MFA 2026 Freak out Forum

[Painting1]

23 minutes ago, Zipperhead said:

Does RISD generally send out interview requests in batches for specific programs? I'm just worried because I haven't heard anything from RISD photo, and it sounds like you know people who have. 

I don't know if they send out interview requests in baches for specific programs. I hope they do though! 

[arthurrussell]

Just received an interview invite for the Visual Art MFA WashU St Louis…

[sylvanian2000]

still waiting on RISD painting too. hopefully theyre being sent out in batches

[perchperkins]

Does anyone know if Yale has an additional financial aid application other than the FAFSA? I looked on their website and it was kinda confusing 🫠 

[sylvanian2000]

3 minutes ago, perchperkins said:

Does anyone know if Yale has an additional financial aid application other than the FAFSA? I looked on their website and it was kinda confusing 🫠 

yeah but its due in march. cs something. 

[No-Evidence8843]

7 minutes ago, perchperkins said:

Does anyone know if Yale has an additional financial aid application other than the FAFSA? I looked on their website and it was kinda confusing 🫠 

Yale is need based and they say they meet 100% of people's financial aid. However, it's not fully funded. If you're accepted, you can compare the cost of tuition/fees to other school's award letters you'll receive, fully funded and private, and Yale might cost the same after financial aid. There's also fellowships, internal and external, you can inquire more on if you ask them.

Everyone should fill out FASFA, but I don't see it helping much for grad school. Pell Grants are normally non-existent for graduate students, and graduate federal student loans are mess right now with the current administration.

I've been saying this a lot to myself, but you don't know what a school is going to cost and what's the best return on investment until you have received all your award letters from accepted schools.

[mindyourbees]

Just got accepted by UTK for sculpture!!!!!

If anyone has thoughts/insights on the program, would love to hear them!

[jobahza]

Hello all,

 

Has anyone heard from, or might know when they will hear from

 

University of Arizona

Carnegie Mellon

UIC

University Oregon

for interviews or application status?

 

So far I've had interviews at UW-Madison and University of Minnesota, and I have one for University of Arkansas next week. UConn contacted me today, saying they will not have an MFA program and will refund my application fee. I didn't get invited to interview with Ohio State, but that's okay.

I'm excited! Good luck to everyone here! 

 

Edited January 29 by jobahza

[lrnpntng]

35 minutes ago, jobahza said:

Hello all,

 

Has anyone heard from, or might know when they will hear from

 

University of Arizona

Carnegie Mellon

UIC

University Oregon

for interviews or application status?

 

So far I've had interviews at UW-Madison and University of Minnesota, and I have one for University of Arkansas next week. UConn contacted me today, saying they will not have an MFA program and will refund my application fee. I didn't get invited to interview with Ohio State, but that's okay.

I'm excited! Good luck to everyone here! 

 

Hey, 
Haven't heard from any of those, but what department did you apply to? I haven't heard from three of those schools you had interviews for and I applied to all of those lol rip...but I applied for painting

Edited January 29 by lrntlmn

[jobahza]

Just now, lrntlmn said:

Hey, 
Haven't heard from any of those, but what department did you apply to? I haven't heard from three of those schools you had interviews for and I applied to all of those rip. But I applied for painting

I just figured out how to reply to people here lol. I applied to interdisciplinary programs there, but with focuses on filmmaking and photography. 

[lrnpntng]

12 minutes ago, jobahza said:

I just figured out how to reply to people here lol. I applied to interdisciplinary programs there, but with focuses on filmmaking and photography. 

Bless, then I still have hope lol. Sucks to hear about UConn, Michigan State did the same thing but right before the application process really started. 
Good luck with everything!! 

Edited January 29 by lrntlmn
wrong school mentioned oopsie!!

[No-Evidence8843]

15 minutes ago, lrntlmn said:

Bless, then I still have hope lol. Sucks to hear about UConn, Michigan State did the same thing but right before the application process really started. 
Good luck with everything!! 

Did michigan state give a reason, like was it internal or was it federal funding issues? Uconn just said it was an unforeseen circumstance; no explanation given.

