Take the GRE asap and get it over with. While it is frustrating and expensive, the programs themselves truly don't care about it, so it's a very low pressure situation.
What you don't want, though, is to wonder if the graduate school ever even forwarded your application to a program b/c you didn't meet their minimum requirements. You'd be trading one headache for another.
As DAP said, you can also totally go the route of only applying to schools that don't require it. It's doable, but make sure you aren't shedding any programs that would be great for you in the process.
Speaking of programs that could be great for you, if you're willing to do Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, why not Louisiana? I'm headed to LSU, where you get three fully-funded years and a decent stipend! Apply, apply, apply! Okay. Shameless plugging over.
To the people who commented about Virginia Tech (I can't seem to find the comments any more, but they landed in my inbox earlier): thank you! That was really helpful info, because the only news I ever got about VT was you-know-what, and that dispelled my preconceptions of the place ^_^
Adam: I'm curious about LSU, what's Baton Rouge like as a town? Especially interested in how it's like with regards to diversity :D Thanks!
Thanks for the advice everyone! I hate the thought of taking this exam for the 3rd time, but you're all right. My verbal scores weren't bad (exactly at 75% percentile) and i got a 4.5 on the analytical writing section. the quantitative killed me, though. 3rd time's a charm, right?
@Adam
My family is from Baton Rouge :) My dad went to LSU and grandfather was a referee for the LSU football team for like 20 years (although i doubt that carries any weight in the english department, hah). They wanted me to go as undergrad, but i just didn't apply. I hadn't given it much thought, so i'm glad you brought it up. I'll definitely check it out!
I'm curious myself! I haven't been to Baton Rouge yet, but I'll post about it once I move there in mid-August. (As will phillywriter, I presume, who is going to be TA-ing the same course as me! Yeah, yeah!)
I'll confess the diversity question was one of my first when they accepted me: what's it like to be gay in BR? Their answer was that it's great in New Orleans, good in Baton Rouge, and questionable to problematic in most other places. I believe "Don't go to Northern Louisiana" was the advice of one administrator. Basically, they say I'm in one of the two Louisiana cities where I can live an openly gay existence in peace.
I'm a little anxious, still, but I've also talked with current queer MFAs, and they all seem to have a great time in the city, which is by all accounts a COLLEGE TOWN with a surprisingly large metro area. I'll miss my Pittsburgh a lot, and I'll be spending as much time as possible in Chicago with my boyfriend, and I'll be making as many trips to New Orleans as I can--but this town seems like it will be just fine for three years. Hope that helps!
(As far as racial diversity goes, I have been surprised at the statistically tiny black student population, in a very diverse state. Not sure what gives there.)
Also, Loz, that's quite a legacy! Please do check it out, and let me know later this app season if you want to know more about my first semester there. (I'll be on here!)
People from last year: did trilbe ever make an appearance and announce where she's headed? I feel like she kind of disappeared.
(Yes, this blog is like a TV show of sorts, complete with memorable characters that you wonder about even though you have never met them in real life.)
@ DigAPony - I got in touch with Trilbe a few months ago to find out where she ended up. She picked Michigan.
P.S. If anyone has questions about Michigan, I'm headed there in the fall for fiction. I'm obviously still hanging around the blog, and will try to check in to see how things are going.
@ DigAPony - I know what you mean about people on the blog being like memorable characters. I would still love to meet kbritten in person (maybe next year in Ann Arbor? :-))
I got to hang out a bit with Trilbe at the Michigan welcome weekend - she's fantastic. Hence the reason I tracked her down to find out about her final decision. Pretty excited to see her at readings and such this fall.
Is anyone thinking about auditing writing courses in the fall? The weakest part of my app (not counting the manuscript which may have been the weakest part but who knows?) last year were the references (I had nothing academic as I've been out of college for 10 years) and I'd like to possibly make get a referee or two. And it never hurts to have your work critiqued. My questions are: -Will I be paying the same as I would if I were taking it for credit? -Do I have to enroll at the college/university? -What has been the experience from those of you who have done this? Worth the time and effort?
