Approaching faculty after applying?

[Guest bubuli]

Hi,

I'm an international student applying to an MFA program in Studio Art at the same university where my husband is pursuing his PhD.

I am deliberating whether I should go and meet with the professor of my interest now that I have applied to the program.Is it a good idea to approach the faculty after application has been submitted (deadline was Feb 1)? Although I applied to other MFA programs, this school is the only one I really want to get into.I know I was SO naive that the thought of going to the professors or visiting their classes never crossed my mind. I live really close to the school. All I did was just meeting with the Graduate Program Director. That was also just before the application deadline.. *sigh* I'm not sure if program directors are involved in the admissions decision making process.. Do you think it is too late now to introduce myself, visit their classes, show my work, etc to appeal for admission to their program? Would this be a positive or negative effect to my application?

Is everybody else here applying cold?

Any opinion or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[shark]

Hi,

I'm an international student applying to an MFA program in Studio Art at the same university where my husband is pursuing his PhD.

I am deliberating whether I should go and meet with the professor of my interest now that I have applied to the program.Is it a good idea to approach the faculty after application has been submitted (deadline was Feb 1)? Although I applied to other MFA programs, this school is the only one I really want to get into.I know I was SO naive that the thought of going to the professors or visiting their classes never crossed my mind. I live really close to the school. All I did was just meeting with the Graduate Program Director. That was also just before the application deadline.. *sigh* I'm not sure if program directors are involved in the admissions decision making process.. Do you think it is too late now to introduce myself, visit their classes, show my work, etc to appeal for admission to their program? Would this be a positive or negative effect to my application?

Is everybody else here applying cold?

Any opinion or advice would be greatly appreciated!

bad idea. mainly because schools have open houses for that, where you can talk to people of your interest, ask them if you can continue emailing them etc.

if i were someone who is contacted in this situation i would ask: why haven't you done research or had interest in the workings of the school before applying. what good is sitting in on classes (which is not allowed in many schools) after you applied besides trying to get your application noticed and suck up to the committee.

but that's just me.

[NWT1983]

I think it's 97% your portfolio that will get you in anyway, don't stress about not meeting people beforehand... I'm sure no matter how many times you met them, if they didn't think the work fit with the program, or year, or whatever they think they want, then you wouldnt be getting in..

best luck,

[ritapita]

Don't do it. Its too late. If your app is already in, you are already in the decision cycle and they will think you are last-chancing it by trying to meet with them after-the-fact. They will see it as 'why didn't she take the time to meet with us before the app?' The portfolio is what they will look at mostly, and if you are in, you are in. If you are waitlisted, then by all means get in there and meet whoever you can, because sometimes if it is the right person, they will make a spot. That happened to two of my fellow MFA students last year. It is 100% best to meet with faculty before you apply, and then keep in touch. That way when your portfolio does come across their desk, they will remember you and have a better idea how to interpret your portfolio. Right now they are doing that with all the prospectives that did meet with them. I wasted a lot of time and money and energy meeting with faculty at tons of schools before applying with full intention of applying to them all. I ended up only applying to two of my choices....and got in at both...one I met with, one I didn't. The one I met with, I know I would not have gotten in had I not met with them before, because I was applying to an area that was new for me. Explaining my reasoning in person made a huge difference in them understanding why they would see my app. It worked!

Once you are in, or are waitlisted, or selected for interview, THEN meet with them because then they will want to talk to you.

Good luck!

[Guest bubuli]

Wow. Thank you all SO MUCH for your opinions! They really make sense. I also got a bad feeling that it's a bad idea to meet the faculty now. I'm glad I didn't make any moves. I guess all I can do now is to hope and pray then..

Good luck for everyone's applications! God bless you all.