Comparative Merits of Programs We've Been Accepted To

[bertyruss]

Isn't it time to stop freaking out (just a little) and start evaluating programs, especially if we've gotten into 2 or more?! I'm into WashU and SMFA. WashU has more reputation and resources, but I really liked the SMFA vibe (although it was Saturday that they interview, so it was more relaxed than the mid-week WashU visit). Part of the analysis, I supppose, is program versus credential value, and the program is quite hard to evaluate until you are into it. Thoughts anyone?

[helec2003]

I am joining this conversation prematurely as I only have one acceptance. I've been accepted to the Wisconsin at Madison sculpture program, interviewed with Cranbrook's sculpture department and was wait listed at the University of Illinois at Chicago studio arts. All three are totally different and the thought of making a decision is extremely stressful. I'm trying to figure out how to evaluate facilities, faculty, location, length of program, cost, discourse, community, reputation and prestige. It's tough. i applied to 13 schools and was praying to get into just one.

[truthbetold]

@bertyruss,

vibe counts for a lot...

@helec2003,visit any school before accepting if at all possible. otherwise your decision will be all the more difficult. cranbrook is a really unique place and also you have one primary faculty member; both need to be a good match. chicago will give you an "art scene" connection.

[isviz]

I got into Parsons for Fine Arts with funding and ICP-Bard for Photo with no word on funding yet. I really don't know how to compare the two, they seem radically different and are both relatively new with no reputation to speak of, good or bad.

Does anyone have an opinion or some insider knowledge of either one?

[huldadans]

I was accepted into the Saic ceramics program. Waitlisted for the UW ceramics program and have interviewed with the saic painting program. I wasn't super into the idea of saic when I first applied because I had a bad experience when visiting there years ago, but this time for my interview I had a great time. I'm curious if anyone has been part of the Ceramics program if they could give me some insight? I wanted to check it out when I was there for my interview, but my schedule was so tight i never had the chance. I'm really liking how interdisciplinary the school seems, as that is a big part of my work, but I wonder if anyone has any insights to being a grad student at saic in general and the ceramics program specifically. Also, if i were to get accepted into the painting program, does it make much of a difference which program I were to go through?

[eleven]

I was accepted into the Saic ceramics program. Waitlisted for the UW ceramics program and have interviewed with the saic painting program. I wasn't super into the idea of saic when I first applied because I had a bad experience when visiting there years ago, but this time for my interview I had a great time. I'm curious if anyone has been part of the Ceramics program if they could give me some insight? I wanted to check it out when I was there for my interview, but my schedule was so tight i never had the chance. I'm really liking how interdisciplinary the school seems, as that is a big part of my work, but I wonder if anyone has any insights to being a grad student at saic in general and the ceramics program specifically. Also, if i were to get accepted into the painting program, does it make much of a difference which program I were to go through?

I spoke to a guy who interviewed in sculpture last week who said the stuff in the sculpture studios was awful. I wasn't terribly impressed by the painting studios, but it was hard to judge because they were mostly closed. The fiber/materials studios seemed creative and experimental, but perhaps too experimental without committing to a single idea and developing it; it's hard to say.

I really like how interdisciplinary it is too. The students and faculty kept telling me it makes no difference into what program you're accepted. Every semester you get to choose two advisors from the entire faculty, any discipline. You're allowed to take any seminars you'd like, so for example even if you do ceramics you could take nothing but performance art classes if you wanted. For your periodic critique review panels they try to select people you haven't worked with closely so you get fresh points of view.

You might not get as much funding in painting since it's the largest, most competative department and they were saying they might accept fewer this year to balance out the large volume of acceptances they had last year (it's about 20 usually, last year was more like 30, my "tour guide" thought this year could be as low as 10).

[eleven]

IUB is trying to entice students with money.

Their email today says 99% of painters get 2nd year funding including teaching post, 96.5% tuition waiver, 12 months health insurance and a $11,300 stipend/pay check for 10 months.

[Cobalt]

I got accepted to SFAI and CCA, so I'm planning on visiting both so I can compare programs, which are also very different from each other. I really have to figure out what I want/prefer out of an mfa program and which program will better set me up for future endeavors. It'll be one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I'd appreciate any insights into either program. I'm still waiting to hear about any potential funding from both schools. I also got accepted to CGU, but am leaning towards San Francisco vs. a suburb of L.A. CGU also only gives 2nd year students funding ($11K).

[huldadans]

Hey, notice you are from Utah. Where from? I grew up in Utah and lived in provo for several years and slc for a couple, I'm curious if I know you.