Ahhh, and of course I got it wrong! I remember trilbe went to Michigan now. It's all such a blur. I think I was delirious and sleepless from December to April.
I'm curious about the UCSD program, it was mentioned on this blog 2 years or so ago, and seems like a very strong program for its age. What's it like? Is it an 'experimental' program like Brown, or does it welcome different styles of writing? (poetry person here)
Gracias for the updates, everybody. I'm officially jealous of Michigan.
kaybay, you have so many virtual supporters here! We're all pulling for you. Did you decide to continue with your teaching job next year?
Sorry for clogging up the comments with extraneous stuff. I'm hanging out just waiting to be uber-useful to those applying. Really, I promise, I can help you! Don't kick me out!
Gosh, you guys are too nice! I will likely still be at the same job next year, but not by choice. I've applied to about 15 jobs in the two months with nothing to show for it except a measly 5 minute phone interview for one job :*( I even applied to jobs that pay $10,000 less and didn't get a call back! Just the way it is in Florida. Michigan's just as bad, my brother is exceptionally well qualified and actually has relevant experience and has one temp job around tax time to show for the hundreds of applications he put in. It's really sad. We need jobs!
*materializes* Hey guys! I've been missing this blog lately, now that it's almost time for me to start my MFA program. I miss having a huge community to panic with/complain to/ask questions of/etc. I think I'll hang out throughout this application cycle. Also, might as well offer myself as the blog ambassador for Emerson. If someone pops up with questions about Emerson, please feel free to tell them to email me: lauratetreault @ gmail.com
Also I have a question for Seth or anybody else who knows... Is it ever possible to change genres once you're in a program? I'm feeling more & more drawn to creative nonfiction, but my genre is poetry. This is a problem. Do you have to reapply if you want to change genres, is there some sort of secret genre-changing process, or is it just not done?
Laura T -- I've also been drawn to CNF since starting my program a year ago (I'm fiction now). So I know how you feel. I've been told that switching genres has been done in my program, but I don't know what the process is. I can't imagine them making anyone re-apply, but maybe they did. . .
I talked to someone at emerson who changed genres, so I'm sure it's possible!
are you signed up to take a course in CNF? that seems like probably the best place to start -- make sure you really want to switch, and also put you in contact with professors form that genre who can help you make the switch if you decide to do it.
I think it's very interesting how many of you guys are interested in Poetry and Non Fiction, for some reason I thought the MFA would be saturated with plain old fiction writers.
Maybe the MFA Blog could create some kind of official poll to tally how many readers are interested in what genre(s)
Hey kaybay (and anyone else who might know. I specify kaybay because she's brought this up before),
do you know of any schools other than Iowa (and I think you mentioned Syracuse?) that don't require some application materials (esp. money) resent if provided the previous year?
Hey Gena! Iowa does keep your application, transcripts, GRE scores (if you sent them), and letters of rec. They also do not charge an application fee. So if you applied last year, it's completely free to apply again. I think you have to notify Deborah West and the Graduate School if you are doing that, though. You just send writing sample and statement of purpose. I can't remember what she said about all of the extra teaching statements and stuff, but I'd imagine they keep those as well.
The other school doing the same thing is Notre Dame (I don't know if you applied there last year, but I'd recommend it if you didn't ;) ). They will keep my transcripts, test scores, and recommendations as well, and will not charge me a fee. So, it's also completely free. Just need a new sample and SOP.
As for everybody else, I'm waiting to hear back from a few people. Cornell did email me back and they will keep last year's transcripts and test scores, but will charge another app fee and will make me send everything else. Not bad. Alabama will charge another fee, but will keep letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE score reports, and your application (I guess they just reactivate it). Also not bad.
Syracuse has not emailed me back yet (summer and all), but I'm assuming they'll say basically the same thing, that they'll keep transcripts and test scores but will charge a fee. Florida and Florida State have also not contacted me yet, but I think they'll say the same thing too.
