MFA arts 2015: FUNDING AND DECISIONS

[mccathabee]

I uploaded something I think is worth looking at (for calarts) on my flikr acct:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/67661824@N02/17223498265/

 

Wow, thank you. That really opened my eyes to a lot of things since I was wondering where all the money CalArts gets is going, since it obviously isn't going towards much scholarship aid. I think I may move forward with SDSU, where the money is.

[Coreythegiraffe]

Yes, cal arts may not be worth it. I was going to have take out about the same in loans when I got into risd and SAIC last year. Good schools, but not worth it.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Coreythegiraffe

[mirror_logic]

"Worth" is an extremely personal matter. It is an entirely different word than "value", which is what I think some of the last commentators above may be confusing it with. Especially when what we are talking about is an education, not a 24-count pack of toilet paper from Costco. everything is proportional in these matters.  Getting a full ride to a state university may seem like a good deal on paper when stacked up against a potential debt load, but you're largely missing the intangibles when thinking with the broadstrokes of cost-analysis. You're even missing the  extremely tangible, if you choose to attend one of the aforementioned state university programs, which may not have the facilities, faculty support and commitment, network access (sadly, this can't be overstated in the case of  our particular field), and just straight-up school rep. If you're curious for more detailed and obviously totally subjective information on this, it's a topic very near to me, as I too felt like I'd gamed some kind of system by not paying tuition for my MFA. I wish I'd thought beyond the  grabby, tired chestnut of "going where the money is". It is absolutely terrible advice if it isn't balanced with the various other and crucial considerations. Cal Arts is a vastly different program than SDSU's, I'm sure of it. What do you need from an MFA program? What's your aesthetic, who do you want to work with, what resources do you need in the way of facilities, critique, fellow students with energy and intellect who will stimulate you? Can you stand to live in Valencia, CA or make the commute from LA? Do you need a larger city, to join an art mafia post-graduation, who will bring you work opportunities and wow even enduring community in those wierd miasmic years after you've gotten the degree? 

PM me,  if you want more advice from a stranger on teh internet, of course. 

Edited April 22, 2015 by mirror_logic

[mccathabee]

"Worth" is an extremely personal matter. It is an entirely different word than "value", which is what I think some of the last commentators above may be confusing it with. Especially when what we are talking about is an education, not a 24-count pack of toilet paper from Costco. everything is proportional in these matters.  Getting a full ride to a state university may seem like a good deal on paper when stacked up against a potential debt load, but you're largely missing the intangibles when thinking with the broadstrokes of cost-analysis. You're even missing the  extremely tangible, if you choose to attend one of the aforementioned state university programs, which may not have the facilities, faculty support and commitment, network access (sadly, this can't be overstated in the case of  our particular field), and just straight-up school rep. If you're curious for more detailed and obviously totally subjective information on this, it's a topic very near to me, as I too felt like I'd gamed some kind of system by not paying tuition for my MFA. I wish I'd thought beyond the  grabby, tired chestnut of "going where the money is". It is absolutely terrible advice if it isn't balanced with the various other and crucial considerations. Cal Arts is a vastly different program than SDSU's, I'm sure of it. What do you need from an MFA program? What's your aesthetic, who do you want to work with, what resources do you need in the way of facilities, critique, fellow students with energy and intellect who will stimulate you? Can you stand to live in Valencia, CA or make the commute from LA? Do you need a larger city, to join an art mafia post-graduation, who will bring you work opportunities and wow even enduring community in those wierd miasmic years after you've gotten the degree? 

PM me,  if you want more advice from a stranger on teh internet, of course. 

 

The graphic design program at CalArts is absolutely different than SDSU's, pretty unique and conceptual/form-driven compared to most institutions. It is my dream school, but I can't justify being probably 80K+ in debt once I graduate, especially when I'm not entirely certain if I will find a good job. It is a gamble. SDSU obviously doesn't have a big name but I have friends who have studied graphic design there, and I know some of the instructors - it is a small program but it is decent, and I'd find a way to make the most out of it. CalArts would have of course more connections and resources, and is in close proximity to LA, but I'm not sure if it's worth the 80K in student loans. I guess I'm the type to just err on the side of caution and I don't want to stress about being in debt when getting an MFA is already so energy-intensive as is.

 

It's also really difficult knowing you got into the program of your dreams after all the work you put in, only to find out you can't go because of money. Sometimes I hate this country. >.<

Edited April 22, 2015 by mccathabee

[LittleBlueHouse]

Dude: http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/usc-mfa-drops-out-protest.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=kcet

 

http://mfanomfa.tumblr.com/

[Milkyways]

Dude: http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/usc-mfa-drops-out-protest.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=kcet

 

http://mfanomfa.tumblr.com/

 

 I really feel for the enrolled students, after all the effort they put into applying to, then attending USC. And I applaud their decision to leave, it shows they are a solid group. USC's response is shameful, I would have expected that someone in the institution take responsibility about what happened, and it makes me really sad to see that USC as a whole entity does not seem to care about their situation. USC's program was one of my long shots, a highly respected program with a long tradition of great faculty and alumni. It is really sad, because this only confirms the idea of art education becoming more and more a commodity and a hyper capitalized business than an academic or cultural force. Moreover, it is simply and clearly unethical to change the terms of an agreement that was already made.

 

For those of us who applied this year it happened too in a much lesser degree, but it gives us the impression that USC really needs to settle on what is going on in regards with the MFA. When I applied in January, the funding stated on the website, as well as the faculty, were different from what they are now. Frances Stark left ( apparently, in bad terms), Tala Madani wasn't on the graduate faculty list anymore, and the "great funding" that I was offered was 15k for the first year (out of 40k/year for tuition only). For the second year, I could compete for a T.A. but they were extremely clear about this T.A. being highly competitive.  So if they somehow deceived us and this was frustrating ($100 we could have spent on another application, not counting transcripts and other documents I had to send as a international) I can't imagine what the enrolled students are going through now. I still hope that someone in USC rises to the occasion and fixes this situation. If it doesn't happen, future USC applicants, BEWARE.

[AllArt]

Does anyone know how much stipend you get per month to be a TA at UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara? (MFA studio art; assuming you get free tuition)