Congrats on the ND waitlists! If you call, Colleen is very very nice and will let you know whether or not to hold your breath. Unfortunately, the answer is probably not, but as woon and megan said, it's validation. Your writing caught their eye, and you should be very proud. I was 20th out of 20 last year, and not much higher this time (in prose). btw I'm an Irish Jew :)
yes? you have enough knowledge and information to judge on behalf of all applicants everywhere?
i can't speak for you. but for me seth's info was heaven-sent. i'm making my own decision as to where i'll end up, but all the info he has compiled did help me to figure out where i wanted to apply to, where i could apply to given my resources and location, and more. you may not find it helpful - some do. if you don't find it helpful, don't use it. as to others - i have faith in the maturity, intelligence and judgment of other people. they'll use the data or not use it as they see fit, as is right for them.
No hard feelings! I was alley-ooping your comment to slam-dunk Smoke-oi's quote (huh?). Seriously, though, I think you're great and I'd feel bad if my comment came across as critical of you (nor did I think you were implying a higher level of maturity).
I'll let the original Smoke-oi quote stand:
You seem more mature than many of the posters here. Please gather as much information as possible before making a decision.
yes? you have enough knowledge and information to judge on behalf of all applicants everywhere?
i can't speak for you. but for me seth's info was heaven-sent. i'm making my own decision as to where i'll end up, but all the info he has compiled did help me to figure out where i wanted to apply to, where i could apply to given my resources and location, and more. you may not find it helpful - some do. if you don't find it helpful, don't use it. as to others - i have faith in the maturity, intelligence and judgment of other people. they'll use the data or not use it as they see fit, as is right for them.
i can't speak for you. but for me seth's info was heaven-sent. i'm making my own decision as to where i'll end up, but all the info he has compiled did help me to figure out where i wanted to apply to, where i could apply to given my resources and location, and more. you may not find it helpful - some do. if you don't find it helpful, don't use it. as to others - i have faith in the maturity, intelligence and judgment of other people. they'll use the data or not use it as they see fit, as is right for them.
The data compiled on financial aid etc is great. Tom Kealey (who runs the blog) provided most of it. Seth is responsible primarily for the selectivity rankings, which are flawed. Pointing out the financial aid issue is important, but he's letting his crusade bleed into his objectivity, assuming he's not fixated on all of this because of some weird squabble with Columbia's poetry department as some say he is.
oh sheesh. we're just going to go round and round the merry-go-round, aren't we?
i get it. you think seth's data, methods are flawed. let's move on.
@M.Swann, i wish life had reset buttons. and i have absolutely no idea what that sentence about alleyooping and slamdunking meant. you chose the absolutely worst person in the world with whom to use sports metaphors. hard feelings laid to rest. peace.
okay people - my day's just beginning. so i'm off :-)
Duuuude, Smoke-oi, we all get it. You believe Seth's rankings are flawed. Speaking for myself I will take in your input and believe you are offering it in good faith. Then I will take Seth's work and do the same, using my highly educated brain and discerning intellect to decide for myself where I believe the truth lies. Thank you for drawing our attention to what may be important information regarding the sources of information which may or may not influence our future decisions.
Emma 2: I am seriously considering Montana, unless I get off the Arizona waitlist and then I'll have some comparing to do. I'm fiction btw. Missoula just looks like a beautiful place, and Montana's program is really appealing to me!
If someone can prove Seth's methodology is sound I will apologize and let it go, but if you guys keep insisting there is nothing wrong with his stats I'm going to shoot you down. His data is garbage. Don't want me to tell you this? Don't argue with me on this point.
@ MFAGuy: I applied to the Tin House workshop, though will only be able to go if I get a scholarship. I am going to live at my parents' place in Texas for the next few months and have decided to look at it as my own personal fellowship. Nothing but free laundry, time to write, and hopefully keep from going insane in the pre-grad school interim.
If anyone would like to come split a bottle of wine with me on a screened porch in middle-of-nowhere Texas and talk writing, we can make it a workshop!
I have received a TA-ship offer from a program, but told I need to accept by April 1st. This school is a resolution signer. I thought that I had until April 15th! Is the April 15th deadline just for program acceptance, or does it covering funding offers as well?
I read some of your San Fran State information. As of now, it is my only acceptance. I am also waitlisted at Brooklyn (my number one choice) and NYU (eh, the funding isn't ideal but I would go to stay here in NY where I live).
I was the one nearly offered the Provost Scholarship (they ended up giving it to someone else--d'oh! At least they gave me a GNE that my work was so strong that it was between me and this other person or something like that).
In any case. I want Brooklyn. I would die for Brooklyn. I would do it for NYU too, because I think the programs are stronger than SFSU, especially after your post. My question now is...what can be done? I would go to Brooklyn in a heartbeat and want to show them so, but I know this is inappropriate. I have other, stronger samples even to share, but no one has asked.
I don't want to say yes to my only acceptance and go there with my heart not being in it, or to drop it last minute if something else comes through. But this is my second year applying, and I am ready, this year, to get my MFA.
What do you think is the right course of action--is there any besides just sitting and waiting?
Hey everyone. I've been trying to keep up with you all but it seems this year the participants of this blog are way more vocal (verbal?) than last season.
Congrats to everyone who has received good news. And an even bigger congrats to Kaybay and her ND prospect. I hope everything will work out for you.
I'd like to weigh in on the debate about Seth's rankings but all I really can offer is anecdote. I came to this blog, TSE, and PW late in the game, after I had already applied and been accepted to a program. I did rely on the first edition of the Handbook, but my list of schools was in no way influenced by the rankings posted on TSE. And I did ok.
That said, I do think that the rankings from TSE are slightly biased. Seth can not claim to have no influence over those who read his blog and subsequently take part in his poll. And this is where I give you my anecdote. I would not have applied to Amherst if I hadn't read Kealey's book. He talked up the program, said it was a nice place to live, liked the structure, etc, and I was persuaded to apply. So Tom wrote a very fair, well-rounded book about MFAs but his bias (a word that has a more pejorative connotation than I'm treating it with here) influenced my decision making process.
It seems impossible to escape the influence of Seth when it comes to anything MFA-related on the interwebs. And the TSE rankings are skewed toward his, what? point of view? bias? Maybe a little, but I would argue it's negligible. It's definitely not damning.
But that brings me to CU. All the things Seth said about Columbia are true for him, and probably a lot of people, but not true for everybody. When it comes down to it you have to go where your gut is telling you to go (and I hope your gut is somewhat informed). If you think CU is the best place for you then go there. You know what that entails. I would not advise anyone to go to CU simply because it was the only place they go in to. Your heart has to be in it. So if it's the place for you, go. No one is going to Columbia and thinking 8 weeks in, how am I to pay for this, no one told me how expensive it would be! And on the flip side of that I'm pretty sure (and someone in the program could back me up on this) CU isn't having trouble filling all the spots in their program. So the faculty could care less where their school is located on an internet poll. That seems to be the consensus here at Hopkins (for now, at least). There will always be applicants. Moreover, I think if a CU grad was running a blog and taking polls more people on that blog would think positively about the program.
So what I wanted to say before all those words I just typed is go with your gut.Go where you think you'll be happiest. Everyone reading this blog, or following DH or TSE, is, at some level, informed on the decision they made applying and similarly so when making (hopefully) a decision between programs. Good luck everyone. As a young writer I'm excited to see so many people also excited about poetry and fiction. I may not be able to compete with you all, but at least I can look forward to reading some good books in the future.
So, definitely had someone say to me today when I told them about my list of growing rejections that I should just suck it up and realize that I'm not going to be a professional writer.
On a more positive note, I found a dollar on the street!
@Seth- Troll? So on top of helping my lost MFA-seeking soul with solid guidance, I assume you have connections with the Boston Tobin Bridge toll operator that gave me a fine a few weeks ago for not having cash. Can you believe it, they wouldn't let me cross the bridge without fining me $50?! True story. (That's my way of saying thank you, oddly. Not sure if that comes through.)
Rejected from Warren Wilson, officially today in a much more polite letter than the one I got last week. Just waiting on one more, and I can call it closed.
Curious prevalent attitudes you'll notice among academics and those who want to appear knowledgeable: the bowing before scientific research for the sake of scientific research, as if no other type of research exists or should exist; the brainwashing of students to accept only objective scientific research, as if scientists cannot have biases in their research (a deeper curiosity exists among those researchers in the field of psychology, most of whom engender their "scientific studies" to prove something of which they are already convinced...I'd wager most fields do likewise); the intolerance for opinions that waver from their own; etc.
Also, concerning said types, and referencing in particular Stacey Harwood from the above article: it seems the deeper one is enmeshed in the area of speech, language, writing, etc., and the further one feigns a libertarian POV regarding right to freedom of speech (which I would think and hope most artists at least pretend to hold said right as sacred), the more one is happy to shut down speech by dissenters and relish control and direction of opinions over a happy camp of sycophants.
I got into Columbia two years ago, with no funding, and decided not to go. The faculty is quite amazing, the location unmatched for writerly vibe, etc etc. But here's my thing: other schools make it work. They find a way to fund some, most, all of their students, and that is an ethical choice. It is neither easier nor harder for Columbia to find more funding than Iowa, Virginia, Michigan, so when Iowa, for example, makes the conscious decision, in the past ten years, maybe not even, to try their hardest to spead the wealth, they do so because they value their students. And so, all other things being equal, Columbia stumbles, as it should. Iowa, my example of a school that once had spotty funding, felt compelled to change things up. Compelled to attempt it, at least.
I just wonder how one feels going to a school where he is not as valued, or valued for entirely different reasons, than his peers at schools of similar, though not exact, quality.
You might think all those female posters above proposing marriage to me seems incredible. But, as it turns out, stuff like this happens to me all the time.
I have a basically complete novel that has been revised several times. I am looking for a mentor to help me with the last bit of revision before I query agents. I've looked into UCLA extension classes, but many of the teachers seem more commercial than literary. Anyone know of a good/affordable place to workshop or get feedback on an entire, near-complete novel? My preference would be in person in Los Angeles or potentially New York, but online courses could work as well.
I'd venture that it would be easier for Columbia as a whole (not talking about the specific department) to provide funding for MFA students than a lot of schools. They have a massive endowment approaching 8 billion I think. It's one of the top endowments of any university.
I'm just about finished here. Still haven't heard from Purdue , but that's a holding file at best, I'd guess.
Funny, before I realized the magnitude of what I was up against I consulted an online Magic 8-Ball and asked if I'd get in to one of my top 3, 6, 10, 16 schools and it kept saying no. Then I asked -- will I get into none? And it said, "Absolutely." I thought, "Wow, that's pretty harsh, 8-Ball," but it just spoke the truth.
Four years ago, I played College Hoops 2k6 on the PlayStation2 as the head coach of Columbia. I struggled my first year and had a losing record. But in my second year, I had a monster power forward and center. All I had to do was feed them the ball and we eventually ran the table in the Ivy League. I made it to the Sweet Sixteen. I could've stayed my third year, but I sought a job out west with Cal State Northridge. You might think that's a step down, but actually it was easier to recruit better players with CSUN. I did well there and eventually got hired by big time Iowa State University. NCAA champions in my second year at ISU.
Damn, this blog gets me every spring—so much drama. Truth is: the degree (regardless of program) doesn’t mean shit unless you publish a couple of books. Even if you snag a TA position, get used to teaching English Composition (which sucks), until you publish your two books. And say you do publish them, better hope you’re with a respected publishing house, and you better hope your work is well received. Plus, you better hope the economy picks up and universities start hiring again. Say everything falls into place, well, be prepared to compete in a national search with a slew of other MFAs—each with positively reviewed books of his or her own and a CV loaded with teaching experience (since it will take years to write, edit, toss, rewrite, and sell those books). Also, department heads love exploiting adjuncts; so finding a part-time teaching position is easier than a lot people think. At many schools all you need is eighteen graduate credit hours to get a few classes, sometimes even less.