It is a discount though, when considering the cost of sending transcripts and GRE scores. That could be a $20-$30 off per school and would give you a little less work. That's why I'm still considering Bama, Syracuse, and Cornell. Their app fees do range from $50-$75, but it would be a little bit easier and cheaper considering the "discount." Even if a new school charges $30 or $50 for an application fee, considering the extra cost of transcripts and test score reports, it's actually the same cost or cheaper to apply to one of my schools from last year.
One other school to consider, one I wasn't considering before, is Vanderbilt. Yes, their acceptance rate is under 1% (which I think is heavily skewed by a free application), but they will also keep GRE scores from last year. They did want new transcripts and letters of recommendation (don't know why), but depending on what your undergrad school charges to send transcripts, you're looking at $0-$10 to apply there. So, I'm applying there :D I'm not at all expecting to be admitted, but it's almost completely free for me. You never know.
The good thing about all of this is that it's allowing me to apply to a lot more schools than I was able to last year for about the same cost. I don't want to apply to too many places from last year, but I definitely do want to re-apply to those that I either wanted badly, waitlisted me, or will charge me nothing.
Great help! Thanks kaybay! Iowa, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt had been pretty much off the list, to make room for other schools, but it looks like they have been resuscitated! Florida and Bama never left, but this will make those applications much easier.
While the money saving rocks, I think the time saved and recs I potentially don't have to ask for will be even more handy. Even if only Iowa and Bama don't need new letters of rec, that's two letters for other schools I don't feel ridiculous asking from my professors. (Yes, yes, I know it's their job... but even I would be cursing me if I had to figure out fifteen different online document submission sites).
Thanks again! I'm going to start asking around to my other schools. I'll post my results when I get some, just in case others are curious.
Here are the schools I applied to last year, all of which did not require the GRE (make sure to double check, just in case a school changed their procedure):
-Wisconsin-Madison (only open to poets this year) -Iowa -Hollins -Minnesota State @ Mankato -Wichita State -Northern Michigan -U New Mexico -Colorado State -Boise State -U Idaho -Oregon State -U Oregon -U Michigan -Southern Illinois
@Nona — I'm going to begin attending Wyoming in less than a month, for CNF. So far I can only tell you my impression of the program and what I've learned about it as an incoming student-- all very positive-- but I'd be happy to field questions and also let you know about the program while I'm in it.
Just to chime in, in general: My two cents on the GRE is to JUST DO IT. When I was applying, I started pretty late and was totally overwhelmed by the process. I really couldn't be bothered to add another thing on my To Do list, and didn't want to spend the time or money. But in the end, Wyoming was the only fully funded school I was accepted to.. and they had required the GRE. I wouldn't have been able to start an MFA this year if I hadn't taken the test.
I literally did 45 minutes of prep. I borrowed a friend's GRE practice book, familiarized myself with the format of the test and the types of questions asked, I studied like 10 minutes of geometry and learned 3 new vocab words. I showed up at the test and clicked my way through the Math section with no idea WTF was going on. And in the end, I think the test is just a formality, and I'm grateful I took it so I could end up at Wyoming.
Though I didn't get fully funded offers, I was also contemplating attending Montana, George Mason, and New Mexico. So if any of you have questions about those programs I'd also be happy to try and answer them.
Quick question: are we anticipating an even greater increase in applications this year or was last year the top of the peak? I can't imagine it being worse than last year, but I'm not sure what to expect :(
Thanks Jennifer and megan for your reply to my genre-changing issue. Unfortunately I can't take a CNF class my first semester, because new MFA students are required to take only classes in their genre for the first semester. Blah! I did recently meet an Emerson CNF professor though and hopefully he'll remember who I am... maybe that will be helpful in changing genres, I don't know!
UCLA Extension is offering a new course for Fall 2010. I thought that I'd post the information here as it might be useful. I wish it was offered a year ago when I was applying!
