tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post5028688861287672468..comments2024-03-28T02:14:08.783-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: November Mailbag/Where Are You Applying?Tom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-51074301153081628092010-02-17T18:05:30.694-08:002010-02-17T18:05:30.694-08:00MFA in Poetry (applying Jan 2011).
I really narro...MFA in Poetry (applying Jan 2011).<br /><br />I really narrowed it down to two, because of funding and location (and I am excited about the programs and faculty) There are really only two places I want to live at this point in my life...either near my parents in PA, or near my inlaws in MI...<br />SO I'm applying to both PSU<br />and UofM Ann Arbor.<br />Since I'm only applying to two schools, I know I will be wigging out.bttrflyscarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11528604993293399160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-19350707844009048382010-02-17T18:05:24.607-08:002010-02-17T18:05:24.607-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.bttrflyscarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11528604993293399160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-10531264145455547642010-01-05T09:31:37.808-08:002010-01-05T09:31:37.808-08:00I'm applying for MFA's in Fiction. Schools...I'm applying for MFA's in Fiction. Schools are listed randomly:<br /><br />UC at Irvine<br />Texas Michener Center<br />Texas Tech<br />Vanderbilt<br />Cornell<br />NYU<br />Florida State,<br />U of Florida<br />U of Arkansas<br />U of Virginia<br />Florida International University<br />John Hopkins<br /><br />Good luck to all applicants, and many thanks to the hosts of this site.studearnleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02204422908202236121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-4499102543603159072009-12-30T00:33:08.406-08:002009-12-30T00:33:08.406-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.JLRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166111988061925847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-85221033967391155522009-12-25T13:24:43.225-08:002009-12-25T13:24:43.225-08:00Fiction ranked in order of preference:
Brown
Iowa...Fiction ranked in order of preference:<br /><br />Brown<br />Iowa<br />Wisconsin (Madison)<br />Vanderbilt<br />Irvine<br />Oregon<br />Washington (St. Louis)<br />Arizona (Tucson)<br />UCDavis (MA program)<br /><br />At this point I'm wishing I had picked a few more fall backs considering Arizona and Davis are not much of fallbacks. But I have to get close to full funding wherever I go just in order to be able to afford it. (I'm still paying off undergrad loans at 30.)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06887788309709959398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-10306078689202500192009-12-17T15:11:57.904-08:002009-12-17T15:11:57.904-08:00better late than never with this comment i suppose...better late than never with this comment i suppose :)<br /><br />my list in no order of preference, just what came to mind first:<br /><br />pacific university<br />portland state<br />university of oregon<br />oregon state<br />university of washington<br />western washington<br />pacific lutheran<br />seattle pacific<br />notre dame<br /><br />in case anyone noticed, notre dame sticks out like a sore thumb. i'm not from oregon or washington and am actually a so cal girl who fell in love with the pacific northwest. the decision to apply to notre dame was made <b> today </b> after a slew of emails i've been getting from them and an application waiver code.<br /><br />that said, i would love to get into one of them. just one :) at least to make the expense of the gre, transcripts and application fees worth it.d.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18027711561638269128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-55040806999260377692009-12-15T20:44:27.252-08:002009-12-15T20:44:27.252-08:00Hey! I'm commenting late on this, but I do hav...Hey! I'm commenting late on this, but I do have a few questions. I had originally planned on applying to several schools, but the idea sort of fizzled out over the summer. I've been through the whole stressful application process before and I wasn't looking forward to round 2. Last year, during my senior year, I applied to NYU's J-school in magazine writing and got accepted, but I didn't go (deeply regretting that decision now). <br /><br />I figured that since I minored in creative writing, why not try for a masters in creative non-fiction (during undergrad, I preferred my CW courses to my J courses). Anyway, I really wanted to apply to a NY school, but I believe most deadlines are coming up, if they haven't passed already. Sarah Lawrence was at the top of my list, but tuition is RIDICULOUS! I considered University of San Francisco and Mills college too. But I'm thinking of just applying to Chatham University. What's your opinion of the school? Something about the uniqueness of their program appeals to me. Plus their online application is free! <br /><br />I just hope this is my calling. Like many insecure writers, I'm always questioning, "am I good enough?" Sadly, it was those same insecurities that kept me from going to NYU. Anyway, ha ha, now that I've blabbed on and on, any suggestions? Again, I'm interested in creative non-fiction, are there any other options besides Chatham with deadlines pushed later? Chatham does have a priority registration for 3.5, but I have a 3.492 (sucks!), so I have to wait for after December. Oh, and the whole not driving thing that some of the other people on here mentioned, I'm in that situation too! (so don't feel too bad).Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06740017593364195199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-91077914811675725132009-12-01T07:06:55.170-08:002009-12-01T07:06:55.170-08:00I did my part. I corraled transcripts from the var...I did my part. I corraled transcripts from the various colleges/universities under the different names; I sent my sample; and I wrote my personal statement. Now all I can do is watch and wait. <br /><br />Unfortunately, one of my references has been slow--promised the recommendation would be done but the deadline is today... What happens if it is late? Am I out of luck just because of that? <br /><br />Now I have to concentrate on getting my daughter through her application process. If she fails gym again she's going to have a problem.MommyJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04041202705049426880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-6382657109517971632009-11-30T13:41:54.394-08:002009-11-30T13:41:54.394-08:00My list:
Brown (already applied and everything is ...My list:<br />Brown (already applied and everything is in!)<br />Tx michener<br />Vtech<br />George mason<br />Thinking about siuc<br />U of maryland<br />American university<br />Fau<br />Arizona state<br /><br />I was accepted to u of san fran this fall but deferred. Hoping I can get a better financial package. Good luck everyone!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-91467158026106368202009-11-30T02:31:21.279-08:002009-11-30T02:31:21.279-08:00no one applying for MFA in film and video?