I go to Columbia, and I’m not posting to defend the program. If anyone really wants to find out more about it, come to NYC. Visit Morningside Heights. Go to the fourth floor of Dodge Hall and talk to the faculty. Talk to the students. Go to a Gallery reading and hear what people are working on. Find out for yourself what it’s really like over here. (For the record: I’m as broke as any grad student, and Columbia was my top choice, even after the Wrath of S. had been unleashed.)
Congratulations to the recently accepted! I hope you’re psyched about where you’ll be going. But like someone said earlier tonight: follow your friggin’ gut. Don’t over think it. You only do this thing once.
Getting in feels like the end of something, but really, it’s not the end of anything—not even checking this blog.
Feel free to email me off the blog RE: UCRiverside. sirenmuse99 at the gmail...
I have a question, loosely based off Seth's comment about a strong cohort (when referencing to the programs in S.F) Maybe this means different things for each of us. Cohorts: for me a diverse pool is high on the list, every demographic. Writing abilities, it's subjective of course. Although one can presume with Iowa or any highly competitive program the writing is already very strong.
A side note on S.F, I lived there six years, it's doable, less expensive than New York. Some schools, CCA for example has graduate housing in the $6,000 yearly range.
I'm still waiting to hear back from CCA, I already know if it's not full, or nearly full funding I can't do it. (I put that on my app, wonder if they caught that. Ha!)
Curious if anyone may accept an offer but reapply next year? I may do this...
Hello everyone, I'm up at this ungodly hour and about to hop on a plane to North Carolina to visit my cousin. Let me know if you'd like me to break into any of the NC schools and move your application into the acceptance pile. :) Wishing everyone luck and good news this week.
Hey there has been a proper battle of words going on here I could feel the stress reading all the comments - Seth has been such a great help I cannot but understand how anyone would criticize his efforts, his information has been a god send for someone like me half way across the globe from all you guys...
@Woon wow everyone here wants to marry you congrats you must be so so popular!!!
And congratulations all those accepted into programs at my end I think I am taking up the Spalding University low residency offer though Antioch and Pacific have yet to revert. I'm not waiting till next year to reapply again.
OK. This may be a mistake but I'd like to try to clarify the Columbia discussion. This may flatten a number of slightly different positions, so please don't be offended if I didn't capture your position to the letter.
Anyway, here's where I think the disconnect lies:
Many of the people who are (to put it coarsely) anti-Columbia see any unfunded MFA as a bad value proposition. In other words, the idea is that whether Columbia is "worth it" is not, for them, a personal choice—unless the applicant has exceptional financial circumstances ("the Franco clause," let's call it). Paying full price (or even partially) for Columbia is a mistake because that level of debt hamstrings most people who take it on, for decades. And the returns on a moderately successful book (which nobody can be said to have a good chance at writing) aren't nearly enough to cover the debt one incurs from that tuition and the cost of living in NYC. (Some of these posters have been Columbia alums, it's worth pointing out.) Fair?
Many people who are (again, to boil it down) pro-Columbia don't see the decision as based on financial considerations alone. They want to allow for personal decisions based on things like quality of instruction, location, and track record of the alums. They're willing to take on some amount of debt (perhaps a large amount) in pursuit of their passion. Again, for them, the decision is more than just a financial value proposition. It's not about how much the MFA is worth in financial terms; it's about the personal value of other aspects of the program. I ask once again: Fair?
To the first set, the second set seem foolhardy, because (as one of them might say) they're ignoring the financial questions, which should be a dealbreaker (and which everybody on both sides would agree are important at least to understand).
To the second set, the first set seem condescending, because they're trying to tell others how to run their lives (and everybody here should be able to understand the impulse to pursue one's passion, at a minimum).
This discord is just a consequence of the positions the two sides lie on, and it seems no amount of conversation will convert anybody to either side. (I'd love to hear from some people who've been swayed one way or the other, though.)
In this context, I'd like to note, all the debate about Seth's statistics seems mostly like a distraction from the core concerns about Columbia. The relevant facts about Columbia are not in dispute (right?): It costs most people a lot of money to go there; most people who do so incur large amounts of debt; major debt usually means long-term lifestyle sacrifices; there are good writers and teachers at Columbia; NYC is a good environment for certain kinds of writers; one might make interesting connections in publishing while at Columbia.
Further, Seth's data are what they are; most people understand what they are (if they only take time to read a few lines—and if they don't, surely the 20,000 words on this blog aren't going to reach them); many people further understand how they ought to be used (call it "the Nadiya model of decision-making") and have found them quite helpful in that respect.
And really, this isn't just about Columbia, but about funded versus unfunded MFAs, and how one should make these kinds of decisions in general. Columbia's just an easy target because (1) there's always lots of discussion here from their many applicants and (2) they are by far the best of the poorly-funded programs—a fact which allows the pro-Columbia arguments to make sense. (In other words, nobody on any side would argue that paying $100k for an MFA from a school with poor instruction and no track record is a good idea. I hope.)
Thoughts welcome (especially from other innocent bystanders). Please be as respectful as I hope I've been.
(Or really, this isn't directed to uh-uh, but I want this perspective out there for the sake of balance.)
Some people love teaching comp. I'm seeking my MFA in part to be more qualified to apply for comp jobs and other jobs with comp teaching components (e.g., creative writing + comp). A part of my decision-making process has involve seeking out schools with strong comp studies or comp/rhet programs.
Florida State University information - Tara Stamm just wrote to me saying that the committee, after having sent out their initial round of acceptances, are now deciding the waitlist and the deny list. They will soon be emailing people with the decision.
Spoke to Lauren, who is very nice, and it seems the writing department sat down yesterday to make their list of fiction applicants they will offer admission to. So we should all be hearing from them in the coming weeks (2 weeks that is).
I applied to Sewanee also, but I just did it on Friday so I probably won't find out for awhile. Applied to Bread Loaf and Tin House, too, and don't expect to hear from them for awhile, either.
Oops, I read my comment from last night and need to correct it - the person who was third last year was NOT accepted. I'm going to email today and ask where I am. Even I'm 20th, I'm still happy!! :)
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I know your message was well-intended, I'm writing a brief response only because I also think it is incorrect.
Concern about Columbia has been expressed by literally hundreds of applicants here, at DH, at P&W, and at TSE over the past few years for many, many reasons. The reasons those who are concerned about Columbia express as the bases for their concerns all represent "known" reasons -- i.e., traits of the program we have statistical evidence to believe exist, ex ante. Those applicants who defend the decision to apply to Columbia, at least in their public comments, primarily rely on "guesses" about the program. For instance:
Ability to make contacts: guess. * Ability to connect with specific professors: guess. Location (national): known. Success of graduates relative to other programs: guess. *
* = There is no data on these measures. Anywhere. Nor has there ever been.
Columbia is not being singled out because it is "by far the best of the poorly-funded programs" (which is possibly true, but still debatable; certainly, it is not the highest-ranked less-than-fully-funded program). It is being singled out because to attend #15 Brooklyn College, a poorly-funded MFA, costs $10,400 over 2 years; to attend #22 Columbia, a poorly-funded MFA, costs $84,000 over two years. That's about 800% the cost of Brooklyn. So yes, there's a difference when one NYC program is saying, we're unfunded but we're cheap to attend, and another is saying, we're unfunded but we will destroy your financial health for decades.
People come to the MFA-applicant blogs, largely, for two reasons: to get information and to get advice. Those who just want information (like which schools have reported acceptances) largely ignore these flame-wars, as well they should. Those who are here for advice appreciate the information they receive here. To say that those who criticize Columbia are trying to "tell other people how to run their lives" is preposterous -- this is an advice blog, only those who aren't looking to participate in this site's discussions are likely to be seriously annoyed by conversations that are either critical or complimentary of individual programs. But if one doesn't want to get advice -- what you've called "telling other people how to run their lives" -- one probably doesn't end up on this blog in the first place.
Coming out of lurkage to seek out other Brooklyn College and Sarah Lawrence admits.
Drop me a line if, like me, you're in the throes of the decision-making process. Or even if you've accepted/declined a spot at either of those two programs already. I want to pick your brain, in the most delicate-possible way.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. The difference between the hard data and the guesses does seem critical, now that you mention it. Both the part about what counts as a guess and the part about Brooklyn College's being much cheaper and likely of comparable or better quality—these both seem right to me.
(Naturally, I was trying to be charitable to the supporters with my flattery of Columbia; I had no idea about the relative quality as I happen not to have applied to any programs that would lead me into any kind of debt.)
Still, I do think the most important question (and the one most people are really disagreeing about here, regardless of whether they name a specific school or not), is whether it makes sense under any circumstances to go into debt for an MFA in creative writing. That is, I think people are fighting about the principle, not the practical applications (whether they like it or not, really). If that's true, then the difference between Brooklyn College and Columbia is one of degree, and not of kind.
And this probably doesn't matter, but I meant the "tell other people how to run their lives" comment to give a voice to what I perceive as the main complaint from the supporters, not as my own perspective on the situation. I'm a die-hard detractor, which I'm actually glad didn't come through in the original post. Maybe it's silly to distance myself from the comment, since I've posted anonymously anyway, but I'm too egotistical (and too concerned with accuracy) to let it go.
Anyway thanks again for pointing out what you have; it seems very possible that the difference between Columbia and Brooklyn College will matter to some people, even if (as I suspect) it doesn't matter—much—to most.
@MauMau, re:The Job - Because of the gazillion Manhattan law firms and investment banks that need high-end document support, there's a whole subset of what I think are really kick@ss NYC jobs. I love my job! My co-workers are mostly artists who work a couple of days and then spend the rest of their time on their *real* careers -- we have composers, visual artists, a choreographer, a stand-up comic, several actors, and a pretty good portion of our staff are people who are working on some super-secret screenplay. The screenplay people are kinda odd, but harmless. There are a lot of oddballs in this biz, especially on the night shift, but you would probably be shocked by the impressive artistic credentials of many of my colleagues.
To get one of these jobs, though, you need to genuinely be an MS Office power user. The application process involves a timed test, formatting documents and creating fairly complex charts using some advanced Word, PowerPoint and Excel functions. And you have to have, at least, basic competence with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, for which you will also have to pass a test.
I accidentally found this job through some volunteer work I do at the Harlem job training center of Columbia's community outreach program. But these jobs are also listed on Monster and other employment websites. DO NOT take one of these jobs through a temp agency! Most centers, these days, outsource the work and the outsourcing companies are pretty good to work for. But NOT the temp agencies. Temps make half the hourly rate and get none of the benefits of regular employees, even the employees of outsourcing companies.
If you shoot me an email to: trilbe [at] hotmail [dot] com, I'll send you the contact info for the recruiter who hired me. I got my job back when the market was booming, so it's definitely much harder to find this work, now. There were some layoffs after the market crashed, our department hasn't hired anybody new for the past two years and I doubt they'll replace me, assuming I leave this Fall. But some other banks are still expanding operations and hiring people. Some people who were laid off from our bank, went to other banks that were looking for a dozen or more new operators.
While I'm still making those document center dollars, I'm gonna spread some of the wealth around now and establish the kaybay rocks the bloggawebz scholarship! I hope you don't have to use it, kaybay. I hope Notre Dame will be smart enough to let you in. But if Touchdown Jesus drops the pass, I've paid ALC/DH in advance, for you to get their portfolio review service. I think you're awesome -- I'm pretty sure we all do! -- and I wanted to do something to show you how much this community believes in you and your talent.
ok, i had to wait to hear from all my schools before posting my list for fiction.