Preparing for the Fiction MFA m X 461.56 English 3 units $525 There’s what the catalogs tell you and then there’s everything else. This workshop is for the serious writer applying to an MFA fiction program. Workshop pieces are the submissions each student plans to use in their applications. Your goal is to come away with rock-solid submissions (stories, chapters) of a proper length for application requirements—and that best showcase who you are as a writer. Guest contributors from low-residency and fullresidency MFA programs offer their perspectives on the application process, outline a typical workload at their programs, discuss what they look for in a recommendation letter, and reveal the considerations that don’t show up on the application sheets. Workshops are bi-weekly, alternating with one-on-one instructor conferences via email. For technical requirements see page 156. Enrollment limited to 15 students. Reg# V8787B Oct 6-Dec 8 $55 nonrefundable. Matt Debenham, MFA, fiction writer whose story collection The Book of Right and Wrong (published in 2010) won the Ohio State University Press Prize for fiction and featured the Pushcart Prize-nominated title story “The Book of Right and Wrong.” Mr. Debenham’s work has appeared in numerous journals, including Roanoke Review, The Pinch, Weston Magazine, Dogwood, Painted Bride Quarterly, and North Atlantic Review.
I am still around! I don't move for another four weeks (my quarter doesn't start until Sept. 27). I keep alternating between insane excitement and panic attack. (What have I gotten myself into?) Good luck with your move. Sending good vibes of calm your way!
I'm kinda freakin out, too -- on the one hand, I'm SO excited to start classes. on the other, I'm worried I'll be way out of my element & unable to keep up.
and I hate moving. all those books... why do I own so many books...
Yeah, I still pop in from time to time. I'm currently gearing up to move to Carbondale (Southern Illinois U.) in about a week. Megan, I feel your pain about the books. I'm letting myself take two big boxes, and I'm storing whatever I'm not selling/giving away. Thank God for media mail.
I'm still checking in here! Moving to Iowa in exactly one week. Haven't even begun packing up the books. Am hoping packing/unpacking/decorating will help distract me from how nervous I am, though probably the best distraction would be to do some writing. Good moving-vibes to y'all!
I'm still here, too. I'll be moving to Columbus in two and a half weeks, but I still have another eight weeks until classes start. I can't wait, but I'm definitely nervous, too.
I'm attending Idaho in the Fall. One of the current students mentioned to me that MFAers can switch genres here as long as they don't have a TA. Not sure about Emerson, though.
re: people from last cycle still hanging out. I check in time to time. I just moved to San Francisco (CCA). Can't wait for classes to begin though. So happy the process is over for me. I send out good vibes to everyone gearing up for the next cycle. You guys are gonna do it! Believe!
Hey all. I've been putting MFAs on the backburner for a bit as I try to get out of my current town. I'd still love to go next fall, even if that means moving somewhere and then moving again a few months later. Or maybe I could get a job and work for a couple years to save up money. I just got back from a West Coast vacation and I could slowly feel all the life draining out of me once I returned, although I know that sounds overly dramatic. It's not my job. It's the town.
I do have two recs lined up-two old profs said they'd be happy to, so now I just have to find a third. So that's something. I still have my GRE book, but I'm thinking I may not do a lot of studying what with so much other crap to worry about. But we'll see. I feel guilty, since I've only done a bit of editing lately because my mind is too wrapped up in other stuff. I hate to say it, but apparently I can only focus on so many things at once. I also have one story I think could really be great but I just don't know how to edit right now. Will have to figure out something, though.
Congrats to all who are gearing up to start classes. That's awesome that you're almost there, woot.
246 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 246 of 246Loz:
Take the GRE asap and get it over with. While it is frustrating and expensive, the programs themselves truly don't care about it, so it's a very low pressure situation.
What you don't want, though, is to wonder if the graduate school ever even forwarded your application to a program b/c you didn't meet their minimum requirements. You'd be trading one headache for another.
As DAP said, you can also totally go the route of only applying to schools that don't require it. It's doable, but make sure you aren't shedding any programs that would be great for you in the process.
Speaking of programs that could be great for you, if you're willing to do Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, why not Louisiana? I'm headed to LSU, where you get three fully-funded years and a decent stipend! Apply, apply, apply! Okay. Shameless plugging over.