m plann...no one applying for MFA in film and video?<br />m planning to apply to School of art institte of chicago and<br />Rhode Island school of design. i dont have any background or experience in the field of film making but all i have is passion for it. made a few short films during my bachelors in mechanical engineering. putting them in my port folio. just trying to convey what i feel and what i am and why i want to get into this field through my personal statement.<br /><br />any comments?GUSTOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10331144791917210413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-60350881779195725682009-11-23T19:42:16.102-08:002009-11-23T19:42:16.102-08:00dani,
if you know you want to apply, you might wan...dani,<br />if you know you want to apply, you might want to go ahead and ask your recommenders if they'd be willing to write you a letter, even if you don't exactly know which schools you are applying to yet. that way, at least they have a heads up and you're not asking them at the very last minute. <br />i am really late going in this process too, but it's ok, i know it's cliche, but one step at a time. <br />you can do it!Pema Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683982386568355128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-87579548038027848462009-11-23T12:11:09.693-08:002009-11-23T12:11:09.693-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12873844615515659610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-62545428153667145772009-11-23T12:11:05.307-08:002009-11-23T12:11:05.307-08:00Apply to UNCW ya'll.
We're awesome!Apply to UNCW ya'll.<br /><br />We're awesome!Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12873844615515659610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-39031288509765024082009-11-20T09:17:49.817-08:002009-11-20T09:17:49.817-08:00Dani,
First--stop freaking out. You totally have t...Dani,<br />First--stop freaking out. You totally have time to do this if you want to. I don't believe any school deadlines have passed yet. <br />Second--go get yourself "The Creative Writing Handbook: A Guide For Prospective Graduate Students" and read it immediately. This book saved my life. It has a comprehensive outline of the top writing schools, and really great advice on writing personal statements, requesting letters of rec, everything. It's amazing. Go buy it. Now. <br />Third--Put everything off until you've got this out of your system. Take the weekend and read the book and figure out where you want to apply and draw up a chart of all the things you need to do. Surprisingly, it's really not as hard as you might think.<br /><br />Good luck! I hope this helps!<br />-RachelRachel Hurnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04138498124183973168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-7266736841585788072009-11-20T05:55:05.759-08:002009-11-20T05:55:05.759-08:00I'm really freaking out. It's getting tow...I'm really freaking out. It's getting towards deadlines, i really want to apply, and I haven't finalized a list yet. Can someone, anyone contact me and help me out before it's too late?!October Revolutionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18413802324653942899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-87932605114348726292009-11-16T17:00:35.995-08:002009-11-16T17:00:35.995-08:00salt,
I live near Providence. The public transpor...salt,<br /><br />I live near Providence. The public transportation is pretty good, and Providence is quite small, so it's not hard to get around without a car. Brown (where I assume you're applying) is near lots of shops, restaurants, etc., and a short walk away from downtown Providence with its theatres, mall, office buildings, and lots more restaurants and coffee shops. There's a train station and a bus station downtown. You can catch buses to other places in RI, but once you get out of the city, the public transportation isn't that good -- so if you plan on venturing out of Providence and exploring RI, a car would probably be best. On the other hand, if you're going to stay mainly in the city, you might not need a car. Providence is pretty small so it can get boring -- but then I find that most people would sooner catch a train to Boston than go wandering around RI.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243317741313446829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-69382497888291359052009-11-15T17:44:00.240-08:002009-11-15T17:44:00.240-08:00luling,
Thanks for passing on the info on Tucson ...luling,<br /><br />Thanks for passing on the info on Tucson and for understanding my driving dilemma. I planned on biking and walking for the rest of my life but you never know, i might end up submerging myself into car culture sooner than i think.<br /><br />ashley,<br /><br />thanks for your thoughts on VCU and Richmond. I am actually still open to adding schools to my list. I'll look into their program.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-3948539044555971672009-11-15T17:00:18.192-08:002009-11-15T17:00:18.192-08:00...but you probably don't want to apply to ano......but you probably don't want to apply to another school at this late hour. If you do, though, you may want to consider VCU.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01924056832133010409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-72225080760899730062009-11-15T16:58:46.382-08:002009-11-15T16:58:46.382-08:00Hey salt,