[lrnpntng]

20 minutes ago, No-Evidence8843 said:

Did michigan state give a reason, like was it internal or was it federal funding issues? Uconn just said it was an unforeseen circumstance; no explanation given.

Yah I emailed the person who sent out the email notifying their cancellation of mfa admissions, and was like heyyyy girlie is this a Michigan State problem or a US Funding type deal lol
Her reply was:
"We are sad too, but look forward to reopening admissions next year. This is a problem with public universities across the country. We were lucky not to have to cancel admission for this year but could not escape the current fiscal reality this year. If you are still looking for a program next year, keep us in mind." 

Ominous as hell...I am so nervous for funding and all that jazz...If only I got my stuff together and graduated with my BFA like 3 years earlier lol

If you want, you can always reach out to UConn and ask why. Can't hurt, especially if you're curious and want to know. I didn't end up applying there so I never got that email

 

Edited January 29 by lrntlmn

[No-Evidence8843]

6 minutes ago, lrntlmn said:

Yah I emailed the person who sent out the email notifying their cancellation of mfa admissions, and was like heyyyy girlie is this a Michigan State problem or a US Funding type deal lol
Her reply was:
"We are sad too, but look forward to reopening admissions next year. This is a problem with public universities across the country. We were lucky not to have to cancel admission for this year but could not escape the current fiscal reality this year. If you are still looking for a program next year, keep us in mind." 

Ominous as hell...I am so nervous for funding and all that jazz...If only I got my stuff together and graduated with my BFA like 3 years earlier lol

 

I really hope this is only a couple schools since this thread already shows other schools going through with interviewing/ accepting students.

The reality is for so many people, there is no next year for applying to michigan state or uconn; people will accept offers elsewhere. I think it's important people go to grad school this year, because there may be less funding next time, so go now while there's still a chance.

 

I sent a reply to uconn, but it was bounced back. I don't think I will ask again, it seems clear it's a funding issue.

Edited January 29 by No-Evidence8843

[lrnpntng]

4 minutes ago, No-Evidence8843 said:

I really hope this is only a couple schools since this thread already shows other schools going through with interviewing/ accepting students.

The reality is for so many people, there is no next year for applying to michigan state or uconn; people will accept offers elsewhere. I think it's important people go to grad school this year, because there may be less funding next time, so go now while there's still a chance.

Oh ya, 100%. There's also lots of programs still funded by rich people who care about the arts, like UArk and the Walton family, which oddly offer more financial security these days than government funding. It really feels like this application cycle is the last chopper out of 'nam lol. Just hoping to get into one program, that's all I need. Best of luck to you!!

[No-Evidence8843]

5 minutes ago, lrntlmn said:

Oh ya, 100%. There's also lots of programs still funded by rich people who care about the arts, like UArk and the Walton family, which oddly offer more financial security these days than government funding. It really feels like this application cycle is the last chopper out of 'nam lol. Just hoping to get into one program, that's all I need. Best of luck to you!!

Best of luck to you too!

[mindyourbees]

2 hours ago, jobahza said:

Hello all,

 

Has anyone heard from, or might know when they will hear from

 

University of Arizona

Carnegie Mellon

UIC

University Oregon

for interviews or application status?

 

So far I've had interviews at UW-Madison and University of Minnesota, and I have one for University of Arkansas next week. UConn contacted me today, saying they will not have an MFA program and will refund my application fee. I didn't get invited to interview with Ohio State, but that's okay.

I'm excited! Good luck to everyone here! 

 

I keep refreshing the Carnegie Mellon info page (as if doing would make the date speed up), but it says interviews will be likely take place by late February, which I assume means we still have a little time before we should expect to hear anything?

[TwhowantsanMFA]

For the UC watchers, a few updates:

I had the UC Berkeley interview today (Qs pretty straightforward, no curveballs), and it sounds like they will make offers within a week or so, possibly making decisions as soon as today. Last year I applied but didn't get an interview and heard nothing until I got the form letter in the application portal in Aprilish.

UCSB invites went out last week from faculty members. Sounds like they want to wrap up interviews next week. (I was invited but haven't had my interview yet.) I know in past years they've invited a subset of interviewees to a campus visit before making final decisions, so perhaps that will happen again this year. Last year I didn't get an interview and think I got the rejection note sometime in February.