To the people who commented about Virginia Tech (I can't seem to find the comments any more, but they landed in my inbox earlier): thank you! That was really helpful info, because the only news I ever got about VT was you-know-what, and that dispelled my preconceptions of the place ^_^
Adam: I'm curious about LSU, what's Baton Rouge like as a town? Especially interested in how it's like with regards to diversity :D Thanks!
Thanks for the advice everyone! I hate the thought of taking this exam for the 3rd time, but you're all right. My verbal scores weren't bad (exactly at 75% percentile) and i got a 4.5 on the analytical writing section. the quantitative killed me, though. 3rd time's a charm, right?
@Adam
My family is from Baton Rouge :) My dad went to LSU and grandfather was a referee for the LSU football team for like 20 years (although i doubt that carries any weight in the english department, hah). They wanted me to go as undergrad, but i just didn't apply. I hadn't given it much thought, so i'm glad you brought it up. I'll definitely check it out!
@Nona
I'm curious myself! I haven't been to Baton Rouge yet, but I'll post about it once I move there in mid-August. (As will phillywriter, I presume, who is going to be TA-ing the same course as me! Yeah, yeah!)
I'll confess the diversity question was one of my first when they accepted me: what's it like to be gay in BR? Their answer was that it's great in New Orleans, good in Baton Rouge, and questionable to problematic in most other places. I believe "Don't go to Northern Louisiana" was the advice of one administrator. Basically, they say I'm in one of the two Louisiana cities where I can live an openly gay existence in peace.
I'm a little anxious, still, but I've also talked with current queer MFAs, and they all seem to have a great time in the city, which is by all accounts a COLLEGE TOWN with a surprisingly large metro area. I'll miss my Pittsburgh a lot, and I'll be spending as much time as possible in Chicago with my boyfriend, and I'll be making as many trips to New Orleans as I can--but this town seems like it will be just fine for three years. Hope that helps!
(As far as racial diversity goes, I have been surprised at the statistically tiny black student population, in a very diverse state. Not sure what gives there.)
OOPS! Mean that to be @x, not @Nona!
Also, Loz, that's quite a legacy! Please do check it out, and let me know later this app season if you want to know more about my first semester there. (I'll be on here!)
People from last year: did trilbe ever make an appearance and announce where she's headed? I feel like she kind of disappeared.
(Yes, this blog is like a TV show of sorts, complete with memorable characters that you wonder about even though you have never met them in real life.)
Hello again everyone!
@ DigAPony - I got in touch with Trilbe a few months ago to find out where she ended up. She picked Michigan.
P.S. If anyone has questions about Michigan, I'm headed there in the fall for fiction. I'm obviously still hanging around the blog, and will try to check in to see how things are going.
Not certain, but I think I remember trible settling on Alabama.
*trilbe
DigaPony,
Love your TV show comment! For example, I'd totally pay to see Kaybay get into a kick-ass program next year, even though I've never met her.
@ DigAPony - I know what you mean about people on the blog being like memorable characters. I would still love to meet kbritten in person (maybe next year in Ann Arbor? :-))
I got to hang out a bit with Trilbe at the Michigan welcome weekend - she's fantastic. Hence the reason I tracked her down to find out about her final decision. Pretty excited to see her at readings and such this fall.
oh dear, Kaybay HERE is kbritten on the PW speakeasy. Same person. You guys get it.
Haha! Hey Peaquah! It would be AWESOME if I got to see you in Ann Arbor :D
Is anyone thinking about auditing writing courses in the fall? The weakest part of my app (not counting the manuscript which may have been the weakest part but who knows?) last year were the references (I had nothing academic as I've been out of college for 10 years) and I'd like to possibly make get a referee or two. And it never hurts to have your work critiqued. My questions are:
-Will I be paying the same as I would if I were taking it for credit?
-Do I have to enroll at the college/university?
-What has been the experience from those of you who have done this? Worth the time and effort?
Thank you for any info/advice.
Please forgive the clunkiness of that post. I was in the middle of spilling coffee on myself.
Ahhh, and of course I got it wrong! I remember trilbe went to Michigan now. It's all such a blur. I think I was delirious and sleepless from December to April.
