Made the decision to go for an MFA, feeling ignorant and terrified

[dollsneerpiece]

I started considering applying for a photo MFA last fall and decided to give myself the first half of 2013 to consider it.

I've spent the past two weeks in Cambodia putting together a portrait series and I've decided to go for it. I feel...ignorant and terrified. I am totally self-taught and feel the gaps in my education. I'd really like to have the two years of intense focus, as well as to spend time working with analog equipment to get a better handle on technical skill, among other things.

I did my undergrad in social sciences, though, so the art school application process seems totally opaque to me. Might you guys have any suggestions for resources outside Grad Cafe (which I've been trolling relentlessly), especially with regard to portfolio and personal statement content?

Edited July 17, 2013 by Dese'Rae L. Stage

[agrobaby]

do you 

 

I started considering applying for a photo MFA last fall and decided to give myself the first half of 2013 to consider it.

I've spent the past two weeks in Cambodia putting together a portrait series and I've decided to go for it. I feel...ignorant and terrified. I am totally self-taught and feel the gaps in my education. I'd really like to have the two years of intense focus, as well as to spend time working with analog equipment to get a better handle on technical skill, among other things.

I did my undergrad in social sciences, though, so the art school application process seems totally opaque to me. Might you guys have any suggestions for resources outside Grad Cafe (which I've been trolling relentlessly), especially with regard to portfolio and personal statement content?

 do you have any mentors to help you out??

[dollsneerpiece]

Not in the field of photography, really. I have someone who teaches at ICP, whom I've taken classes from, and who has encouraged me to TA there, which I do now. He thinks I should go for it--even suggested I apply to Yale, which feels silly--but he's been at it since the 70s and he never felt that an MFA was necessary when he was younger, so he can't help me with essays and such.

I have close friends deeply entrenched in science programs, and they can help with proof reading and editing of essays, but as far as content goes...

[kafralal]

This looks helpful

 

http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm

[natatat]

maybe this? http://www.ehow.com/how_8558132_write-mfa-studio-art-programs.html

[natatat]

this too! http://voices.yahoo.com/writing-statement-purpose-graduate-school-37699.html?cat=4