MFA 2013 All Art ADMISSIONS freak-out forum!!!!!!!!

[relaxed]

Got an acceptance to Rutgers today by phone.  wooot wooot

 

Probably be seeing a few of you there.  

[michaelwebster]

Hello all, I was hoping someone could offer some insight into my situation. SAIC has denied me acceptance into their MFA program, yet are asking me to apply to their post bacc in studio program. Meanwhile I've already been interviewed by the Hoffberger School of Painting at MICA and am scheduled for another interview by Mount Royal School of Art at MICA. The Associate Director of Graduate Admission's whom I met during the first interview has informed me that "Congratulations on that--it is relatively rare for candidates to be selected as finalists for both programs." Obviously I have to wait to hear back from the other five schools before making a decision. My question is, how much should I be considering SAIC's post bacc program? 

I agree with the previous post.  If you get accepted to a school you like, the post-bac isn't worth it.  Its great to get an extra year with grad students and great facilities, but its expensive.  Its only worth it if you have a lot of money in the bank.  Anyone who is wealthy I recommend an extra year as a post-bac.

[michaelwebster]

First week in February I was accepted by UGA and University of Florida via phone! I was also contacted by University of Nebraska and accepted via email!

 

How early is too early to ask for the sweet deets on funding? 

I would do it now.

[sculptress]

Got an acceptance to Rutgers today by phone.  wooot wooot

 

Probably be seeing a few of you there.  

 

Congrats!

[bots]

Hello all, I was hoping someone could offer some insight into my situation. SAIC has denied me acceptance into their MFA program, yet are asking me to apply to their post bacc in studio program. Meanwhile I've already been interviewed by the Hoffberger School of Painting at MICA and am scheduled for another interview by Mount Royal School of Art at MICA. The Associate Director of Graduate Admission's whom I met during the first interview has informed me that "Congratulations on that--it is relatively rare for candidates to be selected as finalists for both programs." Obviously I have to wait to hear back from the other five schools before making a decision. My question is, how much should I be considering SAIC's post bacc program? 

 

I would say, don't do the Post Bacc. I would find it insulting if I were you! Don't waste your money...if you have two MICA interviews, you are good enough / ready to get into grad school. If for some reason you don't get into a program, I think you're better off taking the next year to work on your own rather than pay for some expensive Post Bacc

[dwise1]

I agree.

I was in a similar situation last year where I applied to mica and was rejected from the grad program but offered a scholarship to attend the post-bacc there for graphic design. After much deliberation I opted to not do it and rather take 11 more credit hours at my undergrad university(where I'm about to graduate from) and get a BFA. This year has allowed me a studio space where I essentially "attended classes" and developed my work both painting and collage as well as graphic design work on my own uninterrupted besides the criticism of my overseeing faculty. This option was cheaper and more rewarding than uprooting my whole situation for a post bacc and no guarentee admittance to a grad program...ultimately the choice is yours and if your still in school talk with your professors they often time have sage advice on these situations.

[lady rainicorn]

Accepted via phone call for Rutgers!! Woo!!

[Catsinspace]

haven't heard yet from anywhere, see that people have been hearing from Northwestern and Rutgers(in sculpture) starting to feel kinda anxious. BLECH.

[LeroyLee]

Got in to UT Austin (received the e-mail today) and was rejected from UW Madison (heard last week via post). Waiting to hear from the others!

 

Good luck everybody!

Congrats!!! To what program did you apply? I'm awaiting their response for painting/drawing- thinking it may be rejection since I haven't heard anything yet.

 

And- I worked at LAL for 4 years! Weird coincidence. I know the girl in your "compliments" video.

[LeroyLee]

Hello all, I was hoping someone could offer some insight into my situation. SAIC has denied me acceptance into their MFA program, yet are asking me to apply to their post bacc in studio program. Meanwhile I've already been interviewed by the Hoffberger School of Painting at MICA and am scheduled for another interview by Mount Royal School of Art at MICA. The Associate Director of Graduate Admission's whom I met during the first interview has informed me that "Congratulations on that--it is relatively rare for candidates to be selected as finalists for both programs." Obviously I have to wait to hear back from the other five schools before making a decision. My question is, how much should I be considering SAIC's post bacc program? 

