13 days and counting until taxes and MFA decisions come due. Surely somebody out there has accepted an offer. For those of you who have, tell us where you're going (and your genre) and what the final factors were in making your choice (refresh our memories about the competition, too).
For those of you still waiting or who are only now getting your golden ticket in the mail, let us hear about it. The next two weeks should be exciting as spaces open up and a new round of acceptances go out.
113 comments:
My personal count is six rejections, one waiting list, and five schools still silent. Here's to everyone else who is sure they will go mad with waiting - let's go mad together! You're not alone!
I'm on the waitlist for the program of my own personal preference. It's a tough pill to swallow at this point. Still crossing my fingers. I'm going to kiss the ground if my status changes.
I'm in at Pitt and Sarah Lawrence... 9 rejections and a fake waitlist from Bowling Green. I'm visiting Pitt on the 7th and SLC on the 16th, and then a position will be opening up at one of those programs.
I've just recieved an acceptance letter from Naropa College. My concentration is Poetry. I'm still waiting on The New School, which is my personal preference.
I got into Columbia for the poetry MFA, I got a call the 13th and the official letter like 5 days ago. Michael, I got into the New School too with 6 grand and turned them down, so they definitely have some cash and another spot opening up soon. Good luck!
I was accepted at the University of New Hampshire and Pitt. Waitlisted at Hollins and UMASS @ Boston, and rejected from Purdue, Colorado State, Michener, and Columbia.
I'll be heading out to New Hampshire in the fall! For fiction.
I got in for poetry at Oregon and UCI, rejected from UMass, UTA, Brown, Stegner.
I've accepted UCI's offer two weeks ago, but
< rant, rant, rant >found out on April 1st, and this won't apply to most of you, that they can't waive tuition for international students, which I am, though I've lived, legally, in Los Angeles for 10 years.
AND they can't charge me resident tuition which is 3 times cheaper than non resident, AND I can't get a federal loan even though I've been paying taxes all this time. < /rant, rant, rant >
Anyway, there's TAship, and I've made $1 go $2 or $5. I just need to make it go $10 for the next few years.
I told UCI I'd call them back with a decision at the beginning of next week.
yikes!
Taggie--did you ever figure out your funding stuff with NH?
Anybody know what's up with UC-Irvine's fiction decisions? I still haven't heard a peep.
Samara,
Well, I'm not receiving any funding this year, sadly. I'm hoping that some type of funding will open up in the next few semesters for me. It's a HUGE risk I'm taking, I know that, but I'm pretty sure that I'll survive it.
If you want, check out this: http://groups.google.com/group/newmfamphsire
Lots of potential UNH students have been posting things there. I went to the prospective student day last week and there's a summary of everything I learned and a link to pictures that I took. I hope it's helpful for someone.
But yeah... I'm just looking for a job and praying that I'll be lucky enough to get a tuition waiver eventually. Big gamble, huh?
I actually applied to Irvine too and haven't heard anything yet
stuck between uncw and unh for poetry. no funding for either. right now leaning towards uncw... any thoughts?
I just wanted to let you guys know that I got accepted into Emerson, Univ. of San Francisco, University of Baltimore, American University, George Mason, and University of Maryland. I've decided to go to Emerson so a spot will be opening up in the other programs over the next couple of days. I didn't get funding anywhere, (agh) so no money will come with it. (Sorry!) I hope this helps someone! Good luck!
cat ennis,
what made you choose emerson over all those other schools?
i've been rejected from three, accepted to California College of the Arts, and am waiting two: Irvine and Eastern Washington University.
I was admitted to the MFA in Film at Columbia. Currently, trying to decide if it's worth the cost. I make films already. Advice anyone?
Hey st liaw,
hope it works out at UCI! I just heard the program is suffering a lot of faculty changes at Oregon. It was my first choice but now I'm not so sure...
hi ed,
Unfortunately, I dont' know the first thing about Columbia's MFA in Film--or any film program, for that matter. Around here, we mostly talk about MFAs in Creative Writing.
Best of luck.
Only applied to three schools. One acceptance to an expensive, unfunded school and no answer back from the other ones. So, I called the silent programs yesterday. The first said that I'm 'still under review' (that could mean anything, such as we haven't read your file yet). However, they said that I'll definitely receive an answer by the 15th; the other secretary said: "Yeah, we know that the traditional deadline date for programs is the 15th, but we're not going to get back to you until the 1st of May." Highly inconvenient...good luck everyone.