I spoke to a guy who interviewed in sculpture last week who said the stuff in the sculpture studios was awful. I wasn't terribly impressed by the painting studios, but it was hard to judge because they were mostly closed. The fiber/materials studios seemed creative and experimental, but perhaps too experimental without committing to a single idea and developing it; it's hard to say.

I really like how interdisciplinary it is too. The students and faculty kept telling me it makes no difference into what program you're accepted. Every semester you get to choose two advisors from the entire faculty, any discipline. You're allowed to take any seminars you'd like, so for example even if you do ceramics you could take nothing but performance art classes if you wanted. For your periodic critique review panels they try to select people you haven't worked with closely so you get fresh points of view.

You might not get as much funding in painting since it's the largest, most competative department and they were saying they might accept fewer this year to balance out the large volume of acceptances they had last year (it's about 20 usually, last year was more like 30, my "tour guide" thought this year could be as low as 10).

[helec2003]

Chicago is an awesome city. I've also heard amazing things about Madison - headed there next week.

Other than that I don't know much...

good luck with your decision!

I was accepted into the Saic ceramics program. Waitlisted for the UW ceramics program and have interviewed with the saic painting program. I wasn't super into the idea of saic when I first applied because I had a bad experience when visiting there years ago, but this time for my interview I had a great time. I'm curious if anyone has been part of the Ceramics program if they could give me some insight? I wanted to check it out when I was there for my interview, but my schedule was so tight i never had the chance. I'm really liking how interdisciplinary the school seems, as that is a big part of my work, but I wonder if anyone has any insights to being a grad student at saic in general and the ceramics program specifically. Also, if i were to get accepted into the painting program, does it make much of a difference which program I were to go through?

[thisandthat]

I got into Parsons for Fine Arts with funding and ICP-Bard for Photo with no word on funding yet. I really don't know how to compare the two, they seem radically different and are both relatively new with no reputation to speak of, good or bad.

Does anyone have an opinion or some insider knowledge of either one?

Bard you're talking about having stephen shore on the faculty - its kind of building and building in my view, didnt see much funding for it.

Seem to remember parsons having some amount of funding and of course its a big name institute.

ICP, SVA are looking like the hot places right now.

I'd make sure you were getting stephen shore time on the course - seems a very open guy.

[vermillion]

For those considering Rutgers here's an interesting article, don't know how soon it takes effect.

http://www.mycentral...ey=nav%257Chead

[franco222]

Wow! That's amazing........

[designr]

I applied to 13 schools as well and hoped i'd get into just 1... I have heard from 9, 5 accepted, 4 rejections.. and 4 yet to hear from (RISD, VCU, RIT, Cranbrook).

My top two that I am struggling with is Parsons and CCA. I have not visited either, and I'm not sure that I can, since April 15 is fast approaching and flying is so expensive.

I applied for the graphic design programs at both schools. I am leaning towards Parsons because I would rather be in NYC.. and I feel contacts and connections might be better there for me in the future. But in the end, I feel like I should go to the better school.

Here is a list of school rankings: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-fine-arts-schools/graphic-design-rankings

I'm not sure how I feel about school rankings because this is from 2008... and who's to say what is official rankings?

Does anyone have any insight?

I am joining this conversation prematurely as I only have one acceptance. I've been accepted to the Wisconsin at Madison sculpture program, interviewed with Cranbrook's sculpture department and was wait listed at the University of Illinois at Chicago studio arts. All three are totally different and the thought of making a decision is extremely stressful. I'm trying to figure out how to evaluate facilities, faculty, location, length of program, cost, discourse, community, reputation and prestige. It's tough. i applied to 13 schools and was praying to get into just one.

[evillr]

Are you talking about Design & Technology at Parsons? Huge red flags went up when you mentioned the "graphic design program", because Parsons doesn't have one at the graduate level... the DT program is a completely different animal. If you're familiar with NYU's ITP, DT at Parsons is more along those lines (though again, not quite).

I don't know much about CCA, so nothing to add there (though I'll venture a guess that it's closer to graphic design).

PS: you're right to take the rankings with a grain of salt; it's like saying "Damien Hirst is better than Paul Rand" - fine/good and potentially valid, but in what context? Too much depends on you and your specific interests for the rankings to mean much more than "here are 10 schools for you to look at first"

I applied to 13 schools as well and hoped i'd get into just 1... I have heard from 9, 5 accepted, 4 rejections.. and 4 yet to hear from (RISD, VCU, RIT, Cranbrook).