Brown (out) Iowa (finalist!! yeeeah, that just means out) Oregon (out) Wisconsin (out) Arizona (in) Arizona State (in) Brooklyn (out) Hollins (in) Columbia (in)
and out of the four programs i was admitted to, the school i chose was.....none.
the past four or five months of this process allowed me to realize i must follow my other passion: feature writing, narrative nonfiction, john mcphee stuff.
i've learned for creative writing (obviously this is just my opinion), if you have enough knowledge in the field, the most important aspect to take from an MFA program is finding a handful of readers you believe are helping improve your writing. i have three or four amazing critics, and that's all i need.
good luck people still waiting or making decisions!
(and i have no idea about wait lists, if or when spots will open up, dates i was accepted or rejected, sorry).
Whoa, Trilbe, wow... that's the nicest thing someone's done to me in a very long time. That's so effing sweet!!! I was really thinking about using the service too! I'm humbled :)
re: Columbia Let's just split these camps JK Rowlings style. If you're pro money/Columbia: Slitherin If you're scrupulous/anti-Columbia: Huffle Puff If you'd get funded anywhere you went anyways because you're John Updike's illegitimate child: Ravenclaw If you're willing to overcome 20 years of hardship to achieve your goal, and you do: Griffyndor
If you're willing to overcome 20 years of hardship to achieve your goal, and you find out you can't do it the honest way: Voldemort
@ threes I hope you're exactly like my favorite Irish Jew, Leopold Bloom
ACCEPTED VIA PHONE CALL FROM CRIS BEAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NON-FICTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just spent an hour on the phone with her she is amazing and I'm FLIPPING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Nadia - Congratulations!!! That's something to be proud of! :)
@whynotbecause - I called them last week and they said they are going on spring break, and they will be notifying the next group of admits after they get back.
Everyone else - does anyone (accepted or otherwise) have an opinion on the University of Baltimore's program? It has been my only acceptance so far, which felt great when I got the email, but I'm not completely sure it is what I am looking for.... opinions?
Wow. Congrats on your AMAZING list of acceptances. You're awesome. It seems like we applied to a lot of the same programs. Perhaps we should meet up sometime?
Sorry, I don't really know anything about the program at the University of Baltimore. The Wire makes Baltimore look terrifying, but the city itself is pretty cool, and all the MICA kids make it a fairly arty scene, if that's your thing.
Are you actually this bf of Ena's who is to follow her to Houston off the waitlist? If so, will you will yourself to do so so two UNCG poetry slots open?
If you don't mind, please let me know if you hear anything from Purdue. It seems like I'm in the same boat as you because I haven't heard any word from them one way or another.
Maybe that means that I'm on a deep holding list too. Or maybe it just means that I didn't receive my rejection for some reason. Not sure...
@Old Poet - Purdue has a shortlist of 10, of which the top 4 have been offered spots. The remaining 6 are on the waitlist. (I could be wrong and the shortlist of 10 IS the waitlist) Regardless, offerees and waitlistees have been notified. There may be a deeper list beyond the 10 that I don't know about in the (unlikely) chance that most of the "top" 10 candidates don't bite. This seems to be the trend in this record-breaking year of unheard-of application numbers.
Congrats!!! I also received an acceptance in CNF, yesterday via phone. What other schools are you deciding between? Care to share some thoughts on the program, funding situation, etc? Feel free to email me, courtney dot robb at gmail. Right now, it looks like I'm deciding between Sarah Lawrence and Columbia.
Trilbe, your kindness is amazing and kind-of made my day.
I got accepted to Vermont College yesterday! Deciding between there and Columbia College (or neither, due to lack of funding). Still no word from a few schools (Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Ohio State, and Notre Dame- I'm presuming rejections, but don't know for certain). Don't know what to do, especially since these schools want a decision really soon. I'd be happy to hear any advice. Thanks!
Just to add to the info about Brooklyn College. If you get a TAship ($3800 a semester) that more than covers the cost of in state tuition. They want you to take a preparatory class, so you can only TA in 1st year/2nd semester, and 2nd year.
Now, everyone doesn't get offered a TAship, but if you do, that brings the cost of in state tuition down to less than 3K for two years.
Does anyone know if Virginia Commonwealth still has acceptance notifications to send out? I know some have been notified, but it seems like it's been fairly quiet on the VCU front.
@nadiya: "the Nadiya model" (as a term) is my small tribute to one of the more lucid commenters here. Congratulations on your successes this application season.
Not sure about this, but it looks like Beth Ann Fennelly may be the new Director of the Ole Miss MFA program... They have a new website up, and if you go to the link "Contact Us" there's a little note from Beth Ann Fennelly, Director. Thoughts?
@ laura: I'm pretty sure all VCU acceptances have gone out. Which genre are you in? I was waitlisted there in poetry and was notified about that approx. 1 1/2 weeks ago.
Any final word on Portland State? Are they absolutely done notifying? Haven't heard of any rejections, nor have I heard of any acceptances in some time. Any waitlists?
I'm a nonfiction applicant and so far this is what I've gotten.
Rejected: University of Iowa University of Minnesota
Waitlisted: George Mason University of North Carolina Wilmington New School
Accepted: Minnesota State Columbia University
Have not heard from: Penn State University of New Hampshire Hollins Portland State
By they way, Columbia did indeed call me, so apparently they do that at least some of the time. Crossing my fingers for everyone. Good news is still on the way.
@Jarsh -- I just got my financial aid statement from SFSU, too, but to be fair I got one last year when I didn't even finish my application. They appear to just send them out based upon the FAFSA, regardless of admission.
Folks who have heard from SFSU -- did you apply for the MA or MFA? I applied for the MA and was originally told I would hear next week, but am anxious.
@whynotbecause- I am still awaiting a fiction decision from Arkansas.
An official glance (all fiction):
Iowa... waitlist via snailmail Arkansas...no word UNLV... no word UVa... no word FSU... Waitlist or rejection pending (Read: not selected in the "acceptance" round)
Love the new site. And it would make sense to make Fennelly the director, in that she seems to have been the one suggesting changes around Ole Miss for a while now (the visiting poet program she put together a few years ago as one example).
I don't know what they're doing about the fiction samples, though. Maybe they've already tapped them and they weren't connected with this blog. Or maybe they're understandably behind on their fiction-admissions. Either way, I wish you well.
And @Kitty, I echo Lucas-- Congratulations! Are you poetry? Fiction?
Yeah that sounds like the consensus. God, I'm SO bummed out today. I was really hoping this week was going to bring some good news and close some doors.
Re: waitlists. How do you find out where you're ranked on them? Is it rude to email schools and ask? As I'm on two, one of which really interests me, I'm quite curious.
As far as I know, only Ena and I have been notified by UNCG for poetry. Granted, I don't read all the blogs nearly as religiously because my season is done, but they definitely didn't notify everyone at once. When I spoke with Jim Clark yesterday, he made it sound as though they were still going through applications, and their funding situation (non-existant at the moment) could take up to mid-April (read April 13th-15th) to get sorted out. So, for now, it doesn't seem that there's any reason to give up hope.
I think some schools will tell you where you are on the waitlist and some schools won't. I don't think it hurts to ask. I e-mailed Indiana to see if they could tell me where I am on the waitlist and/or how long the waitlist was, and they politely (and promptly) responded to say that they couldn't give out that info. But other schools, it seems, have been more forthcoming. It's worth a shot.
Pardon my need to vent, but hardly anyone in my in-person life fully understands:
This state of limbo is driving me crazy. I'm on two waitlists. No acceptances yet. I wish I could just know one way or the other whether or not I'm going to grad school this fall!
Your feedback is mucho appreciated. The whole financial aid biz has me nauseous. Especially the waiting period. But I try and remember the worst of the waiting is over...right? haha
Thanks again. And kudos to all those who received good/amazing/surprising/kickass news (that's you, Kaybay) over the past few days!
I feel your pain. NYU is my only real option and the waitlist master will not reveal how long the list is or where I am. The waitlist also might not close until August. August!! Guess some people get fed up apt hunting.
Since I live in NYC, I am tempted to meet the NYU waitlist master in person and beg him to tell me.
Just checking in. (This is 4maivalentine. I got sick of my name) I hope everyone is doing well and reaping the benefits of their hard work. I would type a smiley face but that would require me to pretend like Oxford didn't just send me a rejection. Well, I didn't want to go there anyway! Jerks!
I echo everyone's sentiments regarding Trilbe's generosity. How kind, and how excited for kaybay.
I was notified today by Minnesota Twin Cities that I've moved up to 2nd place on the waitlist for poetry. So, pretty much UWashington is out for me, because they're funding one person (even though their dang website AND acceptance letter blabbered about their awesome funding. Yuck).
Still WL'ed at OSU, UIUC, and NYU--to be honest, I think these are all real far stretches for me, and the only one I want badder than bad is UIUC so I can move with the badass girlfriend (not to say taht OSU and NYU don't kick ass, because they certainly do!). Also, still waiting to hear from UMASS regarding a TAship (emailed today with impatience to see what's up with that), but gf isn't going to go anywhere close to there, and her top choice is in LA.
Are any of yinz trying to plan your MFA to fit with your partner? Mine is so kickass that she's in everywhere; I am the one laggin behind. Of course, getting my MFA is #1 on my list, it's just tied with being with my partner!
All in Fiction. I am guessing a waitlist at ASU since acceptance and rejections went out and poss a waitlist at FSU and Oregon but I am guessing a denial from all the others since everyone else already knows if they are accepted or waitlisted at the others.
Rejected: Brown Cornell Iowa Montana Michigan
Anyone heard rejections from Houston? Has anyone heard wait list or acceptance from Oregon?
I am seriously freaking out right now. And I am not sure if I want to call...
Jesus, hon, get back to work. I don't think the office would be too happy if they saw the way you're spending your time.
@Kyle
Maybe if we wish together...? Really, though, I wish you the best of luck on UNCG, though I'm sure the financial stuff for them is going to be another battle altogether.
Sud-I think we might appreciate it in the long run. Their website is-to say the least-underwhelming and their communication with students was a bit disconnected.
The part that sucks is that it came in that stupid, stupid medium envelop. So it was like...okay, this could be an acceptance *rips open* maybe not.
another long timer blurker (blog lurker) turned poster here...
i've been following this blog lately trying to live vicariously through all of you guys' acceptances bc I really wanted to put together a portfolio to apply for this season. unfortunately, i just wasn't ready..had rounded a corner so to speak with my writing but i simply didnt have enough quality stuff to put together for a portfolio come all those january first deadlines...just wouldnt have been worth the time or the application fees.
however, i am definitely applying for next year's deadline, and I wanted to say that if there are any folks on here who applied in poetry and who do not end up enrolling but plan to re-apply next year, id be interested in swapping some stuff. i basically have three readers right now, one of which is my former undergrad professor who is consistently swamped with people asking the same things of him that i do.
anyway, shoot me an email at partimer2386@gmail.com if that's something you'd be interested in.
also, congrats to all on their acceptances; hang in there to all still waiting; and if you didn't get in this year, there's next year, and a lot of time until then to keep writing
Gummy Bear Sacrifice--I agree, but more than that, it is an entirely different approach from the MFA's in the US. The packets you send have relatively small amounts of creative writing. I was attracted to the mandatory multiple genre thing, though. Well, the chips fall where they may. In my case, just one or two chips.
Finally! I got my SAIC rejection letter in the mail today, dated 3/17. I thought it was pretty nicely worded.
For my first year applying, 1/1 ain't bad at all. Now I just need to make a decision: will I go to Columbia College and make it work (no funding as of yet, and I won't be taking loans) or won't I?
@ Trilbe
Can I just say you're awesome, and that I want a job similar to yours? Maybe I can find one in Chicago, if I go...
