Fifty total, between poetry and fiction. The Suburban Ecstasies collates this data with the number of applications the programs receive.
This is how TSE arrives at the selectivity rankings (Total Slots divided by Total # of Apps). Be sure to read the top note about the rankings being yield-exclusive.
I'm not a hope springs eternal kinda guy. I'm a realist, and the conversation I had with one person (maybe or maybe not in the know) led me to believe the final step is a rejection letter in the first two weeks of March. Not trying to spread rumors, just sharing the information. I would be thrilled if folks still get acceptances. And, frankly, a little surprised. In the best possible way!!
You raise an interesting topic re. officials posting on blogs and forums. I belong to a forum of a particular sport. In fact, I created that forum over ten years ago and is now the biggest forum for that particular sport. (I won't say which because you folks will bombard the site and say things like, "Hi, Woon!") Anyway, there were always suspicions about whether college coaches and players frequent and post (anonymously) on the site. I knew, as an administrator/owner, that college coaches and players indeed registered and posted on the site. But they would only do so anonymously, for various reasons.
In this MFA Blog (and Speakeasy forum), I suspect the same is happening. Although there's less hesitation by current MFA students to participate in the discussion, there's still some resistance by MFA officials. Some might feel the reason is that MFA blogs and forums are "beneath" them. I don't think that's the case. No one would think less of Lan Samantha Chang or Deborah Eisenberg for actively (or semi-actively) shootin' the breeze with likes of koru, cratty, Dolores Humbert, Trilbe, and Mostly Swell, among others.
I think the real reason why they don't participate openly (if at all) is because it would be a burden. Imagine Ms. Eisenberg posting something. Immediately, she'd be bombarded with questions about Virginia's program, their notification timetable, what she looks for in a writing sample, her short story collection "Under the 82nd Airborne," and what she does in her spare time. It would become like a press conference of sorts. I know I wouldn't stop asking her questions. We may even ask her questions she may feel uncomfortable answering.
Ultimately, I think they're busy doing actual work. As much as they would like to share their baking secrets with the rest of us, they must really get on with the applications, other school admin duties, teaching, and of course, writing their next Great American novel, which many have yet to do.
I will post Part 2 in my other forum. Of course, none of them will have a clue about what an "MFA" is. But so what? One off-topic post won't kill anyone.
Perhaps Seth can get all Commissioner-Gordon-y and pick up his red phone and call Sam Chang's personal line and just ask her to simply confirm or deny that all acceptances have gone out.
@Daffron -- I have no idea whether she reads the writing samples or not. Just an example. I was going to use George Saunders' name but I had a copy of Eisenberg's short story collection here and I immediately thought of UVa.
@ Eric, Some people got them yesterday. Mine went out at 12:38pm eastern time. It is not addressed specifically to me and the recipients list is blocked. I imagine they're being sent out in batches.
Re. revealing baking secrets. I guess it wouldn't be a "secret" if one were to reveal it. I personally have no baking secrets to reveal. Most of my bread turn out solid as stone. I can't imagine Sam Chang revealing her baking secrets because I suspect she shops for Wonder Bread at the local grocery store. Who has time for baking?
Just sticking my nose in to point you toward this interesting feature over on the Guardian — 24 writers chime in with their "top 10" rules for writing fiction. Some interesting stuff here:
FYI: I don't know that anyone on here applied to Toronto's MA with focus on CW, but just in case, i received this email after checking in on their notification time table (they had an early due date)
"I realise that other schools are beginning to notify students regarding their status and we are almost in the same position but our notices won't go out unitl Mid-March. I it's hard to wait, especially with multiple offers on the table but your patience at this time, is appreciated. All the best,
Man, today is feeling much better than yesterday, simply because nothing has happened.
Yesterday: - post on here alerting me that Indiana DID notify poets even though nobody has posted an acceptance on any of the blogs - official Syracuse rejection, via e-mail - word that Michigan had finished notifying waitlisters - most impersonal Texas rejection letter possible, though I already knew about that
ALL IN ONE DAY. By comparison, today is just peachy.
I don't think Cornell usually notifies their waitlist, so as long as you haven't gotten a rejection letter from them (And I don't think anyone has) then you're still in the running.
Mostly Swell, yep, piano. Placed 3rd in an international competition when I was younger and had several music schools lined up. But then I realized the role of a pianist is pretty horrible--all interpretation, no creation. So I dropped it in favor of a 'normal' college experience and D1 athletics. I don't really play anymore... finger/hand muscles have kind of atrophied.
Hope you enjoy the playlist! I've added some more songs so now it's at 50. Here it is again: http://www.playlist.com/playlist/19303214091
ahhhh! So exciting! Acceptances and phone calls and emails all over the place! I'm so excited and happy for everybody who's hearing good news, getting answers! FANTASTIC!
The news about UNCW non-fiction is making me nervous, since that was one of my hopes... and all modes of communication on my end have been eerily silent. still. no. news. at. all. grumble grumble grumble. Whoever it was (i'm sorry, I don't remember and it seems like too much effort right now to go back and look) who responded to my last worrying post, though, to say that it's far from over and that UNCW does rolling admissions--THANK YOU. I breathed a little easier. And I think that's what we're all trying to do, right?
Off to class...where I can obsessively check my phone and pout about the fact that I can't check email. For an hour. (pathetic!)
Thanks for that link to the Guardian article on different writers' rules for writing. Good stuff. And it was a welcome reminder that, unlike other professions, being a writer doesn't require a degree, but it does require that I discipline myself and get back to a writing schedule instead of waiting on MFA programs.
I just got off the phone with Lavonne Adams of UNCW. I need to tell you guys that she was really, really forthright and open with me about my position in regard to funding. (None yet.)I would really encourage anyone who is worried about this deadline thing to call her directly and speak with her. If you need a deadline extension, call her and tell her. Good luck!
I am still so thrilled to be admitted to this program!!!
checked my UMASS status online today. my status is DENIED. sweet! (for fiction, btw. for what it's worth i have seen nothing to make me believe they do any of this alphabetically, but my username is my initials if you're compiling such data.) this makes five rejections. waiting on thirteen schools. uh-oh.
You've been a tremendous help, I'll definitely be prepared to talk about my direction, background, influences and my desire for a MA. It's interesting because I mentioned two of my influences in my essay, I wonder if they're going to ask me to expand on that. Either way, this has given me some perspective (congrats on Bath Spa btw, I kind of regret not applying) and I award you those fantastic cupcake points! Are exchangeable at any store down imagination lane :D
It's like the Worst Cities to Live in America done by Forbes or Better Homes & Garden or AAA. I guess an MFA Blog Enemies List sounds too much like a blacklist of sorts.
For awhile Seth had some mini rankings up on TSE, after the acceptance season was over last year -- he had most friendly, most unfriendly, most helpful, most aggravating, etc. Obviously I'm not remembering the real categories (his real categories were great... the applicants got a voice! the bad programs got a cumulative slap and the good ones got a cumulative hug, from all of us) Anyway, I feel like anything more than that sort of thing would be too blacklist-esque -- but I'm all for Seth's mini categories again! muuaaaaahahahah I'm ready with my two cents
I loved those Miss Congeniality type of categories Seth put together! Maybe we could come up with some new categories like: Most Adrenals-Destroying Fake Out Email/Letter and Most Unconditionally Loving Rejection.
And this year we could include the bloggers:
Most Likely to go Postal Most Likely to Overreact Everybody's Friend Waitlist King and Queen (I already have my tiara)
Top-Tier School You Should Apply To But Don't Seriously Count On Getting Into, Thereby Rendering Said Top-Tier School As A Minus On Your List Of Schools To Apply To (And That Is Why You Should Apply To More Schools Than You Originally Thought)
For the most part, I feel for the secretaries/coordinators/administrators. But I can think of one exception. One particular grad administrator at an English Department that made me wish I had never applied to that school. Ugh.
I have a non-MFA question. You can totally ignore it, but if you happen to know the answer, please enlighten me.
I use an environmentally friendly automatic dishwasher detergent. It's very sudsy. Even after the rinse cycle, I can see the suds in the bottom of the dishwasher. So, can I assume the dishes can be used without further rinsing, you know, to get ALL the suds out?
I just had an incredibly cruel mid-day dream in which I received three different acceptance emails. I woke up in a frantic stupor and stumbled to my computer, only to find nothing there. Why, brain, why do you torture me so?
About Colorado State- are people assuming or does anyone know for sure if they're done notifying in fiction? My online status still says department review or something similar. I can't decide whether to give up hope yet. I am so in love with that program.
I was having a long talk last year with my landlady about this very thing. She was telling me how Brits never wash dishes after the soapy water, and how it's odd to see Americans waste water to wash soapy water off dishes, since the soapy water is essentially clean.
@woon A) I have no idea what that's supposed to mean when you say 'I'm male.' If you were asking about feminine hygiene products, sure, but dishwashing soap? Really?