Since you've already done the digging, what programs cited the 15th of March and the 1st of May as dates decisions would be made known?
spillingink:
I chose Emerson for a couple of reasons.
My fiancee loves Boston and will be able to find a job there in his field better than DC, San Fran or Baltimore.
Emerson offers an MA in publishing, and I think it will be helpful to network with those students and also to take electives in publishing in case I don't want to become a teacher later. They budget out 8 credits for internships as well, and Boston's a great place to get publishing internships. Also, I was really impressed with Ploughshares. It's a personal thing, but two of the stories in the recent issue made me cry, and I want to learn to write like that! Then, I like how they give you 8 credits for the thesis, so I'll have a nice healthy chunk of time to work on it. I didn't get a scholarship, but half of the students who take a Teaching Freshman comp course get interviews for adjunct faculty positions their second year, and get paid for that.
I also just really love Boston!!
I was put off by rumors I heard about it being competitive, underfunded and overrated with unresponsive faculty. But so far, the faculty have replied to my emails promptly. I'll just take a risk with the other rumors...:P
I just told GMU and U. Balt I'm not going there so I hope somebody out there gets an acceptance letter in the mail soon!
I've applied for fiction MFA, but Brooklyn College offered me a spot in their MA program. Has anyone else experienced something like this?
Also I've yet to hear back from UNC Greensboro. Has anyone applied and heard back from there?
Alyssa,
Either you are the same person I met visiting NYU last Tuesday (sitting in the back of the classroom), or you are the second person I've encountered who applied to Brooklyn for an MFA and got accepted to the MA program.
If you ARE the person I met on Tuesday--I've decided on NYU. Hope to see you there!!
Sara
third for acceptance to brooklyn college MA (but not MFA) - and also waiting on UNCG..
Oh my gosh!
I also just got an accpetance into Brooklyn college's MA but not their MFA, have any of you heard anything about the MA program or done any research? What are your thoughts on taking this option? And how do you read the offer? I think you can read it as Brooklyn is really attentive to their applicants and think that the program would actually be a better fit, or they are just trying to fill a less popular program that did npt get a lot of applicants. Thoughts???!!!
I also got an offer for MA at Brooklyn. Wierd.
I am deciding between UC Riverside and Univ. British Columbia for Fiction. Both are multi-genre. Does anyone know anything about either, but particularly the latter? I'm still trying to reach students in their program.
Ethan,
Congrats on Brooklyn. It's interesting to hear that others have been denied MFA but offered MA.
I'm considering the MA, as I have yet to hear from two schools and that's been my only acceptance thus far. I'm afraid of "settling" for the MA but my professors seem to think having a Masters in English will be beneficial when I do an MFA later on.
As for how I read the offer...I looked at it (optimistically) as them not having space for me in MFA but being interested in my application and thinking I'd be a good fit for the MA. I hope we're not just filler for the MA program, but I guess you never know.
Are you considering the MA?
Francis,
Cal State Long Beach (April 15th)
UC Riverside (May 1st)
alyssa,
I tend to have the same optimistic reading as you. I am seriously considering it. Their course list looks pretty interesting with everyting from medieval to contemporary lit. even an adolescant and children's lit. class, which I am very interested in as a genre and is something that I have not seen at many programs. The one reservation I have is that the degree looks pretty rigid (2 required core classes and then classes in 6 of 7 areas either periods or theory and crit, language, etc.), which is surprising because their MFA is so flexible (open to outside department electives)and that is one of the things that attracted me to Brooklyn in the first place. I am planning on contacting the program after the weekend and seeing if there is any flexibility or customizing that can be worked into the degree at all, because I really would like to take one or two workshop classes if it's possible. I mean, it's the same department, same professors. I wonder if they would go for that.
I applied to six low-res programs, and so far, I've heard from four. Vermont, Warren Wilson and Queens said no, but Antioch put me on the waitlist.
I just received word of the waitlist on Saturday, so I still have hope there. The two remaining programs had late deadlines to apply, so it may be a while before I hear from them.
Good luck to everyone. This blog has been a great resource for me through this process.
