tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post8898612622741824066..comments2024-03-28T02:14:08.783-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: Mailbag, October 4, 2008Tom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-50195100185230638382008-11-11T17:28:00.000-08:002008-11-11T17:28:00.000-08:00Shana, I am in the same position, been out of scho...Shana, <BR/><BR/>I am in the same position, been out of school for 10 years and am not sure my old work is up to snuff for an expository writing sample. Yikes! I figured I would have to use one of them and hope it's not too horrible, since like you I will likely not have time to write a new one and the idea is pretty scary anyway. <BR/><BR/>Did you find out anything from the school? <BR/><BR/>Good luck!Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01422228819887965146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-19103095628785437382008-10-19T08:59:00.000-07:002008-10-19T08:59:00.000-07:00If anyone who is applying to UNLV is still looking...If anyone who is applying to UNLV is still looking at this thread. . . <BR/><BR/>Do have transcripts sent to UNLV directly from your school(s). I had copies of my transcripts and sent them and it wasn't good enough. . . they insisted I order them again and have them sent to them directly from the schools.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-68810907135667892752008-10-17T17:15:00.000-07:002008-10-17T17:15:00.000-07:00Indiana, Penn State, and LSU, to my understanding,...Indiana, Penn State, and LSU, to my understanding, are all fully funded. Pitt is drastically underfunded--I think I read that they offer 2 of those admitted full funding.<BR/><BR/>Check out Seth's P&W article posted on the blog, it lists all of the schools that offer full-funding to all admits.<BR/><BR/>-LJLuke Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485195273934420368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-17429301940753809262008-10-17T16:40:00.000-07:002008-10-17T16:40:00.000-07:00What does anyone know about the following programs...What does anyone know about the following programs--especially in terms of their funding.<BR/><BR/>Indiana<BR/><BR/>Penn State<BR/><BR/>LSU <BR/><BR/>PittFund mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05129500867256642175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-48523432177692896902008-10-16T20:56:00.000-07:002008-10-16T20:56:00.000-07:00Joe,That's so funny, I am in the exact same dilemm...Joe,<BR/><BR/>That's so funny, I am in the exact same dilemma in regards to the exact same school. Only difference is that I wrote my screenplay excerpt about a year ago. That is spooky. Perhaps we are anti-matter versions of each other, and when we get accepted to UBC we will have to fight to the death.<BR/><BR/>Um, but before that happens.<BR/><BR/>I'm just going with submitting the screenplay. They seem to be really proud of the multi-genre aspect of their program. I get the feeling that as long as we specify that screenwriting is number three, and fiction/non-fiction are our two strong aspects, then the points of proving our desires to be multi-faceted writers outweighs the negatives of submitting a just-okay screenplay. The "recommended" part on the form seals that for me.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to hear somebody else's opinion on this, and again I really have nothing concrete to back up this notion, but I thought I'd tell you what I'm doing.Jesse Thiessenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13247012640554403836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-38365137862047641232008-10-16T14:50:00.000-07:002008-10-16T14:50:00.000-07:00One of the schools to which I am applying, The Uni...One of the schools to which I am applying, The University of British Columbia, is a multi-genre program that requires people to apply in at least two genres, and recommends applying in three genres. How seriously should I take this recommendation? I'm applying in fiction and non-fiction, and I'm fairly confident in the quality of those samples. If I were to send in a third sample, it would be a screenplay excerpt, which I wrote several years ago. Obviously, I have progressed as a writer since that time. It's not that it's a terrible excerpt. It's just that I don't think it reflects where I am as a writer.<BR/><BR/>Has anyone applied to UBC, or been in similar situations at other schools? Any opinions?Joe Irelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930050743880875900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-45592901373481297732008-10-15T23:14:00.000-07:002008-10-15T23:14:00.000-07:00Hi,I'm not sure this thread is still alive, but wa...Hi,<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure this thread is still alive, but was hoping someone might have some practical advice.<BR/><BR/>I'm currently in an MFA program I'm lukewarm about - it's my first semester, so I'm going to give it another semester (it's a three year program), but just in case, I'd like to reapply to a few schools to keep my options open. I'm planning on looking into 1 school I'd gotten into but rejected (who had offered me funding!), 1 school i'd applied to but didn't get into, and 1 completely new school.<BR/><BR/>So a couple of questions:<BR/>1. How should I present my 1 year at my current program in my application? Should I mention it? Do I have to say something in my personal statement about why I am looking to switch?