My top two that I am struggling with is Parsons and CCA. I have not visited either, and I'm not sure that I can, since April 15 is fast approaching and flying is so expensive.

I applied for the graphic design programs at both schools. I am leaning towards Parsons because I would rather be in NYC.. and I feel contacts and connections might be better there for me in the future. But in the end, I feel like I should go to the better school.

Here is a list of school rankings: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-fine-arts-schools/graphic-design-rankings

I'm not sure how I feel about school rankings because this is from 2008... and who's to say what is official rankings?

Does anyone have any insight?

[designr]

Yes, I am referring to the Design and Technology program.

From what I understand it's sort of graphic design and emerging technology within the same program, and as a student, you can sort of make your own path as to weather you want to lean one way or another. I really liked the idea of learning more about emerging technology since print is being replaced by technology now.

I did not apply to NYU's ITP program.. and I actually have no idea what it is?

I have a skype phone call set up with them next week to ask questions about the program.

[guccimanewhyusweatinsohard]

Waiting hasn't been my problem- It's DECIDING wether to live in San Fran @ CCA or stay in midwest and go to cranbrook :/ . I always envisioned myself on a coast for school- I really wanted to get into risd.....

[substitute83]

i am currently debating t between the photography programs at the university of illinois urbana (full tuition + stipend) and parsons (half tuition). i went to saic for undergrad, so i would feel that i could be missing out educationaly by not attending a university. and the money is hard to pass up. but then i feel that artisticly i could be missing out artisticly by not being in nyc, and the money is decent. i interveiwed at hunter on sat, so perhaps that could be the answer if accepted.

[helec2003]

designr

Ask the schools if they can help pay for a visit. I've learned so much from all my visits. You get to see the intangibles, like the studio culture, sit in on a critique and see how that process goes because its different everywhere, etc.

I got my acceptance e-mail from Cranbrook today, while I was having lunch in Madison, WI visiting their program. I am completely torn. two different programs, one under the radar but still ranked in the top 20, the other great reputation and in the top 5. I know everyone says rankings don't matter, but I think the perception of those rankings matter in the community. However, as we know from the grad admissions process, if you don't have a good portfolio they won't even get to know where your degree is from.

I'm having a hard time figuring out what I need to grow as an artist. Once I figure that out (how?) I will know which program is the right one.

I applied to 13 schools as well and hoped i'd get into just 1... I have heard from 9, 5 accepted, 4 rejections.. and 4 yet to hear from (RISD, VCU, RIT, Cranbrook).

My top two that I am struggling with is Parsons and CCA. I have not visited either, and I'm not sure that I can, since April 15 is fast approaching and flying is so expensive.

I applied for the graphic design programs at both schools. I am leaning towards Parsons because I would rather be in NYC.. and I feel contacts and connections might be better there for me in the future. But in the end, I feel like I should go to the better school.

Here is a list of school rankings: http://grad-schools....design-rankings

I'm not sure how I feel about school rankings because this is from 2008... and who's to say what is official rankings?

Does anyone have any insight?

[helec2003]

hey - i'm really curious about where you end up going. I am completely torn.

Waiting hasn't been my problem- It's DECIDING wether to live in San Fran @ CCA or stay in midwest and go to cranbrook :/ . I always envisioned myself on a coast for school- I really wanted to get into risd.....

[tsu]

Hi I'm also in Parsons D&T program. I think I might have spoken to you before, but here's a much longer analysis of schools that do design/tech or art/tech. There aren't many, and I applied + got into most of them and here's what I found out. I hope this is useful for anyone thinking of doing an art/tech or design/tech program.

D&T is really not the same as graphic design. I was an applicant, and I have no experience at all in graphic design - my specialisation was in aesthetics (art philosophy) and fine art (oil painting). I moved into art technology after as a way of blending my seperate interests of art/media philosophy and practice together because in traditional art schools the art history/philosophy department doesn't really play very much into the media/cultural studies department. On a very surface level D&T is about using new technologies in art and design, but on a deeper level it also asks questions on the concepts of media and affect that technology can have on the idea of art. It's not about the whole walter b.'s reproduction thing, but technology as an expanision of possibilities (like would you consider Photoshop the program as a piece of art?)

For some idea of what Parsons D&T program is like, check their research groups: http://www.newschool.edu/parsons/mfa-design-technology-culture-place/ Is the focus of their research part of your interests? Are you keen on joining any of the groups? Do you have any faculty member that you wish to work with long-term? Like for me, I want to work in both the SpyLab and SmallLab groups and I'm very interested in the work of Sven Travis and Mckenzie Wark.