 

I too got rejected from SAIC's MFA program, but was offered their "prior degree program". I talked to one of my references who gave the advice not to accept. He suggested that if it were my only option in the end, he would consider it. It is a fantastic school, but if there are other offers on the table, then take them! Hope this helps in some way.

[beards]

Hello all, I was hoping someone could offer some insight into my situation. SAIC has denied me acceptance into their MFA program, yet are asking me to apply to their post bacc in studio program. Meanwhile I've already been interviewed by the Hoffberger School of Painting at MICA and am scheduled for another interview by Mount Royal School of Art at MICA. The Associate Director of Graduate Admission's whom I met during the first interview has informed me that "Congratulations on that--it is relatively rare for candidates to be selected as finalists for both programs." Obviously I have to wait to hear back from the other five schools before making a decision. My question is, how much should I be considering SAIC's post bacc program? 

 

SAIC offered me the same option last year and while I didn't end up doing the program all you have to do to be considered is schedule a 20 minute phone interview.  They transfer your application and there's no fee so if you can spare 20 mins I think it wouldn't hurt you to keep the option open.  A post-bacc at SAIC wouldn't be worth turning down an MFA program at a school like MICA, but in case things don't work out with the other schools you applied to it could be a potential plan b.

[esili]

I still haven't heard anything from them.

 

Likewise curious about Stanford.

I'm attempting to resist calling, I'll give it another week. I've been accepted to 2 other schools with application deadlines in early January, so the early deadline at Berkeley is causing some anxiety.

[sculptress]

I would say, don't do the Post Bacc. I would find it insulting if I were you! Don't waste your money...if you have two MICA interviews, you are good enough / ready to get into grad school. If for some reason you don't get into a program, I think you're better off taking the next year to work on your own rather than pay for some expensive Post Bacc

 

Agreed.

[sculptress]

Congrats!!! To what program did you apply? I'm awaiting their response for painting/drawing- thinking it may be rejection since I haven't heard anything yet.

 

And- I worked at LAL for 4 years! Weird coincidence. I know the girl in your "compliments" video.

 

Small world! Love it.

 

I applied to Sculpture + Extended Media. As far as I can tell that department is on a different schedule from everybody else- I was interviewed less than a week after the application was due. Who knows what time frame the other are on!

[sculptress]

I'm attempting to resist calling, I'll give it another week. I've been accepted to 2 other schools with application deadlines in early January, so the early deadline at Berkeley is causing some anxiety.

 

Considering the early deadline, Berkeley is consistantly delivering later than other schools... I didn't get my rejection last year from them until mid/late March. I'm hoping the news will come soon as well.

[ptsd-2013]

Accepted via phone call for Rutgers!! Woo!!

Well done! 

What's your medium?

I applied to Rutgers with an emphasis in painting but haven't heard anything yet.

[lady rainicorn]

Well done! 

What's your medium?

I applied to Rutgers with an emphasis in painting but haven't heard anything yet.

Thanks! I applied through printmaking, with a focus on etching in my portfolio. However once in school, I will probably expand out to include, in general, works on paper, painting (my degree was actually in painting), and depending on where I go, maybe attempt to experiment with some animation if feasibly possible... Best of luck, I hope you hear some good news soon!!!^^

[lemons]

Agreed.

I also agree re: post-bac. If you're fresh out of undergrad and feel like you could really use that year to boost your work, then perhaps you may want to consider it only if all of your other MFA options fall through (which seems doubtful). That said, it still doesn't guarantee a smooth transition to the higher degree program. Example: a friend of mine did the post-bac at SAIC a few years ago. When she finished, she applied to their MFA program - but was still rejected. 

[colormaker]

I agree.

