<p>For people applying to the dual degree with SMFA, how are the applications reviewed? I applied to each school individually and checked the little box for dual degree, but does that mean I’ll hear from each school individually, and if I get into both THEN I am considered for the program?</p>
<p>Will applying to this program have any significant impact on my application? I guess my main question is this: is there a special committee that reviews dual degree applications, or is everyone reviewed as the same, and those who just happen to get into both are considered? Also, I didn’t submit my portfolio to Tufts (although I sent a resume) because I thought they would “work together” with SMFA in my review. Should I also send my portfolio to Tufts as a supplement, or will they see it because I applied to the dual degree? Is it too late to send one?</p>
<p>From what I know (and I could be terribly wrong about this), Tufts and SMFA review your app as they would with any ordinary student (Tufts will evaluate you as a student going for a BA or BS, while SMFA will evaluate you as a student going for a BFA). However, I’d think that they would take into consideration that you applied for a dual degree (even though they aren’t deliberating together). I would just call the admiss office to figure out if Tufts would be viewing your portfolio as well. Is it too late to even send supplemental material to the office? (another good question to ask the office). </p>
<p>Again, I could be totally wrong about this, but that’s what I know.</p>
<p>(it’s also interesting to see you post on the Tufts board, though I’m always used to seeing you post on the arch board)</p>
<p>We do our reviews separately using our own processes. We don’t see their materials, and they don’t see ours. Though we are each aware of your application of the other place and that you are interested in the 5 year program, and though we share basic information on students, our processes are separate. If you get admitted to each school, you have the option of choosing the enroll in the 5 year DD program. </p>
<p>Please, carefully consider the value of sending an art portfolio to Tufts. We are not qualified to make a judgment on it in an artistic sense. I would not advocate sending a portfolio in, but if you choose to do so, I’ll provide some guidance.</p>
<p>Know that you are submitting your work to demonstrate a broader quality about yourself, not to demonstrate something about your artistic skill. Pick one or two works that reflect your personality and your ways of thinking and send those in; an entire portfolio is overkill and will get in the way of noticing the important things you are trying to show. Send prints that will fit in an 8.5x11 manilla envelope and will not require special equipment to see.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help, so_ein. I like to branch out of the architectue board every now and then :)</p>
<p>Thanks Dan, that was a helpful clarification. I was hoping SMFA would tell Tufts if they really liked some applicants and vice-versa, but I can see how it’s separate now. That is the biggest problem I’ve run into in my search - admissions folks not knowing how to really “take in” a portfolio. Art plays such a huge role in the kind of academic student I am so it’s hard to really get myself across on an application without my art playing a significant role. Usually I talk directly to the art department but in this case it’s a little different. Thanks for your help. </p>
<p>Also, does Tufts release how many applicants it receives for the DD program? Not a huge deal…but I think I’m in love with it and thus crave insignificant things like that :)</p>
<p>Hey Ryan, just wondering if you’re considering getting a BA in Architectural Studies through Tufts. If you’re at all interested in the program, let me know and I’ll tell you a bit more about it</p>
<p>Ryan, I’m with you. To be honest, it’s a little frustrating for me, too. But it’s the same way for almost any EX activity. If you’re a musician, a filmmaker, president of the student body, starting a community service group, whatever - we won’t have a clear idea about what that means to you and your growth and your intellectualism unless someone can contextualize it for us. </p>
<p>Just to clear something up: Part of the basic information we share is who we think we really like. So what you mentioned in your last post does happen, but independent of what the SMFA plans on doing, if you get admitted to Tufts, it’s because we liked you, not because the SMFA did.</p>
<p>As for released info on applicants… I’m really not sure. I doubt that we do, but the info might still be floating around somewhere. Perhaps the SMFA knows.</p>
<p>My daughter is in the dual degree program and has found it extremely difficult.
