ellsworthy Posted September 18, 2011 Posted September 18, 2011 Just thought I'd start this process and introduce myself since I'll be applying this time around. Hope to hear from all of you soon! How have you all been with gathering up your portfolio submissions? Good luck! Bannanafisheries Inc 1
TheStranger Posted September 18, 2011 Posted September 18, 2011 You have a pretty good list of schools with good range. I am from the LA area too. I have been reading and posting on this forum for a year now but I will apply next year.
jldstudio Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 Good luck everyone! I'm applying this year too. Right now I am working on my statement and documenting some newer work.
silverhalide Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 I am still narrowing down my list of schools. Applying for Photography MFA. Can anyone give any insight into UCLA's photography program? I know Catherine Opie is there and I would love to work with her, but I don't really know much else about their program. What is the work coming out of the program like? Are grad students there guaranteed a TA position? Right now I am also working on getting some newer work incorporated into my portfolio and putting the final touches on my artist statement.
cxxxxxx Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 Hello everyone, I'm in international student and will be applying to UCLA and columbia as well as a few more hopefully!
gouache Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 hi everyone! i'm a post-bacc student at brandeis (my undergrad major was linguistics) and i'm applying to a TON of schools.
ellsworthy Posted September 21, 2011 Author Posted September 21, 2011 Starling, not sure if you're open to applying abroad but your work would definitely fit in at UCL Slade. Good work! Good to meet you all. I can admit, I am stressing right now and it's only September. Also narrowing down my schools and working on my writing. @silverhalide - I just know UCLA has a great program and the UC system has good funding.
billie jean Posted September 29, 2011 Posted September 29, 2011 Hi everyone! I'm a couple years out of my BFA at UT Austin and ready to go back to school! I'm applying for MFAs in sculpture and/or new media... Right now I'm documenting new work and picking out my list of schools. The top ones are the easiest, but does anyone out there have a good list of some mid-range schools or a website they know of with acceptance rates? Trying to make an even spread...
max98411 Posted September 29, 2011 Posted September 29, 2011 Hello All! I graduated from Cornell College (small liberal arts school) in May, and this will be my first application go around. I'm a painter mostly, but as with most others on this forum, I can't say I'll limit myself to being a single media artist. I've been looking into the whole process for the last couple years now, and I'm excited to finally apply. Best of luck to everyone!
jldstudio Posted September 29, 2011 Posted September 29, 2011 Banged out my statement. Finally. I'm sure I'll revise it 50 more times, but I feel much better having a new one down! Hello, new faces! Mid-range... I'm a fan of many of the California state schools. UGA, Maryland, UNC.
kazoo Posted October 2, 2011 Posted October 2, 2011 Hi everyone! I am an abstract painter and applying for the second time. Round 2, with a lot more schools! Good luck to all.
ellsworthy Posted October 2, 2011 Author Posted October 2, 2011 Hi lhec! Have you visited Slade and RCA before? I'll be applying to them too and was wondering what the campus and studios were like.
kazoo Posted October 2, 2011 Posted October 2, 2011 Hi paintcutter! I actually applied to RCA before and was asked to interview, and was impressed by the tour. The studios are medium sized but good for a city setting, and very well maintained, airy and bright (the building is newly renovated). The painting building is a little out of the way of the rest of the campus but there seemed to be a really nice community there. The main campus buildings are beautiful. As for UCL I have not visited yet, but am hoping to be able to visit in the next few weeksi When I get the chance, I will gladly share an information I get. I might also try to tour Goldsmiths, as I was on the fence about whether to apply there or not.
ellsworthy Posted October 2, 2011 Author Posted October 2, 2011 The artists coming out of RCA seem to all experiment with interesting materials such as pigmented latex and rubber. I'll be visiting if I'm asked to interview but was hoping to get as much information as I can about the school before that happens (if it happens). I know that the Goldsmith's curatorial program is very strong but haven't heard much about the painting program. I'd love to hear more about it when you come back. Have a wonderful time in London!
lawrencegl Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Hey everybody! What are you all thinking about statements? Focused on your work or your process? General statements or specifically referring to particular pieces? There seem to be a lot of different ways to go.