I was in a similar situation last year where I applied to mica and was rejected from the grad program but offered a scholarship to attend the post-bacc there for graphic design. After much deliberation I opted to not do it and rather take 11 more credit hours at my undergrad university(where I'm about to graduate from) and get a BFA. This year has allowed me a studio space where I essentially "attended classes" and developed my work both painting and collage as well as graphic design work on my own uninterrupted besides the criticism of my overseeing faculty. This option was cheaper and more rewarding than uprooting my whole situation for a post bacc and no guarentee admittance to a grad program...ultimately the choice is yours and if your still in school talk with your professors they often time have sage advice on these situations.

I agree with this. I've just received an email from  my professor, implying me not to take it. He suggests me  the strategies for building portfolio my own way(such as setting up studio..) . Sorry, I am talking about my situation here too much. SAIC offered me "prior degree program" , not the recommendation  to apply for their post-bacc(I don't think they are same). Anyway, I was rather positive on this option until my professor's email since I don't have much options for MFA this time. I only applied three schools to save the application fees; I know I wasn't ready  this time(I even included  my first oil painting to fill the minimum images they require). I am still not  totally decided yet whether I take this offer or not. But if I do,it will be only for a semester, which I think is enough time for me to develop better portfolio without risking my financial status. 

But I don't think you need to consider this option much since you have already a couple of interviews waiting for you.

Edited February 21, 2013 by colormaker

[phthaloblue]

Sorry to hear about that, good luck!  Have you thought of applying for residencies for the upcoming year?  Bemis is accepting applications until February 28th

 

Thank you! And thank you to everyone who took the time to send me a note of encouragement. Quality group of artists around here.

 

The reason I applied to only one school is because I am married with a one year old. My parents live near by and the only way I can hack an MFA right now is by having the help of family. It's a curse and a blessing. My husband was accepted to UCLA for a PhD program, so in a way I'm glad that I didn't have to make the choice of leaving behind an opportunity.

 

It is still a desire of mine to get an MFA. Maybe if you pop in here years from now you'll see my posting in the MFA 2015 FREAK OUT FORUM!. (:

 

Cheers to all.

[hdsl]

In a period of less than 24 hours I was first rejected from Bard and then accepted to Rutgers.

 

Bard notified by email 2/19, Rutgers by email 2/20 though it wasn't an official email. Stephen Westfall emailed that I was accepted and mentioned that my phone number was incorrect in slideroom. I'm supposed to call him back. 

 

super psyched about Rutgers!

[dimensionsvariable]

Definitely agree with the comments on a post-bacc. I don't have a traditional BFA, and was initially considering the idea, since I didn't know if I could develop a rich enough practice around a day job and still keep up. If you find people to help give you feedback, surround yourself with contemporary work and criticism (even virtually if you are far from a thriving community), and work really, really hard, you can experience an immense amount of development without going into anywhere near as much debt. Sure, if money were no issue, the studio space would be great, but since it is 2013 and you are an artist, I would guess money is, well, an issue. Plus, when I was visiting MICA (for grad programs and post bacc both), the alumnus giving me the tour said that of the 20+ people in the program, only 1 got into Yale, 2 got into MICA, and maybe one or two got into SAIC. Not great odds for the price tag.

[dimensionsvariable]

Also, anyone apply to MICA Rinehart? Just got an interview email last night. Definitely a bit of an art crush on Maren Hassinger.

[chefgummydee]

Thanks to all who replied. You all basically confirmed what I was already thinking. 

[Emoree]

in case i don't get into either of my *only two* schools this time around... do you guys have any recommendations on how to get recommendations when you've been out of undergrad for years (i graduated fall 2003)? 

 

i would keep working on my portfolio and apply again next year, but all except one of my recommendations would be extremely stale.  two professors from undergrad didn't even get back to me this time around (one is retired), and the printmaking professor i'm working with right now is about to retire, too!  besides taking other art classes (painting, maybe drawing) at my local university (and paying through the nose) i don't know how I can go about getting fresh new recommendations. 

 

any ideas?