is an MFA worth it?
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- auricom
thinking of getting my MFA but just not sure if it is worth it, i would like to be able to teach at a university but those jobs are hard to find, just as hard as it is to find a design job. any thoughts?
- rson0
I found this thread in the search. I felt it would not hurt to have a few more comments on the topic. Since im in the process of appling for my MFA at Parson's
communcation and tech program.
Any additional thoughts.
- BXCAR0
How s Parsons nowadays?
I used to know some ppl who got their BA there (Paris).Am considering doing some extra study as an option to break the routine.
- instantok0
i am in the same position...if you want to teach then go for it...it is required...i wouldnt worry about finding a teaching job yet...you need to have several years of work experience anyway...my advice (what i plan on doing when i graduate in may) is to work for 2 or 3 years and save a little...pay off the first round of loans...then go back for your masters...you may even find a design job that supports your going back to school...gives you some time to decide what your personal art is about too...a very important concept in grad school where self-direction is key
- rson0
See my problem is I have a design job. Been here four like three years. Now I am ready to move on( for my masters) My job would totally pay for it, well at least half of it. But Parsons is is NYC im in West Chester, PA.
So i would have quit my job...and get finacial aid to support my stay in NYC. What to do?
- rh0
I'm in the same boat...working right now but looking at NYU's ITP.
Sigh.
- instantok0
rson:
are you dead set on parsons?...some good philly schools make the commute easier...just take the r5...im assuming commuting to NYC with amtrak would be both astronomically expensive and a pain
- FrogPond0
I did exactly what everyone in this post recommends: work for a few years, learn, and then go back and get an MFA. The main reason I went back was to teach, and in fact, I chose my school because they allowed me to teach all 4 semesters I was there.
The other deciding factor (I didn't go to an art school, and we can start an entire thread about universities vs. art schools) was that the University offered me an amazing fellowship, and had a lot more financial aid offerings.
In the design world, it looks amazing on my resume, and at times I know it has commanded me more money and respect. At the same time, it also makes people that don't have a masters insecure, and feel like you are gunning for them. I also feel that there have been positions that I have been overlooked for because they think that I will demand susbstantially more money because of my degree.
I plan to work for about another 5 years in the business and then go and teach and ride off into the sunset. I can't find anything more gratifying than having some of my old students turn out great work once they have graduated.
- JazX0
I've applied to the MFA program at Carnegie Mellon University. I think it would be worth it based upon the connections alone. Half of it is BS politics involved. Not so much the experience you get. Plus, I can do it for free as an employee of the place. ;)
- ganon0
instantok, what good philly schools for an MFA are you talking about?..all i know of is tyler, or Upenn for painting/sculpture...Uarts should get a deeper MFA program going...i am thinking of a MFA too, and being in the philly area you kinda have to go nyc or MICA in baltimore....
- grayhood0
yes rand, i think its about time you got that GED
- rson0
instantok
I've been in philly for awhile ...time to get out...plus there are not any MFA programs that apeal to me here in philly. Plus, I have my BFA from UArts. Time for a change.
- instantok0
tyler is the most applicable program...i just got a catalog...its pretty tight...lots of money to be had...decent program + facilities...it depends what you want...uarts (where i am now) has printmaking and industrial design...drexel and penn are more like architecture and computer science...ha...so i guess there isnt much here...ive been looking at MICA too
- instantok0
i gotcha...i just love this city...hard for me to uproot...but the lack of a design scene (with a few notable exceptions) makes it pretty hard to stay...
- rson0
Hey thanks for all the good input talk to you guys later ...back to work!
- unknown0
bingo slipscreem. :)
"solving communications problems"