Underrated programs near LA?

[Kmarra]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any programs near LA that might have higher acceptance rates than say UCLA. My decision to apply is very recent so I'm crazy and need to get the ball rolling, fast. I'm mostly interested in state schools or programs with funding, but any information would be helpful. Additionally, is USC even worth applying to right now?

 

Thank you!

[Relm]

@Kim marra: For the UCs, look at UC Irvine (which slants conceptual/interdisciplinary) and UC Santa Barbara (seems to support more traditional forms of art like painting). UCSD isn't too far from LA, either.

As for USC, who knows, maybe they'll actually keep their word this time around to their students, but that's a gamble I'm personally not willing to take.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Relm

[aethiryn]

On November 16, 2015 at 8:17:39 AM, Relm said:

@Kim marra: For the UCs, look at UC Irvine (which slants conceptual/interdisciplinary) and UC Santa Barbara (seems to support more traditional forms of art like painting). UCSD isn't too far from LA, either.

As for USC, who knows, maybe they'll actually keep their word this time around to their students, but that's a gamble I'm personally not willing to take.

As a graduate from UCSB, I can vouch it's a really great program -- however have to disagree that it supports more 'traditional forms of art making'. 

The program really came together in the 90's with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, hence why there are no departments you apply to (like painting, photo, etc-- just a 'studio art' degree) They encourage cross disciplinary practice, and because it's a university greatly encourage research in other fields such as the sciences (as an example). The program was incredibly theoretically rigorous and devoted to critical discourse in the contemporary field. It's one of the few UC MFA programs that actually requires a 30 page written thesis (or somehow equivalent) -- which some artists are either for or against. I'd actually say the program promotes more of a sculpture and social practice focus, if I had to narrow it into a field. 

I'd say look into it. I got paid to go to grad school there, they have phenomenal funding, the facilities and studios are huge, and the faculty provide intimate one on one interaction and have close ties to the LA scene. 

[Relm]

3 hours ago, aethiryn said:

As a graduate from UCSB, I can vouch it's a really great program -- however have to disagree that it supports more 'traditional forms of art making'. 

The program really came together in the 90's with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, hence why there are no departments you apply to (like painting, photo, etc-- just a 'studio art' degree) They encourage cross disciplinary practice, and because it's a university greatly encourage research in other fields such as the sciences (as an example). The program was incredibly theoretically rigorous and devoted to critical discourse in the contemporary field. It's one of the few UC MFA programs that actually requires a 30 page written thesis (or somehow equivalent) -- which some artists are either for or against. I'd actually say the program promotes more of a sculpture and social practice focus, if I had to narrow it into a field. 

I'd say look into it. I got paid to go to grad school there, they have phenomenal funding, the facilities and studios are huge, and the faculty provide intimate one on one interaction and have close ties to the LA scene. 

Thanks so much for this, aethiryn. Admittedly, my insight comes secondhand, via a friend who is a painter applying to some UC schools, including UCSB (which she visited and feels would be a great place to develop as a painter), but that said, there's no better source than someone who spent a couple of years there (: Glad you had a good experience and didn't spend an arm and a leg doing it.