Hey! Been busy for the past week or two. My apologies if someone asked me a question on the blog and I didn't get a chance to answer. If interested in following up, get at me at nightlyfix at gmail dot com.
My list:
Rejected Hunter
Accepted The New School City College of New York School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Waiting U of Iowa (really? Rejection must've gotten misplaced). Columbia Queens College Brooklyn College
I am dying a slow waitlisted death. I can't afford to do an MFA without funding, and though I have three acceptances, they are all unfunded. My waitlists, however, seem far more excited about my writing than the schools who have accepted me. Hence, this is all that's in my head right now: The Waiting
I'm not sure if anyone cares about this one, but I called Cal State Long Beach today, and they said that they're still reviewing applications. It'll be another week or two before they make decisions. Apparently, since Long Beach isn't offering any funded spots, they're just waiting till the last minute.
@Smoke & the rest
I don't think anyone is denying that Columbia is a great program. It's just really expensive, and there are plenty of schools in the area that are cheaper/funded.
I do, however, agree that these rankings aren't ideal. It is biased, as someone else said, because lot of the people voting are getting their information from Seth in the first place. However, it's really the best we have at the moment. Creative writing is subjective to begin with, so you really can't expect much else. Different people will gain different experiences from different programs. If you're happy with the program, what's the point in arguing about it? Honestly, what are you hoping to gain? That more people will apply to Columbia? That people will say, "Yes, Smoke, you go to a fantastic school!" Will you get off on seeing CU climb higher in the rankings?
You're probably one of those people that remind everyone that you're attending an Ivy League, and laugh at those of us who don't.
Lucas, I'm poetry. I just wrote them back to decline the offer. I have to have full funding or it's a no-go for me. So, there is a spot opening up there if anyone is waitlisted.
Did anyone else hear from Texas State today about funding? I got an email saying I got an Instructional Assistantship, but they didn't talk about anything else--anyone have any thoughts on the program or how it works?
@Sud - Oh dear, I'm sorry about Pacific. I understand what you mean. One rejection is enough to last me a week. Maybe they'll save you the trouble and call you before then with good news :)
Seth - I don't know if anyone has already asked you this, and if you have just point me to the relevant webpage, link etc, but could you tell me what you think of the MFA at Bowling Green State University?
Raise your hand if you haven't received any word yet from Indiana or ASU (for poetry). In fact, with Indiana, has anybody even been accepted there for poetry? I know I've heard of some waitlists and some rejections, but nothing of acceptances.
If you do visit Missoula I'd love to hear what you think about everything. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out there for a visit, but would love to reap the benefits of your efforts :)
Lorrie Moore will be reading/speaking/chatting at Notre Dame from March 23-25 (right now!). Those of you attending, could you report back on whether Ms. Moore wears open-toe shoes? If so, what shade of deep purple are her toenails painted? Thx
Those of you bemoaning the lack of funding (esp. at ND), you can thank the likes of Ms. Moore for robbing the ND coffers.*
*I don't really know if there's a correlation between speaker fees and lack of graduate student funding at ND. heheh.
After my third email from a prof at one of my waitlists a couple of hours ago, I went and had a margarita for lunch, mid-workday. It was either that or leave completely and go home to ride the roller coaster that's a block from my house so that I'd have an acceptable excuse to scream.
@ JJ: So close! Haha. ;) I can see the Hurricane from my front porch though. I'm gonna miss the periodic sounds of screaming from my apartment. It's actually kind of comforting.
a bit back someone said to call them if you just couldn't wait, and while I've been good about not bugging programs, this was my last school from which I hadn't heard anything. So I shot them a nice email and they wrote back letting me know that I had not been accepted or waitlisted
Amanda it's bad! I don't drink otherwise I'd be in a bottle... literally... God. I'd just like an answer one way or the other from my waitlist and I'd like a straight answer about funding from my other schools. And I'd like my family to get what I'm going through.
My dad and uncle both write, old school - no MFA'S, and they just don't get why this is so important to me. Argh! I could scream. Ummm I already have.
Amanda, correction - I would like the school I'm waitlisted at to tell me that a spot has opened up and that I'm in so I can start making plans for the next few years and mainly go back to writing my novella which is whining about being neglected!
Still waiting for word from The New School. Is this good news (or, better-phrased not bad news)? From what I've read, most people who just received news were accepted or waitlisted. Is this mania on my part? Does anybody know more than I do (which, with respect, wouldn't be saying much)?
Son just found out he's in at the Johns Hopkins fiction program. Rejected at Brown, Iowa, Yale (playwriting), UCLA. Until I came across this blog I didn't realize its harder to get into a top MFA program than to get into med school! Good luck to all.
@ Perpetua: Yeah, acceptance is certainly the best-case scenario. And I hear you on the funding limbo as well. All of my acceptances have told me that chances of funding are "slim." I think I should know one way or the other in the next week for one of them though.
People keep asking me why the waitlisted schools can't just add a spot or tell me now. And I have to suppress screamy urges that all revolve around the impossibility of knowing sooner, adding funding, and the April 15th deadline.
2,525 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1801 – 2000 of 2525 Newer› Newest»@Nadiya - it's impossible to "simply not log in" to this blog.
@ denn1985 and kaybay
Congrats on the ND waitlists! If you call, Colleen is very very nice and will let you know whether or not to hold your breath. Unfortunately, the answer is probably not, but as woon and megan said, it's validation. Your writing caught their eye, and you should be very proud. I was 20th out of 20 last year, and not much higher this time (in prose). btw I'm an Irish Jew :)
@smoke-oi
"people are worse off using his data than before"
yes? you have enough knowledge and information to judge on behalf of all applicants everywhere?
i can't speak for you. but for me seth's info was heaven-sent. i'm making my own decision as to where i'll end up, but all the info he has compiled did help me to figure out where i wanted to apply to, where i could apply to given my resources and location, and more. you may not find it helpful - some do. if you don't find it helpful, don't use it. as to others - i have faith in the maturity, intelligence and judgment of other people. they'll use the data or not use it as they see fit, as is right for them.
Hey Nadiya,
No hard feelings! I was alley-ooping your comment to slam-dunk Smoke-oi's quote (huh?). Seriously, though, I think you're great and I'd feel bad if my comment came across as critical of you (nor did I think you were implying a higher level of maturity).
I'll let the original Smoke-oi quote stand:
You seem more mature than many of the posters here. Please gather as much information as possible before making a decision.
--Smoke-oi, March 22, 2010 1:48 PM
Can we all just press this and be friends again?
@smoke-oi
"people are worse off using his data than before"
yes? you have enough knowledge and information to judge on behalf of all applicants everywhere?
i can't speak for you. but for me seth's info was heaven-sent. i'm making my own decision as to where i'll end up, but all the info he has compiled did help me to figure out where i wanted to apply to, where i could apply to given my resources and location, and more. you may not find it helpful - some do. if you don't find it helpful, don't use it. as to others - i have faith in the maturity, intelligence and judgment of other people. they'll use the data or not use it as they see fit, as is right for them.
@Woon: you are right. as usual. i think i might have to marry you soon.
As much as I want to argue and argue and argue about these points, I would like to suggest an alternative means for engaging with smoke-oi:
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/155251/
@ M.Swann: You rock. I'm glad you're here to argue and to post excellent tension breakers.
Nadiya:
i can't speak for you. but for me seth's info was heaven-sent. i'm making my own decision as to where i'll end up, but all the info he has compiled did help me to figure out where i wanted to apply to, where i could apply to given my resources and location, and more. you may not find it helpful - some do. if you don't find it helpful, don't use it. as to others - i have faith in the maturity, intelligence and judgment of other people. they'll use the data or not use it as they see fit, as is right for them.
The data compiled on financial aid etc is great. Tom Kealey (who runs the blog) provided most of it. Seth is responsible primarily for the selectivity rankings, which are flawed. Pointing out the financial aid issue is important, but he's letting his crusade bleed into his objectivity, assuming he's not fixated on all of this because of some weird squabble with Columbia's poetry department as some say he is.
@smoke-oi:
oh sheesh. we're just going to go round and round the merry-go-round, aren't we?
i get it. you think seth's data, methods are flawed. let's move on.
@M.Swann, i wish life had reset buttons. and i have absolutely no idea what that sentence about alleyooping and slamdunking meant. you chose the absolutely worst person in the world with whom to use sports metaphors. hard feelings laid to rest.
peace.
okay people - my day's just beginning. so i'm off :-)
The data is bogus. People need to know. Enjoy your day at work and best of luck making an informed decision!
does anyone have any idea what's going on with rutgers-newark, florida state or ole miss for fiction? i still haven't heard anything.
I hope this spell works. Did it? Are we all happy again?
Duuuude, Smoke-oi, we all get it. You believe Seth's rankings are flawed. Speaking for myself I will take in your input and believe you are offering it in good faith. Then I will take Seth's work and do the same, using my highly educated brain and discerning intellect to decide for myself where I believe the truth lies. Thank you for drawing our attention to what may be important information regarding the sources of information which may or may not influence our future decisions.
Can we please move on?
Emma 2: I am seriously considering Montana, unless I get off the Arizona waitlist and then I'll have some comparing to do. I'm fiction btw. Missoula just looks like a beautiful place, and Montana's program is really appealing to me!
If someone can prove Seth's methodology is sound I will apologize and let it go, but if you guys keep insisting there is nothing wrong with his stats I'm going to shoot you down. His data is garbage. Don't want me to tell you this? Don't argue with me on this point.
Thanks Abbie, got to keep my British stiff upper lip about this funding business. You poets are all right!
Anyone heading to any writing conferences this summer?
@ MFAGuy: I applied to the Tin House workshop, though will only be able to go if I get a scholarship. I am going to live at my parents' place in Texas for the next few months and have decided to look at it as my own personal fellowship. Nothing but free laundry, time to write, and hopefully keep from going insane in the pre-grad school interim.
If anyone would like to come split a bottle of wine with me on a screened porch in middle-of-nowhere Texas and talk writing, we can make it a workshop!
Haha a nice offer Amanda!
I got accepted into the Sewanee conference today, but they were unable to offer any funding. ugh, story of my life!
Wine sounds good!
Hey everyone, quick question.
I have received a TA-ship offer from a program, but told I need to accept by April 1st. This school is a resolution signer. I thought that I had until April 15th! Is the April 15th deadline just for program acceptance, or does it covering funding offers as well?
@ Seth
I read some of your San Fran State information. As of now, it is my only acceptance. I am also waitlisted at Brooklyn (my number one choice) and NYU (eh, the funding isn't ideal but I would go to stay here in NY where I live).
I was the one nearly offered the Provost Scholarship (they ended up giving it to someone else--d'oh! At least they gave me a GNE that my work was so strong that it was between me and this other person or something like that).
In any case. I want Brooklyn. I would die for Brooklyn. I would do it for NYU too, because I think the programs are stronger than SFSU, especially after your post. My question now is...what can be done? I would go to Brooklyn in a heartbeat and want to show them so, but I know this is inappropriate. I have other, stronger samples even to share, but no one has asked.
I don't want to say yes to my only acceptance and go there with my heart not being in it, or to drop it last minute if something else comes through. But this is my second year applying, and I am ready, this year, to get my MFA.
What do you think is the right course of action--is there any besides just sitting and waiting?
-One of the Ks
Accepted into Columbia for fiction. Woot woot!
Kewl! I'm in at Columbia as well ... for poetry.
Now to just marry Woon and my life will be complete! :D
I got the SFSU financial aid award letter today. Anyone ascertained what this means in the absence of an acceptance? Maybe I'm beating a dead horse...
anyone know how long the new school waitlist is for fiction?
or waitlists in general?
Anybody thinking about Sewanee?
