MFA 2025 Freak Out Forum

[Cowbot]

35 minutes ago, Turtle222 said:

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  !!

 

It is a fully funded program! They just don’t have a dollar amount for tuition yet, just the promise that it will be paid. Other schools typically give you a clearer cost breakdown before you commit. Rutgers said they’ll have tuition costs/breakdown by this summer, after people already made their decisions. not the end of the world! I am just nosy and anal about finances
 
I’m so glad to hear you had a good experience! I liked my interview itself but the processing of scheduling it I thought was a bit disorganized and the questions weren’t as personal and specific to my work compared to my Yale interview.

[Turtle222]

1 minute ago, Cowbot said:

It is a fully funded program! They just don’t have a dollar amount for tuition yet, just the promise that it will be paid. Other schools typically give you a clearer cost breakdown before you commit. Rutgers said they’ll have tuition costs/breakdown by this summer, after people already made their decisions. not the end of the world! I am just nosy and anal about finances
 
I’m so glad to hear you had a good experience! I liked my interview itself but the processing of scheduling it I thought was a bit disorganized and the questions weren’t as personal and specific to my work compared to my Yale interview.

Totally, that makes sense! Yeah the interview wasn't specific at ALL - when I had my Columbia one the next week they really wanted to talk about the work and that felt really good. Ugh. Torn. 

[bluemargo96]

4 hours ago, She Ate said:

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 

I got into Columbia waitlisted by Hunter — would love

to hear people’s thoughts on these two and for those accepted which you are leaning towards

Edited March 11 by bluemargo96

[bluemargo96]

Does anyone have any resources on how to negotiate aid? I don’t have any good competing offers yet unfortunately. This is for Columbia and none of the other schools I applied to are better

[mmav]

1 hour ago, bluemargo96 said:

Does anyone have any resources on how to negotiate aid? I don’t have any good competing offers yet unfortunately. This is for Columbia and none of the other schools I applied to are better

Have you filled out FAFSA? I would also ask if there are opportunities to apply to grants/fellowships or graduate assistantships or research assistantships on campus (although the research world funding at Columbia right now is kinda up in the air for a lot of projects), if there are, how much they pay you. 

[bluemargo96]

2 minutes ago, mmav said:

Have you filled out FAFSA? I would also ask if there are opportunities to apply to grants/fellowships or graduate assistantships or research assistantships on campus (although the research world funding at Columbia right now is kinda up in the air for a lot of projects), if there are, how much they pay you. 

Yes I have. I’ve gotten aid but want to negotiate for more. Wondering how to approach those convos

[mmav]

4 minutes ago, bluemargo96 said:

Yes I have. I’ve gotten aid but want to negotiate for more. Wondering how to approach those convos

I've been pretty upfront and straightforward with my negotiations since I have a really good funding package from a program that I've been using for leverage at less funded programs, but if you don't have a funding offer in hand (unless you're just waiting on results from a funded program), maybe just straight up email them and ask for more (and cite cost of living/your current financial situation/inflation/whatever other circumstance that's relevant) and at the same time, stating how much you truly want to go to the program, and how Columbia is THE place for you to be bc x, y, z, and how much the program would help your artistic goals etc. Also not to be like pro-chat bots, but tbh asking Chat GPT about how to word those kinds of emails also helps if you're having trouble with the tone.

[bluemargo96]

3 minutes ago, mmav said:

I've been pretty upfront and straightforward with my negotiations since I have a really good funding package from a program that I've been using for leverage at less funded programs, but if you don't have a funding offer in hand (unless you're just waiting on results from a funded program), maybe just straight up email them and ask for more (and cite cost of living/your current financial situation/inflation/whatever other circumstance that's relevant) and at the same time, stating how much you truly want to go to the program, and how Columbia is THE place for you to be bc x, y, z, and how much the program would help your artistic goals etc. Also not to be like pro-chat bots, but tbh asking Chat GPT about how to word those kinds of emails also helps if you're having trouble with the tone.