Another thing you can look at is the Final Thesis projects of the graduated students in the program, and see if its the kind of thing you want to make and work with. ( http://www.newschool.edu/parsons/mfa-design-technology-student-work/ )

A similar program to Parson's D&T is NYU's ITP program: http://itp.nyu.edu/ The difference between Parsons and NYU is mostly 1. price 2. in Parsons you get an MFA, in NYU you get an MPS. Note that you cannot teach art with an MPS degree. Otherwise the programs are almost ALMOST the same. I did an excel sheet table where I listed all the first year courses for *both* programs, and guess what? Different names for same things. Both schools teach you Processing and Arudino in first year. Both schools have some sort of cultural studies class - either a variant of derrida's telepresence (nyu) or situationist flaneur (parsons). Both schools have also have their own version of a game studies department. Even the faculty members, they're pretty much the same 'rank'. Sven Travis and Mckenzie Wark (parsons) VS. Tom Igoe and Alexander Galloway (nyu).

I think the core difference between NYU and Parsons is NYU is a lot more technical than Parsons. I did the applications for both schools, and NYU's was didn't require a study plan or thesis proposal to enter.... which kinda suggests that they don't care if you enter the school without a core concept or idea to work on. Their admissions also *DOESN'T* require a portfolio - it's not complusory, and that baffled me. I also preferred Parson's approach to admissions - they not only had online monitoring but were quick and helpful when I needed to do a multitude of forms for visa applications. Also the dean of admissions wrote a handwritten message on my offer, which is much more personal than NYU's email admissions package.

One school which is NOT an art school, but also does Design & Technology is MIT's Media Lab: http://www.media.mit.edu/ The course is structured towards a MSc and very heavily on technique. Oddly enough they *do* require a portfolio the way NYU doesn't. (does anyone find it weird? why would you have a design course that DOESN'T have a portfolio requirement?) They are very very very science-based and I had to sit through 3 rounds of interviews. I turned them down because they aren't really keen on doing art/technology, but just upgrading technology itself and also the research group I wanted to work for had no openings. It's a very cool department and the research is amazing though, I think in particular Patti Maes' work on screens and interfaces is really wonderful.

The last school I applied to was SAIC's art technology: http://www.saic.edu/degrees_resources/departments/ats/ the people are very friendly and nice yes, but I don't think they have the facilities or cutting edge enough for design/technology. They're kinda still halfway in the 2-D stage, and haven't really moved on to physical computing and interactive enviroments. Mostly I felt that their art technology was a lot of art, and not a lot of technology and they were still scrambling to find a balance between both practices. However if you're keen on computer animation and graphics (especially modelling) this would be a good place. It's only for installation/environ work that they are not so good.

If you're thinking of outside USA, Helsinki Media Lab at the Aalto University of Art: http://mlab.taik.fi/ does something similar, and they also have a pure games design/game art course. Amsterdam is another good place for Media Art: http://www.english.uva.nl/start.cfm I haven't looked into it too much, but University of Gotenburg (Sweden) also recently started a new program.

I hope someone finds this useful! It has been very difficult to find the information on all these programs since they're all relatively new..... maybe in the future another wannabe-grad/artist can make use of it.

I applied to 13 schools as well and hoped i'd get into just 1... I have heard from 9, 5 accepted, 4 rejections.. and 4 yet to hear from (RISD, VCU, RIT, Cranbrook).

My top two that I am struggling with is Parsons and CCA. I have not visited either, and I'm not sure that I can, since April 15 is fast approaching and flying is so expensive.

I applied for the graphic design programs at both schools. I am leaning towards Parsons because I would rather be in NYC.. and I feel contacts and connections might be better there for me in the future. But in the end, I feel like I should go to the better school.

Here is a list of school rankings: http://grad-schools....design-rankings

I'm not sure how I feel about school rankings because this is from 2008... and who's to say what is official rankings?

Does anyone have any insight?

[designr]

Thanks for your reply! It's definitely helpful! I have a skype call set up with them today, so I hope to get some more information as well.

The dean of admissions wrote a nice handwritten note on my letter as well! I felt so special =D

My biggest concern with Parsons is that I've never done anything like this, nor have I ever thought on this big of a scale, so it's definitely intimidating. I've always been an "out of the box" designer, using new and interesting tools.. which is why I am assuming I got accepted. But beyond the CS suite, I don't know any other programs and I'm worried I may struggle in this kind of program, since I feel like I would be a fish out of water. Though it all sounds interesting, but it's a bit intimidating.