@Adam: thanks again! :D
I'm curious about the UCSD program, it was mentioned on this blog 2 years or so ago, and seems like a very strong program for its age. What's it like? Is it an 'experimental' program like Brown, or does it welcome different styles of writing? (poetry person here)
Gracias for the updates, everybody. I'm officially jealous of Michigan.
kaybay, you have so many virtual supporters here! We're all pulling for you. Did you decide to continue with your teaching job next year?
Sorry for clogging up the comments with extraneous stuff. I'm hanging out just waiting to be uber-useful to those applying. Really, I promise, I can help you! Don't kick me out!
Gosh, you guys are too nice! I will likely still be at the same job next year, but not by choice. I've applied to about 15 jobs in the two months with nothing to show for it except a measly 5 minute phone interview for one job :*( I even applied to jobs that pay $10,000 less and didn't get a call back! Just the way it is in Florida. Michigan's just as bad, my brother is exceptionally well qualified and actually has relevant experience and has one temp job around tax time to show for the hundreds of applications he put in. It's really sad. We need jobs!
*materializes* Hey guys! I've been missing this blog lately, now that it's almost time for me to start my MFA program. I miss having a huge community to panic with/complain to/ask questions of/etc. I think I'll hang out throughout this application cycle. Also, might as well offer myself as the blog ambassador for Emerson. If someone pops up with questions about Emerson, please feel free to tell them to email me: lauratetreault @ gmail.com
Also I have a question for Seth or anybody else who knows... Is it ever possible to change genres once you're in a program? I'm feeling more & more drawn to creative nonfiction, but my genre is poetry. This is a problem. Do you have to reapply if you want to change genres, is there some sort of secret genre-changing process, or is it just not done?
Laura T -- I've also been drawn to CNF since starting my program a year ago (I'm fiction now). So I know how you feel. I've been told that switching genres has been done in my program, but I don't know what the process is. I can't imagine them making anyone re-apply, but maybe they did. . .
@ Laura T,
I talked to someone at emerson who changed genres, so I'm sure it's possible!
are you signed up to take a course in CNF? that seems like probably the best place to start -- make sure you really want to switch, and also put you in contact with professors form that genre who can help you make the switch if you decide to do it.
@ DigAPony -
I'm sure that you've already done this in the past, but would you be willing to put your list of schools on here?
Thanks!
I think it's very interesting how many of you guys are interested in Poetry and Non Fiction, for some reason I thought the MFA would be saturated with plain old fiction writers.
Maybe the MFA Blog could create some kind of official poll to tally how many readers are interested in what genre(s)
Hey kaybay (and anyone else who might know. I specify kaybay because she's brought this up before),
do you know of any schools other than Iowa (and I think you mentioned Syracuse?) that don't require some application materials (esp. money) resent if provided the previous year?
-Plain Old Fiction Writer
Hey Gena! Iowa does keep your application, transcripts, GRE scores (if you sent them), and letters of rec. They also do not charge an application fee. So if you applied last year, it's completely free to apply again. I think you have to notify Deborah West and the Graduate School if you are doing that, though. You just send writing sample and statement of purpose. I can't remember what she said about all of the extra teaching statements and stuff, but I'd imagine they keep those as well.
The other school doing the same thing is Notre Dame (I don't know if you applied there last year, but I'd recommend it if you didn't ;) ). They will keep my transcripts, test scores, and recommendations as well, and will not charge me a fee. So, it's also completely free. Just need a new sample and SOP.
As for everybody else, I'm waiting to hear back from a few people. Cornell did email me back and they will keep last year's transcripts and test scores, but will charge another app fee and will make me send everything else. Not bad. Alabama will charge another fee, but will keep letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE score reports, and your application (I guess they just reactivate it). Also not bad.
Syracuse has not emailed me back yet (summer and all), but I'm assuming they'll say basically the same thing, that they'll keep transcripts and test scores but will charge a fee. Florida and Florida State have also not contacted me yet, but I think they'll say the same thing too.
