranbrook stands out from other art schools. Instead of long-term professors, it features a diverse rotation of contemporary visiting artists. The program is heavily critique-based, providing valuable opportunities to sharpen your art criticism and writing skills. The lineup of visiting artists is particularly impressive.

Check the SAIC faculty website—I’m sure you’ll find some lecturers who graduated from Cranbrook, which makes sense given its great reputation.

[Cowbot]

20 minutes ago, Kalonde said:

 

I definitely get the unorganized vibe since I had to wait a little while after my alotted time for them to finish the last interview. Someone from last year said the same thing. Crazy that they emphasize in person interviews without the proper structure. I haven't heard anything either but someone here got a rejection.

I hate to hear that it was a disorganized process on your end too! And you’re not missing out. I got in but then received emails from them that they still don’t know the cost of tuition for the 2025-2026 school year. Which left a Not amazing impression…

[Turtle222]

1 hour ago, Cowbot said:

I hate to hear that it was a disorganized process on your end too! And you’re not missing out. I got in but then received emails from them that they still don’t know the cost of tuition for the 2025-2026 school year. Which left a Not amazing impression…

Eeek, isn't it supposed to be funded?

 

My impression of the interview was a little bit different from some of your experiences. It seemed fast and maybe more like a vibe check, but I really loved how the professors answered my questions - it was clear that they really care about their students and are passionate about the school. It was comforting and i did not get the same impression from some of the other schools that I spoke with. The person who called to accept me was also so warm and informative. 
 

But I haven't visited yet so we will see  !!

 

Edited March 11 by Turtle222