I've had six rejections as well, and am now on two waitlists: The New School and Seattle Pacific. Still waiting to hear from three more. Wondering how much time should pass- wait until the 15th?- before I bug someone about my spot on the lists.
Forewarning: This may be a longish post, but I'm tearing my hair out, and asking others in the same position is greatly relieving (My family and boyfriend are getting MFA-fatigue). So thanks for your patience.
I'm deciding (poetry) between UC Irvine, Washington University, and U Nevada Las Vegas. All really different programs in almost all ways.
I'm leaning towards Irvine based on general reputation, advice from a trusted former teacher/recommender, and based on weather (I'm a Miami girl who's been in Boston for 8 years, craving sun). It also has a third year of teaching, and is a studio-based, less academic program, which in many ways appeals in its focus.
Wash U seems great, too if a bit less exciting, with really good funding and faculty to die for; and UNLV is a fascinating program, with translation and travel requirements and a really open perspective - Don Revell sounds fantastic but funding is not fantastic, so much.
I hear that Irvine's fiction carries much of its reputation, and that poetry may not be as stellar since Philip Levine left. Does anyone have a feeling about this?
There's good funding (remission and TA-ship) at Irvine, though rent in Irvine is *so* expensive -- graduate housing with lottery-picked roommates feels drearily undergraduate, and is not much cheaper than off-campus.
I make a different choice every other hour; any advice or more studied perspectives will be gratefully received.
also: s.t. liaw, that international student stupidity sounds frustrating, and definitely unfair. but maybe I'll see you this fall anyway! As a transplant to LA, what are your thoughts on the area, or on Irvine the city (or the program, while we're at it)?
Thanks everyone, and good luck...
calvin:
Thanks for your well wishes. About Oregon, the faculty changes to be honest, didn't concern me that much. The classes they offer seem to stress understanding and exposure to the history and canon of poetry, which was attractive to me. Plus the funding is good and the city sounds awesome.
Irvine is as exciting - for different reasons - but the deal breaker for me was being near a good community people that's taken years to build.
leah:
Thanks as well. I'm going to try to get together with Jim McMichael to see if something can be worked out.
I've heard that fiction carries the reputation for Irvine as well, but I'm really, really excited about the faculty (McMichael and Ryan) and what I've read of their work. I think it would be a good fit for me. The funding - before this recent disaster - is great. I'm used to the rent in LA, and living on very little, so the funding would have been sufficient.
As for the city, I have to say Seattle is ALOT cooler than Irvine. People who live in Irvine refer to where they live by the malls that they're near to, so that should give you an idea of the culture. The school, though, is located close to a nature preserve of sorts, if that makes a difference.
Feel free to email me at gmail: michael.liaw
The tally: I am accepted into U of Montana (and I've accepted), waitlisted at Johns Hopkins.
Rejected at VA, UCI, TX-Michener, Cornell, Brown, Iowa, WI, MI.
And not a word from FL.
For all you people deciding which programs to go to, all I can offer is this phrase a very famous poet once told me, "When going for your MFA stick to the coasts. That is where the best poets, the best teachers, and the best programs are." I agree, who wants to be in the mid-west anyways?
i'm attending umass-amherst for poetry.
the faculty. whoa. mostly, though, the program seems to have established an astounding, highly respected literary community. there's so much going on. opportunities to work on some amazing lit journals, too. and amherst seems like a beautiful, nicely sized town (i need a break from nyc). what sealed the deal for me was receiving a TAship, which comes with a full tuition waiver and a stipend.
i'm psyched.
I love the midwest.
:) To each their own.
I just got into Columbia and have accepted. I applied to a ton of programs: Columbia (Film), Columbia (Writing), Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, Iowa, SFSU, UCLA, and CalArts. Rejected from all but CalArts where i'm on the wait list. Any other Columbia accepters are welcome to contact me. Please do!
No and, truthfully, Iowa's program is dead now and hasn't been good for about a decade. So, other than OSU (which has Henri Cole but NO ONE applied to) the midwest sucks for MFA programs. So no, I wasn't joking, and neither was the poet who first said that.
Oh and if you were asking in your first participle if Jesus was being sarcastic he, at times, probably was.
Just found out I got into Minnesota. I'm freaking out here--they were one of my top choices, but I had pretty much decided I was going to Ohio State. Now I just don't know. (This is for fiction.) Does anyone have any thoughts on the two?
p.s. MN was off the wait list.