Intimidating, yet exciting at the possibilities. I'm really concerned that, because i've never done anything like this or thought of anything like this, that I may be bad at it. Make sense?

I honestly never thought I would get in, so I never really did a whole lot of research. Figured if I got in, it would miraculous. =D

And I love NYC, and have always wanted to live there.

And actually, I'll be able to visit Parsons before the April 15 deadline..

Edited March 23, 2011 by designr

[tsu]

Well I don't think you have to worry very much, they have a bootcamp program in August which is complusory for all new DTMFA students to attend and I'm pretty sure they'll cover all the technical knowledge. I have a bit more familiarity with that kind of programming since the last exhibition I did used physical computing.... but honestly I don't think it'll make much of a difference. They're looking for ideas and concept, not so much technique since they can teach you that. Technical grounding is like a bonus for them.

Maybe if you're really worried you can read up (and try?) some of the tools that you are likely to use. The main ones would probably be Processing ( http://processing.org/ ) and Arduino ( http://www.arduino.cc/ ) they are commonly used together. Other programs are like Simulink and Labview. Otherwise most standard adobe programs (fireworks, after effects, photoshop etc.) will probably be used as well.

I can understand how that feels..... I never thought I'll get into one school, much less *all* the schools I applied to so now I'm kinda stuck with making a decision. Normally I would just pick the school that is cheaper, but most of my offers are exactly the same (merit scholarship + chance of assistantship) and since I'm not eligible for more financial aid or visiting the university I'm at a loss to decide between the schools.

It sounds weird, but I'm honestly not keen on living in NYC. My only reason for applying to USofA is because of faculty and research groups.

Thanks for your reply! It's definitely helpful! I have a skype call set up with them today, so I hope to get some more information as well.

The dean of admissions wrote a nice handwritten note on my letter as well! I felt so special =D

My biggest concern with Parsons is that I've never done anything like this, nor have I ever thought on this big of a scale, so it's definitely intimidating. I've always been an "out of the box" designer, using new and interesting tools.. which is why I am assuming I got accepted. But beyond the CS suite, I don't know any other programs and I'm worried I may struggle in this kind of program, since I feel like I would be a fish out of water. Though it all sounds interesting, but it's a bit intimidating.

Intimidating, yet exciting at the possibilities. I'm really concerned that, because i've never done anything like this or thought of anything like this, that I may be bad at it. Make sense?

I honestly never thought I would get in, so I never really did a whole lot of research. Figured if I got in, it would miraculous. =D

And I love NYC, and have always wanted to live there.

And actually, I'll be able to visit Parsons before the April 15 deadline..

[designr]

Just had a chance to talk to Parsons today. Convo went really well.

I like the program even more now! NYC is crazy exciting but also so intimidating. So far they are top of my list... but a few more schools to hear back from.

Thanks again for your input!

I'll be visiting Parsons around April 7, if you would like I can give you a report back.

Well I don't think you have to worry very much, they have a bootcamp program in August which is complusory for all new DTMFA students to attend and I'm pretty sure they'll cover all the technical knowledge. I have a bit more familiarity with that kind of programming since the last exhibition I did used physical computing.... but honestly I don't think it'll make much of a difference. They're looking for ideas and concept, not so much technique since they can teach you that. Technical grounding is like a bonus for them.

Maybe if you're really worried you can read up (and try?) some of the tools that you are likely to use. The main ones would probably be Processing ( http://processing.org/ ) and Arduino ( http://www.arduino.cc/ ) they are commonly used together. Other programs are like Simulink and Labview. Otherwise most standard adobe programs (fireworks, after effects, photoshop etc.) will probably be used as well.

I can understand how that feels..... I never thought I'll get into one school, much less *all* the schools I applied to so now I'm kinda stuck with making a decision. Normally I would just pick the school that is cheaper, but most of my offers are exactly the same (merit scholarship + chance of assistantship) and since I'm not eligible for more financial aid or visiting the university I'm at a loss to decide between the schools.

It sounds weird, but I'm honestly not keen on living in NYC. My only reason for applying to USofA is because of faculty and research groups.

[tsu]

Awesome! I'm leaning more towards Parsons as well, they just seem a lot more personable and helpful.

Let me know how your trip goes!! I really wish I could visit before making a decision, it would really help a lot.

Just had a chance to talk to Parsons today. Convo went really well.

I like the program even more now! NYC is crazy exciting but also so intimidating. So far they are top of my list... but a few more schools to hear back from.

Thanks again for your input!

I'll be visiting Parsons around April 7, if you would like I can give you a report back.