<BR/><BR/>2. When reapplying to the school I got into, should I reuse the same materials that I used last time (since it was good enough to get me in last year)?<BR/><BR/>3. Last year when I got my recommendations, I used two writing teachers from workshops I took outside of school (I was not a writing major undergrad), and one former coworker/boss. Should I be asking someone in my current program to write that third recommendation instead?<BR/><BR/>Any thoughts would be appreciated. I thought I'd be done with applications after last year too!Karissa Chenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040462951542159071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-72724122252946772722008-10-15T20:19:00.000-07:002008-10-15T20:19:00.000-07:00Does anyone know if there is a limit to the number...Does anyone know if there is a limit to the number of institutions one can send GRE scores to? I see on the front page of the ETS website that additional reports cost $20 per school; I am really hoping they'll report scores to all 11 schools I'm sending apps to. <BR/><BR/>Anyone know?farrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09406960297115415190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-73948508330211697342008-10-14T15:00:00.000-07:002008-10-14T15:00:00.000-07:00mighty armadillo -- I would say definitely talk ab...mighty armadillo -- I would say definitely talk about how your writing process has grown, but I also say don't talk about how you didn't get in before. just my 2 cents.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-74191998186921105072008-10-14T09:52:00.000-07:002008-10-14T09:52:00.000-07:00I have a question about my SOP. Would talking abo...I have a question about my SOP. Would talking about how a first, failed attempt at MFA applications changed my processes as a writer and caused me to reevaluate myself be a good idea or a bad one? I feel compelled to write about the experience, but I don't want to draw too much attention to my failure. Any thoughts?MightyArmadillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09932580117838662555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-90538466557635968382008-10-13T19:38:00.000-07:002008-10-13T19:38:00.000-07:00Caitlin -- God I hope not. I took the GRE on Satu...Caitlin -- God I hope not. I took the GRE on Saturday and scored 640 verbal and 440 quantitative . . . that is 17th percentile on quantitative. <BR/><BR/>I don't think anyone will care about our quantitative scores.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-54260117954856255982008-10-13T17:37:00.000-07:002008-10-13T17:37:00.000-07:00David,I put off applying for years because of this...David,<BR/><BR/>I put off applying for years because of this concern. In my one of the posts on my blog (www.roadtothemfa.blogspot.com) I reiterated that very concern: "How do I know I'm good enough?" For me, I felt that my writing ability was strong, and yet somehow was unsure it translated to my work, my projects, the times when I was writing on purpose, supposed to be strong. Am I making sense? <BR/><BR/>I even had my work reviewed by several highly respected and knowledgeable friends, writers with MFA's, some of who were and are teaching in MFA programs. They gave me great and encouraging feedback and I still wasn't convinced. However, when I was ready to take that leap and apply, their feedback definitely strengthened my spirit.<BR/><BR/>My experience tells me that it may help if you have friends or associates with knowledge of literary standards provide you with feedback. Many "lay" folk would rave about my work, but it didn't make me feel better because I felt like, hey, you like Terri McMillan just as much as you like Toni Morrison. So for the sake of your goal, you'd want your feedback to come from people who are knowledgeable about our profession. (I write non-fiction also.)<BR/><BR/>Then, I'd say apply. I had such a boost of confidence when I was accepted and got such excited feedback from the faculty at the first program to which I applied. That confidence was solidified when I got the same reaction from those at the second program to which I applied.<BR/><BR/>I mentioned those same anxieties or uncertainties we share in a conversation with someone from school #2 (Bennington). She said she thinks that, to a certain degree, that may not ever go away. She also told me of another well published writer who said that from project to project he doesn't if the work's any good until he gets that professional feedback. <BR/><BR/>So, I think we familiarize ourselves with the standards, get feedback we can value, put work into our writing and then take the leap.<BR/><BR/>Hope this helps.<BR/><BR/>Toodles!Bluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00661631161943108812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-27677622087364379342008-10-13T17:30:00.000-07:002008-10-13T17:30:00.000-07:00farren,Definitely take your codes in with you, or ...farren,<BR/><BR/>Definitely take your codes in with you, or better yet, call ahead and ask the proctor if you'll be able to consult them afterwards (I didn't, and now wish I had...see my post above...)<BR/><BR/>If they don't allow you to, try to at least remember which departments of your three schools they want the scores sent to, because you'll be able to look them up by school name/department name at the end (I got there and wasn't sure whether to send it to English, Creative Writing, just the school main office, etc). It'll save you a lot of hassle.