tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post1217900818402648322..comments2024-03-18T23:15:13.800-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: All's quiet on the acceptances front.Tom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-53177709313594164962012-11-23T09:28:18.574-08:002012-11-23T09:28:18.574-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.gina millkenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15736670062936765378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-42437940288242345712012-11-23T09:27:36.694-08:002012-11-23T09:27:36.694-08:00Congrats to those accepted to Oxford's MSt pro...Congrats to those accepted to Oxford's MSt program! I am interested in applying to it as well. I was wondering, however, how it might compare with a U.S. university MFA when trying to land a creative writing teaching position at a U.S. university post-graduation. Anyone know if the Oxford MSt qualification is somehow viewed as inferior to an MFA? Are they the same? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!gina millkenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15736670062936765378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-35961923928785944552012-05-16T22:39:12.915-07:002012-05-16T22:39:12.915-07:00I only applied to University of Oxford Creative Wr...I only applied to University of Oxford Creative Writing program. They kept their application intake open until early May. The telephone interview was nerve wracking especially when they asked me about drama and poetry which is outside of my genre focus. The interviewers were gracious to give me ample time to thoroughly provide detailed responses. I felt I answered most of the questions well. Luckily, I was thrilled when I received an offer letter. I was 1 of the 14 cohort selected from their "extremely competitive" candidate pool numbering in the hundreds. I'm very excited about starting the program in the fall.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04398096786792383531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-17339594605948559232010-04-28T03:19:20.465-07:002010-04-28T03:19:20.465-07:00got into brown, nyu, and bu. rejected by oxford, w...got into brown, nyu, and bu. rejected by oxford, waitlisted by columbia. think i will choose brown. know anyone who got into oxford or columbia?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12724209636694550961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-676924095732083022009-04-15T10:05:00.000-07:002009-04-15T10:05:00.000-07:00Today is the deadline. Brooklyn College or SDSU? ...Today is the deadline. Brooklyn College or SDSU? Brooklyn seems great all around, and SDSU has Ilya Kaminsky and Marilyn Chin. I'm so confused. Can anyone help me make a decision by today?RTChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605337111445248263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-57607838208057040822009-03-26T16:51:00.000-07:002009-03-26T16:51:00.000-07:00I've recieved 3 rejections so far and two acceptan...I've recieved 3 rejections so far and two acceptances. 3 Schools, one I'd like to hear from, have still not responded. I got into one of my top schools but it is very costly with less funding (The New School) I just got their email this Tuesday with a response deadline of the 30! <BR/><BR/>I certainly do not want to miss out on this program. Does anyone have any advice on accepting an acceptance and then getting accepted to another program?Percyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11773451798189288888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-33853048053299241692009-02-15T02:59:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:59:00.000-08:00daedelus82,Not sure if you'll see this as it's one...daedelus82,<BR/><BR/>Not sure if you'll see this as it's one year later than all the other comments on this blog, but do you have any advice on the interview process for the Mst at Oxford? What are they looking for? How long should the interview go for a good sign? <BR/><BR/>I'm applying and am seeking advice from those who have successfully applied to the Mst.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Anikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07025102476457793751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-41457215218589265232008-05-31T12:03:00.000-07:002008-05-31T12:03:00.000-07:00Hi All! I applied to 13 schools, was accepted to ...Hi All! I applied to 13 schools, was accepted to 4, wait listed on 1. It came down to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and City College. Because of cost and poor funding I chose City College, which will be free since I work for CUNY. <BR/><BR/>By the way - I've seen a number of people post about applying to Brooklyn College for their MFA and were re-directed to the MA, which has happened to me as well. Has anyone actually taken that offer? Why would they steer us away from the MFA and send us to a degree we're not interested in? How many of you that received this MA offer from Brooklyn actually got in?David T. Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359786837895607714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-80580862891349555462008-05-06T10:56:00.000-07:002008-05-06T10:56:00.000-07:00I was just accepted to the MSt in Creative Writing...I was just accepted to the MSt in Creative Writing at Oxford University. I'm really attracted to the structure of the program, and I'm thrilled to have been accepted given the prestige of the school, and the competitiveness of the application process, but I'm having a few reservation mainly pertaining the cost (about 24 grand over 2 years) and value for money. If had the cash in my bank account right now it probably wouldn't be an issue, but since I'm pretty strapped and already burdened with debt from my bachelors, I'm in a real quandary. <BR/><BR/>I've been doing a bit of research on the investment, but as it is a new course (initiated in 2005) there is very little information out there about Alumni successes etc. To my knowledge only one Alum thus far (david krump) has won any significant awards, and I haven't found any information about publishing successes. This might be due to the fact that it is a new program with only two graduating classes, totaling 24 alumni, thus far, but still, one would think at least one of the grads would have a book deal in the works or have had a story or a poem or two published in a widely recognized journal. <BR/><BR/>I know that this site is dedicated primarily to programs in the states, but does anyone know anything about this program and its alumni that they could share with me? I have until friday 9th to respond to their offer. Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-58330024767197076392008-04-25T14:29:00.000-07:002008-04-25T14:29:00.000-07:00Hi...Megan, I appreciate your post. CalArts is a s...Hi...<BR/><BR/>Megan, I appreciate your post. CalArts is a school I'm still considering as well. When I first read over Megan's post, I felt dissuaded from the program, but, Aliistar, I think there are multiple ways to deal with this information. I have no doubt that this professor had only the best intentions when speaking with Megan, but it's very possible he had a bad CalArts experience--didn't see eye-to-eye with other faculty, etc.--that won't necessarily be the case for you or me. Personally, I was well aware when I applied that most of the instructors came from a critical studies or liberal arts background, and this was part of what attracted me to the program--I think that writers who apply theory, anthropological research, etc. to their work can provide a rich experience. I can see where this might not work for everyone, so I think you need to decide whether it sounds like a positive environment for you. Good luck with your decision!Samantha Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15040972559965550781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-27228417376740244292008-04-24T07:38:00.000-07:002008-04-24T07:38:00.000-07:00Then again, Hemingway did trot off to Paris to wri...Then again, Hemingway did trot off to Paris to write about Michigan. <BR/><BR/>Aliistar, I admit not knowing the CalArts program. As Megan says, this is second-hand info, so it's important that you go get first-hand info if you haven't already. A glance at the faculty on their website does seem to confirm a strong theoretical/critical approach, but you'd have to find out who's leading classes and workshops you'll be taking. The flip side is that it looks like you could genre-bend like crazy.<BR/><BR/>If you do find that CalArts is not for you, that doesn't necessarily mean you should fling yourself to NYC. Call/email more faculty and students at New School to get a more complete picture. If you've still got the bad vibes about New School, as Megan says, consider reapplying next year to CA schools.Bolivia Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456888682134585210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-86008078640491763372008-04-23T23:17:00.000-07:002008-04-23T23:17:00.000-07:00Aliistar--Yesterday I spoke to a former faculty me...Aliistar--<BR/><BR/>Yesterday I spoke to a former faculty member of CalArts, who taught there for 27 years, and he flat out told me, "You don't want to go there." There are a few good faculty there; he mentioned Steve Erickson as one of them, he has published and I was told if he likes your work he's a great help, but I was told the majority of the faculty there are not even writers, that they were critical studies faculty that became writing teachers when the program started. Also, the philosophy of a lot of the people there is that to publish is to sell out. This sounds completely ridiculous to me--why spend $60,000 dollars to not publish? Having the chance to experiment seems great, but it definitely doesn't seem worth the money, especially if the faculty themselves have little experience in actually writing and publishing. Of course none of this is firsthand knowledge, but the guy I spoke with was a really nice guy and seemed to just want to look out for my own interests. Maybe it's a good program for some, but I have now crossed CalArts off my list. If you really want to stay in SoCal, you may want to reapply next year.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920152513474969737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-63204430136611533202008-04-23T18:50:00.000-07:002008-04-23T18:50:00.000-07:00aliistar--Your second paragraph gives a clear indi...aliistar--<BR/>Your second paragraph gives a clear indication of where you don't want to go. If you have bad vibes from a visit, listen to those intestines speaking loud and clear. New School may have a better faculty, but if you hate the experience or don’t get the personal attention, is it worth it? And while the school may be $10K cheaper, the NYC cost of living plus a move across country (and the occasional plane trips back and forth to CA to visit family) will eat any savings you have (although, I'm assuming the CalArts cost of living is slightly cheaper than NYC). Personally, I'd pay $20K for more sunshine and the midwest is not nearly as dreary as NYC; since you mentioned weather, it's probably a major factor for you. Also, don't underestimate the cost of time and emotional stability that a major move entails—not just the actual move but the first six months to a year of figuring out where everything is, and adjusting to different social customs and attitudes, especially if you're all alone. Romance burns off fast; choose New School only if there's some special factor that trumps all of your concerns and that will enhance your writing. <BR/><BR/>Ratings don't mean all that much in the end, and schools can shoot up or fall steeply in rankings in a few short years, so don't let that be your stumbling block. I'm not sure about the program at CalArts, but does it offer the kind of environment that you feel will enhance your writing? Look back over the posts on art schools and consider if that kind of approach will enhance your writing. Talk to some of the CalArts students if you haven't already; that may help assuage some of your concerns about personal attention and the quality of teaching (remember, big famous writer doesn't always translate into great teacher). <BR/><BR/>Remember, too, you can always visit NYC and even think about summer internships or some such to get that NYC experience.Bolivia Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456888682134585210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-86527335466031578342008-04-23T15:25:00.000-07:002008-04-23T15:25:00.000-07:00I think my head will explode if I don't make this ...I think my head will explode if I don't make this decision soon. I've been accepted to New School and CalArts. Any thoughts?