I grew up in Richmond and I have attende...Hey salt,<br />I grew up in Richmond and I have attended Virginia Commonwealth University for longer than I care to admit. Since the city of Richmond predates the automobile and mass transit by 100 years or so, it's fairly walkable and bike-able-- so long as you stay in town. If I didn't go to visit my mother in the suburbs every weekend, I would never use my car. Cheap, too; there are some really cool old Victorian houses that rent to students for between $370-500/month. Also, it's actually really easy to get from Richmond to NYC because of the infamous Chinatown bus, which, for about $60 round-trip, will pick you up at the CVS on Boulvard in Richmond and drop you off in Chinatown in Manhattan in only about four hours. (Sketchy, yes. But worth it.) Richmond certainly isn't New York-- people who say that the Fan neighborhood is "just like Brooklyn" are lying, lying liars-- but it has its charms. For the South-- and so long as you stay in the city-- it's not so bad. The Westhampton shows independent and foreign films, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is weirdly fantastic. And the writing faculty is pretty fabulous all around. I'd be applying if I didn't need to move the hell away from my family.<br />Anyway, good luck. Just thought I'd put in my two cents.<br />-AshleyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01924056832133010409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-6603273546779318932009-11-15T01:03:04.289-08:002009-11-15T01:03:04.289-08:00salt,
i'm also an NYC-born and bred city girl ...salt,<br />i'm also an NYC-born and bred city girl who doesn't drive. i visited tuscon last month actually bc my bf had a medschool interview there. i met with two current MFA students (both super nice) and asked them the same thing. one doesn't drive and goes everywhere on her bicycle, or takes the bus- which she says is decent. the other said she could not imagine living there without a car. unless you're deathly afraid of driving (which i can empathize with) maybe this is the time to become a driver! i'm applying anywhere that interests me and hoping the MFA will finally force me to do it. i'm also applying to UA and UNCW. if we both end up there, we can learn how to drive together!Pema Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683982386568355128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-52793185954338071312009-11-14T11:08:17.772-08:002009-11-14T11:08:17.772-08:00Rachel,
I'm nonfiction. What we have in commo...Rachel,<br /><br />I'm nonfiction. What we have in common is:<br />Hollins, Iowa and UNCW<br /><br />I almost applied to Portland State because I've been living in Portland temporarily. Don't think I can take the grey weather or the fact that Oregon people hate Californians. However, the program looks pretty great to me. Don't know about funding though.Kerry Headleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09602075635546406069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-472334503271734672009-11-14T10:47:10.530-08:002009-11-14T10:47:10.530-08:00Rachel -- I'm also applying to UNCW for nonfic...Rachel -- I'm also applying to UNCW for nonfiction, but that's our only school in common. My others: University of Minnesota, Ohio State, West Virginia University, and Minnesota State - Mankato.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00374250073077357021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-38067042184013343702009-11-14T10:33:18.058-08:002009-11-14T10:33:18.058-08:00I've took months to come up with this list, an...I've took months to come up with this list, and I'm pretty happy with it. Following this blog has also been especially helpful.<br /><br />For Nonfiction:<br /><br />Sarah Lawrence<br />The New School<br />Pittsburgh<br />Hollins<br />Penn State<br />Iowa<br />Portland State<br />Eastern Washington<br />University of North Carolina Wilmington<br /><br />For Journalism:<br /><br />Berkeley<br /><br />I'd love to get in touch with anyone else applying to these programs!Rachel Hurnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04138498124183973168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-15072555997155130032009-11-13T12:51:32.107-08:002009-11-13T12:51:32.107-08:00Hi everyone. I just realized my writing sucks. Wha...Hi everyone. I just realized my writing sucks. What seemed pretty good a month ago, seems pretty awful now. Just wanted to say that to the world. ;) Hope none of you are feeling the same way.<br /><br />Best of luck to all of you!Mike Sayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03186558439337375832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-19450198036632101042009-11-13T07:26:35.451-08:002009-11-13T07:26:35.451-08:00Dear Kaybay, Lyle, Brett, Lena, MSR, and Melanie W...Dear Kaybay, Lyle, Brett, Lena, MSR, and Melanie W: Glad to hear of your interest in Georgia College & State University (GCSU). Let me know if you want to talk (martin.lammon@gcsu.edu) or contact my assistant Rebecca Hazelwood (mfa@gcsu.edu). More info on our web site:<br /><br />http://al.gcsu.edu/mfa.htm<br /><br />Good luck everyone!<br /><br />Martin Lammon, Program Coordinator<br />GCSUMartin Lammonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18422535296272899739noreply@blogger.com