B) Take a dish out and rinse it in the sink. If it gets sudsy with soap, put the whole lot back in for a rinse cycle. If not, you should be good.
@ Woon- If there still seems to be a film on your dishes, I'd run your dishwasher through another rinse cycle just to be safe. Unless you're curious about the effects of soap ingestion. But, I'm neurotic, so...I'd rinse away.
yeah, my secretary dig is aimed at one particular secretary. I think most (if not all) of the categories should be thinly veiled excused to laud/ram someone in particular... maybe I just ruined it b/c I went ahead and spelled it out. The jig is up, friends
I'm with AB on this one. While I don't mind holding out hope, I'd much rather focus on getting my writing up to snuff for next year, and if the impossible DOES happen, having a few stories in the queue for workshopping.
I know, I'm dying to know about CSU. So far, as far as I can tell, only one person (Dolores Humbert) has posted anything regarding CSU fiction on the blog. Nothing reported over at DH. Nothing about waitlists or anything, so I'm assuming (hoping) they're still notifying.
I'm still mystified by what UNCW is doing... are you saying that if any UNCW admittee simply contacts the program and requests an extension until April 15th to make a matriculation decision, they say "okay"? If so, why in the world are they pretending otherwise on the front end -- unless it's to mislead shy admittees into thinking they can't ask for an extension? And if -- however kindly -- they offer extensions but not extensions until April 15th, what good is that? Due not just to late-responding programs but the waitlisting process, many applicants still have applications out in April -- isn't UNCW (no matter how much of a smile they put on it) still forcing applicants to prematurely withdraw (no pun intended here) perfectly good applications in order to preserve a place at UNCW?
And why in the world would we believe -- I mean to say, how is it possible -- that the UNCW MFA hasn't set their budget by March, such that (according to them) they can't give out funding offers prior to (how convenient!) right before the April 15th deadline, thereby rendering their signature on the CGSR all but moot? 199 other programs in the U.S. have their budgets set by March -- 1 does not. Coincidence? Strategy? Incompetence? Which? (Rhetorical question.)
I guess what I'm saying is, as nice as they may be on the phone, MFA programs around the country are livid at UNCW right now because they view UNCW as playing dirty baseball. That UNCW plays dirty baseball with a kind telephone voice is (in my view) as much an indication that they know they're a bad actor and are putting a nice face on it, than it is an indication that they are innocent of any self-knowledge of their wrong-doing...
UNCW has a good deal of explaining to do, and a) granting small extensions of an arbitrary and unethical deadline, and/or b) dropping non-binding hints about future funding possibilities, and/or c) being extremely pleasant on the telephone, just doesn't change the nuts and bolts of what they're doing (or at least what it appears, at the moment, they are doing): mistreating applicants, eyes wide open.
@Pencore - I will not be able to attend with out funding, but honestly I'm just happy to have SOME good news, so it's not really a big deal :) Cool program there though, loved the admissions process ;)
Also, re: Kaybay @ McNeese I thought McNeese was fully funded? Therefore if you get in off the waitlist, shouldn't you be funded? Or are they no longer fully funded...?
Waitlists (and of course, acceptances) indicate that your writing sample resonates with learned faculty members and is headed in the "right" direction.
I think the other thing to keep in mind is that no matter how crazy/dicey things get with waitlists this year due to the average number of applications each applicant is submitting, it's not like this is an earth-shattering situation for an employer (or grad school) to be in.
Anyone who has conducted an extensive job search knows that if you get as far as the interview/job offer stage, the employer has spent a good deal of time acting like you're their dream employee, and you've spent a good deal of time acting like they're your dream employer. Neither is true. You need a job, you sent out a lot of applications, and went to a few interviews. You'll take the best one you get.
You may feel bad about doing it, but the sooner you get used to disappointing people at the 11th hour, the easier it will become, and if you're lucky enough to be employable in your own field, you'll get to do it with fair regularity during your lifetime.
The inconvenience of having to dip back into their waitlists (or - gasp! - even their rejected pile)is really just business as usual in a world where multiple institutions are competing to attract top talent.
Why would you turn down a waitlist position so early on? Form the tone of that e-mail, it sounds like if you were to get a spot, should someone decline, it would come with a teaching assistantship. It sounds like the reason you're on a waitlist is because there are no more TAships. But I could be reading it wrong?
Kaybay: Don't turn that down. It sounds like you are on a waitlist for funding that could become available. Don't say no!! Let THEM get back to you over the next few weeks/months with details of whether or not you will be getting funding.
@kaybay not sure about etiquette on posting the letter, but don't turn it down until you find out if you make it off the waitlist or not. It's always possible that enough people who were accepted with TAships decline the invitation, and you can get into the program and find funding.
I don't think it matters whether you delete it. There isn't much 'sensitive' information in there.
But I would direct your question about what exactly they meant right back to them. Why ask us? They invited you to check in at any time. Do it!
I could see why you would interpret it the way you did, but could also see why someone might infer that if you did come off the list, you'd get a TAship. Just ask.
And don't turn it down either way. You could win the lottery between now and then and the funding issue could become irrelevant.
Turn it down if you get something better or if they give you an offer without funding, and April 15th rolls around with you still broke.
Honestly, I don't have an answer to most of your questions because I never received any communication from UNCW about a deadline. So, I don't have any firsthand experience with how/if it was worded in a way that made it seem not negotiable. I definitely had the sense that RugbyToy had the impression that it was not negotiable, so you might be right about more shy candidates being sort of forced to comply with the deadline.
I did have the sense that the person I spoke with was really concerned about people thinking that there was no wiggle room about the deadline. She did specifically tell me that anyone who needed an extension should call her. So, maybe that means that the hubbub yesterday had an effect? I don't know.
I really didn't get into it that much with her because, at this time, it's irrelevant to my status. I wasn't given a deadline. Should I be in the future, I would feel comfortable asking for an extension. Would I get it? From what she said, yes.
So, are they playing dirty? I have no idea. Is it possible that a nice phone conversation is covering for this? Yeah, sure. That's not the impression I got, but I could be wrong. So, I don't know if that is helpful or not. Feel free to email me if you want to discuss it further. kerryheadley at gmail com.
Koru's right. Definitely don't turn down that McNeese waitlist spot. I don't know why their waitlist notification email is phrased in such a way that suggests that funding is only a maybe. Every admitted student is funded. Also, hooray for Syracuse rejections! Got mine much earlier this year than last year. :)
Kerry, Thanks so much for the response -- I guess we'll have to see what UNCW does next. I e-mailed them, but no response yet. Hopefully they do the right thing! Glad to hear they're doing right by you, at least. Be well, Seth
Congratulations, kaybay, for a little bit of validation, if nothing else.
I got my Syracuse rejection, but I'm still deciding if I like theirs or WUSTL's better. I still think it would be cool for someone web-savvy to put up a gallery of rejection letters from as many schools as possible so we can see what they all look like. Kind of like those websites that show dead bodies, but without all the bodies and death.
It hasn't been done for MFAs, but it's been done for undergrad letters. There are some pretty hilarious/awful ones out there. Just Google it, I'm sure it won't be hard to find.
First official rejection from Northwestern for fiction (also the first news of the 13 programs I applied to).
The letter went something like this, I'm going from memory as I threw away the actual letter, but this is pretty close to dead on:
Dear applicant,
We regret to inform you that even though we are not ranked in the top fifty creative writing MFA programs, which is weird because we are one of the best schools, arguably the best, in the Midwest, your short story was still not good enough to accept your application.
We do however appreciate the irony that your story was centered around blues music, and we would like to suggest that you now listen to that music while you go F yourself.
You know what I'd like to do with my rejections? I'd like to print them out onto a piece of fabric and sew them into one big ass quilt so I can wrap myself in them as I try to get warm!
I love you guys. I'm super glad right now that I'm going through this for an MFA, because I can't imagine a, say, computer engineering waiting-game message board would be *nearly* as full of clever.
i'm collecting my rejection letters, keeping them in a safe place. and someday when i'm famous, they'll end up in my archives at some cosy (wood-panelled with chair-rails and dentil moulding)library archives room, where a ph.d. student will rediscover them and start wondering how people could have been so blind as to not admit me ...
DFW, maybe we can bring our rejection letters together and talk about them over a cup of coffee. Weep a little. Then go watch second-run movies at the nickel arcade. "New Moon" is playing. We can see what real literature looks like.
I was reading page 666 of Infinite Jest yesterday, when my sister and her husband walked in and I had to stop on that page. I am subsequently blaming all my rejections on the devil.
DFW, Will we read Reddick before or after we read each other passages from "The Secret"?
Also, found this via Google: "I just got one from Vanderbilt that said, "Just like you, many of this year's applicants have relatives attending our school. We know that all of you applicants would be able to succeed greatly at our school, and we are sorry that you will not be able to join them in succeeding here."
Congrats Kaybay and anyone else getting good news today!
