Tufts Blogs

With May just around the corner and acceptance letters being sent out, now is a great time to share a little bit about how I made the decision to come to SMFA. Maybe my process will make it easier for new students who are in the middle of making their own decisions!

SMFA is the only university I applied to, so making the decision to come here was not very difficult for me! SMFA does not have majors or a foundation year – meaning that, from the very first time you choose your classes – you are shaping your college education into a process that works for you individually. In my three years here, I have gone from mostly painting to working inclusively with metals, ceramics, fibers, sculpture, drawing, and still painting. When I applied, I knew I would have this freedom to analyze and change as I go and now, three years in, I can see that it’s been integral to developing my artistic process.

I also just had a gut feeling that SMFA would be the right place. The moment I walked into this building, I knew it was the right place. In a physical sense, I felt immediately comfortable and intrigued when I walked around the campus on the Fenway. The open windows, bright light, and the suspended stairway over the atrium gave me a feeling of breathability and possibility. My tour guide walked with me through every studio and introduced me to a student whose process was similar to mine, assuring me that I would be seen as an individual artist at SMFA, and not as just another student.  

In the end, the atmosphere combined with the specific education I knew I would receive sold me on this school and to this day, those factors are what keep me motivated and active.  It’s important to understand the philosophies of the schools you are considering and to make informed decisions through them, but it’s equally as important to visit those schools in person to feel the atmospheres for yourself. Doing that allowed me to follow my gut and helped me choose a school that was the best fit for me!