Anyone have a persuasive argument for either UNCW or Houston for fiction? Both have offered me sweet funding/teaching packages. I liked Wilmington when I visited, and I'm checking out Houston later this week.
I think, once I've visited both, I'll know which one is right for me, but I welcome anyone else's opinions.
Found out today I was waitlisted at the New School. Due to my ambivalence, it was the only school I applied to. I would love to know how many students are accepted versus waitlisted, generally, and what the odds are for waitlisted folks. Also, let's say you're waitlisted and you don't get in that year and you apply again the next year. Does it help? Well, I heard a great meditation teacher talk about the difference between expectation and aspiration this weekend. Expectation is a very uncomfortable place to be in. I feel for anyone still waiting!
Ohio State has really one of the best programs in this country, period. It might not be on any ranking lists or blog spots but its faculty simply destroys almost every other school's.
Wow, lautreamont, were you attacked by a giant corn stalk while visiting the midwest? You seem to have an intense hatred for it. So much anger :(
samara, how do you feel about the cold? seriously, that's something to consider. (my sister just moved to Minneapolis so I've been hearing her woes about single-digits weather all winter long...and we grew up in the Northeast.)
weather aside, from my couple of visits there, it seems like Minni has a nice arts community and is definitely a happening city to be in, for what that's worth to you.
congrats on having two great choices!
I actually got my undergraduate degree in St. Paul, so the cold doesn't phase me. And you're right, Minneapolis (and St. Paul) are great for culture. But I'm also from the Northeast--OSU tempts me because it's closer to family. I'm feeling a little calmer now. I never thought making an MFA choice would be stressful, but it's freaking me out a bit!
I'm in a weird predicament. I've been accepted to UT's MA program in poetry writing, which definitely excites me. But here's the thing: I originally applied to the Michener Center, never even thinking about the MA. They offered me the position after looking through my Michener application. The program's a little different, but I'd still get great funding and take classes led by awesome faculty. Still, I can't help but wonder why it's an MA and not an MFA. I've heard some people are in similar waters with Brooklyn, and I'm wondering if my situation is comparable at all. I'm going to visit tomorrow, so maybe that will assuage any doubts.
Meanwhile, I'm still on three waiting lists: Michigan, Arkansas, and Florida (Gainesville). These were among my original seven choices, and I think I'd be happy at any one of them. I've been told I'm first on the list at Florida, which is both relieving and nerve-wracking. I don't want to accept the UT offer and rule out any of these other options.
Ugh.
So yeah, long post, but does anybody have any words of advice? Does anyone know anything about the UT MA program? Is anyone rejecting an offer from MI, FL, or AR?
My advice is to just talk to the program when you are there and see how much writing you will/can do in the MA program (assuming that writing is what you are still looking for). I talked to the Brooklyn MA director and his answer was basically "none whatsoever," so I am taking a pass.
garbage blanche-
i don't think that the brooklyn MA and UT MA offers are comparable. i was offered an MA slot at brooklyn too and it seemed like they were handing it to me in an attempt to fill slots, make more money, etc. but the opportunity you described w/ UT seems completely legitimate and awesome, especially if the funding is good. no one else has mentioned this on the blog, so i think you can assume that they really want you, which is a good sign, and a huge ego boost.
good luck!
natalie
hey are there any syracuse kids out there? im heading there in the fall...
I just rejected Emerson's offer. Therefore, a spot should be opening up there within the next few days. Good luck!
P.S. I also finally got my rejection letter from U of Florida.
anyone on thier way to George Mason?
is anyone considering the dartmouth MALS program with an emphasis on creative writing?
I got into Pitt, George Mason, and UNH. Rejected from University of Michigan, Wisconsin, U Mass, and Rutgers. I was deferred to another program at NYU.
I'm going to UNH in the fall and very excited about it!
I was accepted at my first choice program, the Poetry MFA at Seattle Pacific University. I couldn't be more elated! Sorry if I already responded to this... :)
From what I understand, they had about 50 applicants and accepted 12.
I am not sure if that was just for poetry or for the entire program.
garbage blanch,
I've seen people on the speakeasy decline offers from Michigan & Florida yesterday. Hope this works out well for you!
hi natalie, i'm also going to syracuse! what genre are you? i'm going for poetry.
