How old are people in MFA programs...?

[Pulsar]

How old are typical MFA students? I'd imagine they are in their mid-late twenties...?

I took a year off after undergrad. and applied to grad. school. I am currently 22 years old.. would I feel too young/unexperienced..?

*Also, does age matter to the decision-making committee? 

 

Thank you! 

Edited February 2, 2015 by Pulsar

[ChuckCL]

I'm not in an MFA program (I got accepted to a few fiction programs in the 2013 cycle, but decided not to go), but I have a lot of friends who are. From what I understand:

 

MFAs skew slightly older, and while age itself may not be hugely important, there's definitely an impression that MFA admissions committees value experience outside of academia. It doesn't really matter what type of experience, but it seems they like candidates who have been out in the world for a while. (I think the rationale is that someone who has been in academia since kindergarten with no foray into the "real world" may not have the exposure that makes a good writer, painter, etc.). 

 

Of course, those are creative writing programs. And there are definitely people in MFA programs who went straight from undergrad and were very young (my best friend finished her BFA a year early and started her MFA at 21). But that's my limited experience. 

[smartstrategy]

A good school will welcome diversity in their program.

The work is most important.

Committees are looking for potential students with promise.

 

Ages can range from 21 to 56 years old. Perhaps even older.

 

What is most important is your attitude and your ability to get along with and learn from others in the program without age being a factor.

 

Some questions to consider:

 

What can you offer the program?

Will you be mature enough to show initiative and to create work regularly without being prompted by faculty and your peers?

Will social activities take priority over making work?

Are you ready for a very intense experience that will last several years?

 

Can you take critical feedback well? Feedback that can be harsh?

Can you be self-critical?

 

Are you open to new ideas and viewpoints different from your own?

 

Do you know why you want to go to grad school at this time?

Are your goals realistic?

Do you have a good understanding of Contemporary Art?

[BlCEO]

^ this.

[Pulsar]

I'm not in an MFA program (I got accepted to a few fiction programs in the 2013 cycle, but decided not to go), but I have a lot of friends who are. From what I understand:

 

MFAs skew slightly older, and while age itself may not be hugely important, there's definitely an impression that MFA admissions committees value experience outside of academia. It doesn't really matter what type of experience, but it seems they like candidates who have been out in the world for a while. (I think the rationale is that someone who has been in academia since kindergarten with no foray into the "real world" may not have the exposure that makes a good writer, painter, etc.). 

 

Of course, those are creative writing programs. And there are definitely people in MFA programs who went straight from undergrad and were very young (my best friend finished her BFA a year early and started her MFA at 21). But that's my limited experience. 

 

 

A good school will welcome diversity in their program.

The work is most important.

Committees are looking for potential students with promise.

 

Ages can range from 21 to 56 years old. Perhaps even older.

 

What is most important is your attitude and your ability to get along with and learn from others in the program without age being a factor.

 

Some questions to consider:

 

What can you offer the program?

Will you be mature enough to show initiative and to create work regularly without being prompted by faculty and your peers?

Will social activities take priority over making work?

Are you ready for a very intense experience that will last several years?

 

Can you take critical feedback well? Feedback that can be harsh?

Can you be self-critical?

 

Are you open to new ideas and viewpoints different from your own?

 

Do you know why you want to go to grad school at this time?

Are your goals realistic?

Do you have a good understanding of Contemporary Art?

Thank you so much for the input! 

[seeingeyeduck]

I've heard average is early 30s, but I've also seen the number 27 thrown around. There's someone in their 40s in our prog right now and I'm in my early 30s.

[Pulsar]

I've heard average is early 30s, but I've also seen the number 27 thrown around. There's someone in their 40s in our prog right now and I'm in my early 30s.

Than would you say early 20s is young? Are there any people in their 20s in your program? 

[seeingeyeduck]

Yep, a couple but it's also small. The bigger programs will have a LOT more young people.

[kwonberry]

It's a toss up but most people at my program lie somewhere between 28-32. 

[Pulsar]

It's a toss up but most people at my program lie somewhere between 28-32. 

Oh, thank you! Do you think it's uncommon for people in their early 20's to be in art programs? 

*And is your program UCLA? 