It is a discount though, when considering the cost of sending transcripts and GRE scores. That could be a $20-$30 off per school and would give you a little less work. That's why I'm still considering Bama, Syracuse, and Cornell. Their app fees do range from $50-$75, but it would be a little bit easier and cheaper considering the "discount." Even if a new school charges $30 or $50 for an application fee, considering the extra cost of transcripts and test score reports, it's actually the same cost or cheaper to apply to one of my schools from last year.
One other school to consider, one I wasn't considering before, is Vanderbilt. Yes, their acceptance rate is under 1% (which I think is heavily skewed by a free application), but they will also keep GRE scores from last year. They did want new transcripts and letters of recommendation (don't know why), but depending on what your undergrad school charges to send transcripts, you're looking at $0-$10 to apply there. So, I'm applying there :D I'm not at all expecting to be admitted, but it's almost completely free for me. You never know.
The good thing about all of this is that it's allowing me to apply to a lot more schools than I was able to last year for about the same cost. I don't want to apply to too many places from last year, but I definitely do want to re-apply to those that I either wanted badly, waitlisted me, or will charge me nothing.
Hope that helps!
Great help! Thanks kaybay! Iowa, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt had been pretty much off the list, to make room for other schools, but it looks like they have been resuscitated! Florida and Bama never left, but this will make those applications much easier.
While the money saving rocks, I think the time saved and recs I potentially don't have to ask for will be even more handy. Even if only Iowa and Bama don't need new letters of rec, that's two letters for other schools I don't feel ridiculous asking from my professors. (Yes, yes, I know it's their job... but even I would be cursing me if I had to figure out fifteen different online document submission sites).
Thanks again! I'm going to start asking around to my other schools. I'll post my results when I get some, just in case others are curious.
@ Charlie Gordon
No problem!
Here are the schools I applied to last year, all of which did not require the GRE (make sure to double check, just in case a school changed their procedure):
-Wisconsin-Madison (only open to poets this year)
-Iowa
-Hollins
-Minnesota State @ Mankato
-Wichita State
-Northern Michigan
-U New Mexico
-Colorado State
-Boise State
-U Idaho
-Oregon State
-U Oregon
-U Michigan
-Southern Illinois
@Nona — I'm going to begin attending Wyoming in less than a month, for CNF. So far I can only tell you my impression of the program and what I've learned about it as an incoming student-- all very positive-- but I'd be happy to field questions and also let you know about the program while I'm in it.
Just to chime in, in general: My two cents on the GRE is to JUST DO IT. When I was applying, I started pretty late and was totally overwhelmed by the process. I really couldn't be bothered to add another thing on my To Do list, and didn't want to spend the time or money. But in the end, Wyoming was the only fully funded school I was accepted to.. and they had required the GRE. I wouldn't have been able to start an MFA this year if I hadn't taken the test.
I literally did 45 minutes of prep. I borrowed a friend's GRE practice book, familiarized myself with the format of the test and the types of questions asked, I studied like 10 minutes of geometry and learned 3 new vocab words. I showed up at the test and clicked my way through the Math section with no idea WTF was going on. And in the end, I think the test is just a formality, and I'm grateful I took it so I could end up at Wyoming.
Though I didn't get fully funded offers, I was also contemplating attending Montana, George Mason, and New Mexico. So if any of you have questions about those programs I'd also be happy to try and answer them.
luling (dot) osofsky (at) gmail (dot) com
Quick question: are we anticipating an even greater increase in applications this year or was last year the top of the peak? I can't imagine it being worse than last year, but I'm not sure what to expect :(
Thanks Jennifer and megan for your reply to my genre-changing issue. Unfortunately I can't take a CNF class my first semester, because new MFA students are required to take only classes in their genre for the first semester. Blah! I did recently meet an Emerson CNF professor though and hopefully he'll remember who I am... maybe that will be helpful in changing genres, I don't know!
UCLA Extension is offering a new course for Fall 2010. I thought that I'd post the information here as it might be useful. I wish it was offered a year ago when I was applying!
