Advice for MFA Applicants

[CEGA]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and am just beginning to work on my porfolio and start looking at grad schools. I have a background in drawing, but would like to get my MFA in painting and am hoping to start applying in a year or two. For people who have already been accepted to grad schools, what is the best advice you have received or can offer to people who are just starting this process? What have you learned about getting into grad school that can really benefit future applicants?

[Curious12345]

From my UCSB thread, this is what I described as "rookie mistakes":

"Rookie mistakes:

Not having coherent work, IE: pieces that don't work together, are wildly different, look like they came straight from an undergrad project, and so on.

Having documentation/pieces that you can't tell which are which, I saw a video that someone submitted for documentation of their project that we couldn't tell if it was documentation of the project, or if the video was the piece itself. It was dual channel and had all kinds of "artistic" effects going on and TONS of jump-cuts to abstract video documentation of what the person was doing.

In that same vein, Poor documentation: Bad lighting, weird angles, close ups of big projects when the shot should include something for scale, and so on...

Concepts for projects: I kid you not, there were people who included google sketch ups of things they made or were planning on making.

Copying and pasting whatever school you were applying to into your statement, it comes through when you are talking about the school and there are things that don't line up. Like saying this or that dept. when neither of those depts. exist at that school, or even worse, forgetting to copy/paste one out. I read multiple statements that had OTHER school's names in them. If you are interested in a school, do some research and don't be lazy.

I don't know, there are a few others, but the gist of it is to be authentic and honest."

That'd be my advice, keep it tight and focused, get another set of eyes on everything as well.

[jadedoto]

So one of the questions I have regarding that:

I have some projects that evolved and involved development over a year or two. Planning and development and synthesis of the project is important to the end result-- is it cool to include renders and such to illustrate this process? I mean, the final work stands on it's own visually, but I also feel like the development of how the machine gets there is important.

[SquareOval]

@Jadedoto it is always important "how the machine gets there..." but you need to trust that the review panel will appreciate that you didn't pull it out of a hat like a rabbit. Include maybe one detail of the process. Unless your process is the piece, than you should show everything you can, including perhaps a short one minute video of the work as process. Good luck.

[TheStranger]

So one of the questions I have regarding that:

I have some projects that evolved and involved development over a year or two. Planning and development and synthesis of the project is important to the end result-- is it cool to include renders and such to illustrate this process? I mean, the final work stands on it's own visually, but I also feel like the development of how the machine gets there is important.

I think it depends on what kind of art you are doing really. Does showing both process and product complete the piece as a whole? If so, I think a documented type piece or inclusion would invigorate the viewer. Some artists' work is performative in many ways without intention. I think it's when you realize your art has a performative quality to it that you realize the importance of letting the viewer know how the final piece came together. They may love your art piece but then be in love with your process and how it ties to the final product.

[leee]

Make sure your work is cohesive and has an underlying theme/concept or technique that can tie it all together. Most schools are equally interested in how you make an image and what the image is about although some swing more one way or the other. If your weak in one of these areas don't hesitate to mention that it's something you'd like to evolve in the grad program. Know what you want to do, you may not know how quite yet but if you are focused on a direction and have something pretty interesting to say you shouldn't have a problem. best of luck!

[caitlingm]

Mistake I made: underestimating the amount of time you will need to put into your applications. You need to put in a lot of time, take the time you think you'll need and quadruple it!

[NFP]

Three years of my life was taken up preparing - applying 2 years running and then finally getting into Grad School, as well as applying for many many scholarships and grants.

Make sure the works in your portfolio are cohesive (as expressed already). This will be the first part of your application review. If you don't get this right, the rest of your application will never see the light of day.

Get someone else to review your portfolio before you send it. Lead with your strongest work and make sure you have professionally shot images. Your statement is important, and should be well crafted and sincere. Remember, faculty have read plenty of these before and will see through any B.S. Not sure how much emphasis panels place on referees, however you should select wisely just in case.

Be sure you're really ready, both mentally and emotionally - this is not undergrad and the pressure and expectation is far far greater. You may be in a new place - settling can be difficult. You will be working REALLY hard!!!! once you start, so if you like to party, forget it. It is gruelling, draining, elating, invigorating, devastating, exciting etc ........ Be well prepared and you will be rewarded.