 

[Pulsar]

Wow, this topic's getting so many views!   


***If anyone who view this topic is currently in a program, I think it would be helpful to prospective grad. students if you could post your school, the age range & approx. number of people at your program!*** 


Thank you so much! 

Edited February 20, 2015 by Pulsar

[KSuverkrubbe]

I am 23. If you are younger like me , or just finished getting an undergraduate degree you may be told sort of what I was told from certain programs that 'you need a little more work' or 'you need more experience' . It depends on the program.

 

MICA when I was interviewed told me that they usually don't accept people who havent at least had a year of outside school experience. I am assuming the few exceptions they make are people who have probably been more invested in the art community, such as doing residencies and conferences, taking up gallery jobs, etc. to prove that they are 'serious'. I was also told that out of 250 applicants they only interview about 30. (so yay I guess i did good just for being interviewed? )

 

RISD also mentioned that there aren't many people fresh out of undergrad there. I don't know if I will get into this school.....I think I sort of flubbed the interview, to be frankly honest- and i am sure they are a little more in line with MICA about their attitude towards fresh undergrads, though they seemed MUCH more relaxed about it and willing to be flexible. We'll see what happens when they make their admissions decisions.

 

I'm not sure about Virginia Commonwealth. They also said I need a 'little more work and I could get into a top  graduate program'..and that their summer program would be good for me to gain the experience I need. I think they may have a similar attitude. I'm also 'on their radar' .

 

Outside of those schools, none of the others seem to have had a problem at all with me being a recent BFA, but I do believe the competition for these schools is  lighter. The two I am talking about are Syracuse University and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Boston University didn't speak with me over the telephone , just an email but they have given me full tuition, so I am thinking it may not be as important to them either.

 

I really debated if I should work another year before applying for certain programs or not. I am fairly confident I could be accepted into more programs and have a better chance if I had another year (only because I progress so fast...one year means a world of difference to me). But I think it's worth it to me to go ahead and go to an MFA program regardless . It's really a personal decision. It can be a good idea if you're willing to work a job and work on a portfolio to wait another year. If you start trying for exhibitions and get more active it will only help you.

 

Again, I think it's totally dependent on which school you want to go to. And if you're willing to settle even if you know another year could greatly improve your work and admission chances. (like me lol).

 

As for me, I want to strike while the iron is hot :DDD! I don't think it's best for me to take a year off.

Edited March 13, 2015 by KSuverkrubbe

[KSuverkrubbe]

I don't think age necessarily matters ....It's the EXPERIENCE that counts. I think they want a certain level of maturity and they are hesitant about students that don't seem to have demonstrate they are serious about art (like me who hasn't done many exhibitions, hasn't been to that many galleries, etc). I do make a lot of art work, and I work my ass off so I thought that my art work and my work ethic would shine , but I think that lack of knowlege still showed through. (though hey I did alright as far as acceptances, I thin,k so my art work spoke up to a certain extent).

 

And I will be honest I even admitted in my admissions essay that I was lacking experience and wanted to gain it- that is a reason I wanted to apply to graduate school. I think that may have been a hinderance to admissions in the end, but I wasn't going to lie. I know at this point that I need a certain kind of program, and I really heavily need it for the experience it can give me.

 

I think it's just important to be totally honest and to go for the places you think will be best for you. I do believe that in the end you can get into a good program that is good for you! ...And for art, it really doesn't matter about WHERE you go, it's WHAT YOU DO WITH IT! again, it's all about the experience you will gain , the improvement in your work, and the exposure you can have to other artists and ideas. If you live in a good area for art and you hustle your butt off you can still 'make it' regardless of the exact place you go.

 

Motivation is key and all that hoorah. I wouldn't stress about the age (or the lack of experience) . If you want to apply, just apply and see. YOu may get in, you may not. If you don't want to wait- don't wait! Unless there is a specific school you HAVE to go to, it's not really necessary to wait around for other programs. I may be more new to this than the average candidate, but  I am pretty proud of what I have done and ,though I can understand programs being hesistant about me as a candidate (my art isn't as mature as it could be, my knowlege isn't either) , I want to go to a program that can help me advance beyond the stage I am at now. Ahg I want it so bad! lol .