tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post3817608869128510691..comments2024-03-28T02:14:08.783-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: Mailbag (Jun. 17)Tom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-24734595155875964512010-07-26T06:50:27.531-07:002010-07-26T06:50:27.531-07:00I just put a new mailbag up, FYI...I just put a new mailbag up, FYI...Nancy Rawlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612031503087329517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-5091295043746451672010-07-25T23:57:46.664-07:002010-07-25T23:57:46.664-07:00Hey all. I've been putting MFAs on the backbur...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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Congrats to all who are gearing up to start classes. That's awesome that you're almost there, woot.lalaland626https://www.blogger.com/profile/09168405733767702432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-74557594341022986522010-07-25T23:41:15.425-07:002010-07-25T23:41:15.425-07:00re: people from last cycle still hanging out. I ch...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!Jason R Jimenezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924090640084915959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-61150084109975492092010-07-25T09:22:10.093-07:002010-07-25T09:22:10.093-07:00@Laura T
I'm attending Idaho in the Fall. On...@Laura T<br /><br />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.laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03447812143209824024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-40190175018401766452010-07-24T12:04:47.732-07:002010-07-24T12:04:47.732-07:00I'm still here, too. I'll be moving to Co...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.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00374250073077357021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-73184132739502137632010-07-24T07:53:00.565-07:002010-07-24T07:53:00.565-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.herglandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020910888518583749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-2320179560218224092010-07-24T05:59:59.128-07:002010-07-24T05:59:59.128-07:00@umlrenic,
I'm still checking in here! Moving...@umlrenic,<br /><br />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!Danielle Wheelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17672706949093017524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-71344210914440216652010-07-23T19:27:31.714-07:002010-07-23T19:27:31.714-07:00umlrenic,
Re: Still using the boards
Yeah, I sti...umlrenic,<br /><br />Re: Still using the boards<br /><br />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.Sequoia Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11495040484715832055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-79305325822758091212010-07-23T19:17:08.143-07:002010-07-23T19:17:08.143-07:00@DigAPony, Megan
Thanks, your vibes are appreciat...@DigAPony, Megan<br /><br />Thanks, your vibes are appreciated!<br /><br />I also find myself stressing. Then I remember it's is fucking awesome.herglandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020910888518583749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-22126037334409951712010-07-23T12:37:34.371-07:002010-07-23T12:37:34.371-07:00@ umlrenic & DAP,
I'm kinda freakin out, ...@ umlrenic & DAP,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />and I hate moving. all those books... why do I own so many books...many many birdieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02459242455449243030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-13327116089106298252010-07-23T11:56:12.975-07:002010-07-23T11:56:12.975-07:00@ umlrenic
I am still around! I don't move f...@ umlrenic<br /><br />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!Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14772590770981651567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-48953379293870861072010-07-23T05:19:08.044-07:002010-07-23T05:19:08.044-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.herglandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020910888518583749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-12077890989866358682010-07-23T05:09:14.346-07:002010-07-23T05:09:14.346-07:00Is there anyone using this board from the last app...Is there anyone using this board from the last application cycle? (I see kaybay is here) Anyone who is matriculating this fall?<br /><br />I'm so fucking nervous. I am moving in a week. Gah.herglandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020910888518583749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-78113409239775857852010-07-22T19:16:50.987-07:002010-07-22T19:16:50.987-07:00UCLA Extension is offering a new course for Fall 2...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!<br /><br />Preparing for the Fiction MFA m<br />X 461.56 English 3 units $525<br />There’s what the catalogs tell you and then there’s everything<br />else. This workshop is for the serious writer applying<br />to an MFA fiction program. Workshop pieces are the<br />submissions each student plans to use in their applications.