Thankkk you! Will give it a shot

[sCuLpTuRe123]

Are any schools offering to cover travel costs for accepted students to visit? 

[thenightowl212]

7 hours ago, bluemargo96 said:

I got into Columbia waitlisted by Hunter — would love

To hear people’s thoughts on these two and for those accepted which you are leaning towards

If you don't mind me asking, what medium were you applying for? (I'm going for painting.)

I have a much more positive opinion of Hunter over Columbia. The main critique I have with Columbia is the cost. Many of my peers who attended the program brought up how the debt became a problem post-graduation (and how stingy Columbia was with aid), and frankly, upon visiting, I don't believe the quality of the facilties or studios justifies it either. Columbia also isn't the best place right now as an institution. These reasons alone were why I didn't apply to the program

Hunter, on the other hand, has much better studios, solid facilities, and a great faculty comparable to Columbia. It's also a lot cheaper. Its proximity to the art scene downtown I found as a nice bonus. If there is anything else I would say, most people in the art world I met typically preferred Hunter over Columbia. My peers who graduated from there have also been doing fairly well. I got accepted, and the faculty have since been proactive, even offering to meet during their open studios.

I hope I answered your question. Feel free to respond

Edited March 12 by thenightowl212

[thenightowl212]

11 hours ago, She Ate said:

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 

just responded with my thoughts

[bluemargo96]

35 minutes ago, thenightowl212 said:

If you don't mind me asking, what medium were you applying for? (I'm going for painting.)

I have a much more positive opinion of Hunter over Columbia. The main critique I have with Columbia is the cost. Many of my peers who attended the program brought up how the debt became a problem post-graduation (and how stingy Columbia was with aid), and frankly, upon visiting, I don't believe the quality of the facilties or studios justifies it either. Columbia also isn't the best place right now as an institution. These reasons alone were why I didn't apply to the program

Hunter, on the other hand, has much better studios, solid facilities, and a great faculty comparable to Columbia. It's also a lot cheaper. Its proximity to the art scene downtown I found as a nice bonus. If there is anything else I would say, most people in the art world I met typically preferred Hunter over Columbia. My peers who graduated from there have also been doing fairly well. I got accepted, and the faculty have since been proactive, even offering to meet during their open studios.

I hope I answered your question. Feel free to respond

Thanks for your perspective. The cost is definitely a downside but some people have gotten good aid packages, someone I know took out about $20k/year in loans.

I didn’t connect with the interviewers who interviewed me  Hunter as much as Columbia however, things didn’t “click” if that makes sense vs really getting along with the Columbia faculty. That said I have been waitlisted for Hunter so I’m not sure that’s even an option! It seems like a great program.

Edited March 12 by bluemargo96

[thenightowl212]

4 minutes ago, bluemargo96 said:

Thanks for your perspective. The cost is definitely a downside but some people have gotten good aid packages, someone I know took out about $20k/year in loans.

I didn’t connect with the interviewers for  Hunter as much as Columbia however, things didn’t “click” if that makes sense. That said I have been waitlisted for Hunter so I’m not sure that’s even an option! It seems like a great program.

I get where you're coming from. It happens; however, perhaps that could be redirection. none of these programs are the be-all end-all for anyone.

That being said, I will most likely turn down my acceptance to Hunter, and I'm certain that as we approach April, more of us may do the same. Don't lose hope yet about the waiting list

[bluemargo96]

3 minutes ago, thenightowl212 said:

I get where you're coming from. It happens; however, perhaps that could be redirection. none of these programs are the be-all end-all for anyone.

That being said, I will most likely turn down my acceptance to Hunter, and I'm certain that as we approach April, more of us may do the same. Don't lose hope yet about the waiting list

Oh wow really! Where are you thinking of going instead?