Hey everyone, I'm usually a lurker, but I thought that since the Uni of San Fran is soooooo slow in telling people whether they've been accepted or not, I thought it'd be useful to let people know that they have finally began calling!! (April 11th)
I got in, by the way :D
mummy licker-
i'm going for fiction but all i've been writing for the past few months is poetry. this might be a problem come september.
do you know when school starts? have you figured out where you're going to stay while you're looking for an apartment??? i figure subletting might be cheaper than motels...i asked them if i could crash in a dorm and they said no that would be a problem.
natalie,
send me an email: beavcb (at) hotmail (dot) com
i've already got an apartment lined up, and i went to visit a few months ago, so maybe i can help you out. in the meantime, check out orangehousing.com
I've accepted an offer at UNCG for fiction. Feels good to have all of THAT overwith. But, now what will I obsess over until August?
I'm on my way to George Mason for fiction in the Fall.
By the virtue of mail today, I was rejected by Eastern Washington U. The current count: 4 rejections, 1 acceptance, waiting to hear from an MA at New Mexico Highlands U.
stiiiillll deciding between Minnesota and Ohio State. In the end I might just flip a coin.
Hey all you UCI applicants, any rejection leters yet? I've been reading blog posts that "They're going to send their letters out this week," for several weeks. I haven't gotten one yet. Will I get it by Christmas?! I even emailed the program requesting a response...no reply--really bad manners the way I see it.
If you've been accepted at UCI let us know! (Thanks to the two or three folks who have said they got in there and congrats.)
I'm still waiting to hear anything from the New School.
I forgot to say that I applied to New School for nonfiction.
I finally decided--I'm going to OSU. I'm so happy and relieved. It's like a big, scary wave just broke over my head and now that it's over I feel all refreshed and tingly and raring for the next one.
Murphy: Heard back from Antioch yet? Anybody else (like me) starting Antioch in June (I'm fiction)? Who else is waiting to hear word one from UCI? Tomorrow is the 15th, Irvine--give me a break with the stoic silence. Just reject me already!
I feel you, Jessica. I'm still waiting for final words of adieu from Irvine and UNLV. I mean, come on. All of these people waiting can't actually be waitlisted. At least put us out of our misery.
Jessica,
I haven't heard a thing. I still hope that a spot will open up for me though. I really like Antioch's program.
Hi all- just got into Johns Hopkins today. I was on their waitlist but now I'm officially in with the full ride and TA-ship that they offer each student. Ecstatic.
I was accepted into Montana and rejected from 9 other schools.
Just received an emailed rejection from UC Riverside. The tone was very nice and apologetic; it didn't sting too badly.
They offered to "consider my application" for their extension MFA program(s) in Palm Desert, CA. Unfortunately, it's waaaay out there, near Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. Eastern (and arid) part of Southern California. Tom Lutz is the director, and poet/novelist Chris Abani is listed as a faculty member.
Maybe some people would be interested in investigating:
http://palmdesertmfa.ucr.edu/index.php
I just accepted an offer from Roosevelt University in Chicago. I had the following options:
1) Brooklyn College MA. See that thread, and that’s pretty much how I made that decision.
2) Emerson College. I took the risk in applying to this program because I was really interested in the Boston area and thought the publishing thrust in many of the program’s classes and internships would be good practical experience. Well, when I got my acceptance, it was from the graduate admissions office and not the program director or even just the department. I did get put in touch with a “student ambassador” who answered SOME of my questions and had curiously nothing to say about others. When I emailed the director of the program seeking follow-up on these unanswered questions (I even explained that I had already asked the student ambassador), his one-line reply came MUCH later and said “please refer your question to such and such person, hope to see you in the fall.” I don’t want to get into specifics for identity reasons, but they were questions for which he as the director should have been able to offer some answer, even if he is not the supreme expert on the matter. That same day (about 3 weeks after my initial acceptance letter from the graduate admissions) I got a letter from the same director encouraging me to contact him with any questions at all that I had. The timing could not have been more comic. Later, I again contacted him with another question and he referred me to yet another office, which seems to be his great talent, and that office in turn referred me back to him. I didn’t bother. I went to a big state school for undergrad, and I don’t mind having to fight for attention or navigate a huge bureaucracy. That’s life. I’m sure that I could find my niche and one or two great mentors among the thousands of adjunct faculty members that this writing program apparently employs, but for as much as Emerson costs (the maximum 20,500 in Stafford loans will just cover tuition, which will leave you about 12,000 to 15,000+ short if you want to live somewhere and eat food), I guess I do expect some cuddling. Maybe I just had an unlucky experience and other prospective students have been happy with their dealings with Emerson, but from where I stand, I see serious problems. Is this program even excited about its own accepted applicants?