UC Davis invites went out early this week from an admin person, which I assume means all the invites went at the same time. I was given a 10-minute interview spot (hasn't happened yet) and asked to spend most of that time talking about one portfolio piece. Was everyone invited to interview at Davis offered the same, or does this signal a wild card bracket/play-in game sort of situation? I've never heard of programs doing such a short interview, but at least it means it's possible to rehearse the whole thing.

I am THRILLED to have gotten interviews at all of my top choices vs. last year's near total silence. (Interviewed at UCSC last year, glad I didn't get an offer as it wasn't the right fit for me.) What did I change? My entire portfolio is different with all 2025 work, my essays are much more theory- and research-focused, I've bolstered my exhibition and award list significantly, switched one recommender, etc. Essentially an entirely different application. So far it's paying off, and I just hope I get a good offer from a program I'm excited about.

Haven't heard from Oregon, Utah, Illinois and the NV programs that have February deadlines.

Good luck to those interviewing and solidarity to everyone suffering through the waiting.

[Foehn]

12 minutes ago, TwhowantsanMFA said:

For the UC watchers, a few updates:

I had the UC Berkeley interview today (Qs pretty straightforward, no curveballs), and it sounds like they will make offers within a week or so, possibly making decisions as soon as today. Last year I applied but didn't get an interview and heard nothing until I got the form letter in the application portal in Aprilish.

UCSB invites went out last week from faculty members. Sounds like they want to wrap up interviews next week. (I was invited but haven't had my interview yet.) I know in past years they've invited a subset of interviewees to a campus visit before making final decisions, so perhaps that will happen again this year. Last year I didn't get an interview and think I got the rejection note sometime in February.

UC Davis invites went out early this week from an admin person, which I assume means all the invites went at the same time. I was given a 10-minute interview spot (hasn't happened yet) and asked to spend most of that time talking about one portfolio piece. Was everyone invited to interview at Davis offered the same, or does this signal a wild card bracket/play-in game sort of situation? I've never heard of programs doing such a short interview, but at least it means it's possible to rehearse the whole thing.

I am THRILLED to have gotten interviews at all of my top choices vs. last year's near total silence. (Interviewed at UCSC last year, glad I didn't get an offer as it wasn't the right fit for me.) What did I change? My entire portfolio is different with all 2025 work, my essays are much more theory- and research-focused, I've bolstered my exhibition and award list significantly, switched one recommender, etc. Essentially an entirely different application. So far it's paying off, and I just hope I get a good offer from a program I'm excited about.

Haven't heard from Oregon, Utah, Illinois and the NV programs that have February deadlines.

Good luck to those interviewing and solidarity to everyone suffering through the waiting.

Seems like the 10-minute interview is the Davis standard. Just had mine this morning. Interviews are not my strong suit so we'll see if they like my work enough to ignore my poor public speaking! Good luck with your interview!

[Emolibra97]

Hi All,

Been following this thread for a week and finally made an account. I wanted to share the schools I applied to were U of Oregon, UCLA, Berkeley, UC Irvine, U Chicago, Stanford, and Yale. So far I've interviewed for U of Oregon (felt it went great and I feel there is a big chance of being accepted here) and have my U Chicago interview tomorrow morning. 

For people that applied to Oregon I believe interviews have been finalized and they are getting together this upcoming week. Decisions will be out by end of February. 

I've seen a couple people here (and a reddit post) that Berkeley/Stanford have finalized their interviews. I feel bummed out since Berkeley was one of my top choices and it has been crickets since I applied. This is my second time applying here. I still have hope for UCLA and Yale as these are also my top choices so fingers crossed! I don't feel that I am the type of artist Yale is looking for, but it was worth a try  

Wish you all the best of luck and please don't loose hope! Everything happens for a reason and you'll be a great artist no matter who accepts or doesn't accept you.

[TwhowantsanMFA]

4 hours ago, Foehn said:

Seems like the 10-minute interview is the Davis standard. Just had mine this morning. Interviews are not my strong suit so we'll see if they like my work enough to ignore my poor public speaking! Good luck with your interview!