<BR/><BR/>I'm from So. Cali and I love it here so CalArts wouldn't be a huge adjustment. I've met faculty and students and all were friendly, helpful and positive. I plan to live in the So. Cal area in the future so any contacts I make will definitely be easy to take advantage of later. The only thing that's keeping me from making the final decision is the cost. And the fact that this "art school" isn't ranked.<BR/><BR/>The New school however has a much better faculty list, is 10,000 cheaper, and has NYC at its fingertips. Also, I'm pretty sure it's ranked in the top 50 MFA programs according to one list I read. However, when I went to visit, no one was particularly forthcoming. I had to badger one student for answers about the program! I fear I may not get a very personal experience if I chose to attend. Also, the weather sucks in NY and the city isn't quite what I'm used to in Cali. I have romanced over NYC for some time and I don't want to let a good opportunity go to waste here, but I'm gut is telling me to stay in Cali. <BR/><BR/>Help!aliistarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00189608650021533800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-34977908194549864332008-04-21T13:38:00.000-07:002008-04-21T13:38:00.000-07:00Just a comment on the other midwest debate. The mi...Just a comment on the other midwest debate. The midwest has a lot of great poetry and Des Moines definitely has a ton of writers, but U of I workshop is fairly blah. The midwest bites because the weather stinks. There was snow on the ground in southern Iowa (where I currently am) from the middle of November to the third week in March. <BR/><BR/>I chose to apply to schools in the south because the weather is so much better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-53566312179847091752008-04-21T13:29:00.000-07:002008-04-21T13:29:00.000-07:00I was accepted to McNeese-Poetry.I was accepted to McNeese-Poetry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-66939448918032709272008-04-17T16:53:00.000-07:002008-04-17T16:53:00.000-07:00for megan,I just called UCR yesterday. They said t...for megan,<BR/><BR/>I just called UCR yesterday. They said they didn't expect to receive the volume of applications this year, and that they're STILL in the process of deliberating the cohort for next year, and will be until May 5! With CalArts, I've had to really do the rounds of calling and emailing before I get a response. It's hard because you wonder what they do with the $32K tuition/year, with minimal financial support. Keep calling and emailing, and make sure your questions are answered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-33442018230160279512008-04-17T13:46:00.000-07:002008-04-17T13:46:00.000-07:00I have yet to hear anything from UC-Riverside. I'm...I have yet to hear anything from UC-Riverside. I'm beginning to wonder if this is because I was already accepted into their PD extension program a while back, but I applied to both. I still would like to hear something from Riverside, as funding would be a huge plus, and PD offers none, at least not for the first year. If rejections are going out already, why haven't I gotten one? I'm beginning to wonder if they are going to contact me at all. Same with UCI. Annoying.<BR/><BR/>On the other side of things, I'm still trying to decide between CalArts and UCR-PD, but CalArts has yet to return my call about financial aid and a campus visit. Really makes me feel like they want me there... And I'm beginning to wonder if I should just wait a few years to go at all. I'm lost.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920152513474969737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-91566989833020893392008-04-17T13:31:00.000-07:002008-04-17T13:31:00.000-07:00Congrats Mito and Alison! Thank you for the updat...Congrats Mito and Alison! Thank you for the update.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-72231218631265062282008-04-17T09:50:00.000-07:002008-04-17T09:50:00.000-07:00Mitocondrial, Also accepted offer from UCR. Maybe...Mitocondrial, <BR/>Also accepted offer from UCR. Maybe we'll have a chance to talk before then. If not, see you soon! <BR/>AlisonMs. Saucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06518880878266754491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-42729638470403995512008-04-16T21:58:00.000-07:002008-04-16T21:58:00.000-07:00Hi Joeyd- This is the personal info. I have on Cal...Hi Joeyd- <BR/>This is the personal info. I have on Cal State Long Beach: I got accepted there (poetry) and given alternate status (fiction). I declined the poetry offer, as I've accepted an excellent offer from University of CA-Riverside in fiction. I've rec'd no more word from CSULB's fiction folks.<BR/>Take care and best of luck.ATBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00914165783036268767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-37943510381700900212008-04-16T14:14:00.000-07:002008-04-16T14:14:00.000-07:00Cas,That's cool. Good luck, and have fun!Cas,<BR/><BR/>That's cool. Good luck, and have fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-4617205156856642382008-04-16T11:16:00.001-07:002008-04-16T11:16:00.001-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.cashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09651768618585109547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-50841406677647418862008-04-16T11:16:00.000-07:002008-04-16T11:16:00.000-07:00joeyd,I was accepted into Antioch and I decided to...joeyd,<BR/><BR/>I was accepted into Antioch and I decided to go and like you I'm accepting a program with no funding. The program seem great so I'm going to chance it and try to get funding later or a job that will pay for it.cashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09651768618585109547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-87562106092567532292008-04-16T11:03:00.000-07:002008-04-16T11:03:00.000-07:00Anyone still waiting to hear from Columbia Univers...Anyone still waiting to hear from Columbia University?The Otherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02048007230100943380noreply@blogger.com