MFA Painting 2012 Applications

[Maler]

Hello All!

I'm planning to apply to several MFA painting/drawing programs for 2012. Needless to say, I'm quite terrified since the admission rates seem so dismal! I plan to apply to several of the selective schools like VCU, Yale, OSU, MICA, etc. However, does anyone have any recommendations for some good MFA painting programs that might be less selective (hence more likely to get accepted)? It would make me feel better to have some "safety" schools as well.

Also, how heavily weighted is the resume in the application? I graduated with my BFA a little over a year ago and I have been making work to build my portfolio, but I can't say I have a terribly impressive resume when it comes to shows, etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[losemygrip]

What state are you in? You should apply to local fall-back schools where you could get in-state tuition.

Exhibition record will definitely help, but the work is what makes the difference. If they don't like it, they won't look at your resume.

[Maler]

I live in Arkansas. Unfortunately there are no good MFA programs here.

[losemygrip]

D-ooooohhhh! You're right--that's one of very few states without a decent MFA program.

What kind of painting do you do? That would affect where you might want to apply.

First of all, I'd say don't waste your time with Yale. Not worth it. Just overall, if I were recommending to one of my students to apply to good/great painting programs around the country I'd say:

UCLA, Iowa, SAIC, Tyler, ASU, Connecticut

Next tier:

North Texas, U. Houston, Tennessee, Indiana, Washington, San Francisco Art Institute

Next tier:

SIU Carbondale, UNLV, UNC Greensboro, SDSU or Long Beach or Fullerton, IUPUI-Herron

That's just off the top of my head.

[Maler]

Yes, Arkansas feels like a black hole on the map when it comes to MFA programs.

Here is a small sample of some of my work <http://www.flicker.com/photos/66007326@N06>

These are all life-size on 91 x 49 inch oil on panel.

Thank you for the list of schools. I tend to gravitate toward the work that I see coming out of California schools. I am also very interested in VCU's program, but I know they are quite selective so I fear not being able to get in. I want to go to a school that has some notoriety when it comes time to seek a faculty position.

[proartistic]

Sorry.

I am the one who posted the thread " MFA acceptance rate". I didn't intend to discourage anyone, I want to share information with other candidates here!

Since there is not standard test score like GRE or GMAT, everyone has a change to get in, at that same time, to get rejected. Hence, by nature all prospective applicants would try to apply for "good" schools, so it is inevitable that there are always a lot of competitions with regard to graduate admission.

I concluded that there is no such thing as a "safty" school (especially good ones) when it comes to MFA admission.

But I insist on NOT judging your application and there are always "magic" and "miracle" during the season.

Everyone has a good chance to make it!

[imogen]

losemygrip, which photography programs would you recommend to your students? pretty sure i already know the top programs, but how about the next tier schools?

[gentlebreeze]

Maler - your stuff reminds me of work I have seen coming out of MassArt, RISD, PNCA, Cornish, and California College of the Arts. Also MICA, which you mentioned. Have you thought about those?

Edited August 8, 2011 by gentlebreeze

[losemygrip]

Maler, why does that woman have blue paint dripping from her hands?

Seriously, seeing your work, I'd say skip UCLA and SAIC. You know, I recently saw a view book for a grad program that had some work with some affinities to yours, but I can't remember where it was from. Maybe University of the Arts in Philadelphia? I also agree about RISD now. As fallback schools, I think any of the CSUs in southern California--Fullerton, San Diego, Long Beach--would get you into that region. For getting a faculty position, pedigree counts some, but not as much as exhibition record and making work that the hiring committee will like.

[losemygrip]

Imogen, I'm not as up on photo, but New Mexico is still very well known, and U. Arizona. U. Houston has a pretty strong program.

[Maler]

gentlebreeze and losemygrip, thank you for the suggestions! It is certainly a tough task trying to determine where to apply. I'm sure as most people in these forums, I have that looming fear that I will be rejected everywhere that I apply...but I'm trying to keep my hope!

[losemygrip]

Even if you're rejected everywhere, just try again elsewhere. If you're motivated, you'll do it eventually.

[Demain]

Someone was mentioning in another thread that they couldn't find any info on Cal State Long Beach with regard to current student work. Here is a website for the drawing and painting department's students.

http://www.artgrads.com/artists.html

CSULB is a great program to get into the LA area.