I'm already heading to two conferences this summer. I doubt my finances will get me to a third!
Has anyone actually received UF, UH, or Vandy rejection letters?
I think that this video sums up the evening.
Hey everyone. I've been trying to keep up with you all but it seems this year the participants of this blog are way more vocal (verbal?) than last season.
Congrats to everyone who has received good news. And an even bigger congrats to Kaybay and her ND prospect. I hope everything will work out for you.
I'd like to weigh in on the debate about Seth's rankings but all I really can offer is anecdote. I came to this blog, TSE, and PW late in the game, after I had already applied and been accepted to a program. I did rely on the first edition of the Handbook, but my list of schools was in no way influenced by the rankings posted on TSE. And I did ok.
That said, I do think that the rankings from TSE are slightly biased. Seth can not claim to have no influence over those who read his blog and subsequently take part in his poll. And this is where I give you my anecdote. I would not have applied to Amherst if I hadn't read Kealey's book. He talked up the program, said it was a nice place to live, liked the structure, etc, and I was persuaded to apply. So Tom wrote a very fair, well-rounded book about MFAs but his bias (a word that has a more pejorative connotation than I'm treating it with here) influenced my decision making process.
It seems impossible to escape the influence of Seth when it comes to anything MFA-related on the interwebs. And the TSE rankings are skewed toward his, what? point of view? bias? Maybe a little, but I would argue it's negligible. It's definitely not damning.
But that brings me to CU. All the things Seth said about Columbia are true for him, and probably a lot of people, but not true for everybody. When it comes down to it you have to go where your gut is telling you to go (and I hope your gut is somewhat informed). If you think CU is the best place for you then go there. You know what that entails. I would not advise anyone to go to CU simply because it was the only place they go in to. Your heart has to be in it. So if it's the place for you, go. No one is going to Columbia and thinking 8 weeks in, how am I to pay for this, no one told me how expensive it would be! And on the flip side of that I'm pretty sure (and someone in the program could back me up on this) CU isn't having trouble filling all the spots in their program. So the faculty could care less where their school is located on an internet poll. That seems to be the consensus here at Hopkins (for now, at least). There will always be applicants. Moreover, I think if a CU grad was running a blog and taking polls more people on that blog would think positively about the program.
So what I wanted to say before all those words I just typed is go with your gut.Go where you think you'll be happiest. Everyone reading this blog, or following DH or TSE, is, at some level, informed on the decision they made applying and similarly so when making (hopefully) a decision between programs. Good luck everyone. As a young writer I'm excited to see so many people also excited about poetry and fiction. I may not be able to compete with you all, but at least I can look forward to reading some good books in the future.
@Ashley Brooke
That video cracked me up.
"I had to look it up on Wikipedia. It's gross."
Ah, gotta love it.
So, definitely had someone say to me today when I told them about my list of growing rejections that I should just suck it up and realize that I'm not going to be a professional writer.
On a more positive note, I found a dollar on the street!
Spartacus,
Let me guess... a non-writer told you that? Ignoreeeee. It's been a roughhhh year for us.
LOL at the comments then containing the word Uranian, which I had to look up on wikipedia too...
@Seth- Troll? So on top of helping my lost MFA-seeking soul with solid guidance, I assume you have connections with the Boston Tobin Bridge toll operator that gave me a fine a few weeks ago for not having cash. Can you believe it, they wouldn't let me cross the bridge without fining me $50?! True story. (That's my way of saying thank you, oddly. Not sure if that comes through.)
Rejected from Warren Wilson, officially today in a much more polite letter than the one I got last week. Just waiting on one more, and I can call it closed.
@spartacus, and everyone
So I think I'm about to be obsessive with this blog.
One of my recommenders told me today that they are reporting record numbers of applicants.
So tell that fool to f%^^ off. Chase your dreams. That's why they're there.
@Nathaniel and MFAguy
I'm in for fiction at UNH and also got the word today there will be no funding for this kiddo.
Re: The link to Best American Poets above
Curious prevalent attitudes you'll notice among academics and those who want to appear knowledgeable: the bowing before scientific research for the sake of scientific research, as if no other type of research exists or should exist; the brainwashing of students to accept only objective scientific research, as if scientists cannot have biases in their research (a deeper curiosity exists among those researchers in the field of psychology, most of whom engender their "scientific studies" to prove something of which they are already convinced...I'd wager most fields do likewise); the intolerance for opinions that waver from their own; etc.
Also, concerning said types, and referencing in particular Stacey Harwood from the above article: it seems the deeper one is enmeshed in the area of speech, language, writing, etc., and the further one feigns a libertarian POV regarding right to freedom of speech (which I would think and hope most artists at least pretend to hold said right as sacred), the more one is happy to shut down speech by dissenters and relish control and direction of opinions over a happy camp of sycophants.
No funding at UNH...very sad face.
I got into Columbia two years ago, with no funding, and decided not to go. The faculty is quite amazing, the location unmatched for writerly vibe, etc etc. But here's my thing: other schools make it work. They find a way to fund some, most, all of their students, and that is an ethical choice. It is neither easier nor harder for Columbia to find more funding than Iowa, Virginia, Michigan, so when Iowa, for example, makes the conscious decision, in the past ten years, maybe not even, to try their hardest to spead the wealth, they do so because they value their students. And so, all other things being equal, Columbia stumbles, as it should. Iowa, my example of a school that once had spotty funding, felt compelled to change things up. Compelled to attempt it, at least.
I just wonder how one feels going to a school where he is not as valued, or valued for entirely different reasons, than his peers at schools of similar, though not exact, quality.
You might think all those female posters above proposing marriage to me seems incredible. But, as it turns out, stuff like this happens to me all the time.
a throwback, perhaps, but food for thought nonetheless. also see the other article on this page titled "the best of the best"
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/08/where-great-writers-are-made/6032/
I heard on March 15--my birthday no less!--that I got into the low-res at Warren Wilson. Very excited!
Good luck and crossed fingers to all.
I have a basically complete novel that has been revised several times. I am looking for a mentor to help me with the last bit of revision before I query agents. I've looked into UCLA extension classes, but many of the teachers seem more commercial than literary. Anyone know of a good/affordable place to workshop or get feedback on an entire, near-complete novel? My preference would be in person in Los Angeles or potentially New York, but online courses could work as well.
@ Georgie:
I'd venture that it would be easier for Columbia as a whole (not talking about the specific department) to provide funding for MFA students than a lot of schools. They have a massive endowment approaching 8 billion I think. It's one of the top endowments of any university.
Jersey and Karen - awesome!
I'm just about finished here. Still haven't heard from Purdue , but that's a holding file at best, I'd guess.
Funny, before I realized the magnitude of what I was up against I consulted an online Magic 8-Ball and asked if I'd get in to one of my top 3, 6, 10, 16 schools and it kept saying no. Then I asked -- will I get into none? And it said, "Absolutely." I thought, "Wow, that's pretty harsh, 8-Ball," but it just spoke the truth.
Ah, well. Next year.
Four years ago, I played College Hoops 2k6 on the PlayStation2 as the head coach of Columbia. I struggled my first year and had a losing record. But in my second year, I had a monster power forward and center. All I had to do was feed them the ball and we eventually ran the table in the Ivy League. I made it to the Sweet Sixteen. I could've stayed my third year, but I sought a job out west with Cal State Northridge. You might think that's a step down, but actually it was easier to recruit better players with CSUN. I did well there and eventually got hired by big time Iowa State University. NCAA champions in my second year at ISU.
Damn, this blog gets me every spring—so much drama. Truth is: the degree (regardless of program) doesn’t mean shit unless you publish a couple of books. Even if you snag a TA position, get used to teaching English Composition (which sucks), until you publish your two books. And say you do publish them, better hope you’re with a respected publishing house, and you better hope your work is well received. Plus, you better hope the economy picks up and universities start hiring again. Say everything falls into place, well, be prepared to compete in a national search with a slew of other MFAs—each with positively reviewed books of his or her own and a CV loaded with teaching experience (since it will take years to write, edit, toss, rewrite, and sell those books). Also, department heads love exploiting adjuncts; so finding a part-time teaching position is easier than a lot people think. At many schools all you need is eighteen graduate credit hours to get a few classes, sometimes even less.
I go to Columbia, and I’m not posting to defend the program. If anyone really wants to find out more about it, come to NYC. Visit Morningside Heights. Go to the fourth floor of Dodge Hall and talk to the faculty. Talk to the students. Go to a Gallery reading and hear what people are working on. Find out for yourself what it’s really like over here. (For the record: I’m as broke as any grad student, and Columbia was my top choice, even after the Wrath of S. had been unleashed.)
Congratulations to the recently accepted! I hope you’re psyched about where you’ll be going. But like someone said earlier tonight: follow your friggin’ gut. Don’t over think it. You only do this thing once.
Getting in feels like the end of something, but really, it’s not the end of anything—not even checking this blog.
@Sam
Feel free to email me off the blog RE: UCRiverside. sirenmuse99 at the gmail...
I have a question, loosely based off Seth's comment about a strong cohort (when referencing to the programs in S.F) Maybe this means different things for each of us. Cohorts: for me a diverse pool is high on the list, every demographic. Writing abilities, it's subjective of course. Although one can presume with Iowa or any highly competitive program the writing is already very strong.
A side note on S.F, I lived there six years, it's doable, less expensive than New York. Some schools, CCA for example has graduate housing in the $6,000 yearly range.
I'm still waiting to hear back from CCA, I already know if it's not full, or nearly full funding I can't do it. (I put that on my app, wonder if they caught that. Ha!)
Curious if anyone may accept an offer but reapply next year? I may do this...
Hello everyone, I'm up at this ungodly hour and about to hop on a plane to North Carolina to visit my cousin. Let me know if you'd like me to break into any of the NC schools and move your application into the acceptance pile. :) Wishing everyone luck and good news this week.
Hey there has been a proper battle of words going on here I could feel the stress reading all the comments - Seth has been such a great help I cannot but understand how anyone would criticize his efforts, his information has been a god send for someone like me half way across the globe from all you guys...
@Woon wow everyone here wants to marry you congrats you must be so so popular!!!
And congratulations all those accepted into programs at my end I think I am taking up the Spalding University low residency offer though Antioch and Pacific have yet to revert. I'm not waiting till next year to reapply again.
Congratulations on making a decision Nefrettiti :) Spalding is a great program!
OK. This may be a mistake but I'd like to try to clarify the Columbia discussion. This may flatten a number of slightly different positions, so please don't be offended if I didn't capture your position to the letter.
Anyway, here's where I think the disconnect lies:
Many of the people who are (to put it coarsely) anti-Columbia see any unfunded MFA as a bad value proposition. In other words, the idea is that whether Columbia is "worth it" is not, for them, a personal choice—unless the applicant has exceptional financial circumstances ("the Franco clause," let's call it). Paying full price (or even partially) for Columbia is a mistake because that level of debt hamstrings most people who take it on, for decades. And the returns on a moderately successful book (which nobody can be said to have a good chance at writing) aren't nearly enough to cover the debt one incurs from that tuition and the cost of living in NYC. (Some of these posters have been Columbia alums, it's worth pointing out.) Fair?
Many people who are (again, to boil it down) pro-Columbia don't see the decision as based on financial considerations alone. They want to allow for personal decisions based on things like quality of instruction, location, and track record of the alums. They're willing to take on some amount of debt (perhaps a large amount) in pursuit of their passion. Again, for them, the decision is more than just a financial value proposition. It's not about how much the MFA is worth in financial terms; it's about the personal value of other aspects of the program. I ask once again: Fair?
To the first set, the second set seem foolhardy, because (as one of them might say) they're ignoring the financial questions, which should be a dealbreaker (and which everybody on both sides would agree are important at least to understand).