Maybe I can make a big quilt (no asses involved) out of the amount of rejections I get from American. :/ Seriously though, WHY did the send me two? Isn't this process cruel enough?
PS (Open): Because I know UNCW officials are now reading this blog, let me just add that I've been on this board since 2006, and I've been a major booster of UNCW during that time. I have steered applicants toward UNCW, I have ranked the University highly in nearly every category (or, better said, have published rankings in which they were ranked highly), and have enormous respect for any program that can operate at a superlative level in not just one, or two, but three genres -- while also funding an appreciable percentage of admittees. Only a few other programs nationally can make this claim: Iowa, Arizona, Wyoming, and maybe two or three others.
When I found out about what was happening with UNCW last year -- and a couple other programs, notably Hunter (out of which some of the most absolutely unbelievable stories were coming) -- I was incredibly disappointed. And startled, too, when my personal cell phone rang and it was an MFA director complaining that certain programs were "cheating" and wanting my advice. And I hoped it was a one-time thing, so I let it slide and didn't think about it further (UNCW was gray-listed, but no additional action was taken). When the behavior was continued this year I said, okay, something has to be done -- this is a pattern, and I've been around institutions long enough to spot an institutional strategy when I see one.
What Dreux said is dead-on: We all have to be grownups about this. No, not every program will get who they want -- but if we lose our integrity trying to avoid that eventuality, then what's the point of anything anymore? An MFA student said to me yesterday -- no one from this board -- upon hearing about UNCW, "You know, those sorts of shenanigans don't seem to happen at the stronger programs -- it's the sort of thing a lower-tier program does out of desperation."
To be clear: I'm not endorsing that view. I'm saying that there are consequences -- real ones and ones of perception -- to approaching applicants via the hard sell. Applicants talk: a program can ruin its reputation in the national MFA-applicant community almost overnight these days by misbehaving. So my message to UNCW is: I get it, it's a tough field these days. But what you're doing will cost more than it gains you in the long run, I promise.
PPS (Open): And in case it isn't clear how this problem gets solved:
All programs must either make offers of admission and offers of funding temporally concurrent and in conformance with CGSR (both as to notice of the Resolution being sent with the initial offer and as to the April 15th deadline), OR programs that choose to bifurcate their admissions and funding notices must place no deadline on either choice other than the deadline allowed under the CGSR. That said, programs taking the second approach will lose a ton of strong applicants -- for this reason, 199 programs make their funding and admissions offers concurrent. The fix here, for UNCW, is to set its budget earlier and/or keep its bifurcated admissions system but simply live with the consequences -- while abiding by the CGSR as if, like every other MFA program, they had a concurrent acceptance/funding admissions system. But these two-week deadlines (even or whether coupled with arbitrary extensions to any date other than April 15th) must end immediately. Either UNCW knows it isn't right or there is such a high degree of negligence in the UNCW offices right now that it should cause applicants concern about internal program dynamics -- in this day and age it is unthinkable that a program would deviate from the national admissions policy for graduate schools, and in a manner that hugely benefits the University (and hugely hurts applicants), all the while completely oblivious to the nature and scope of the infraction.
I'm with Seth, with the exception of categorizing taking a spot and then dropping it if you get in somewhere else as deception.
I guess I'm a cynical dude and this whole MFA thing just feels like another competitive job search to me. I fully understand why folks would want it to be something better and I think Seth's way of seeing things is in line with a more desirable future system, but I see these kinds of antics as business as usual. So if I was a UNCW applicant and they gave me two weeks to get back to them, I'd call them two weeks later and take the spot. Then I'd send them a deposit on the last possible day. And then if I got in somewhere better, I would back out guiltlessly.
So Seth... no word from Sam Chang via the red-Commissioner-Gordon-phone regarding 1) What type of bread she enjoys? 2) When/if they're done notifying their 2010 cohorts?
Also, DFW. I'll meet you at the corner of SE 37th and Belmont for the movie. They have kettle corn at the nickel arcade.
I got a call from Nathan Englander today. Hunter wants me to come for a visit/interview in fiction.
I think he told me they've narrowed down their some 600 applicants to a short list of about 12, and are figuring out the specific offers of acceptance.
Hunter doesn't get talked about a lot on this blog, but it really is a wonderful program, and I'm very excited about seeing it in action.
Though it isn't exactly a rejection letter, I thought people might like a reminder of what they're trying to escape with their MFAs.
Email received from my boss this morning:
Hi teachers, I wanted to remind all the teachers that **** computers are to be used for company business only during work hours. Computers are essential to our productivity, and using Google Docs, Gmail, Word, and Skpe are fundamental to completing tasks and projects. However, personal usage during company time prevents us from working our best. All computer usage is being scrutinized carefully, and no one individual is singled out. Please remember that it is a privilege to have the use of a company computer. Treat this privilege with respect.
Hey. I have a question, and I'd love it if some of you would weigh in.
I've just been informed via an informal email that I've been accepted at a program, but their funding decisions haven't been made yet. I won't mention the name of the program because they are not officially notifying yet (my transcript was missing, which is why I got the email), and I don't want anyone to freak out! I know I'd freak out.
This is a school that is highly ranked, and that I REALLY want to go to, but unfortunately I know that only about half their students get funding/teaching positions. I can't go if I don't get funding, and I'm worried!
In my return email I made it clear that they are high on my list, and also that I am waiting for funding decisions before I begin to make my own decision.
My question is: should I make it a point to call and speak with someone personally, to make a more secure connection in the hopes that my incredible phone-charisma will convince them of what a spectacular teacher I'd make? Is this an instance where person-to-person contact would be helpful? Or would I just be annoying them?
No, no pressure at all, verbal or otherwise! They were really nice...
As for the Sam Chang bread discussion; that and DFW's rejection letter are the two funniest things I've ever read on this blog.
To add to the fires: I've eaten certain kinds of pizza and thai food with Sam Chang in workshop, and none of her selections was in the least bit pretentious, though not, I should add, without discernment and fine taste.
really? Oh god. Now I'm terrified that they messed us up and I wasn't supposed to be notified at all. Um. Let's play the What University Game. Was it East or West?
I think the entire world is bowing down to you. Talk about supreme acceptance/call-for-interview streak. Congratulations, really!
@DFW This might be weird of me, but before I submitted my apps I held on to Infinite Jest and shut my eyes really hard and did something somewhat equivalent to a nonreligious prayer. Also DFW is my desktop background. Aaaaannnnnd fail.
In case you're confused, my above post re. Emma has nothing whatsoever to do with my previous post re. dishwasher suds. Not on a conscious level, that is.
Feel free to tell me to shut up, but you seem to have been accepted to my top two schools. I think a few other people have already asked you this, but I would love to read your writing sample. I understand if you're not comfortable sending it out to people you don't know, but if you're feeling generous my email is ealongfellow at yahoo dot com.
@Emily - re. UNLV. I don't know why. I have read posts about UNLV in the Speakeasy forum last year. I know that many times, I don't talk about schools I've applied to simply because I don't want to jinx it. However, I feel free to discuss Sam Chang.
With such a late deadline for UNLV, I think we have a while to go.
I talked to a girl about a week ago about my transcripts and they were cool with waiting for them, because I guess they were late. Damn you clearinghouse website. I know that they had the information together, but she made it sound like they hadn't even printed out the writing samples from the applicants who attached it to the online application. I don't know if that really helps, but they are quite nice there if you do need/want more information.
West Emma, you are not being sneaky enough. You have already sent me into a tizzy because I think I have a very good idea of which school you got into.
thanks for not telling us which schools. i'm just going to go assume that it's schools in both the east and west i'm waiting to hear from, who clearly don't want me.
I don't really care about women getting pedicures (except when it's a bad pedicure), but I do care about men getting manicures. Those clear polishes -- I don't know what you call 'em -- that I've seen on actors' fingernails, they make me hurl. I was watching an old episode of Mission: Impossible and I saw them on Peter Graves.
I emailed UNLV a few minutes ago (I think probably the same girl you talked to), and she emailed me back in about five seconds--that is so very appreciated!!!
She said they're behind and it could be April before they notify, and that they'd received over 100 applications in fiction.
It also sounded to me like writing samples haven't even been looked at yet. She said it would be a week before they look at the apps "in earnest".... ah well. At least now I'll stop compulsively checking my UNLV app status!
I love nice, helpful people! It makes this crazy process more bearable!
I didn't mention the name because I am absolutely positive that they haven't begun official notifications, so you have nothing to worry about yet.
I felt bad about posting because I've seen questions like this and they made me absolutely frantic to know -- but I just really needed advice! I will post here again when I get an official acceptance. (Provided they haven't changed their minds about me.)
ALSO -- no one answered my question! Save for other Emma ;)
Good luck to all and huge congratulations to those who've gotten in!
I am waitlisted at McNeese for fiction via email. So excited to hear something good!
