MFA Admission
Highly selective, with typically 6 students admitted per year, the Masters of Fine Arts program seeks artists who demonstrate the ability to carry out a significant body of creative work, show an interest in interdisciplinary practice and a desire to connect artmaking with a larger public sphere.
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013.
Fall term admission only.
All materials must be submitted online or postmarked by this date.
APPLY NOW ON SLIDEROOM
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- a bachelor's degree, which may be in any field, is required
- graduate record examinations (GREs) are not required
- completed MFA application form on SlideRoom
- professional resume
- official transcripts of all college work (sent directly from institutions)
- two-page statement of purpose
- completion of the MFA portfolio/creative work review on Slideroom
- 3 recommendations
- $50 application fee (non-refundable)
- a visit to the campus, though not required, is highly recommended
Creative Work Review
The Creative Work Review is the most critical component of the application. Applicants must reveal creative ability through one or more documentary media including still images, film, video, audio and animation.
Register and submit work via Slideroom: http://cmumfa.slideroom.com
ONLINE Requirements for Still Images, Photographs and Photographic Documentation:
Applicants can upload, label, arrange and submit this type of work electronically. SlideRoom is set up to receive no more than 25 slides, and no less than 15. Videos are usually no more than five minutes in length, cued to the section applicants want reviewed.
MAILED Requirements for Still Images, Photographs and Photographic Documentation:
Submit still images on CD-ROM or DVD-R. Image files should be saved in a standard format (JPG, TIFF, PNG, etc.). Image size should not exceed 1024×768 @72 DPI. Include instructions for viewing and image list. If submitting to SlideRoom and via DVD, applicants should submit their SlideRoom confirmation sheet with their application material.
Tuition & Finances
Graduate tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $31,810. A small percentage increase each year should be expected. Students must provide for their living expenses and expenses for books and supplies related to artmaking. The worksheet below explains the economics of the program.
| Estimated Average Expenses Required for One Year | |
| Tuition (2010-2011) | $31,810.00 |
| Health Insurance | $968.00 |
| Activity Fee | $184.00 |
| Technology Fee | $150.00 |
| PAT Fee (public transit) | $54.00 |
| Books and Supplies (estimated) | $1,000.00 |
| Living Expenses/Room & Board (estimated) | $13,808 |
| Personal (estimated) | $2,000.00 |
| Total Expenses | $49,713.00 |
| Estimated Resources Available for One Year | |
| Tuition Remission (estimated) | $19,220 |
| Graduate Assistantship Scholarship (estimated) | $5,000 |
| Student Loans | |
| Fellowships | |
| Other / Summer Income | |
| Total Resources Available | |
Health, Housing, Student Services
Health Services
The University Health Service provides free treatment for minor injuries and illness. The staff includes several physicians, available during office hours to all full-time students, registered nurses and consulting physicians. Students are responsible for the costs of hospital, nursing or other medical services not provided by the university or by the student’s health plan. A health plan especially designed for Carnegie Mellon students and their families is available to all fulltime students. International students are required to purchase illness/accident insurance, either from Carnegie Mellon or through a private company. A pre-entrance physical examination by the entering international student’s physician is required.
Housing
Almost all graduate students live off-campus. The Carnegie Mellon Housing Office offers an off-campus housing website for international students. Up-to-date listings are maintained on available apartments, houses for rent, rooms in private homes and students looking for roommates. Several residential areas within walking or bicycling distance from Carnegie Mellon provide restaurants, movies and shopping opportunities.
Pittsburgh Housing Resources:
Presenting Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Neighborhoods
Craigslist
Graduate student housing on campus
Student Services
For more information on the above student life support systems, please contact Keni Jefferson, MFA & Admissions Coordinator at 412.268.8001, kjgreen@andrew.cmu.edu
International Applicants
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. The new Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) test evaluates reading, listening, speaking, and writing abilities.
A score between 20-27 on each section of the new TOEFL IBT is required for admission. Minimum traditional TOEFL scores of 250 computer based / 600 paper are required for admission.
Carnegie Mellon University Institution Code: 2074