<BR/><BR/>Hope that made some sense.Jesse Thiessenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13247012640554403836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-86319874420219009402008-10-13T15:19:00.000-07:002008-10-13T15:19:00.000-07:00Would graduate schools really deny someone admissi...Would graduate schools really deny someone admission based on their GRE quantitative score? Prior to the two references I've seen to this idea here, I was under the impression that these scores really don't matter. I've seen stipulations on department websites regarding the verbal score (usually that it must be above 500) but nothing about the quantitative. I know the graduate school often must give the final "ok" on a candidate, but we're still talking about Humanities departments here, i.e. word people, not some faceless academic despot whose criteria for every worthwhile student involves the mastery of a subject they will never use again for the rest of their academic lives. <BR/><BR/>At least, this was the impression I was under. Am I wrong? I mean, I have a friend who applied to MFAs last year, scored somewhere in the 2-300s on the math section, and still got admitted to several programs. Maybe these weren't programs that required the GRE, but as far as I know, it's only your verbal scores that matter, if the scores matter at all.Caitlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852131902087675459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-43517324377580722232008-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:002008-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:00I am taking the GRE this Thursday 10/16. LOR packe...I am taking the GRE this Thursday 10/16. LOR packets are out--one has asked me to write the letter for her, which I have not yet done. I've requested transcripts but not yet received them. <BR/><BR/>All my recent work is in one place but not yet cleaned up and coherent as a whole piece of work--I plan to do that, and write that infernal SOP essay, after the test. I don't know which I'm dreading more! <BR/><BR/>I am really terrified I am going to BOMB the GRE. I am testing at 80% in the verbal and 55% in the Math. I know it's not at all the most important part of an application, but I'm pretty worried that I'll be turned away from a graduate school even if I make it into a program. UGH. <BR/><BR/>Everyone, should I take a list of schools/codes into the testing center with me? <BR/><BR/>Because I am a destitute waitress, I plan on applying to programs piecemeal. After I get results for the GRE I'll apply to schools whose admissions processes have already opened, then work, week by week and school by school, from there. <BR/><BR/>This thing is really starting to gain some momentum.farrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09406960297115415190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-51807363759810710622008-10-13T11:12:00.000-07:002008-10-13T11:12:00.000-07:00Hi.Thanks, everyone, for all the great information...Hi.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, everyone, for all the great information on applying to MFA schools. However, there's one thing that I never see discussed (maybe I'm just not looking in the right places), and that is, how do you know if you're good enough to be seriously considered for the schools you want to get into? How do I know what my chances are for the schools on my list? Or is it a crap shoot for everyone (as long as we're competent writers, of course)?<BR/><BR/>I understand the difficulty in determining something as subjective as writing talent, but we should all have a good idea of our own ability, right? How else can I make an informed and balanced decision regarding which schools I apply to? My chest-beating half tells me I'm better than everyone else and that I'll win a Pulitzer in my thirties, but my other half--the pitiful wretch who writes crouched in the closet--would rather poison himself than risk knowing his writing isn't worthy of recognition. <BR/><BR/>I know I'm not alone in this. So what's the deal?<BR/><BR/>-DavidDavid E. Grimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09169209383111744552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-86192250623541897022008-10-13T07:47:00.000-07:002008-10-13T07:47:00.000-07:00Hello you people.I am applying to MFA Nonfiction p...Hello you people.<BR/><BR/>I am applying to MFA Nonfiction programs for Fall 2009. Here is the thing: I've been in Cameroon for the past two years. I live in a village without electricity and I don't have frequent access to the internet. I will be here until December 5th or so. Because of this complication, I am not applying to any programs that have a deadline before January 1st. I figure that I need at least a month or so stateside in order to tie up any loose ends related to my applications. <BR/><BR/>The main thing that I am worrying about (today) is my letters of recommendation. I have already communicated with my recommenders and they are ready to recommend me, which is good, but I am trying to figure out how to get their recommendations where they need to be by the proper date. I know some of the programs that I am applying to allow recommenders to simply upload their letters online but what about those that don't? Any ideas?