Congrats on getting through it and fingers crossed for a good result for us both! 

[jobahza]

5 hours ago, lrntlmn said:

Yah I emailed the person who sent out the email notifying their cancellation of mfa admissions, and was like heyyyy girlie is this a Michigan State problem or a US Funding type deal lol
Her reply was:
"We are sad too, but look forward to reopening admissions next year. This is a problem with public universities across the country. We were lucky not to have to cancel admission for this year but could not escape the current fiscal reality this year. If you are still looking for a program next year, keep us in mind." 

Ominous as hell...I am so nervous for funding and all that jazz...If only I got my stuff together and graduated with my BFA like 3 years earlier lol

If you want, you can always reach out to UConn and ask why. Can't hurt, especially if you're curious and want to know. I didn't end up applying there so I never got that email

 

Something interesting, I responded to the email I got from UConn, just like a "thank you for letting me know, wishing you all the best." and the email bounced back to me saying the email address I replied to doesn't exist in their system. So I was wondering if maybe they are dealing with layoffs or something for the art department? 

[TwhowantsanMFA]

45 minutes ago, Emolibra97 said:

Hi All,

Been following this thread for a week and finally made an account. I wanted to share the schools I applied to were U of Oregon, UCLA, Berkeley, UC Irvine, U Chicago, Stanford, and Yale. So far I've interviewed for U of Oregon (felt it went great and I feel there is a big chance of being accepted here) and have my U Chicago interview tomorrow morning. 

For people that applied to Oregon I believe interviews have been finalized and they are getting together this upcoming week. Decisions will be out by end of February. 

I've seen a couple people here (and a reddit post) that Berkeley/Stanford have finalized their interviews. I feel bummed out since Berkeley was one of my top choices and it has been crickets since I applied. This is my second time applying here. I still have hope for UCLA and Yale as these are also my top choices so fingers crossed! I don't feel that I am the type of artist Yale is looking for, but it was worth a try  

Wish you all the best of luck and please don't loose hope! Everything happens for a reason and you'll be a great artist no matter who accepts or doesn't accept you.

Fingers crossed that you get the Oregon offer (and that it's well-funded, as I read on a Reddit thread that it's no longer fully funded). Thanks for letting us know!

Not sure what kind of art you're making or what your essay focus was, but Berkeley seems to really want multidisciplinary, experimental artists who can lean heavily into academic research speak. I paint but put all my paintings at the end of the portfolio and put installation and sculptural work up front, and used more than half of my essay to talk about research plans, connecting them to various non-art faculty and campus think tanks. No idea if that will get me an offer! But it got the interview, which is better than last year's crickets. 

[No-Evidence8843]

42 minutes ago, jobahza said:

Something interesting, I responded to the email I got from UConn, just like a "thank you for letting me know, wishing you all the best." and the email bounced back to me saying the email address I replied to doesn't exist in their system. So I was wondering if maybe they are dealing with layoffs or something for the art department? 

To help give a probable explanation of why UConn and Michigan State likely did this: universities have to plan a budget for overall spending every year, and they adjust their budgets annually. Departments can request additional funding if they can argue for it on the basis of merit.
Based on what is happening with the federal administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education, the declaration of certain majors as non-professional to limit graduate loans, and attacks on DEI, it is very possible that federal funding these universities expected to receive is no longer available. To offset costs, they cut funding for programs like the MFA.
They are likely to accept students starting next year; however, they are also likely to lower program funding in order to make this happen. Because of this, I would be doubtful that UConn and Michigan State will offer the same stipend amounts they were previously offering.
This is one possible explanation, but it is the most likely one.

Edited January 30 by No-Evidence8843

[gdhopeful]

Hi all!

I finally figured out how to post on here and wanted to share my current application status. I'm applying for graphic design programs and this is my first admissions cycle. My undergraduate degree is not in art so if any school offers a program with a preliminary year, that's the one I applied to.

Applied:

CalArts (interview)

RISD (interview)

Boston University (interview)

ArtCenter

Yale

MICA

OTIS

I'm super nervous for my interview at RISD and would appreciate any advice people could give!