Preparing for the Fiction MFA m
X 461.56 English 3 units $525
There’s what the catalogs tell you and then there’s everything
else. This workshop is for the serious writer applying
to an MFA fiction program. Workshop pieces are the
submissions each student plans to use in their applications.
Your goal is to come away with rock-solid submissions
(stories, chapters) of a proper length for application
requirements—and that best showcase who you are as a
writer. Guest contributors from low-residency and fullresidency
MFA programs offer their perspectives on the
application process, outline a typical workload at their
programs, discuss what they look for in a recommendation
letter, and reveal the considerations that don’t show
up on the application sheets. Workshops are bi-weekly,
alternating with one-on-one instructor conferences via
email. For technical requirements see page 156. Enrollment
limited to 15 students.
Reg# V8787B
Oct 6-Dec 8
$55 nonrefundable.
Matt Debenham, MFA, fiction writer whose story collection
The Book of Right and Wrong (published in 2010)
won the Ohio State University Press Prize for fiction and
featured the Pushcart Prize-nominated title story “The
Book of Right and Wrong.” Mr. Debenham’s work has
appeared in numerous journals, including Roanoke
Review, The Pinch, Weston Magazine, Dogwood, Painted
Bride Quarterly, and North Atlantic Review.
Is there anyone using this board from the last application cycle? (I see kaybay is here) Anyone who is matriculating this fall?
I'm so fucking nervous. I am moving in a week. Gah.
@ umlrenic
I am still around! I don't move for another four weeks (my quarter doesn't start until Sept. 27). I keep alternating between insane excitement and panic attack. (What have I gotten myself into?) Good luck with your move. Sending good vibes of calm your way!
@ umlrenic & DAP,
I'm kinda freakin out, too -- on the one hand, I'm SO excited to start classes. on the other, I'm worried I'll be way out of my element & unable to keep up.
and I hate moving. all those books... why do I own so many books...
@DigAPony, Megan
Thanks, your vibes are appreciated!
I also find myself stressing. Then I remember it's is fucking awesome.
umlrenic,
Re: Still using the boards
Yeah, I still pop in from time to time. I'm currently gearing up to move to Carbondale (Southern Illinois U.) in about a week. Megan, I feel your pain about the books. I'm letting myself take two big boxes, and I'm storing whatever I'm not selling/giving away. Thank God for media mail.
@umlrenic,
I'm still checking in here! Moving to Iowa in exactly one week. Haven't even begun packing up the books. Am hoping packing/unpacking/decorating will help distract me from how nervous I am, though probably the best distraction would be to do some writing. Good moving-vibes to y'all!
I'm still here, too. I'll be moving to Columbus in two and a half weeks, but I still have another eight weeks until classes start. I can't wait, but I'm definitely nervous, too.
@Laura T
I'm attending Idaho in the Fall. One of the current students mentioned to me that MFAers can switch genres here as long as they don't have a TA. Not sure about Emerson, though.
re: people from last cycle still hanging out. I check in time to time. I just moved to San Francisco (CCA). Can't wait for classes to begin though. So happy the process is over for me. I send out good vibes to everyone gearing up for the next cycle. You guys are gonna do it! Believe!
Hey all. I've been putting MFAs on the backburner for a bit as I try to get out of my current town. I'd still love to go next fall, even if that means moving somewhere and then moving again a few months later. Or maybe I could get a job and work for a couple years to save up money. I just got back from a West Coast vacation and I could slowly feel all the life draining out of me once I returned, although I know that sounds overly dramatic. It's not my job. It's the town.
I do have two recs lined up-two old profs said they'd be happy to, so now I just have to find a third. So that's something. I still have my GRE book, but I'm thinking I may not do a lot of studying what with so much other crap to worry about. But we'll see. I feel guilty, since I've only done a bit of editing lately because my mind is too wrapped up in other stuff. I hate to say it, but apparently I can only focus on so many things at once. I also have one story I think could really be great but I just don't know how to edit right now. Will have to figure out something, though.
Congrats to all who are gearing up to start classes. That's awesome that you're almost there, woot.
I just put a new mailbag up, FYI...
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