[thenightowl212]

8 minutes ago, bluemargo96 said:

Oh wow really! Where are you thinking of going instead?

Yale. I've been in New York for much of my life and was looking to take a break for a bit to focus on my art practice; funnily enough, Yale was the only grad school outside the city that accepted me (assuming UCLA still is waiting to release decisions)

Edited March 12 by thenightowl212

[BoDaisy141]

Has anyone received any updates from UCLA? Even interviews? (specifically with the Painting program) - I haven't heard anything and am wondering if that means I wont get in, although I've seen that they sometimes don't even do interviews? Not sure

[bluemargo96]

9 hours ago, thenightowl212 said:

Yale. I've been in New York for much of my life and was looking to take a break for a bit to focus on my art practice; funnily enough, Yale was the only grad school outside the city that accepted me (assuming UCLA still is waiting to release decisions)

O nice congrats! How is Yale with financial aid/scholarships? They don't do full rides right?

[freshman2024]

22 hours 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!

If you got into yale photo, you go to yale photo! Obviously thats easy to say without thinking financially, but I thought Rutgers facilities were poor and they seemed really unorganized when I interviewed in person. Other then, Mark McKnight the faculty seems super out of touch / not exhibiting. Most people I know who have finished Yale in the past few years have rocketed career-wise, think the name certainly helps a lot. 

Edited March 12 by freshman2024

[Cowbot]

14 minutes ago, freshman2024 said:

If you got into yale photo, you go to yale photo! Obviously thats easy to say without thinking financially, but I thought Rutgers facilities were poor and they seemed really unorganized when I interviewed in person. Other then, Mark McKnight the faculty seems super out of touch / not exhibiting. Most people I know who have finished Yale in the past few years have rocketed career-wise, think the name certainly helps a lot. 

This is incredibly helpful to hear and was my suspicion! Mark McKnight was the only person I was really excited to study with and seems to be the only dedicated photo faculty member they have. Yale grads all seem to exhibit soon after finishing the program and ofc the faculty are all active in the field. Hearing that the Rutgers facilities were poor and they’re disorganized in person was the nail in the coffin for me. Thank you! Now just waiting on Yale financial aid

[freshman2024]

3 minutes ago, Cowbot said:

This is incredibly helpful to hear and was my suspicion! Mark McKnight was the only person I was really excited to study with and seems to be the only dedicated photo faculty member they have. Yale grads all seem to exhibit soon after finishing the program and ofc the faculty are all active in the field. Hearing that the Rutgers facilities were poor and they’re disorganized in person was the nail in the coffin for me. Thank you! Now just waiting on Yale financial aid

Sure! Congrats on both admissions! Hope yale gives you a nice fat financial package and makes the choice easy haha 

[applicator0]

Has anyone heard back from NYU Steinhardt yet? 

[nanaaaa]

4 minutes ago, applicator0 said:

Has anyone heard back from NYU Steinhardt yet? 

Yes I have received my notification via email to check the portal. I think last week? Idk I'm not sure but its been a while

[applicator0]

7 minutes ago, nanaaaa said:

Yes I have received my notification via email to check the portal. I think last week? Idk I'm not sure but its been a while

Huh, weird. I don’t have a portal update yet and I just checked. Would it be bad form to email and ask? 

Also, may I ask if you interviewed?

Edited March 12 by applicator0

[thenightowl212]

2 hours ago, bluemargo96 said:

O nice congrats! How is Yale with financial aid/scholarships? They don't do full rides right?

they can give full-rides, the catch is that it's need-based aid. So it's dependent on the amount of money you and your family makes (as far as I know from peers, there could be more to it)

Edited March 12 by thenightowl212

[bluemargo96]

1 hour ago, thenightowl212 said:

they can give full-rides, the catch is that it's need-based aid. So it's dependent on the amount of money you and your family makes (as far as I know from peers, there could be more to it)

Right I hear they are way more generous with aid. Congrats again and good luck!!