NanBan Posted February 12 Posted February 12 On 2/11/2026 at 12:40 PM, tooold4artschool said: Just received email notice that SVA closed its Art Practice MFA program "due to low enrollment." Hi TO4AS: I just read that email too. I'm disappointed. I'm really interested in a "Low Residency" program where I can immerse myself on campus (in the studio, in critiques, in lectures, with a cohort) for 6-8 weeks a year and then I can be a zoom student with a job and a studio practice for the rest of the year. Is that what you are applying to also? In addition to SVA Art Practice, I applied to SAIC Low Res, Bard, and MassArt. Can you suggest any other programs I should look into?
noplace Posted February 12 Posted February 12 18 hours ago, Pommekites said: Hello&congrats, I also got an interview invite from Columbia (sculpture) on Feb 10, but they only offered online interviews and two dates to choose from (feb 14 and 15), hmmm I wonder why...wish I can have more prep time! how did your interview go, and what did they ask you?
jobahza Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Not sure how to feel about this. I interview with three schools and got waitlisted at all of them. I only applied to the fully funded programs that are very small. I'm not sure if I should feel sad or proud of myself, since I didn't go to art school, and I am mostly self-taught/created my work through DIY community. It is what it is. At least it's not a flat out no. I guess I'm still waiting to hear back from 3 more schools. crying, artschoolfrenzy, Lempicka and 1 other 3 1
peachpie Posted February 13 Posted February 13 does anyone know how soon after interviewing do programs get back to you? I interviewed with RISD last Thursday and they said they'd let me know quickly, but not sure when to expect and im just so nervous LOL
artschoolfrenzy Posted February 13 Posted February 13 I'm still waiting to hear from SVA after interviewing like 2 weeks ago, is hope lost?
sillypersimmon.21 Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Any updates on UCSD? Its the last school I'm really hoping on hearing from (and they are one of my top picks)!
Björk Posted February 13 Posted February 13 (edited) 2 hours ago, sillypersimmon.21 said: Any updates on UCSD? Its the last school I'm really hoping on hearing from (and they are one of my top picks)! I had a photo interview with UCSD this week. They told me their program probably won’t be fully funded for three years anymore due to funding cuts. Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll hear back. They said probably two or three weeks, but it sounds like they have some stuff going on behind the scenes that they might need to get in order. Here’s where I stand. UCSD - Interviewed Carnegie Mellon - Interviewed VCU - Silence Cornell - Silence UCLA - Silence This is my second time applying, but my schools are different this time. Last time I think around now I knew where I was interviewing. Seems a little odd to still be waiting, but it’s all I can do. Edited February 13 by Björk sillypersimmon.21 1
tooold4artschool Posted February 13 Posted February 13 7 hours ago, NanBan said: Hi TO4AS: I just read that email too. I'm disappointed. I'm really interested in a "Low Residency" program where I can immerse myself on campus (in the studio, in critiques, in lectures, with a cohort) for 6-8 weeks a year and then I can be a zoom student with a job and a studio practice for the rest of the year. Is that what you are applying to also? In addition to SVA Art Practice, I applied to SAIC Low Res, Bard, and MassArt. Can you suggest any other programs I should look into? I planned to attend in-residence last year, but I decided not to move, which limited my options, hence the interest in low-res programs this year. I went to the VCFA Open House last month. It seemed like it was well-organized and the students seemed happy. Although the V stands for Vermont, the residencies are at CalArts in California. U Nevada-Reno's program is also intriguing, and seems well-run, with residencies at Lake Tahoe. I've also had great experiences with Azusa-Pacific, near Los Angeles. On the East Coast, the folks at Maine CAD seem to be running their program very professionally. Cost, rankings, and program timing and organization vary. NanBan 1
gone4good Posted February 13 Posted February 13 3 hours ago, peachpie said: does anyone know how soon after interviewing do programs get back to you? I interviewed with RISD last Thursday and they said they'd let me know quickly, but not sure when to expect and im just so nervous LOL Which department did you apply for? D+M said to expect to hear back latest by the beginning of March...