3) Roosevelt University. I am from the Midwest, and Chicago is a great, very livable city with all (or at least most) of the vitality and vibrancy of the coastal cities. The director of the program called me personally to inform and congratulate me of my acceptance, and I had an enjoyable and lengthy conversation with her in which she answered ALL my questions. RU’s program is only 10 years old and does not have the massive funding resources of some other programs, but the director did tell me which scholarships to apply for and emailed me links to the applications and again called to inform me how much merit aid I would be receiving. The scholarships knocked a pretty good chunk off the tuition which is much more affordable than Emerson’s even without any aid. And RU offers many of the same kinds of publishing/professional internships that Emerson does. The students I have talked to have also been extremely enthusiastic about their program and its upward climb and also very candid and aware that they still have a long way to go, which, I think, is important. Contrast with how everyone at Emerson seemed to keep citing how it was ranked highly in US News and World Report (now over ten years ago!!!), which we all know is outdated and inadequate (in some cases severely). Sorry for the lengthy post, but I thought the contrast between two programs was pretty interesting and that it might be helpful to future prospective students.
I am going to Bennington for fiction. I was excited, but now I am just nervous as my first manuscript is due for workshop and I think maybe I am a bad writer full of old ideas. A whole new set of worries.
I only applied to one school. If I got in- fantastic, if not, I would keep writing.
joeyd,
Thank you for that info. Last year when I was rejected from UCR I received an email in May and was offered acceptance into the Palm Desert Campus a little while after that, but I had already made up my mind that I wasn't going anywhere that year. Plus it is a ways from me and with my job it wouldn't have worked. It seems like a good program, especially if you live close by.
I was taken off the waitlist for U. Florida (poetry) last Wednesday. I'm going. Who's coming with me?!?
Cas,
You're welcome. I'm generally in the same boat as you. I've accepted USC's offer. Yeah, it goes against Tom's credo of 'no funding, no way,' but I think the program is right for me, as the classes are mostly in the evening, they have a promising new director, the teachers are well-published and regarded, and I can actually drive to it from where I live.
Cas, they seem to be starting a 'Low Res' MFA at UCR's Palm Desert campus; maybe that would work for you...aside from Antioch, I think it's the only other Low Res program in the SoCal area.
What about Cal State Long Beach? I knew two very good writers that graduated (or are graduating) out of there. I applied there this year, but haven't heard so much as a throat-clearing.
Well, whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best.
Anyone still waiting to hear from Columbia University?
joeyd,
I was accepted into Antioch and I decided to go and like you I'm accepting a program with no funding. The program seem great so I'm going to chance it and try to get funding later or a job that will pay for it.
Cas,
That's cool. Good luck, and have fun!
Hi Joeyd-
This is the personal info. I have on Cal State Long Beach: I got accepted there (poetry) and given alternate status (fiction). I declined the poetry offer, as I've accepted an excellent offer from University of CA-Riverside in fiction. I've rec'd no more word from CSULB's fiction folks.
Take care and best of luck.
Mitocondrial,
Also accepted offer from UCR. Maybe we'll have a chance to talk before then. If not, see you soon!
Alison
Congrats Mito and Alison! Thank you for the update.
I have yet to hear anything from UC-Riverside. I'm beginning to wonder if this is because I was already accepted into their PD extension program a while back, but I applied to both. I still would like to hear something from Riverside, as funding would be a huge plus, and PD offers none, at least not for the first year. If rejections are going out already, why haven't I gotten one? I'm beginning to wonder if they are going to contact me at all. Same with UCI. Annoying.
On the other side of things, I'm still trying to decide between CalArts and UCR-PD, but CalArts has yet to return my call about financial aid and a campus visit. Really makes me feel like they want me there... And I'm beginning to wonder if I should just wait a few years to go at all. I'm lost.
for megan,
I just called UCR yesterday. They said they didn't expect to receive the volume of applications this year, and that they're STILL in the process of deliberating the cohort for next year, and will be until May 5! With CalArts, I've had to really do the rounds of calling and emailing before I get a response. It's hard because you wonder what they do with the $32K tuition/year, with minimal financial support. Keep calling and emailing, and make sure your questions are answered.