The art courses meet for twice as many hours as the academic courses and they expect homework on top of that. It is hard to schedule courses between the two schools because the art classes meet from 9-5 one day a week which makes it tough to schedule academic classes. Also, don’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to commute between the two schools. It takes 45 minutes from Tufts to SMFA one way. We found out last year that 20 students were accepted into the dual degree program for the class of 2006, and only one student completed the dual degree program that year. When we asked Susan Lush at the Museum School about that, she said one reason for that is money. We are experiencing that problem ourselves.
We are probably going to have to tell our daughter that she can only get the BFA degree because we can no longer afford five years of college because of the bad economy. My daughter was so excited about this program since she is an excellent academic student and a talented artist, but the reality has been a little disappointing.</p>
<p>Thanks so_ein. I’m not sure what I’d be studying - was leaning towards philosophy but I’ve heard about the arch studies major. Are there design studios or is it mostly history/theory/criticism? Any idea if they release how many students go into M.Arch programs? It seems like something I would like, and I certainly enjoy the non-design track as well - and would be a great background before grad school. What has your experience been like in it?</p>
<p>Thanks again Dan. I’ve never realized how nice it is to have an admissions person right here to answer questions. I was beginning to think our decisions were made by robots, but you’ve convinced me that admissions offices may have a slice of humanity in them (that said, I’m ignoring the possibility of rejection… for now). </p>
<p>Thanks for your insight, Jacksonmom. It’s always nice to hear the other side of the story, but I guess the real artist (see: idealist) in me hopes that I could be that one kid a year that makes it through The degrees themselves aren’t as important to me as actually being able to take art classes while in college. Are Tufts students not enrolled in the program still allowed to cross register for classes at the SMFA? I know I want to go into architecture, so the 5 year just seems like an awesome opportunity to combine arts and academics - arguably a nice background to have for architecture.</p>
<p>My boyfriend completed the five year program, earning a BA in Architectural Studies & Art History at Tufts, and a BFA in painting at the SMFA. It’s doable if you’re dedicated.</p>
<p>I think most people who drop out of the dual-degree program do so simply because they decide they’re more interested in the BA or BFA. Such was the case with people I knew.</p>
<p>You can definitely take classes at SMFA (any you want!) if you are not a dual-degree student.</p>
<p>Hey Ryan,
So the number of students who major in Architec. Studies is relatively small (15-20), so you really get to know your fellow arch students very quickly. In regards to students getting their M.archs, check out these newsletter, specifically the undergrad alumni news section near the end.
[Department</a> of Art & Art History - Tufts University](<a href=“Home | Department of the History of Art and Architecture”>Home | Department of the History of Art and Architecture)
Keeping in mind the small class size, about 20% go on to get their March right after their undergrad at Tufts.
While there are only a <em>few</em> arch design studios (and by few, I mean two), the real emphasis is on the major’s interdisciplinary approach. Aside from architecture history/theory/crit courses and seminars, courses from almost all departments will somehow count for the major.
<a href=“The Bulletin | AS&E Students”>The Bulletin | AS&E Students;
Hope this helps.</p>
<p>The 5 year program IS doable, it’s just challenging. :-)</p>
<p>Also, I don’t think that regular Tufts students can take any course at SMFA.
They can take any of the courses in continuing ed (nights and weekends), but I think that only SMFA students or combined degree students can take the day courses.
Combined degree students have registration priority because of the demands of their program, but a lot of SMFA students get waitlisted for the more popular studio courses at the Museum School which is probably why regular Tufts students can’t take the day courses there. There are studio classes at Tufts though.
The definitive answer to this question can probably be found within the SMFA and/or Tufts websites.</p>
The degrees themselves aren’t as important to me as actually being able to take art classes while in college. Are Tufts students not enrolled in the program still allowed to cross register for classes at the SMFA? I know I want to go into architecture, so the 5 year just seems like an awesome opportunity to combine arts and academics - arguably a nice background to have for architecture.</p>