<br />Your goal is to come away with rock-solid submissions<br />(stories, chapters) of a proper length for application<br />requirements—and that best showcase who you are as a<br />writer. Guest contributors from low-residency and fullresidency<br />MFA programs offer their perspectives on the<br />application process, outline a typical workload at their<br />programs, discuss what they look for in a recommendation<br />letter, and reveal the considerations that don’t show<br />up on the application sheets. Workshops are bi-weekly,<br />alternating with one-on-one instructor conferences via<br />email. For technical requirements see page 156. Enrollment<br />limited to 15 students.<br />Reg# V8787B<br />Oct 6-Dec 8<br />$55 nonrefundable.<br />Matt Debenham, MFA, fiction writer whose story collection<br />The Book of Right and Wrong (published in 2010)<br />won the Ohio State University Press Prize for fiction and<br />featured the Pushcart Prize-nominated title story “The<br />Book of Right and Wrong.” Mr. Debenham’s work has<br />appeared in numerous journals, including Roanoke<br />Review, The Pinch, Weston Magazine, Dogwood, Painted<br />Bride Quarterly, and North Atlantic Review.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-2986038429393841142010-07-22T09:05:34.691-07:002010-07-22T09:05:34.691-07:00Thanks Jennifer and megan for your reply to my gen...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!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243317741313446829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-72856363724932378502010-07-22T07:24:37.979-07:002010-07-22T07:24:37.979-07:00Quick question: are we anticipating an even greate...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 :(kaybayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09656442399144949657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-28133581916513052052010-07-22T00:49:30.359-07:002010-07-22T00:49:30.359-07:00@Nona — I'm going to begin attending Wyoming i...@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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />luling (dot) osofsky (at) gmail (dot) comPema Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683982386568355128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-39590824965951896252010-07-20T10:50:49.913-07:002010-07-20T10:50:49.913-07:00@ Charlie Gordon
No problem!
Here are the school...@ Charlie Gordon<br /><br />No problem!<br /><br />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):<br /><br />-Wisconsin-Madison (only open to poets this year)<br />-Iowa<br />-Hollins<br />-Minnesota State @ Mankato<br />-Wichita State<br />-Northern Michigan<br />-U New Mexico<br />-Colorado State<br />-Boise State<br />-U Idaho<br />-Oregon State<br />-U Oregon<br />-U Michigan<br />-Southern IllinoisAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14772590770981651567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-837234372066596682010-07-20T06:50:43.825-07:002010-07-20T06:50:43.825-07:00Great help! Thanks kaybay! Iowa, Syracuse, and V...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. <br /><br />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). <br /><br />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.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11508497384443459641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-67037239909365327342010-07-20T06:12:23.170-07:002010-07-20T06:12:23.170-07:00Hey Gena! Iowa does keep your application, transcr...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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />Hope that helps!kaybayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09656442399144949657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-38744948452152094892010-07-19T21:10:38.282-07:002010-07-19T21:10:38.282-07:00Hey kaybay (and anyone else who might know. I spe...Hey kaybay (and anyone else who might know. I specify kaybay because she's brought this up before),<br /><br />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?<br /><br />-Plain Old Fiction WriterUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11508497384443459641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-59766114261868788392010-07-19T17:26:43.181-07:002010-07-19T17:26:43.181-07:00I think it's very interesting how many of you ...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.<br /><br />Maybe the MFA Blog could create some kind of official poll to tally how many readers are interested in what genre(s)Justin Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00442227583781477286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-80319266764428913712010-07-19T14:50:16.726-07:002010-07-19T14:50:16.726-07:00@ DigAPony -
I'm sure that you've alread...@ DigAPony - <br /><br />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?<br /><br />Thanks!CharlieGordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00042827140797382666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-18709585414376816592010-07-13T16:00:03.573-07:002010-07-13T16:00:03.573-07:00@ Laura T,
I talked to someone at emerson who cha...@ Laura T,<br /><br />I talked to someone at emerson who changed genres, so I'm sure it's possible!<br /><br />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.many many birdieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02459242455449243030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-50022185228555761022010-07-11T19:42:22.991-07:002010-07-11T19:42:22.991-07:00Laura T -- I've also been drawn to CNF since s...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. . .Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.com