I was accepted to McNeese-Poetry.
Just a comment on the other midwest debate. The midwest has a lot of great poetry and Des Moines definitely has a ton of writers, but U of I workshop is fairly blah. The midwest bites because the weather stinks. There was snow on the ground in southern Iowa (where I currently am) from the middle of November to the third week in March.
I chose to apply to schools in the south because the weather is so much better.
I think my head will explode if I don't make this decision soon. I've been accepted to New School and CalArts. Any thoughts?
I'm from So. Cali and I love it here so CalArts wouldn't be a huge adjustment. I've met faculty and students and all were friendly, helpful and positive. I plan to live in the So. Cal area in the future so any contacts I make will definitely be easy to take advantage of later. The only thing that's keeping me from making the final decision is the cost. And the fact that this "art school" isn't ranked.
The New school however has a much better faculty list, is 10,000 cheaper, and has NYC at its fingertips. Also, I'm pretty sure it's ranked in the top 50 MFA programs according to one list I read. However, when I went to visit, no one was particularly forthcoming. I had to badger one student for answers about the program! I fear I may not get a very personal experience if I chose to attend. Also, the weather sucks in NY and the city isn't quite what I'm used to in Cali. I have romanced over NYC for some time and I don't want to let a good opportunity go to waste here, but I'm gut is telling me to stay in Cali.
Help!
aliistar--
Your second paragraph gives a clear indication of where you don't want to go. If you have bad vibes from a visit, listen to those intestines speaking loud and clear. New School may have a better faculty, but if you hate the experience or don’t get the personal attention, is it worth it? And while the school may be $10K cheaper, the NYC cost of living plus a move across country (and the occasional plane trips back and forth to CA to visit family) will eat any savings you have (although, I'm assuming the CalArts cost of living is slightly cheaper than NYC). Personally, I'd pay $20K for more sunshine and the midwest is not nearly as dreary as NYC; since you mentioned weather, it's probably a major factor for you. Also, don't underestimate the cost of time and emotional stability that a major move entails—not just the actual move but the first six months to a year of figuring out where everything is, and adjusting to different social customs and attitudes, especially if you're all alone. Romance burns off fast; choose New School only if there's some special factor that trumps all of your concerns and that will enhance your writing.
Ratings don't mean all that much in the end, and schools can shoot up or fall steeply in rankings in a few short years, so don't let that be your stumbling block. I'm not sure about the program at CalArts, but does it offer the kind of environment that you feel will enhance your writing? Look back over the posts on art schools and consider if that kind of approach will enhance your writing. Talk to some of the CalArts students if you haven't already; that may help assuage some of your concerns about personal attention and the quality of teaching (remember, big famous writer doesn't always translate into great teacher).
Remember, too, you can always visit NYC and even think about summer internships or some such to get that NYC experience.
Aliistar--
Yesterday I spoke to a former faculty member of CalArts, who taught there for 27 years, and he flat out told me, "You don't want to go there." There are a few good faculty there; he mentioned Steve Erickson as one of them, he has published and I was told if he likes your work he's a great help, but I was told the majority of the faculty there are not even writers, that they were critical studies faculty that became writing teachers when the program started. Also, the philosophy of a lot of the people there is that to publish is to sell out. This sounds completely ridiculous to me--why spend $60,000 dollars to not publish? Having the chance to experiment seems great, but it definitely doesn't seem worth the money, especially if the faculty themselves have little experience in actually writing and publishing. Of course none of this is firsthand knowledge, but the guy I spoke with was a really nice guy and seemed to just want to look out for my own interests. Maybe it's a good program for some, but I have now crossed CalArts off my list. If you really want to stay in SoCal, you may want to reapply next year.
Then again, Hemingway did trot off to Paris to write about Michigan.
Aliistar, I admit not knowing the CalArts program. As Megan says, this is second-hand info, so it's important that you go get first-hand info if you haven't already. A glance at the faculty on their website does seem to confirm a strong theoretical/critical approach, but you'd have to find out who's leading classes and workshops you'll be taking. The flip side is that it looks like you could genre-bend like crazy.