To the second set, the first set seem condescending, because they're trying to tell others how to run their lives (and everybody here should be able to understand the impulse to pursue one's passion, at a minimum).
This discord is just a consequence of the positions the two sides lie on, and it seems no amount of conversation will convert anybody to either side. (I'd love to hear from some people who've been swayed one way or the other, though.)
In this context, I'd like to note, all the debate about Seth's statistics seems mostly like a distraction from the core concerns about Columbia. The relevant facts about Columbia are not in dispute (right?): It costs most people a lot of money to go there; most people who do so incur large amounts of debt; major debt usually means long-term lifestyle sacrifices; there are good writers and teachers at Columbia; NYC is a good environment for certain kinds of writers; one might make interesting connections in publishing while at Columbia.
Further, Seth's data are what they are; most people understand what they are (if they only take time to read a few lines—and if they don't, surely the 20,000 words on this blog aren't going to reach them); many people further understand how they ought to be used (call it "the Nadiya model of decision-making") and have found them quite helpful in that respect.
And really, this isn't just about Columbia, but about funded versus unfunded MFAs, and how one should make these kinds of decisions in general. Columbia's just an easy target because (1) there's always lots of discussion here from their many applicants and (2) they are by far the best of the poorly-funded programs—a fact which allows the pro-Columbia arguments to make sense. (In other words, nobody on any side would argue that paying $100k for an MFA from a school with poor instruction and no track record is a good idea. I hope.)
Thoughts welcome (especially from other innocent bystanders). Please be as respectful as I hope I've been.
@uh-uh
(Or really, this isn't directed to uh-uh, but I want this perspective out there for the sake of balance.)
Some people love teaching comp. I'm seeking my MFA in part to be more qualified to apply for comp jobs and other jobs with comp teaching components (e.g., creative writing + comp). A part of my decision-making process has involve seeking out schools with strong comp studies or comp/rhet programs.
Quincy - I posted this yesterday.
Florida State University information - Tara Stamm just wrote to me saying that the committee, after having sent out their initial round of acceptances, are now deciding the waitlist and the deny list. They will soon be emailing people with the decision.
UNLV fiction information -
Spoke to Lauren, who is very nice, and it seems the writing department sat down yesterday to make their list of fiction applicants they will offer admission to. So we should all be hearing from them in the coming weeks (2 weeks that is).
@Laura T
Mind paying a visit to UNCG? I'm running out of fingernails to bite over here ;) haha
Safe travels!!
@kaybay -
I am breaking my month-plus of MFA blog silence to say a huge "Congratulations!!!"
OK, back to it.
@MFAguy
I applied to Sewanee also, but I just did it on Friday so I probably won't find out for awhile. Applied to Bread Loaf and Tin House, too, and don't expect to hear from them for awhile, either.
thanks perpetua!
Oops, I read my comment from last night and need to correct it - the person who was third last year was NOT accepted. I'm going to email today and ask where I am. Even I'm 20th, I'm still happy!! :)
just got home and checked the BU website:
Your request was not completed because the following occurred:
The ApplicantLink is currently being updated. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If you experience a technical problem, call the Link Support Line at (617) 353-LINK (353-5465). The phone is staffed Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside these hours, please leave a voice mail message that includes your name, BU login name, a phone number, and a description of the problem. Your call will be returned on the next business day.
what do we think? good luck everyone!
@Not
I know your message was well-intended, I'm writing a brief response only because I also think it is incorrect.
Concern about Columbia has been expressed by literally hundreds of applicants here, at DH, at P&W, and at TSE over the past few years for many, many reasons. The reasons those who are concerned about Columbia express as the bases for their concerns all represent "known" reasons -- i.e., traits of the program we have statistical evidence to believe exist, ex ante. Those applicants who defend the decision to apply to Columbia, at least in their public comments, primarily rely on "guesses" about the program. For instance:
Detractors
Size: known.
Duration: known.
Academic focus: known.
Funding: known.
Drops in rank/prestige: known.
Unpleasantness of website: known.
Location (within NYC): known.
Selectivity: known.
Placement (1998 - 2010): known.
&c &c
Supporters
Ability to make contacts: guess. *
Ability to connect with specific professors: guess.
Location (national): known.
Success of graduates relative to other programs: guess. *
* = There is no data on these measures. Anywhere. Nor has there ever been.
Columbia is not being singled out because it is "by far the best of the poorly-funded programs" (which is possibly true, but still debatable; certainly, it is not the highest-ranked less-than-fully-funded program). It is being singled out because to attend #15 Brooklyn College, a poorly-funded MFA, costs $10,400 over 2 years; to attend #22 Columbia, a poorly-funded MFA, costs $84,000 over two years. That's about 800% the cost of Brooklyn. So yes, there's a difference when one NYC program is saying, we're unfunded but we're cheap to attend, and another is saying, we're unfunded but we will destroy your financial health for decades.
People come to the MFA-applicant blogs, largely, for two reasons: to get information and to get advice. Those who just want information (like which schools have reported acceptances) largely ignore these flame-wars, as well they should. Those who are here for advice appreciate the information they receive here. To say that those who criticize Columbia are trying to "tell other people how to run their lives" is preposterous -- this is an advice blog, only those who aren't looking to participate in this site's discussions are likely to be seriously annoyed by conversations that are either critical or complimentary of individual programs. But if one doesn't want to get advice -- what you've called "telling other people how to run their lives" -- one probably doesn't end up on this blog in the first place.
Best,
S.
#Perpetua - Did Tara at FSU give any clue to how many people would be accepted in this round of offers?
Also thanks for the info on UNLV as well, UVa, UNLV and FSU are my last hopes if I don't get off the Iowa Fiction Waiting List!!!
Yo,
Coming out of lurkage to seek out other Brooklyn College and Sarah Lawrence admits.
Drop me a line if, like me, you're in the throes of the decision-making process. Or even if you've accepted/declined a spot at either of those two programs already. I want to pick your brain, in the most delicate-possible way.
bookmothblog at gmail dot com
In solidarity,
BM
@seth,
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. The difference between the hard data and the guesses does seem critical, now that you mention it. Both the part about what counts as a guess and the part about Brooklyn College's being much cheaper and likely of comparable or better quality—these both seem right to me.
(Naturally, I was trying to be charitable to the supporters with my flattery of Columbia; I had no idea about the relative quality as I happen not to have applied to any programs that would lead me into any kind of debt.)
Still, I do think the most important question (and the one most people are really disagreeing about here, regardless of whether they name a specific school or not), is whether it makes sense under any circumstances to go into debt for an MFA in creative writing. That is, I think people are fighting about the principle, not the practical applications (whether they like it or not, really). If that's true, then the difference between Brooklyn College and Columbia is one of degree, and not of kind.
And this probably doesn't matter, but I meant the "tell other people how to run their lives" comment to give a voice to what I perceive as the main complaint from the supporters, not as my own perspective on the situation. I'm a die-hard detractor, which I'm actually glad didn't come through in the original post. Maybe it's silly to distance myself from the comment, since I've posted anonymously anyway, but I'm too egotistical (and too concerned with accuracy) to let it go.
Anyway thanks again for pointing out what you have; it seems very possible that the difference between Columbia and Brooklyn College will matter to some people, even if (as I suspect) it doesn't matter—much—to most.
@MauMau, re:The Job - Because of the gazillion Manhattan law firms and investment banks that need high-end document support, there's a whole subset of what I think are really kick@ss NYC jobs. I love my job! My co-workers are mostly artists who work a couple of days and then spend the rest of their time on their *real* careers -- we have composers, visual artists, a choreographer, a stand-up comic, several actors, and a pretty good portion of our staff are people who are working on some super-secret screenplay. The screenplay people are kinda odd, but harmless. There are a lot of oddballs in this biz, especially on the night shift, but you would probably be shocked by the impressive artistic credentials of many of my colleagues.
To get one of these jobs, though, you need to genuinely be an MS Office power user. The application process involves a timed test, formatting documents and creating fairly complex charts using some advanced Word, PowerPoint and Excel functions. And you have to have, at least, basic competence with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, for which you will also have to pass a test.
I accidentally found this job through some volunteer work I do at the Harlem job training center of Columbia's community outreach program. But these jobs are also listed on Monster and other employment websites. DO NOT take one of these jobs through a temp agency! Most centers, these days, outsource the work and the outsourcing companies are pretty good to work for. But NOT the temp agencies. Temps make half the hourly rate and get none of the benefits of regular employees, even the employees of outsourcing companies.
If you shoot me an email to: trilbe [at] hotmail [dot] com, I'll send you the contact info for the recruiter who hired me. I got my job back when the market was booming, so it's definitely much harder to find this work, now. There were some layoffs after the market crashed, our department hasn't hired anybody new for the past two years and I doubt they'll replace me, assuming I leave this Fall. But some other banks are still expanding operations and hiring people. Some people who were laid off from our bank, went to other banks that were looking for a dozen or more new operators.
While I'm still making those document center dollars, I'm gonna spread some of the wealth around now and establish the kaybay rocks the bloggawebz scholarship! I hope you don't have to use it, kaybay. I hope Notre Dame will be smart enough to let you in. But if Touchdown Jesus drops the pass, I've paid ALC/DH in advance, for you to get their portfolio review service. I think you're awesome -- I'm pretty sure we all do! -- and I wanted to do something to show you how much this community believes in you and your talent.
@kaybay - I forgot to tell you! Email me at: trilbe [at] hotmail [dot] com, so that I can send you the Transaction ID number for the ALC/DH service.
ok, i had to wait to hear from all my schools before posting my list for fiction.
Brown (out)
Iowa (finalist!! yeeeah, that just means out)
Oregon (out)
Wisconsin (out)
Arizona (in)
Arizona State (in)
Brooklyn (out)
Hollins (in)
Columbia (in)
and out of the four programs i was admitted to, the school i chose was.....none.
the past four or five months of this process allowed me to realize i must follow my other passion: feature writing, narrative nonfiction, john mcphee stuff.
i've learned for creative writing (obviously this is just my opinion), if you have enough knowledge in the field, the most important aspect to take from an MFA program is finding a handful of readers you believe are helping improve your writing. i have three or four amazing critics, and that's all i need.
good luck people still waiting or making decisions!
(and i have no idea about wait lists, if or when spots will open up, dates i was accepted or rejected, sorry).
@Triibe
That is truly touching. Wow..
@kaybay CONGRATS, LADY! I'm SO happy for you! Plus, Irish Catholic ladies are awesome (I say this as a 1/4 Irish Catholic lady).
Yaaay!
Now, if only BU would call me... I emailed them yesterday and haven't heard back. I'm pretending silence = waitlist.
Also, @Trilbe, that was the sweetest, classiest thing I have ever seen on this or any blog ever.
Trilbe---that is awesome! A gift from one wonderful woman to another. Bravo.
Trilbe--I actually got tears in my eyes reading what you did for kaybay.
You are one incredible lady, and I look forward to seeing you take the poetry world by storm. Any way I can read some of your poems?
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your inspiring example is a gift to many more of us besides kaybay.
(and kaybay, I'm rooting for you not to need it!)
Heartwarming... on a blog... never woulda thunk it. Trilbe & kaybay, you're both pretty spectacular.
Whoa, Trilbe, wow... that's the nicest thing someone's done to me in a very long time. That's so effing sweet!!! I was really thinking about using the service too! I'm humbled :)
You ladies are great!
@Trilbe:
That's an amazing thing you're doing for kaybay; thanks for showing us all that there are still great, generous human beings out there!
re: Columbia
Let's just split these camps JK Rowlings style.
