Looking for advice for an MFA Program

[beezpaint]

Hi everyone, I was looking for just a bit of advice/information. I have found this site very helpful, but had a few questions of my own. I just recently started researching programs I would like to be a part of, so bear with me.

I'm currently working towards my BFA in painting in the Chicago land area, with an expected graduation date of May 2013. I have always known that I would get my MFA eventually, but recently I have decided that I want to apply at the end of this year with hopes of attending a good program for my concentration in the Fall of 2013. Painting is something that I've learned during this past semester that I honestly can't go a day without doing. My work has really taken a leap forward recently and I want to keep moving forward, learning as much as possible.

The first question I have is how much attention is going to be paid to my GPA and transcripts? -- The reason that I ask this is because my GPA isn't exactly where it needs to be right now, but it should be better once I'm actually applying later this year. I hit a very rough patch during my years in undergrad due to disastrous things in my personal life, and unfortunately my art work and grades took a hit during my freshman and junior years. Things have definitely turned around for me, retook some classes, and I'm getting awesome grades. My portfolio is coming along great, I have the talent and drive for graduate school, but I'm just afraid that my past grades are going to hold me back.

Now the next part of what I have been thinking about may sound like I'm oblivious, so don't be too harsh if you think I'm unknowledgeable. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea as to what program would best suit me. I have been looking at Southern California because I know there are a lot of good programs there and I think it would suit me well. I have been researching UCSB, CSULB, CSU, UCLA, and CSU Fullerton. I can't seem to grasp exactly what each program is looking for in graduate students, based on the research I've done online. My works varies, I do some abstract drawings and paintings, but I'm also very interested in the human figure. My work to me, especially the abstract pieces, are very much about exploration. I would say that my work is contemporary. My paintings are done in oil, but I work also in watercolor and some drawing with colored ink on top of watercolor (Just so you can get an idea of my work). Also, I have been looking at some schools in Illinois, just in case I later decide that I'd like to stay in state (not likely).

Any information and feedback would be greatly appreciated as I just started really jumping into all this researching for the right program.

[paintbikedraw]

I'd recommend taking a year off from your BFA to pursue your MFA, a lot changes post graduation IMO. Regardless, you should definitely post a link to your work on here, I doubt anyone will be able to assist much without a visual.