BKCHICAGO Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 Hey everybody! What are you all thinking about statements? Focused on your work or your process? General statements or specifically referring to particular pieces? There seem to be a lot of different ways to go. Statement: It depends on your work and the application. But, you will most likely have to write different versions of the statements for each app. If you are applying to Yale then look at the guidelines set there (which is basically everything about you in 500 words) and use that as a template? I am really overwhelmed by this myself, but honestly, most are going to put portfolio and recs above your personal statement. Personal statements I think are only useful to weed out people who have no business applying to MFA programs if their portfolio hasn't done so already. SO I am sure you are fine and just focus on the work itself. Honestly, most statements sound alike anyway. Or that is what I am telling myself. lamouchemorte and BKCHICAGO 1 1
OIZA Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 Hi everyone! I graduated 2 years ago from an art school in Spain and now applying to a bunch of schools in The States. Does anyone know if Parsons and Pratt are good for sculpture? I've seen no so many people applying to these schools. Thanks!
losemygrip Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 No they are not. Virginia Commonwealth is pretty widely recognized as the best in sculpture. If you want to go in New York City, you'd have to try Hunter College, dreadful though it is. SUNY Purchase is better.
michaelwebster Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 most are going to put portfolio and recs above your personal statement. Personal statements I think are only useful to weed out people who have no business applying to MFA programs if their portfolio hasn't done so already. Honestly, most statements sound alike anyway. Or that is what I am telling myself. On the contrary, recs aren't really read much, statements definitely have more weight. From a statement they want to know what discourses your work engages with, why you want to go to their MFA program, and where you see your work developing. You could bring these things in through a variety of different writing approaches, but you almost have to hit those points.
BKCHICAGO Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 On the contrary, recs aren't really read much, statements definitely have more weight. From a statement they want to know what discourses your work engages with, why you want to go to their MFA program, and where you see your work developing. You could bring these things in through a variety of different writing approaches, but you almost have to hit those points. I agree that you need to be competent in talking about your practice. Where did you hear that about recs? I guess I am operating on misinformation! haha.
OIZA Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 Thanks losemygrip! Virginia Commonwealth is already in my list and I'll check SUNY Purchase right now Seeking and Bannanafisheries Inc 1 1
stars_pluto Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 Hi All, Hope you all are doing good. I am an international student from India. applying for Painting and Drawing Program. I am totally stressed out as I do not have a Prior degree in Fine arts and I am not sure what are the parameters of an outstanding Portfolio. I have been painting and drawing since childhood as a hobby. Can someone help me with sample Portfolio's and let me know some good colleges in mid-range as I have the list of top ones. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-fine-arts-schools/painting-drawing-rankings What is the Probability of Intl. students compared to locals in these top schools?
ellsworthy Posted October 14, 2011 Author Posted October 14, 2011 Hello everyone! Sorry for the late notice, but I'm heading to USC's information session and tour. If anyone has questions they'd like me to ask and receive answers, post in the next couple of hours. Also, I'll be attending Calarts next week and UCR the following week. I also expect to be attending UCLA's and UCI's as well, so feel free to message or post here if you have questions. Take care everyone!
michaelwebster Posted October 15, 2011 Posted October 15, 2011 (edited) I agree that you need to be competent in talking about your practice. Where did you hear that about recs? I guess I am operating on misinformation! haha. Its from talking to faculty at 3-4 schools as well as multiple grad students who have been part of the whole process. Almost all letters of rec are written by competent people who talk about the strengths of the students they are writing about. Sending in these letters is almost a formality, they just don't want to see mediocre or terrible recommendations. Some schools don't even want letters, but just a list of 3 people to call if they get a weird vibe from you. The only time letters of rec could make a big difference is if they are from friends of the faculty or from someone with a lot of clout in the artworld. Its much more important for them to hear you describe your own work. Edited October 15, 2011 by michaelwebster
ellsworthy Posted October 15, 2011 Author Posted October 15, 2011 Just got back from USC's info session and it was super helpful. I'll have to post again since I'm going to run out again but Jud Fine really emphasized that anyone that mentions wanting an MFA to teach will not be considered. Also, there should only be one artist statement. In the online application, just write one artist statement and paste it in both the personal statement area and artist statement. More to come!
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