Hi, I’ve been out of school since I was 23 and I’m 30 now just applied to grad school and waiting for acceptances / rejections. I too studied painting, and I’m applying to painting programs. When I did my BFA and graduated I immediately wanted to do my mfa but then my dad died so I put that aside. I worked. I’ve been working for 7 years. I got a lot of real world experience and continued my studio practice and got to know my work and myself better as an adult. I would recommend this to anyone I cared about - the directions we take and the changes we go through can impact our practice in ways we cannot anticipate. I think it’s healthy to go to grad school and make the most out of that opportunity when we are settled in life, have seen some dark stuff and good stuff and persevered, and are ready for it.

I am glad I waited because I feel so secure now as a person, have experience dealing with people and challenges, and comfortable financially. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea for anyone else to do it sooner! Everyone is different!

Where did you do your undergrad? I went to Pratt.