Oh, and KAYBAY, I agree with everyone else on the matter: hang on to your waitlist spot. Never know what could happen.
Anyway, congrats to all who have heard good news so far, and good luck to everybody!
Oh, one more thing: To anyone who has been waitlisted via email, especially at McNeese, are you supposed to respond back to the email? Like, should I email back saying thanks or something? This is probably a really stupid question, but I was just wondering.
About a year ago, before I even thought seriously about applying to MFA programs, I wrote a 6 page fiction piece for Ricardo Cortez Cruz's Class at Illinois State University. It was in the form of letters to Virginia's director of CW informing him of all my sexual exploits since being rejected from the program, after being told that he personally liked my work, but still couldn't accept me.
I wanted to include it in my writing sample to all of my schools, but ultimately I decided it would probably piss off most ad coms.
i'd hang on a couple of days, and see if they respond to your email first before calling. you've already emailed them, they know they're high on your list. the follow-up call can simply be a "so, when would you know about funding" sort of query, i guess.
I work in offices that are housed in a church. I was walking downstairs to go to the little girls' room (WC), thinking about my lack-of-MFA-predicament, when I muttered to myself, "I'm fucked."
Then I round a corner and see a group of children seeing about Christ.
Then I come back to my desk and think about Sam Chang bread, smoking out with program heads, Lorrie Moore pedis and that boob I saw in the gym a few nights ago.
Rosanna - I emailed the director asking for funding clarification, but maybe an email would be the right thing to do, even if it's just to say "thank you." :) Congrats!
You're certainly not compelled to write McNeese back, but I'm sure they'd appreciate a little thank you email. They obviously think highly of your work!
Also, for the record, I'm in at McNeese for fiction. Haven't accepted yet - waiting to hear from other programs.
Thanks Emily for the UNLV info, I applied and they're one of my veryvery top choices. I know they usually notify late but April is VERY late. I remember last year they were on Seth's list of "schools that notify so late we forgot we'd applied" or something like that. Haha, I don't mind waiting for you, Nevadaaaa! Their deadline just passed about a week ago, so I don't think the wait is too bad.
2,428 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1401 – 1600 of 2428 Newer› Newest»Question for all:
Have there been ASU and CSU acceptances for fiction?
I thought I recalled a few, but Driftless House only shows poetry acceptances.
Cheers!
Maybe it's false hope speaking here, but somehow I don't see Sam Chang making 25 calls in the past couple of days (fiction).
Also, historically, some people don't even get calls-- just the letter.
Might be fellowship people getting early calls.
Who knows though.
I can't be the only one who wishes Sam Chang would make an appearance in this comment board and tell us what's what.
stupid question time:
how many spaces are in iowa?
Freaking out. Accepted to UNCW for CNF. Email and voicemail. UNCW is one of my top picks. Did I say I was freaking out?
Scomp,
Fifty total, between poetry and fiction. The Suburban Ecstasies collates this data with the number of applications the programs receive.
This is how TSE arrives at the selectivity rankings (Total Slots divided by Total # of Apps). Be sure to read the top note about the rankings being yield-exclusive.
http://tinyurl.com/yhruvp2
@scomp 25 each for fiction and poetry, I believe.
I'm not a hope springs eternal kinda guy. I'm a realist, and the conversation I had with one person (maybe or maybe not in the know) led me to believe the final step is a rejection letter in the first two weeks of March. Not trying to spread rumors, just sharing the information. I would be thrilled if folks still get acceptances. And, frankly, a little surprised. In the best possible way!!
thanks guys!
i have to say that's wicked encouraging. i mean, i thought it was another case of michener's six slots or die.
lol THERE we go, Syracuse! There's that e-mail! lol @ Courtney.
Also, Syracuse - how to know "know this news dissapoints me?" Maybe I applied as a joke and was hoping for this!
also lol at the signature at the bottom of the Syracuse e-mail. Worse scribble than mine!
I do appreciate that Syracuse has been very kind; I laugh to mask the lolsucksness.
You raise an interesting topic re. officials posting on blogs and forums. I belong to a forum of a particular sport. In fact, I created that forum over ten years ago and is now the biggest forum for that particular sport. (I won't say which because you folks will bombard the site and say things like, "Hi, Woon!") Anyway, there were always suspicions about whether college coaches and players frequent and post (anonymously) on the site. I knew, as an administrator/owner, that college coaches and players indeed registered and posted on the site. But they would only do so anonymously, for various reasons.
In this MFA Blog (and Speakeasy forum), I suspect the same is happening. Although there's less hesitation by current MFA students to participate in the discussion, there's still some resistance by MFA officials. Some might feel the reason is that MFA blogs and forums are "beneath" them. I don't think that's the case. No one would think less of Lan Samantha Chang or Deborah Eisenberg for actively (or semi-actively) shootin' the breeze with likes of koru, cratty, Dolores Humbert, Trilbe, and Mostly Swell, among others.
I think the real reason why they don't participate openly (if at all) is because it would be a burden. Imagine Ms. Eisenberg posting something. Immediately, she'd be bombarded with questions about Virginia's program, their notification timetable, what she looks for in a writing sample, her short story collection "Under the 82nd Airborne," and what she does in her spare time. It would become like a press conference of sorts. I know I wouldn't stop asking her questions. We may even ask her questions she may feel uncomfortable answering.
Ultimately, I think they're busy doing actual work. As much as they would like to share their baking secrets with the rest of us, they must really get on with the applications, other school admin duties, teaching, and of course, writing their next Great American novel, which many have yet to do.
I will post Part 2 in my other forum. Of course, none of them will have a clue about what an "MFA" is. But so what? One off-topic post won't kill anyone.
Where the heck is my Syracuse rejection?
@Courtney, Ashley. Did they send you a personalized email or a mass email? Would it just be delayed in getting to my inbox?
REJECT ME ALREADY!
Do you think Deborah Eisenberg reads the samples? Such a thrilling prospect!
@koru
I'm back briefly. This is a great playlist - very entertaining - and totally cheering me up.
Schadenfreude is screaming out my stereo presently.
@ Woon
Perhaps Seth can get all Commissioner-Gordon-y and pick up his red phone and call Sam Chang's personal line and just ask her to simply confirm or deny that all acceptances have gone out.
Too much to ask?
@Daffron -- I have no idea whether she reads the writing samples or not. Just an example. I was going to use George Saunders' name but I had a copy of Eisenberg's short story collection here and I immediately thought of UVa.
@ Eric,
Some people got them yesterday. Mine went out at 12:38pm eastern time. It is not addressed specifically to me and the recipients list is blocked. I imagine they're being sent out in batches.
Re. revealing baking secrets. I guess it wouldn't be a "secret" if one were to reveal it. I personally have no baking secrets to reveal. Most of my bread turn out solid as stone. I can't imagine Sam Chang revealing her baking secrets because I suspect she shops for Wonder Bread at the local grocery store. Who has time for baking?
No way. Sam Chang is TOTALLY an artisan bread eater!
I suspect that the actual bread Sam Chang buys/eats may shock us. Deep down, I don't really want to know because I can't deal with the truth.
Hi all,
Just sticking my nose in to point you toward this interesting feature over on the Guardian — 24 writers chime in with their "top 10" rules for writing fiction. Some interesting stuff here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one
-K
Syracuse rejection at 12:16. blaaaaah.
FYI: I don't know that anyone on here applied to Toronto's MA with focus on CW, but just in case, i received this email after checking in on their notification time table (they had an early due date)
"I realise that other schools are beginning to notify students regarding their status and we are almost in the same position but our notices won't go out unitl Mid-March. I it's hard to wait, especially with multiple offers on the table but your patience at this time, is appreciated. All the best,
Pamela Coles
Secretary Graduate Recruitment"
Man, today is feeling much better than yesterday, simply because nothing has happened.
Yesterday:
- post on here alerting me that Indiana DID notify poets even though nobody has posted an acceptance on any of the blogs
- official Syracuse rejection, via e-mail
- word that Michigan had finished notifying waitlisters
- most impersonal Texas rejection letter possible, though I already knew about that
ALL IN ONE DAY. By comparison, today is just peachy.
Hey all, long time follower/first time poster here.
Just got an acceptance from Idaho for poetry.
Congrats to everyone who has been accepted/waitlisted so far!
Huzzah ceegee!!
just got my 'cuse denial as well...what a wonderful day!
Do we know if Syracuse is doing this alphabetically?
@ kerry
congrats on iowa and uncw! i hope to follow in yr footsteps with the latter.
iowa nwp accepted 13, but the funding most likely won't cover the entire cohort, so i've learned.
and congrats and luck to the rest of ya.
Congrats to everyone who just received acceptances and waitlists.
And a special congrats to Courtney. I'm really happy for you!
@YARebels
I don't think Cornell usually notifies their waitlist, so as long as you haven't gotten a rejection letter from them (And I don't think anyone has) then you're still in the running.