ninjafrog Posted February 13 Posted February 13 (edited) On 2/12/2026 at 7:18 AM, spider16 said: Just wanted to share my updates (+ last year's results for comparison) 2025: SVA - Accepted with $9k/year scholarship, negotiated to $15k/year (unfortunately still not sustainable for me at the time) MICA (Hoffberger) - Accepted with $25k/year scholarship Pratt - Accepted, no scholarship BU - Rejected Yale - Rejected Rutgers - Rejected Hunter - Rejected 2026 (so far): SVA - Accepted with $22k/year scholarship (thank god) SAIC - Interviewed, waiting to hear back MICA (Hoffberger) - Interview scheduled BU - Interview scheduled UPenn - Interview scheduled Pratt - Interview scheduled Yale - Rejected Hunter - Rejected RISD - No word, assuming rejection Tyler - No word, assuming rejection Cornell - No word, assuming rejection Rutgers - No word, assuming rejection If anyone has any questions (or if anyone has heard from Cornell or Rutgers -- ik RISD + Tyler already sent out interview invites) please lmk! Good luck to everyone < 3 Hi! May I ask what your major is? How did you get scholarship from SVA at this stage? (I acc reached out to you before thru msg hehe) I’ve been accepted to SVA, CalArts, and Pratt (Design), but none of them have sent any information about financial aid or scholarships but only acceptance notification. It’s been over a week since my acceptance, so I’m still unsure about the typical timeline. Do schools usually send scholarship information separately or later on? Edited February 13 by ninjafrog
ninjafrog Posted February 13 Posted February 13 (edited) This is my first time to apply MFA! I’ve recently been admitted to SVA, Pratt, and CalArts (MFA Graphic Design), but non of them sent any information regarding financial aid or merit-based scholarships yet. As an international student, merit-based funding is very important for me, so I’m wondering: Do schools usually send scholarship information together with the acceptance letter, or does it come separately later? Is it normal not to hear anything but only acceptance notification yet at this stage? When do financial aid notifications typically come out...? I’ve reached out to the department at SVA but haven’t received a response yet. If anyone has experience with this, especially as an international student, I would really appreciate your insight. Edited February 13 by ninjafrog
5280stwu Posted February 13 Posted February 13 10 hours ago, Meepmorpmoop said: Wow suddenly I can reply here lol. I had my interview with SAIC FVNMA last Saturday. Haven’t heard anything from UCLA DMA unfortunately. Pratt reached out to me about an issue with my application, so tbd what happens after that! congrats on finishing your interview! would you be open to sharing a bit about your interview experience? i'm currently preparing for mine and would love to hear any insights you might have. happy to share my risd experience in return if that helps! :)"
sillypersimmon.21 Posted February 13 Posted February 13 1 hour ago, Björk said: I had a photo interview with UCSD this week. They told me their program probably won’t be fully funded for three years anymore due to funding cuts. Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll hear back. They said probably two or three weeks, but it sounds like they have some stuff going on behind the scenes that they might need to get in order. Here’s where I stand. UCSD - Interviewed Carnegie Mellon - Interviewed VCU - Silence Cornell - Silence UCLA - Silence This is my second time applying, but my schools are different this time. Last time I think around now I knew where I was interviewing. Seems a little odd to still be waiting, but it’s all I can do. Damn thats is too bad when it comes to funding... this seems to be a common theme this year. I'm pretty shocked to hear about that coming from a UC school though! Congrats on the interviews so far regardless!
arthurrussell Posted February 13 Posted February 13 6 hours ago, Björk said: I had a photo interview with UCSD this week. They told me their program probably won’t be fully funded for three years anymore due to funding cuts. Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll hear back. They said probably two or three weeks, but it sounds like they have some stuff going on behind the scenes that they might need to get in order. Here’s where I stand. UCSD - Interviewed Carnegie Mellon - Interviewed VCU - Silence Cornell - Silence UCLA - Silence This is my second time applying, but my schools are different this time. Last time I think around now I knew where I was interviewing. Seems a little odd to still be waiting, but it’s all I can do. What do you mean photo interview?
IDKmoll Posted February 13 Posted February 13 13 hours ago, sillypersimmon.21 said: Update: Just got an email for an interview request from UW Congrats on the interview offer from UW! Do you know if UW MDes interview invitations have started going out?