If you do find that CalArts is not for you, that doesn't necessarily mean you should fling yourself to NYC. Call/email more faculty and students at New School to get a more complete picture. If you've still got the bad vibes about New School, as Megan says, consider reapplying next year to CA schools.
Hi...
Megan, I appreciate your post. CalArts is a school I'm still considering as well. When I first read over Megan's post, I felt dissuaded from the program, but, Aliistar, I think there are multiple ways to deal with this information. I have no doubt that this professor had only the best intentions when speaking with Megan, but it's very possible he had a bad CalArts experience--didn't see eye-to-eye with other faculty, etc.--that won't necessarily be the case for you or me. Personally, I was well aware when I applied that most of the instructors came from a critical studies or liberal arts background, and this was part of what attracted me to the program--I think that writers who apply theory, anthropological research, etc. to their work can provide a rich experience. I can see where this might not work for everyone, so I think you need to decide whether it sounds like a positive environment for you. Good luck with your decision!
I was just accepted to the MSt in Creative Writing at Oxford University. I'm really attracted to the structure of the program, and I'm thrilled to have been accepted given the prestige of the school, and the competitiveness of the application process, but I'm having a few reservation mainly pertaining the cost (about 24 grand over 2 years) and value for money. If had the cash in my bank account right now it probably wouldn't be an issue, but since I'm pretty strapped and already burdened with debt from my bachelors, I'm in a real quandary.
I've been doing a bit of research on the investment, but as it is a new course (initiated in 2005) there is very little information out there about Alumni successes etc. To my knowledge only one Alum thus far (david krump) has won any significant awards, and I haven't found any information about publishing successes. This might be due to the fact that it is a new program with only two graduating classes, totaling 24 alumni, thus far, but still, one would think at least one of the grads would have a book deal in the works or have had a story or a poem or two published in a widely recognized journal.
I know that this site is dedicated primarily to programs in the states, but does anyone know anything about this program and its alumni that they could share with me? I have until friday 9th to respond to their offer. Cheers.
Hi All! I applied to 13 schools, was accepted to 4, wait listed on 1. It came down to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and City College. Because of cost and poor funding I chose City College, which will be free since I work for CUNY.
By the way - I've seen a number of people post about applying to Brooklyn College for their MFA and were re-directed to the MA, which has happened to me as well. Has anyone actually taken that offer? Why would they steer us away from the MFA and send us to a degree we're not interested in? How many of you that received this MA offer from Brooklyn actually got in?
daedelus82,
Not sure if you'll see this as it's one year later than all the other comments on this blog, but do you have any advice on the interview process for the Mst at Oxford? What are they looking for? How long should the interview go for a good sign?
I'm applying and am seeking advice from those who have successfully applied to the Mst.
Thanks!
I've recieved 3 rejections so far and two acceptances. 3 Schools, one I'd like to hear from, have still not responded. I got into one of my top schools but it is very costly with less funding (The New School) I just got their email this Tuesday with a response deadline of the 30!
I certainly do not want to miss out on this program. Does anyone have any advice on accepting an acceptance and then getting accepted to another program?
Today is the deadline. Brooklyn College or SDSU? Brooklyn seems great all around, and SDSU has Ilya Kaminsky and Marilyn Chin. I'm so confused. Can anyone help me make a decision by today?
got into brown, nyu, and bu. rejected by oxford, waitlisted by columbia. think i will choose brown. know anyone who got into oxford or columbia?
I only applied to University of Oxford Creative Writing program. They kept their application intake open until early May. The telephone interview was nerve wracking especially when they asked me about drama and poetry which is outside of my genre focus. The interviewers were gracious to give me ample time to thoroughly provide detailed responses. I felt I answered most of the questions well. Luckily, I was thrilled when I received an offer letter. I was 1 of the 14 cohort selected from their "extremely competitive" candidate pool numbering in the hundreds. I'm very excited about starting the program in the fall.
Congrats to those accepted to Oxford's MSt program! I am interested in applying to it as well. I was wondering, however, how it might compare with a U.S. university MFA when trying to land a creative writing teaching position at a U.S. university post-graduation. Anyone know if the Oxford MSt qualification is somehow viewed as inferior to an MFA? Are they the same? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
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