Mostly Swell, yep, piano. Placed 3rd in an international competition when I was younger and had several music schools lined up. But then I realized the role of a pianist is pretty horrible--all interpretation, no creation. So I dropped it in favor of a 'normal' college experience and D1 athletics. I don't really play anymore... finger/hand muscles have kind of atrophied.
Hope you enjoy the playlist! I've added some more songs so now it's at 50. Here it is again:
http://www.playlist.com/playlist/19303214091
@ Katie
Thanks for the link! Once I started reading, I couldn't stop!
ahhhh! So exciting! Acceptances and phone calls and emails all over the place! I'm so excited and happy for everybody who's hearing good news, getting answers! FANTASTIC!
The news about UNCW non-fiction is making me nervous, since that was one of my hopes... and all modes of communication on my end have been eerily silent. still. no. news. at. all. grumble grumble grumble. Whoever it was (i'm sorry, I don't remember and it seems like too much effort right now to go back and look) who responded to my last worrying post, though, to say that it's far from over and that UNCW does rolling admissions--THANK YOU. I breathed a little easier. And I think that's what we're all trying to do, right?
Off to class...where I can obsessively check my phone and pout about the fact that I can't check email. For an hour. (pathetic!)
love and encouragement and breath to all!
Congrats on Idaho Ceegee!
@Katie:
Thanks for that link to the Guardian article on different writers' rules for writing. Good stuff. And it was a welcome reminder that, unlike other professions, being a writer doesn't require a degree, but it does require that I discipline myself and get back to a writing schedule instead of waiting on MFA programs.
Hey y'all,
I just got off the phone with Lavonne Adams of UNCW. I need to tell you guys that she was really, really forthright and open with me about my position in regard to funding. (None yet.)I would really encourage anyone who is worried about this deadline thing to call her directly and speak with her. If you need a deadline extension, call her and tell her. Good luck!
I am still so thrilled to be admitted to this program!!!
Congratulations, Kerry!
And congrats to all other recent admittees! I can't keep track.
Rejected from George Mason via snail mail today. Letter dated Feb. 18 and mailed Feb. 20.
It's the first news I've heard from the 14 schools I've applied to.
Not a good start. Dreadddd.
checked my UMASS status online today. my status is DENIED. sweet! (for fiction, btw. for what it's worth i have seen nothing to make me believe they do any of this alphabetically, but my username is my initials if you're compiling such data.) this makes five rejections. waiting on thirteen schools. uh-oh.
@Courtney
You've been a tremendous help, I'll definitely be prepared to talk about my direction, background, influences and my desire for a MA. It's interesting because I mentioned two of my influences in my essay, I wonder if they're going to ask me to expand on that. Either way, this has given me some perspective (congrats on Bath Spa btw, I kind of regret not applying) and I award you those fantastic cupcake points! Are exchangeable at any store down imagination lane :D
Wow so American is officially MFA Blog enemy #2
(enemy #1 = UNCW, for RugbyToy)
Seth should work on a new ranking:
Most Applicant-Unfriendly MFA programs
It's like the Worst Cities to Live in America done by Forbes or Better Homes & Garden or AAA. I guess an MFA Blog Enemies List sounds too much like a blacklist of sorts.
Waitlisted at McNeese for fiction, via email.
Who would you nominate to the list, Woon? So far, no horror stories here yet... but obviously it's still early.
Got the official rejection from Syracuse via email.
0/1
For awhile Seth had some mini rankings up on TSE, after the acceptance season was over last year -- he had most friendly, most unfriendly, most helpful, most aggravating, etc. Obviously I'm not remembering the real categories (his real categories were great... the applicants got a voice! the bad programs got a cumulative slap and the good ones got a cumulative hug, from all of us)
Anyway, I feel like anything more than that sort of thing would be too blacklist-esque -- but I'm all for Seth's mini categories again! muuaaaaahahahah I'm ready with my two cents
I loved those Miss Congeniality type of categories Seth put together! Maybe we could come up with some new categories like: Most Adrenals-Destroying Fake Out Email/Letter and Most Unconditionally Loving Rejection.
And this year we could include the bloggers:
Most Likely to go Postal
Most Likely to Overreact
Everybody's Friend
Waitlist King and Queen (I already have my tiara)
Anyone else have any?
There's only one alternative award worth winning:
The MFA program most likely to stumble when confronted with the incredible modernity of the voicemail system.
I definitely have a couple of nominations for "Least Discernible Online Application Requirements."
oooh ... after my exchange with a certain programme yesterday, i'd add an award:
'most likely to forget to forward your application for two months after it was received in the grad office'.
d'oh!
as one of my recommenders said, 'tell them to stop smoking pot and open the fecking envelopes.' lol.
Category:
Top-Tier School You Should Apply To But Don't Seriously Count On Getting Into, Thereby Rendering Said Top-Tier School As A Minus On Your List Of Schools To Apply To (And That Is Why You Should Apply To More Schools Than You Originally Thought)
Suggestions:
Austin
Cornell
Brown
Iowa
Michigan
(That's half my list. This is why I'm effed.)
How about least friendly departmental secretary? Errr, maybe "least likely to know what's going on" departmental secretary?
we also could compile a list of one-time posters who only post to say that he/she has gotten accepted somewhere
And we definitely should award best playlist and best recipe!
aww c'mon, i feel like we should be thanking all of the secretaries that have to put up with our nonsense!
let's hear it for the secretaries!
@koru -- I like your recommender.
Query: Do MFA profs smoke pot? I wonder.
Woon,
Really? I bet they've representative of their MFA candidates. Some do, some don't.
This one might be dabbling to allay her MFA-application-anxieties. (It works.)
@Woon, I have it on good advice that at the programme in question, it's as common as coffee.
'tho that actually wasn't why i applied ...
Woon: Yes. Someone who may or may not be me has smoked with them.
For the most part, I feel for the secretaries/coordinators/administrators. But I can think of one exception. One particular grad administrator at an English Department that made me wish I had never applied to that school. Ugh.
I have a non-MFA question. You can totally ignore it, but if you happen to know the answer, please enlighten me.
I use an environmentally friendly automatic dishwasher detergent. It's very sudsy. Even after the rinse cycle, I can see the suds in the bottom of the dishwasher. So, can I assume the dishes can be used without further rinsing, you know, to get ALL the suds out?
(Note: I am male, despite the above question.)
@Hobo Bob -- LOL! I wish we could be in the same class.
Congrats, ceegee, Kara, and Kerry!
I just had an incredibly cruel mid-day dream in which I received three different acceptance emails. I woke up in a frantic stupor and stumbled to my computer, only to find nothing there. Why, brain, why do you torture me so?
About Colorado State- are people assuming or does anyone know for sure if they're done notifying in fiction? My online status still says department review or something similar. I can't decide whether to give up hope yet. I am so in love with that program.
Why would a question about washing dishes and suds be gendered?
Also, I think the residual suds are harmless.
@Woon, perfectly safe to eat off sudsy dishes.
I was having a long talk last year with my landlady about this very thing. She was telling me how Brits never wash dishes after the soapy water, and how it's odd to see Americans waste water to wash soapy water off dishes, since the soapy water is essentially clean.
The odd cultural differences you meet up with ...
@woon A) I have no idea what that's supposed to mean when you say 'I'm male.' If you were asking about feminine hygiene products, sure, but dishwashing soap? Really?
B) Take a dish out and rinse it in the sink. If it gets sudsy with soap, put the whole lot back in for a rinse cycle. If not, you should be good.
Well, Seth referred to me as a "he/she." I wanted to clear this up.
@ Woon- If there still seems to be a film on your dishes, I'd run your dishwasher through another rinse cycle just to be safe. Unless you're curious about the effects of soap ingestion. But, I'm neurotic, so...I'd rinse away.
I would like to propose a different idea:
If you haven't heard anything yet, you're rejected. Across the board. For sure. It's over.
(Some of us will be pleasantly surprised and the rest of us can get over it now.)
@AB .... I think we need to create an optimism remix playlist for you!!
AB: That's hella dire!
Waitlisted at McNeese!! Yay for some positive news finally! No funding, so I wouldn't be able to attend with admission, but still!
Thanks to all who contributed to the suds query. Many said it's okay, and some said to put it through another rinse cycle if it bothers me so.
yeah, my secretary dig is aimed at one particular secretary. I think most (if not all) of the categories should be thinly veiled excused to laud/ram someone in particular... maybe I just ruined it b/c I went ahead and spelled it out. The jig is up, friends
I'm with AB on this one. While I don't mind holding out hope, I'd much rather focus on getting my writing up to snuff for next year, and if the impossible DOES happen, having a few stories in the queue for workshopping.
kaybay! Congrats! So... will you or won't you be able to attend if a spot opens up (due to lack of funding)?
Kaybay - Congrats! I think you should email them with a "Dammit!' like Jack Bauer.
Yay, kaybay!!!