L4mp Posted February 13 Posted February 13 16 hours ago, ncivormdjek said: I haven’t heard from UCLA DMA either, but I am not sure if anyone has? Can anyone here confirm? I know three international students who got interviews and they all interviewed on Feb.6. I didn't receive one and don't know if any more will come out. Meepmorpmoop 1
Meepmorpmoop Posted February 13 Posted February 13 9 hours ago, 5280stwu said: congrats on finishing your interview! would you be open to sharing a bit about your interview experience? i'm currently preparing for mine and would love to hear any insights you might have. happy to share my risd experience in return if that helps! :)" Yes sure! It was really chill—the interviewers seemed relaxed and engaged with my work. They only asked 3 questions and pasted them individually into the video chat, which was v helpful. (If I remember correctly, they asked about why grad school now, what my influences are, and what I hope to make in their program.) I interviewed w CalArts last year, and their interview was much more abstract and intense lol (it was like 5-6 people). Feel free to share your risd exprience—I didn’t apply but might next year!
arthurrussell Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Just received my acceptance to BU’s sculpture program! The financial support is only 50% tuition, though, which puts it down my list… Congrats to all who’s gotten great news so far, and good luck to everyone! Everything happens for a reason! L4mp, ceramics233 and crash1996 3
orangeorangecake Posted February 13 Posted February 13 12 hours ago, Björk said: I had a photo interview with UCSD this week. They told me their program probably won’t be fully funded for three years anymore due to funding cuts. Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll hear back. They said probably two or three weeks, but it sounds like they have some stuff going on behind the scenes that they might need to get in order. Here’s where I stand. UCSD - Interviewed Carnegie Mellon - Interviewed VCU - Silence Cornell - Silence UCLA - Silence This is my second time applying, but my schools are different this time. Last time I think around now I knew where I was interviewing. Seems a little odd to still be waiting, but it’s all I can do. Cornell, what's going on?! Should we just give up on it? 😭 I've only seen one person on Reddit get an interview invite, everyone else says they haven't heard anything. No marketing emails either.
sillypersimmon.21 Posted February 13 Posted February 13 6 hours ago, IDKmoll said: Congrats on the interview offer from UW! Do you know if UW MDes interview invitations have started going out? Thank you! I have no idea for that particular program... but looking at when people have gotten accepted into their MFA programs in the past it looks like they take their time/interview and give admissions later than most schools?
Björk Posted February 13 Posted February 13 30 minutes ago, orangeorangecake said: Cornell, what's going on?! Should we just give up on it? 😭 I've only seen one person on Reddit get an interview invite, everyone else says they haven't heard anything. No marketing emails either. Where on Reddit did you see this? I don’t know. Cornell’s application system was quite messy, with contradictory submission instructions between slideroom and the AAP website. It doesn’t seem they’re very organized, and by the time I finished my application I was kind of over it. The contradictions ended up costing me wasted time and energy I could have spent elsewhere. So it wouldn’t surprise me if they are just being slow and disorganized. Frankly they didn’t set everyone up for success by creating a level playing field to start from. orangeorangecake 1
orangeorangecake Posted February 13 Posted February 13 9 minutes ago, Björk said: Where on Reddit did you see this? I don’t know. Cornell’s application system was quite messy, with contradictory submission instructions between slideroom and the AAP website. It doesn’t seem they’re very organized, and by the time I finished my application I was kind of over it. The contradictions ended up costing me wasted time and energy I could have spent elsewhere. So it wouldn’t surprise me if they are just being slow and disorganized. Frankly they didn’t set everyone up for success by creating a level playing field to start from. I don't recall, but it might be r/ContemporaryArt? And it was in early February—that seems unreasonable to me. The deadline was Jan 15th; could results really come out that early? That person didn't specify which of their programs it was, just mentioned MFA. This is the efficiency of Ivy League institutions, which is why they can maintain their authority. I've tried calling them over the past few days, but they never picked up.
orangeorangecake Posted February 13 Posted February 13 I'm still clinging to a last-ditch hope, has anyone applied to Uni of Oxford? I submitted mine on the deadline day jan 5 and haven't heard anything yet. I heard an international (non-US) applicant got an interview invitation on February 3rd. My friend applied for art history and hasn't heard back either. Do they just dislike US applicants? lol
sylvanian2000 Posted February 13 Posted February 13 has anyone heard back from vcu and risd for painting?
szarh15 Posted February 13 Posted February 13 (edited) 53 minutes ago, sylvanian2000 said: has anyone heard back from vcu and risd for painting? I know RISD sent me an interview invite on January 28 then I had my interview the week after but I haven't heard back regarding a decision yet! This is my first time applying for my MFA and I was NOT ready for the anxiety throughout the waiting process lol Edited February 13 by szarh15
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