If you're pro money/Columbia: Slitherin
If you're scrupulous/anti-Columbia: Huffle Puff
If you'd get funded anywhere you went anyways because you're John Updike's illegitimate child: Ravenclaw
If you're willing to overcome 20 years of hardship to achieve your goal, and you do: Griffyndor
If you're willing to overcome 20 years of hardship to achieve your goal, and you find out you can't do it the honest way: Voldemort
@ threes
I hope you're exactly like my favorite Irish Jew, Leopold Bloom
@Trilbe--The gesture you made to Kaybay made my morning. After yesterday I almost turned my blog emails off, so glad I didn't!
@Kaybay--still wishing for ND to come through!
Trilbe -- I know you didn't do any of this for our praise, but I'm so impressed by you! And Kaybay desrves such kindness. Best wishes to both of you!!
@Sutpen - what about Azkaban, the ultimate domicile?
(Emma Thompson's talents are so wasted in the series, I swear.)
@ Trilbe - lovely, classy, generous. On the behalf of the blog, thank you!
Go Trilbe! You're awesome again! ND will succumb to the power of Kaybay's manuscript!
ACCEPTED VIA PHONE CALL FROM CRIS BEAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NON-FICTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just spent an hour on the phone with her she is amazing and I'm FLIPPING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rejected by Irvine in Fiction by mail.
@gena,
no, though i'd also really like to know if anyone's gotten rejection letters from ufla-gainsville yet.
Curious- has anyone heard a yay/nay in fiction from Arkansas recently? Like, since that reported one in Feb?
Argh, still waiting on more than half my programs... SO ready to be done with this purgatory business.
Bennington--any rejections yet?
Just called Brooklyn. Everyone has been notified. Rejections by mail in the next couple weeks.
Seeing Stuart Dybek speak tonight...so excited! Has anyone seen Dybek read before?
@ Brittany
Yes! At last year's AWP. He's a phenomenal reader and really nice/generous about signing books.
My application season haiku:
My phone is silent
Greensboro's forsaken me
Come on, Virginia
Trilbe is pretty much awesome, yeah?
@not: I like the "Nadiya model". it makes me feel maturererer. :P
Jasmine: I will see your haiku and raise you one Billy Joel...
Come on Virginia show me a sign
Send up a signal I'll throw you a line
That stained glass curtain you're hidin' behind
Never lets in the sun...
Nope, no Florida rejection here. I don't think they've sent them out yet.
Jessa,
Too good to top. I fold.
I love haikus! Even a non-poet like me can craft one:
Irvine rejects Arn
How can this be possible?
There is hope for you.
@Nadia - Congratulations!!! That's something to be proud of! :)
@whynotbecause - I called them last week and they said they are going on spring break, and they will be notifying the next group of admits after they get back.
Everyone else - does anyone (accepted or otherwise) have an opinion on the University of Baltimore's program? It has been my only acceptance so far, which felt great when I got the email, but I'm not completely sure it is what I am looking for.... opinions?
@ Ena
Wow. Congrats on your AMAZING list of acceptances. You're awesome. It seems like we applied to a lot of the same programs. Perhaps we should meet up sometime?
Thanks, Jillian.
Sorry, I don't really know anything about the program at the University of Baltimore. The Wire makes Baltimore look terrifying, but the city itself is pretty cool, and all the MICA kids make it a fairly arty scene, if that's your thing.
Just got an email acceptance to Old Dominion, no funding.
Arna Irvine "no"--
Why? perhaps they read the blog,
and accept defeat.
Congrats, Nadia. What did they tell you about funding?
Trilbe -- you're awesome.
And Irvine, well clearly you are out of your mind.
@Sud
Still silence from Bennington for you too? I'm loosing hope :(
@ Austin
Are you actually this bf of Ena's who is to follow her to Houston off the waitlist? If so, will you will yourself to do so so two UNCG poetry slots open?
I guess that would make me Lucas One (?)
Guys, I hate to sound like a broken record, but has there been any news as far as UNCG fiction acceptances go? Are they done? Is there a waitlist?
Funny that we have the tandem Lucas UNCG freak-out going on...ha.
@UNCG
Does anyone know how many poetry "slots" are left and how many have been notified..approximately?
Getting acid reflux thinking about it :[
@bbartok,
If you don't mind, please let me know if you hear anything from Purdue. It seems like I'm in the same boat as you because I haven't heard any word from them one way or another.
Maybe that means that I'm on a deep holding list too. Or maybe it just means that I didn't receive my rejection for some reason. Not sure...
re: Kitty
Genre? And congrats.
Has anyone heard anything more from Hunter's poetry program? I have a feeling I must be deep on the long list.
@Old Poet - Purdue has a shortlist of 10, of which the top 4 have been offered spots. The remaining 6 are on the waitlist. (I could be wrong and the shortlist of 10 IS the waitlist) Regardless, offerees and waitlistees have been notified. There may be a deeper list beyond the 10 that I don't know about in the (unlikely) chance that most of the "top" 10 candidates don't bite. This seems to be the trend in this record-breaking year of unheard-of application numbers.
@ Nadia
Congrats!!! I also received an acceptance in CNF, yesterday via phone. What other schools are you deciding between? Care to share some thoughts on the program, funding situation, etc? Feel free to email me, courtney dot robb at gmail. Right now, it looks like I'm deciding between Sarah Lawrence and Columbia.
Trilbe,
You are one classy lady!
Hurray Kaybay! That's awesome!
Trilbe, your kindness is amazing and kind-of made my day.
I got accepted to Vermont College yesterday! Deciding between there and Columbia College (or neither, due to lack of funding). Still no word from a few schools (Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Ohio State, and Notre Dame- I'm presuming rejections, but don't know for certain). Don't know what to do, especially since these schools want a decision really soon. I'd be happy to hear any advice. Thanks!
First, @ trilbe: ridiculously sweet. Seriously. I don't get goosebumps from the internet too often.
Second, heard from my last school, waitlisted at Western Michigan. Feels nice to have some sort of answer, good or bad, from everywhere.
My final tally (in fiction):
Accepted:
UNCW
George Mason
Pitt
Waitlisted:
Notre Dame
Western Michigan
Rejected:
Iowa
Michigan
Wisconsin
Syracuse
Ohio State
Illinois
WashU
Purdue
BGSU
Seth,
Just to add to the info about Brooklyn College. If you get a TAship ($3800 a semester) that more than covers the cost of in state tuition. They want you to take a preparatory class, so you can only TA in 1st year/2nd semester, and 2nd year.
Now, everyone doesn't get offered a TAship, but if you do, that brings the cost of in state tuition down to less than 3K for two years.
Does anyone know if Virginia Commonwealth still has acceptance notifications to send out? I know some have been notified, but it seems like it's been fairly quiet on the VCU front.
@Trilbe, that was such a generous thing to do for Kaybay.
Thank you.
@nadiya: "the Nadiya model" (as a term) is my small tribute to one of the more lucid commenters here. Congratulations on your successes this application season.
Not sure about this, but it looks like Beth Ann Fennelly may be the new Director of the Ole Miss MFA program... They have a new website up, and if you go to the link "Contact Us" there's a little note from Beth Ann Fennelly, Director. Thoughts?
@ laura: I'm pretty sure all VCU acceptances have gone out. Which genre are you in? I was waitlisted there in poetry and was notified about that approx. 1 1/2 weeks ago.
Any final word on Portland State? Are they absolutely done notifying? Haven't heard of any rejections, nor have I heard of any acceptances in some time. Any waitlists?
@weighswithwords
I've had zero contact from Portland State.
I'm a nonfiction applicant and so far this is what I've gotten.
Rejected:
University of Iowa
University of Minnesota
Waitlisted:
George Mason
University of North Carolina Wilmington
New School
Accepted:
Minnesota State
Columbia University
Have not heard from:
Penn State
University of New Hampshire
Hollins
Portland State
By they way, Columbia did indeed call me, so apparently they do that at least some of the time. Crossing my fingers for everyone. Good news is still on the way.
@Jarsh -- I just got my financial aid statement from SFSU, too, but to be fair I got one last year when I didn't even finish my application. They appear to just send them out based upon the FAFSA, regardless of admission.
Folks who have heard from SFSU -- did you apply for the MA or MFA? I applied for the MA and was originally told I would hear next week, but am anxious.
I like the yearbook awards we're giving out here:
Nadiya is lucidest/maturest,
Woon is handsomest/James Francoest/most likely to get double-married
Which begs the question: who's the ugliest with the best personality?
KIT (keep in touch)!
today's definitely one of the most anxious days I've had. No mail. No emails. No updates from Columbia, Brooklyn, New School, American, Toronto, PSU.
i'd really rather just know at this point. its starting to feel like i'm keeping my hopes up for way too long, and that its just going to end badly.
NOT an optimistic day today. Taking it out on everyone. ha.
@ Emma 2
Montana is currently my top choice, pending some applications still outstanding and one waitlist spot. I'm in CNF.
@whynotbecause- I am still awaiting a fiction decision from Arkansas.
An official glance (all fiction):
Iowa... waitlist via snailmail
Arkansas...no word
UNLV... no word
UVa... no word
FSU... Waitlist or rejection pending (Read: not selected in the "acceptance" round)
@Kati-Jane
Love the new site. And it would make sense to make Fennelly the director, in that she seems to have been the one suggesting changes around Ole Miss for a while now (the visiting poet program she put together a few years ago as one example).
I don't know what they're doing about the fiction samples, though. Maybe they've already tapped them and they weren't connected with this blog. Or maybe they're understandably behind on their fiction-admissions. Either way, I wish you well.
And @Kitty, I echo Lucas-- Congratulations! Are you poetry? Fiction?
@Coreyann
It's a bummer, but it sounds like Brooklyn's done notifying all acceptees and waitlisters.
@weighswithwords:
Yeah that sounds like the consensus. God, I'm SO bummed out today. I was really hoping this week was going to bring some good news and close some doors.
@ Kyle
I am the same. I'm hoping for Houston as much as you, but right now it looks like we're going to UNCG
Re: waitlists. How do you find out where you're ranked on them? Is it rude to email schools and ask? As I'm on two, one of which really interests me, I'm quite curious.
@ Chelsea
As far as I know, only Ena and I have been notified by UNCG for poetry. Granted, I don't read all the blogs nearly as religiously because my season is done, but they definitely didn't notify everyone at once. When I spoke with Jim Clark yesterday, he made it sound as though they were still going through applications, and their funding situation (non-existant at the moment) could take up to mid-April (read April 13th-15th) to get sorted out. So, for now, it doesn't seem that there's any reason to give up hope.
@fellow-ette
I think some schools will tell you where you are on the waitlist and some schools won't. I don't think it hurts to ask. I e-mailed Indiana to see if they could tell me where I am on the waitlist and/or how long the waitlist was, and they politely (and promptly) responded to say that they couldn't give out that info. But other schools, it seems, have been more forthcoming. It's worth a shot.
Anyone else still "in review" for fiction at ASU?
Yeah, same here for ASU. Checked last night and it still said "in review".
@amanda
I'm poetry. Super jealous of you! Thanks for responding. :)
Pardon my need to vent, but hardly anyone in my in-person life fully understands:
This state of limbo is driving me crazy. I'm on two waitlists. No acceptances yet. I wish I could just know one way or the other whether or not I'm going to grad school this fall!
@Austin
Your feedback is mucho appreciated. The whole financial aid biz has me nauseous. Especially the waiting period. But I try and remember the worst of the waiting is over...right? haha
Thanks again.
And kudos to all those who received good/amazing/surprising/kickass news (that's you, Kaybay) over the past few days!
@ phillywriter
I understand the need to vent. I'm in a similar situation (minus the waitlists - just a whole lot of being ignored). I too just want to know...
And my boyfriend recently told me that all I do is talk about the mfa blog. Well, I'm sorry, but they're the only ones that understand!!