@DigAPony
I know, I'm dying to know about CSU. So far, as far as I can tell, only one person (Dolores Humbert) has posted anything regarding CSU fiction on the blog. Nothing reported over at DH. Nothing about waitlists or anything, so I'm assuming (hoping) they're still notifying.
Hi Kerry,
I'm still mystified by what UNCW is doing... are you saying that if any UNCW admittee simply contacts the program and requests an extension until April 15th to make a matriculation decision, they say "okay"? If so, why in the world are they pretending otherwise on the front end -- unless it's to mislead shy admittees into thinking they can't ask for an extension? And if -- however kindly -- they offer extensions but not extensions until April 15th, what good is that? Due not just to late-responding programs but the waitlisting process, many applicants still have applications out in April -- isn't UNCW (no matter how much of a smile they put on it) still forcing applicants to prematurely withdraw (no pun intended here) perfectly good applications in order to preserve a place at UNCW?
And why in the world would we believe -- I mean to say, how is it possible -- that the UNCW MFA hasn't set their budget by March, such that (according to them) they can't give out funding offers prior to (how convenient!) right before the April 15th deadline, thereby rendering their signature on the CGSR all but moot? 199 other programs in the U.S. have their budgets set by March -- 1 does not. Coincidence? Strategy? Incompetence? Which? (Rhetorical question.)
I guess what I'm saying is, as nice as they may be on the phone, MFA programs around the country are livid at UNCW right now because they view UNCW as playing dirty baseball. That UNCW plays dirty baseball with a kind telephone voice is (in my view) as much an indication that they know they're a bad actor and are putting a nice face on it, than it is an indication that they are innocent of any self-knowledge of their wrong-doing...
UNCW has a good deal of explaining to do, and a) granting small extensions of an arbitrary and unethical deadline, and/or b) dropping non-binding hints about future funding possibilities, and/or c) being extremely pleasant on the telephone, just doesn't change the nuts and bolts of what they're doing (or at least what it appears, at the moment, they are doing): mistreating applicants, eyes wide open.
Be well,
S.
@Pencore - I will not be able to attend with out funding, but honestly I'm just happy to have SOME good news, so it's not really a big deal :) Cool program there though, loved the admissions process ;)
@ kaybay
You never know. Funding might pop up... like a waitlist position at an MFA program!
Congrats again and good luck!
Koru: SO TRUE! Brits never rinse their dishes. They just dip it in sudsy water and leave it on the drying rack. Quite repulsive, actually.
@samstod ... i thought you already had an acceptance and/or waitlist options? no?
kaybay,
CongratsSssss!
I wasn't being pessimistic! I'm saying, come on - if we expect rejection, we can only be surprised it a good way.
Kaybay, I already wrote you a little note on the Speakeasy, but a BIG congrats! Good karma is swinging your way... this might be just the beginning.
@Hobo Bobo, repulsive, unless you acquire a taste for fairy suds on dishes. :p which tastes better than many british dining options! hehe!
Also, re: Kaybay @ McNeese
I thought McNeese was fully funded? Therefore if you get in off the waitlist, shouldn't you be funded? Or are they no longer fully funded...?
@kaybay - congrats! are you fiction or poetry? perhaps (if we're lucky) we'll be in LA together next year...
Waitlists (and of course, acceptances) indicate that your writing sample resonates with learned faculty members and is headed in the "right" direction.
Touché, my dear Koru.
@koru I believe that was the other Sam, Sam N. I am quite acceptance and waitlistless.
Ooops, I'm fiction!! Sorry...
Re: UNCW
I think the other thing to keep in mind is that no matter how crazy/dicey things get with waitlists this year due to the average number of applications each applicant is submitting, it's not like this is an earth-shattering situation for an employer (or grad school) to be in.
Anyone who has conducted an extensive job search knows that if you get as far as the interview/job offer stage, the employer has spent a good deal of time acting like you're their dream employee, and you've spent a good deal of time acting like they're your dream employer. Neither is true. You need a job, you sent out a lot of applications, and went to a few interviews. You'll take the best one you get.
You may feel bad about doing it, but the sooner you get used to disappointing people at the 11th hour, the easier it will become, and if you're lucky enough to be employable in your own field, you'll get to do it with fair regularity during your lifetime.
The inconvenience of having to dip back into their waitlists (or - gasp! - even their rejected pile)is really just business as usual in a world where multiple institutions are competing to attract top talent.
Is that inappropriate to post online? Should I delete my last post about their email??? What's the protocol here?
@ kaybay
Why would you turn down a waitlist position so early on? Form the tone of that e-mail, it sounds like if you were to get a spot, should someone decline, it would come with a teaching assistantship. It sounds like the reason you're on a waitlist is because there are no more TAships. But I could be reading it wrong?
Kaybay:
Don't turn that down. It sounds like you are on a waitlist for funding that could become available. Don't say no!! Let THEM get back to you over the next few weeks/months with details of whether or not you will be getting funding.
@pencore and kaybay
I read it the same way. I would say you should stay on the waitlist - maybe something will open up AND will be funded.
@kaybay not sure about etiquette on posting the letter, but don't turn it down until you find out if you make it off the waitlist or not. It's always possible that enough people who were accepted with TAships decline the invitation, and you can get into the program and find funding.
Good points all, I'll make 'em sweat, muahahahaha...
I'm going to delete it, it feels wrong...
Kaybay,
I don't think it matters whether you delete it. There isn't much 'sensitive' information in there.
But I would direct your question about what exactly they meant right back to them. Why ask us? They invited you to check in at any time. Do it!
I could see why you would interpret it the way you did, but could also see why someone might infer that if you did come off the list, you'd get a TAship. Just ask.
And don't turn it down either way. You could win the lottery between now and then and the funding issue could become irrelevant.
Turn it down if you get something better or if they give you an offer without funding, and April 15th rolls around with you still broke.
@SamStod, sorry! my brain's capacity must be overloaded! or i was proleptically thinking about the acceptances you're ABOUT to get! :-)
@kaybay,
i'd hold on to the waitlist position. no reason to turn it down until you have another offer of acceptance with funding you'd prefer to go to.
who knows ... McNeese's top five people might all have gotten into Iowa, and decide to not go to McNeese, so you could still get a sopt with funding.
just chill and not worry for a month about it ...
Hey Seth,
Honestly, I don't have an answer to most of your questions because I never received any communication from UNCW about a deadline. So, I don't have any firsthand experience with how/if it was worded in a way that made it seem not negotiable. I definitely had the sense that RugbyToy had the impression that it was not negotiable, so you might be right about more shy candidates being sort of forced to comply with the deadline.
I did have the sense that the person I spoke with was really concerned about people thinking that there was no wiggle room about the deadline. She did specifically tell me that anyone who needed an extension should call her. So, maybe that means that the hubbub yesterday had an effect? I don't know.
I really didn't get into it that much with her because, at this time, it's irrelevant to my status. I wasn't given a deadline. Should I be in the future, I would feel comfortable asking for an extension. Would I get it? From what she said, yes.
So, are they playing dirty? I have no idea. Is it possible that a nice phone conversation is covering for this? Yeah, sure. That's not the impression I got, but I could be wrong. So, I don't know if that is helpful or not. Feel free to email me if you want to discuss it further. kerryheadley at gmail com.
Thanks guys, and thanks for your congrats. Congrats for all the other acceptances/waitlisters today!!
PS - I also received my Syracuse rejection today :)
@kaybay
Koru's right. Definitely don't turn down that McNeese waitlist spot. I don't know why their waitlist notification email is phrased in such a way that suggests that funding is only a maybe. Every admitted student is funded. Also, hooray for Syracuse rejections! Got mine much earlier this year than last year. :)
Kerry,
Thanks so much for the response -- I guess we'll have to see what UNCW does next. I e-mailed them, but no response yet. Hopefully they do the right thing! Glad to hear they're doing right by you, at least. Be well,
Seth
Seth
Supposed to read kerry dot headley at gmail dot com.
Congratulations, kaybay, for a little bit of validation, if nothing else.
I got my Syracuse rejection, but I'm still deciding if I like theirs or WUSTL's better. I still think it would be cool for someone web-savvy to put up a gallery of rejection letters from as many schools as possible so we can see what they all look like. Kind of like those websites that show dead bodies, but without all the bodies and death.
Xataro,
It hasn't been done for MFAs, but it's been done for undergrad letters. There are some pretty hilarious/awful ones out there. Just Google it, I'm sure it won't be hard to find.
@Xataro,
Can you or someone post the syracuse letter text? I didn't apply, but I enjoy a well-crafted validation of exclusion. :p
and i like the idea of a gallery of rejection letters!
First official rejection from Northwestern for fiction (also the first news of the 13 programs I applied to).
The letter went something like this, I'm going from memory as I threw away the actual letter, but this is pretty close to dead on:
Dear applicant,
We regret to inform you that even though we are not ranked in the top fifty creative writing MFA programs, which is weird because we are one of the best schools, arguably the best, in the Midwest, your short story was still not good enough to accept your application.
