SMFA - Information for Future Applicants

[BetweenTheLines]

So, I just got back from SMFA's interview day. After my interview I wandered off away from the 'event' and found myself talking with two graduate students; one recent graduate, and one in their 2nd year. They told me some interesting things that I wish I would have known before applying. 

 

First off the recent graduate said that the school is broke and their current goal is to get back into the black by accepting people they probably shouldn’t have. I believe they are referring to their 87% acceptance rate for undergraduates. They went on to tell me that the school is looking to end their partnership/accreditation with Tuffs University and attempt to get their own accreditation. They were really worried by that because there are almost no classroom spaces for traditional instruction in their current building and the SMFA does not currently have any faculty that could offer those courses. They also say that the administration is one of the most difficult things to deal with. Flaky responses and ignored e-mails are common. They made it clear that the faulty are really great and really care about you and your work and will push you. They say the faculty is the best asset the school currently has.One of them went on to tell me that if I get into another school I should probably end up going there and not to SMFA, but that if they did not regret going to SMFA and would make the same decision again if they had the choice.

 

When I got back to my hotel room I went online and found these two interesting items online re-enforcing their concerns.

 

http://www.smfa.edu/files/Strategic_Plan.pdf

 

This is SMFA's Plan for the future which some of the things make sense for the school but may not be in the best interest for a current applicant or an applicant in the near future. These accreditation things can be tricky and I know that I don't want to get stuck in a transition period between two accreditations.

 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/165254763/2013-SMFA-Disorientation-Guide-Web-Version

 

This is a "Disorientation Guide" I found online made by students. Some of the things in there are fine with me (more pre-reqs for higher classes) but there also some worrying things in that book as well.

 

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from applying or going. But I just think it’s fair for you to know what the school has in mind for the near future. I myself have to seriously consider if I want to be at this school while it goes through its changes. The faculty is really great, I love their work and Boston looks like a great place to learn with all the libraries and lectures that are available to you.

 

   

[Coreythegiraffe]

I just graduated from SMFA with my BFA in May of 2013. 

 

The school is going through some changes. The acceptance rate for the undergrads is very high, and the school is able to function and make money by accepting not-so-talented but wealthy kids.  Having said that, there are many students (both undergrad and grad) who are very very talented and intelligent. 
It is true that the faculty are SMFA biggest asset.

I can't quite speak to the move to distance SMFA from Tufts. I'm not sure when or how that is going to happen. Having said that, students are allowed to take up to 3 courses through a program called Proarts which connects SMFA, Massart, Berkley, Boston Architecture College, and a couple of other schools. This means you can take courses at other schools for credit, for free. SMFA is highly experimental and conceptually driven, but lacks some technical facilities and space. 
Boston is a pretty good city. It is highly academic with MANY schools and institutions. And our proximity to NYC is helpful. However, while Boston is academic, it is not particularly experimental. 

There are pros and cons to the school. 

I'm not sure about the Grad program, but they do tend to give a lot of money to the under grads. 

Hope this helps