@phillywriter
I feel your pain. NYU is my only real option and the waitlist master will not reveal how long the list is or where I am. The waitlist also might not close until August. August!! Guess some people get fed up apt hunting.
Since I live in NYC, I am tempted to meet the NYU waitlist master in person and beg him to tell me.
@red
My family has come down on me about my "friends" on the MFA blog.
They legimitately can't understand the significance of this little watering hole.
I think they assume it's like a creepy chatroom where people hit on one another and occasionally update with MFA related stats. Oy!
Chelsea,
a/s/l?
Well, people do hit on each other here. Or, at least, they hit on Woon.
Seriously, though, I don't know what I'd do without the support of this blog. Even though it can get crazy here sometimes!
@Chelea--that's really funny
and M. Swann-???
@ junowind
still in review for fiction at ASU....
@ threes
out of curiosity, which school are you leaning toward?
Just checking in. (This is 4maivalentine. I got sick of my name) I hope everyone is doing well and reaping the benefits of their hard work. I would type a smiley face but that would require me to pretend like Oxford didn't just send me a rejection. Well, I didn't want to go there anyway! Jerks!
@Swann
hahahaha
spot on!
I'm still "In Review" for ASU poetry.
As for those of you trying to decide on Cornell, here's an interesting article: http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=164602
Gummy Bear Sacrifice--I got rejected from Oxford, too.
@threes
did you get an official rejection from BGSU? (letter or email) or is it assumed?
I echo everyone's sentiments regarding Trilbe's generosity. How kind, and how excited for kaybay.
I was notified today by Minnesota Twin Cities that I've moved up to 2nd place on the waitlist for poetry. So, pretty much UWashington is out for me, because they're funding one person (even though their dang website AND acceptance letter blabbered about their awesome funding. Yuck).
Still WL'ed at OSU, UIUC, and NYU--to be honest, I think these are all real far stretches for me, and the only one I want badder than bad is UIUC so I can move with the badass girlfriend (not to say taht OSU and NYU don't kick ass, because they certainly do!). Also, still waiting to hear from UMASS regarding a TAship (emailed today with impatience to see what's up with that), but gf isn't going to go anywhere close to there, and her top choice is in LA.
Are any of yinz trying to plan your MFA to fit with your partner? Mine is so kickass that she's in everywhere; I am the one laggin behind. Of course, getting my MFA is #1 on my list, it's just tied with being with my partner!
Also, gooood luck! :)
Still waiting from:
ASU
FSU
NYU
Houston
Oregon
All in Fiction.
I am guessing a waitlist at ASU since acceptance and rejections went out and poss a waitlist at FSU and Oregon but I am guessing a denial from all the others since everyone else already knows if they are accepted or waitlisted at the others.
Rejected:
Brown
Cornell
Iowa
Montana
Michigan
Anyone heard rejections from Houston? Has anyone heard wait list or acceptance from Oregon?
I am seriously freaking out right now. And I am not sure if I want to call...
@Austin
Jesus, hon, get back to work. I don't think the office would be too happy if they saw the way you're spending your time.
@Kyle
Maybe if we wish together...? Really, though, I wish you the best of luck on UNCG, though I'm sure the financial stuff for them is going to be another battle altogether.
Sud-I think we might appreciate it in the long run. Their website is-to say the least-underwhelming and their communication with students was a bit disconnected.
The part that sucks is that it came in that stupid, stupid medium envelop. So it was like...okay, this could be an acceptance *rips open* maybe not.
another long timer blurker (blog lurker) turned poster here...
i've been following this blog lately trying to live vicariously through all of you guys' acceptances bc I really wanted to put together a portfolio to apply for this season. unfortunately, i just wasn't ready..had rounded a corner so to speak with my writing but i simply didnt have enough quality stuff to put together for a portfolio come all those january first deadlines...just wouldnt have been worth the time or the application fees.
however, i am definitely applying for next year's deadline, and I wanted to say that if there are any folks on here who applied in poetry and who do not end up enrolling but plan to re-apply next year, id be interested in swapping some stuff. i basically have three readers right now, one of which is my former undergrad professor who is consistently swamped with people asking the same things of him that i do.
anyway, shoot me an email at partimer2386@gmail.com if that's something you'd be interested in.
also, congrats to all on their acceptances; hang in there to all still waiting; and if you didn't get in this year, there's next year, and a lot of time until then to keep writing
Gummy Bear Sacrifice--I agree, but more than that, it is an entirely different approach from the MFA's in the US. The packets you send have relatively small amounts of creative writing. I was attracted to the mandatory multiple genre thing, though. Well, the chips fall where they may. In my case, just one or two chips.
Finally! I got my SAIC rejection letter in the mail today, dated 3/17. I thought it was pretty nicely worded.
For my first year applying, 1/1 ain't bad at all. Now I just need to make a decision: will I go to Columbia College and make it work (no funding as of yet, and I won't be taking loans) or won't I?
@ Trilbe
Can I just say you're awesome, and that I want a job similar to yours? Maybe I can find one in Chicago, if I go...
@ Sutpen
I wanna be a Gryffindor! I like the colors...
Hey! Been busy for the past week or two. My apologies if someone asked me a question on the blog and I didn't get a chance to answer. If interested in following up, get at me at nightlyfix at gmail dot com.
My list:
Rejected
Hunter
Accepted
The New School
City College of New York
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Waiting
U of Iowa (really? Rejection must've gotten misplaced).
Columbia
Queens College
Brooklyn College
@ Ena
I appreciate that. Apparently my manuscript is still with the committee, so fingers crossed. About Houston, I'll be tandem wishing for sure!
@ phillywriter and others:
I am dying a slow waitlisted death. I can't afford to do an MFA without funding, and though I have three acceptances, they are all unfunded. My waitlists, however, seem far more excited about my writing than the schools who have accepted me. Hence, this is all that's in my head right now: The Waiting
Amanda I feel like you are talking about my situation!
@Sud, Sarah
Anyone call Bennington today? I haven't heard from them yet either. Just curious...and discouraged.
@Ratliff--I think I'm going to wait until Thursday. Called Pacific to confirm my rejection(late mail arrival) that's enough fro me today.
I'm not sure if anyone cares about this one, but I called Cal State Long Beach today, and they said that they're still reviewing applications. It'll be another week or two before they make decisions. Apparently, since Long Beach isn't offering any funded spots, they're just waiting till the last minute.
@Smoke & the rest
I don't think anyone is denying that Columbia is a great program. It's just really expensive, and there are plenty of schools in the area that are cheaper/funded.
I do, however, agree that these rankings aren't ideal. It is biased, as someone else said, because lot of the people voting are getting their information from Seth in the first place. However, it's really the best we have at the moment. Creative writing is subjective to begin with, so you really can't expect much else. Different people will gain different experiences from different programs. If you're happy with the program, what's the point in arguing about it? Honestly, what are you hoping to gain? That more people will apply to Columbia? That people will say, "Yes, Smoke, you go to a fantastic school!" Will you get off on seeing CU climb higher in the rankings?
You're probably one of those people that remind everyone that you're attending an Ivy League, and laugh at those of us who don't.
Lucas, I'm poetry. I just wrote them back to decline the offer. I have to have full funding or it's a no-go for me. So, there is a spot opening up there if anyone is waitlisted.
Did anyone else hear from Texas State today about funding? I got an email saying I got an Instructional Assistantship, but they didn't talk about anything else--anyone have any thoughts on the program or how it works?
@kevin
thanks, man; appreciate the update! any idea if that's for fiction/poetry/both?
@Sud - Oh dear, I'm sorry about Pacific. I understand what you mean. One rejection is enough to last me a week. Maybe they'll save you the trouble and call you before then with good news :)
Seth - I don't know if anyone has already asked you this, and if you have just point me to the relevant webpage, link etc, but could you tell me what you think of the MFA at Bowling Green State University?
Raise your hand if you haven't received any word yet from Indiana or ASU (for poetry). In fact, with Indiana, has anybody even been accepted there for poetry? I know I've heard of some waitlists and some rejections, but nothing of acceptances.
Also, Emma 2:
If you do visit Missoula I'd love to hear what you think about everything. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out there for a visit, but would love to reap the benefits of your efforts :)
Lorrie Moore will be reading/speaking/chatting at Notre Dame from March 23-25 (right now!). Those of you attending, could you report back on whether Ms. Moore wears open-toe shoes? If so, what shade of deep purple are her toenails painted? Thx
Those of you bemoaning the lack of funding (esp. at ND), you can thank the likes of Ms. Moore for robbing the ND coffers.*
*I don't really know if there's a correlation between speaker fees and lack of graduate student funding at ND. heheh.
@Lisa
Both, but the lady said poetry is moving things a bit faster than fiction.
It's 2:06 PM. I'm hungry. Chipotle for lunch. Then, the library to borrow some Padgett Powell novels. Then, back here.
@ Perpetua: It really sucks, eh?
After my third email from a prof at one of my waitlists a couple of hours ago, I went and had a margarita for lunch, mid-workday. It was either that or leave completely and go home to ride the roller coaster that's a block from my house so that I'd have an acceptable excuse to scream.
@amanda
Giant Dipper ftw!
(i called it big dipper at first, shameful)
@kevin
*sigh* of course they are...
you, sir, are a gentleman & a scholar! thanks again!!
@ JJ: So close! Haha. ;) I can see the Hurricane from my front porch though. I'm gonna miss the periodic sounds of screaming from my apartment. It's actually kind of comforting.
Stupid Question of the day:
How do y'all go about calling on your admissions statuses? Like, do you call the program director, or do you call the grad admissions office?
In at Memphis in CNF by phone. I was in a meeting so I got a message. No word on funding, but apparently I will get an email?
@ sutpen
if only I had read Ulysses ...
@ miss parker
a bit back someone said to call them if you just couldn't wait, and while I've been good about not bugging programs, this was my last school from which I hadn't heard anything. So I shot them a nice email and they wrote back letting me know that I had not been accepted or waitlisted
still in review at ASU, fiction. has anyone called the admissions office? or heard anything via email?
asuuuuuuuuuuuuu
(my swan song as i fall out the game completely)
@hannah haven't called but I haven't heard anything either. If you call or hear something let me know please! I am getting so antsy!
Amanda it's bad! I don't drink otherwise I'd be in a bottle... literally... God. I'd just like an answer one way or the other from my waitlist and I'd like a straight answer about funding from my other schools. And I'd like my family to get what I'm going through.
My dad and uncle both write, old school - no MFA'S, and they just don't get why this is so important to me. Argh! I could scream. Ummm I already have.
Amanda, correction - I would like the school I'm waitlisted at to tell me that a spot has opened up and that I'm in so I can start making plans for the next few years and mainly go back to writing my novella which is whining about being neglected!
there seems to be too many of us still 'in review' to be of much significance...but it'd be nice to know one way or the other.
Still waiting for word from The New School. Is this good news (or, better-phrased not bad news)? From what I've read, most people who just received news were accepted or waitlisted. Is this mania on my part? Does anybody know more than I do (which, with respect, wouldn't be saying much)?
@hannah maybe waitlist? I know rejections have went but I don't know about acceptance letters.
Son just found out he's in at the Johns Hopkins fiction program. Rejected at Brown, Iowa, Yale (playwriting), UCLA. Until I came across this blog I didn't realize its harder to get into a top MFA program than to get into med school! Good luck to all.
@ Perpetua: Yeah, acceptance is certainly the best-case scenario. And I hear you on the funding limbo as well. All of my acceptances have told me that chances of funding are "slim." I think I should know one way or the other in the next week for one of them though.
People keep asking me why the waitlisted schools can't just add a spot or tell me now. And I have to suppress screamy urges that all revolve around the impossibility of knowing sooner, adding funding, and the April 15th deadline.
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