We do however appreciate the irony that your story was centered around blues music, and we would like to suggest that you now listen to that music while you go F yourself.
Go F yourself,
Stuart Dybek
P.S. Aleksandar Hemon also thinks you are a jerk.
You know what I'd like to do with my rejections? I'd like to print them out onto a piece of fabric and sew them into one big ass quilt so I can wrap myself in them as I try to get warm!
DFW1986, I kinda have a crush on you now.
Kaybay, I was thinking more along the lines of toilet paper. But perhaps that is passé.
Kaybay, let's just be clear--
You want to sew a bigass quilt, or a big assquilt?
@Pencore
I'm expecting the George Mason rejection in the next couple days. I'll be sure to post that one as well. :)
Hobo! Awesome! I'd save that roll for right after Mexican food! And I'd wipe reeeeal good with that schnit!
@pencore
To the death!
@DFW1986, your heart is mine. If only because your name implies David Foster Wallace.
I love you guys. I'm super glad right now that I'm going through this for an MFA, because I can't imagine a, say, computer engineering waiting-game message board would be *nearly* as full of clever.
@ DFW1986: srsly. i heart you too.
@DFW - That was super funny.
i'm collecting my rejection letters, keeping them in a safe place. and someday when i'm famous, they'll end up in my archives at some cosy (wood-panelled with chair-rails and dentil moulding)library archives room, where a ph.d. student will rediscover them and start wondering how people could have been so blind as to not admit me ...
ahhhh fantasy.
DFW, maybe we can bring our rejection letters together and talk about them over a cup of coffee. Weep a little. Then go watch second-run movies at the nickel arcade. "New Moon" is playing. We can see what real literature looks like.
Ahem, no, I would sew a BIG-ASS quilt, or as laypeople might have it, a "rather large" quilt.
@Briana
I was reading page 666 of Infinite Jest yesterday, when my sister and her husband walked in and I had to stop on that page. I am subsequently blaming all my rejections on the devil.
KAYBAY!!!!!!!!!! SO glad you got some well-deserved kudos, sweet girl.
I just googled acceptance and rejection letters and I found one by a kid rejecting a school's rejection. I love that idea!!
Courtney: ♥
Pencore,
I'm in. Can we follow that up by reading J.J. Reddick's (former Duke basketball player currently in the NBA) angst ridden rap lyrics/poetry?
I would like a big assquilt.
DFW, Will we read Reddick before or after we read each other passages from "The Secret"?
Also, found this via Google:
"I just got one from Vanderbilt that said, "Just like you, many of this year's applicants have relatives attending our school. We know that all of you applicants would be able to succeed greatly at our school, and we are sorry that you will not be able to join them in succeeding here."
Ouch.
Congrats Kaybay and anyone else getting good news today!
Maybe I can make a big quilt (no asses involved) out of the amount of rejections I get from American. :/ Seriously though, WHY did the send me two? Isn't this process cruel enough?
lol, I'm keep trying to picture a "big" assquilt and it's making me chuckle...
PS (Open): Because I know UNCW officials are now reading this blog, let me just add that I've been on this board since 2006, and I've been a major booster of UNCW during that time. I have steered applicants toward UNCW, I have ranked the University highly in nearly every category (or, better said, have published rankings in which they were ranked highly), and have enormous respect for any program that can operate at a superlative level in not just one, or two, but three genres -- while also funding an appreciable percentage of admittees. Only a few other programs nationally can make this claim: Iowa, Arizona, Wyoming, and maybe two or three others.
When I found out about what was happening with UNCW last year -- and a couple other programs, notably Hunter (out of which some of the most absolutely unbelievable stories were coming) -- I was incredibly disappointed. And startled, too, when my personal cell phone rang and it was an MFA director complaining that certain programs were "cheating" and wanting my advice. And I hoped it was a one-time thing, so I let it slide and didn't think about it further (UNCW was gray-listed, but no additional action was taken). When the behavior was continued this year I said, okay, something has to be done -- this is a pattern, and I've been around institutions long enough to spot an institutional strategy when I see one.
What Dreux said is dead-on: We all have to be grownups about this. No, not every program will get who they want -- but if we lose our integrity trying to avoid that eventuality, then what's the point of anything anymore? An MFA student said to me yesterday -- no one from this board -- upon hearing about UNCW, "You know, those sorts of shenanigans don't seem to happen at the stronger programs -- it's the sort of thing a lower-tier program does out of desperation."
To be clear: I'm not endorsing that view. I'm saying that there are consequences -- real ones and ones of perception -- to approaching applicants via the hard sell. Applicants talk: a program can ruin its reputation in the national MFA-applicant community almost overnight these days by misbehaving. So my message to UNCW is: I get it, it's a tough field these days. But what you're doing will cost more than it gains you in the long run, I promise.
S.
Pencore,
After.
A sample from one of the finer works:
I can't see what my future has in store
but I move forth with the strength of a condor
PPS (Open): And in case it isn't clear how this problem gets solved:
All programs must either make offers of admission and offers of funding temporally concurrent and in conformance with CGSR (both as to notice of the Resolution being sent with the initial offer and as to the April 15th deadline), OR programs that choose to bifurcate their admissions and funding notices must place no deadline on either choice other than the deadline allowed under the CGSR. That said, programs taking the second approach will lose a ton of strong applicants -- for this reason, 199 programs make their funding and admissions offers concurrent. The fix here, for UNCW, is to set its budget earlier and/or keep its bifurcated admissions system but simply live with the consequences -- while abiding by the CGSR as if, like every other MFA program, they had a concurrent acceptance/funding admissions system. But these two-week deadlines (even or whether coupled with arbitrary extensions to any date other than April 15th) must end immediately. Either UNCW knows it isn't right or there is such a high degree of negligence in the UNCW offices right now that it should cause applicants concern about internal program dynamics -- in this day and age it is unthinkable that a program would deviate from the national admissions policy for graduate schools, and in a manner that hugely benefits the University (and hugely hurts applicants), all the while completely oblivious to the nature and scope of the infraction.
S.
I'm with Seth, with the exception of categorizing taking a spot and then dropping it if you get in somewhere else as deception.
I guess I'm a cynical dude and this whole MFA thing just feels like another competitive job search to me. I fully understand why folks would want it to be something better and I think Seth's way of seeing things is in line with a more desirable future system, but I see these kinds of antics as business as usual. So if I was a UNCW applicant and they gave me two weeks to get back to them, I'd call them two weeks later and take the spot. Then I'd send them a deposit on the last possible day. And then if I got in somewhere better, I would back out guiltlessly.
I posted my favorite rejection letter on my blog. I just love getting them some much.
@Alyssa -- I like your blog entry on "I am going to write." And also your description of yourself:
"Student. Unimportant."
@ alyssa
i too completely relate to the "i am going to write" day.
so so so many many many "i am going to write" days.
So Seth... no word from Sam Chang via the red-Commissioner-Gordon-phone regarding 1) What type of bread she enjoys? 2) When/if they're done notifying their 2010 cohorts?
Also, DFW. I'll meet you at the corner of SE 37th and Belmont for the movie. They have kettle corn at the nickel arcade.
Hey guys,
I got a call from Nathan Englander today. Hunter wants me to come for a visit/interview in fiction.
I think he told me they've narrowed down their some 600 applicants to a short list of about 12, and are figuring out the specific offers of acceptance.
Hunter doesn't get talked about a lot on this blog, but it really is a wonderful program, and I'm very excited about seeing it in action.
Crap. So is it time to assume rejection from Hunter? :(
Arna, did Hunter pressure you to accept verbally at all? I've heard rumors of such a thing happening...
P.S. Congrats to all the acceptees/waitlists! I've been lurking over here while I crunch data at work.
Though it isn't exactly a rejection letter, I thought people might like a reminder of what they're trying to escape with their MFAs.
Email received from my boss this morning:
Hi teachers,
I wanted to remind all the teachers that **** computers are to be used for company business only during work hours. Computers are essential to our productivity, and using Google Docs, Gmail, Word, and Skpe are fundamental to completing tasks and projects. However, personal usage during company time prevents us from working our best. All computer usage is being scrutinized carefully, and no one individual is singled out.
Please remember that it is a privilege to have the use of a company computer. Treat this privilege with respect.
Sincerely,
***** *****
Hey. I have a question, and I'd love it if some of you would weigh in.
I've just been informed via an informal email that I've been accepted at a program, but their funding decisions haven't been made yet. I won't mention the name of the program because they are not officially notifying yet (my transcript was missing, which is why I got the email), and I don't want anyone to freak out! I know I'd freak out.
This is a school that is highly ranked, and that I REALLY want to go to, but unfortunately I know that only about half their students get funding/teaching positions. I can't go if I don't get funding, and I'm worried!
