Tufts Blogs

The process of applying to college can be daunting, especially when you're unsure of your academic direction. I was completely overwhelmed by the college application process and ended up applying to a ton of schools all around the country. Coming from Arizona, my only goals were to escape the heat and be in a fun city. During my college search, focusing on location helped me to narrow my list. 

I would start within a city and explore programs that were strong in my areas of interest and accommodated an interdisciplinary approach. Throughout the application process I relied a lot on online resources, especially when putting together my portfolio. Getting feedback on my portfolio from my art teacher helped me to narrow down and edit my portfolio before submitting. I took art for all four years of high school and did lots of painting and independent projects outside of class but had not considered art school as part of my college search. 

Initially drawn to Tufts for its political science department, I hadn’t planned on applying to SMFA until I discovered the Combined-Degree program during the application process. Even then, I couldn’t picture myself at an art school until I toured campus. On a trip to Boston, during which I toured many schools, SMFA stood out immediately as a vibrant place full of creative people. I remember being instantly drawn to the colorful ink wall in the screenprinting studio, a room that has since become a second home during my time here. 

My first semester at SMFA was transformative. I ended up taking two classes in the print department, despite having no prior experience in the medium. Going into college, I didn’t have much experience in anything besides painting. Printmaking introduced me to a completely new way to approach artmaking and served as an excellent introduction to the collaborative spirit of SMFA. 

Going into my first year, I remember being apprehensive that a school where everyone is doing art would feel competitive, but what really sets SMFA apart is its collaborative environment. The interdisciplinary nature of the school lends itself to very diverse classes. Everyone is making incredibly varied work and you gain exposure to a wide variety of perspectives. I’ve learned as much from my peers as I have from my professors. 

One of my favorite parts of being an SMFA student is being in Boston. We have the Boston/Fenway campus in the heart of the city while also enjoying the classic New England college feel of the Medford campus, so you really get the best of both worlds. During my time here I’ve had the flexibility to pursue professional opportunities both on and off campus, such as interning at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, interning at the Guild of Boston Artists, and working as a monitor in the screenprinting studio. As an SMFA student, I get to venture into the city all the time, whether it's for work, a class field trip, or just to explore.

The freedom given to students at SMFA goes beyond flexible degree requirements; it is integrated into the classes themselves. Professors often encourage combining work from other studios as well as content from non-studio classes. During my time here, my art practice and academic interests have developed in ways I could never have imagined as a first year. In addition to my political science major, I ended up falling in love with the philosophy department and pursuing a double major within the Combined Degree. As I continue at SMFA, I am grateful for the opportunities this unique program has afforded me and I look forward to further exploring the limitless possibilities of an interdisciplinary education.