In my return email I made it clear that they are high on my list, and also that I am waiting for funding decisions before I begin to make my own decision.
My question is: should I make it a point to call and speak with someone personally, to make a more secure connection in the hopes that my incredible phone-charisma will convince them of what a spectacular teacher I'd make? Is this an instance where person-to-person contact would be helpful? Or would I just be annoying them?
Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Congrats Kaybay! And hold on to that wait list spot!
Plus I really want to teach, almost more than I want to write.
@ Emma
So strange. My name is also Emma, and the same exact thing happened to me today... although it was a phone call not an e-mail. Wild...
@smiling raindrops
No, no pressure at all, verbal or otherwise! They were really nice...
As for the Sam Chang bread discussion; that and DFW's rejection letter are the two funniest things I've ever read on this blog.
To add to the fires: I've eaten certain kinds of pizza and thai food with Sam Chang in workshop, and none of her selections was in the least bit pretentious, though not, I should add, without discernment and fine taste.
: )
Is it strange that although I applied for fiction, I have written nothing but poetry since applying? Is there a Freudian analysis available?
@ Arna
Oh, but the real question is have you ever smoked a joint with Ms Sam Chang?
@ arna.
congrats! out of curiosity, did englander at all mention whether or not all of the fiction prospects had been notified already?
@ other Emma
really? Oh god. Now I'm terrified that they messed us up and I wasn't supposed to be notified at all. Um. Let's play the What University Game. Was it East or West?
@Arna
I think the entire world is bowing down to you. Talk about supreme acceptance/call-for-interview streak. Congratulations, really!
@DFW
This might be weird of me, but before I submitted my apps I held on to Infinite Jest and shut my eyes really hard and did something somewhat equivalent to a nonreligious prayer. Also DFW is my desktop background. Aaaaannnnnd fail.
Speaking of multiple Emma's, which adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma" was the best?
1996 movie w/ Gwyneth Paltrow
1996 British TV w/ Kate Beckinsale
2009 British TV serial w/ Romola Garai
@ otherEmma
East. Northeast.
In case you're confused, my above post re. Emma has nothing whatsoever to do with my previous post re. dishwasher suds. Not on a conscious level, that is.
@ Woon
And you don't qualify that question with a mention of your gender?
Dudes. Just don't get 'em. ;)
@Arna
Feel free to tell me to shut up, but you seem to have been accepted to my top two schools. I think a few other people have already asked you this, but I would love to read your writing sample. I understand if you're not comfortable sending it out to people you don't know, but if you're feeling generous my email is ealongfellow at yahoo dot com.
There's not been any discussion or mention really of UNLV... anyone know anything?
Pedicures. Why?
(I'm male, btw)
Does Sam Chang get pedicures? Does George Saunders?
@Emily - re. UNLV. I don't know why. I have read posts about UNLV in the Speakeasy forum last year. I know that many times, I don't talk about schools I've applied to simply because I don't want to jinx it. However, I feel free to discuss Sam Chang.
YAY kaybay!! i'm late and all, but do NOT turn down that waitlist spot, girl!
@Emily
With such a late deadline for UNLV, I think we have a while to go.
I talked to a girl about a week ago about my transcripts and they were cool with waiting for them, because I guess they were late. Damn you clearinghouse website. I know that they had the information together, but she made it sound like they hadn't even printed out the writing samples from the applicants who attached it to the online application. I don't know if that really helps, but they are quite nice there if you do need/want more information.
@ other Emma.
Ah, thank goodness. Mine was West.
Congratulations! May the Emmas rule the world.
@ Woon
Lorrie Moore gets pedicures when she's having a bad week. Sometimes with a facial.
I always knew Lorrie Moore was a dirty girl. That's not appropriate. Come on now.
West Emma, you are not being sneaky enough. You have already sent me into a tizzy because I think I have a very good idea of which school you got into.
Nonetheless, congrats! :P
@ Arna --
I too would love to see your writing -- before it's internationally famous, that is ;)
If you're inclined to send your sample:
easybeatmaker@yahoo.com.
Thank you, and may your luck continue. The force is strong with this one.
@Emmas,
thanks for not telling us which schools. i'm just going to go assume that it's schools in both the east and west i'm waiting to hear from, who clearly don't want me.
sigh.
I don't really care about women getting pedicures (except when it's a bad pedicure), but I do care about men getting manicures. Those clear polishes -- I don't know what you call 'em -- that I've seen on actors' fingernails, they make me hurl. I was watching an old episode of Mission: Impossible and I saw them on Peter Graves.
(I'm male, btw)
@ other-Emma
Congratulations to you too! If I were you, I would go ahead and call them. Just my two cents. Good luck!
@DFW1986
I emailed UNLV a few minutes ago (I think probably the same girl you talked to), and she emailed me back in about five seconds--that is so very appreciated!!!
She said they're behind and it could be April before they notify, and that they'd received over 100 applications in fiction.
It also sounded to me like writing samples haven't even been looked at yet. She said it would be a week before they look at the apps "in earnest".... ah well. At least now I'll stop compulsively checking my UNLV app status!
I love nice, helpful people! It makes this crazy process more bearable!
Emily
The other day I walked into the gym locker room and found myself mesmorized by this woman's boob. It was like the perfect tear drop.
But I did not notice if she had neither a mani or a pedi.
(I'm females, btw.)
all this talk of pedicures is reminding me i need to clip my cats' nails ....
DFW
You should get accepted just based on that letter.
Just in case MFA faculty are skulking around this blog, I will not discuss women's boobs. (vs. men's boobs? Wha...?)
Hi, Sam Chang!
@Woon,
I think I'll go write a poem about women's boobs :-)
(I'm female.)
@ Koru and Coughdrop --
I didn't mention the name because I am absolutely positive that they haven't begun official notifications, so you have nothing to worry about yet.
I felt bad about posting because I've seen questions like this and they made me absolutely frantic to know -- but I just really needed advice! I will post here again when I get an official acceptance. (Provided they haven't changed their minds about me.)
ALSO -- no one answered my question! Save for other Emma ;)
Good luck to all and huge congratulations to those who've gotten in!
- West Emma
I am waitlisted at McNeese for fiction via email. So excited to hear something good!
Oh, and KAYBAY, I agree with everyone else on the matter: hang on to your waitlist spot. Never know what could happen.
Anyway, congrats to all who have heard good news so far, and good luck to everybody!
Oh, one more thing: To anyone who has been waitlisted via email, especially at McNeese, are you supposed to respond back to the email? Like, should I email back saying thanks or something? This is probably a really stupid question, but I was just wondering.
Ugh Bontemps!!!
Hunter's up there on my list. Give me a call Englander!!!
@Kerry
About a year ago, before I even thought seriously about applying to MFA programs, I wrote a 6 page fiction piece for Ricardo Cortez Cruz's Class at Illinois State University. It was in the form of letters to Virginia's director of CW informing him of all my sexual exploits since being rejected from the program, after being told that he personally liked my work, but still couldn't accept me.
I wanted to include it in my writing sample to all of my schools, but ultimately I decided it would probably piss off most ad coms.
@Emma,
sorry i didnt even register there was a question!
i'd hang on a couple of days, and see if they respond to your email first before calling. you've already emailed them, they know they're high on your list. the follow-up call can simply be a "so, when would you know about funding" sort of query, i guess.
@ DFW
your inclusion of that piece anywhere on the interwebs for me to read will make you my hero. times infinity.
Just happened now:
I work in offices that are housed in a church. I was walking downstairs to go to the little girls' room (WC), thinking about my lack-of-MFA-predicament, when I muttered to myself, "I'm fucked."
Then I round a corner and see a group of children seeing about Christ.
Then I come back to my desk and think about Sam Chang bread, smoking out with program heads, Lorrie Moore pedis and that boob I saw in the gym a few nights ago.
Ai yo.
@Miss Private Eye
I have no problem posting it, but I don't currently have a blog or other forum of sorts to post it on.
@pencore, nothing like a clash of worlds, is there? haha!
Congrats all acceptances and waitlists!
Rosanna - I emailed the director asking for funding clarification, but maybe an email would be the right thing to do, even if it's just to say "thank you." :) Congrats!
@Rosanna
You're certainly not compelled to write McNeese back, but I'm sure they'd appreciate a little thank you email. They obviously think highly of your work!
Also, for the record, I'm in at McNeese for fiction. Haven't accepted yet - waiting to hear from other programs.
@ Woon,
Clueless.
Thanks Emily for the UNLV info,
I applied and they're one of my veryvery top choices. I know they usually notify late but April is VERY late. I remember last year they were on Seth's list of "schools that notify so late we forgot we'd applied" or something like that. Haha, I don't mind waiting for you, Nevadaaaa! Their deadline just passed about a week ago, so I don't think the wait is too bad.
@Ashley Brooke -- Ahh! Forgot about Alicia Silverstone's "Clueless." Damn.
Post a Comment