<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Michele Christlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04459436301248488055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-18692205005154149282008-10-12T15:50:00.000-07:002008-10-12T15:50:00.000-07:00bsquared86 -- that is bizarre. It is definitely o...bsquared86 -- that is bizarre. It is definitely on my online app. I wish it wasn't.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-65791851355999171022008-10-12T15:15:00.000-07:002008-10-12T15:15:00.000-07:00Jennifer:I must really be losing it, lol, because ...Jennifer:<BR/><BR/>I must really be losing it, lol, because I don't see a section on my online app called "Personal history." I do see a section called "Personal information" but all it requires is your name, DOB, SSN, etc. <BR/><BR/>Now, I googled the prompt you provided and it led me to UCOP PDF doc that says that the diversity statement will be a part of the the UCI grad app after Fall 07. Yet, I do not see that section on my application that I just started this morning. <BR/><BR/>This is so confusing! I see that I am going to have to give UCI a call on monday for clarification. Thank you for bringing this up!Bsquared86https://www.blogger.com/profile/00502834142392912270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-80826233989724584192008-10-12T15:14:00.000-07:002008-10-12T15:14:00.000-07:00adrienne,Do a search for CVs of creative writing p...adrienne,<BR/><BR/>Do a search for CVs of creative writing professors. Usually this will lead you to the pages of faculty at universities. Not every professor has his/her CV online, so you may have to click around to a few places before you find some good samples.<BR/><BR/>Good luck.<BR/><BR/>LizzyLizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01722516560885221073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-37063021316683561242008-10-12T15:13:00.000-07:002008-10-12T15:13:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01722516560885221073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-42248801740240089342008-10-12T11:52:00.000-07:002008-10-12T11:52:00.000-07:00More on Cal Irvine:When you go into the online app...More on Cal Irvine:<BR/><BR/>When you go into the online app (which fortunately you can save and come back to), you will see a section called "statement of purpose" and a section called "personal history." Each of these sections is a required essay. So if you want to see the different instructions for each, you can set up an online app, which you don't need to finish right away, and look at the instructions. I get the sense that they can both be pretty short.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-59007776258691722902008-10-12T11:42:00.000-07:002008-10-12T11:42:00.000-07:00Hi all -- This is the deal with Cal Irvine:The MFA...Hi all -- This is the deal with Cal Irvine:<BR/><BR/>The MFA website says they want an autobiographical sketch, which they say is a 2-4 pager that is a statement about yourself as a writer. The MFA website also refers to the University's required SOP, which is "more of an academic statement." So that is what the MFA program website says.<BR/><BR/>But then. . . I go fill out the online application part, and it has the space for the "academic statement" SOP, but it also has another required short essay in addition to that one -- and I'll just provide the instructions here:<BR/><BR/>In an essay, discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.<BR/><BR/>So. . . that is 3 essays total -- 1, the autobiographical sketch, 2, the academic statement of purpose, and 3, the diversity statement. Both 2 and 3 are on the online application as required.<BR/><BR/>Sigh. Yeah, the MFA website doesn't warn ya, it just comes up on the online application.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08887749173643713230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-6511252906075080352008-10-12T09:34:00.000-07:002008-10-12T09:34:00.000-07:00jennifer:I scoured the UCI online app and their CW...<B>jennifer:</B><BR/><BR/>I scoured the UCI online app and their CW program website and the only essays I've found are the 1-2 pg SOP required of all grad apps and the 2-4pg Autobiographical sketch required by the CW program. Those appear to be the only required essays.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about when you mentioned the diversity statement but I did see mention of a "Diversity Fellowship" that you can apply for seperately from your application and I am sure they require an essay. Upon further investigation it appears as though they are no longer accepting applications for that. <BR/><BR/>Please let us know more about the diversity statement (if it's not what I just mentioned). I don't want to miss anything in my application packet!Bsquared86https://www.blogger.com/profile/00502834142392912270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-20392065172383980312008-10-12T08:50:00.000-07:002008-10-12T08:50:00.000-07:00Jennifer--I would double check on this one. It mig...Jennifer--<BR/><BR/>I would double check on this one. It might be that your SOP for the program suffices and there's no need to complete these other three requirements. <BR/><BR/>I know Minnesota, for one, also surprises you with these essays on their online app. I've emailed to ask what the deal is, and another poster spoke with someone from the department and it seems MFA applicants can submit their one SOP essay for all three. I'm still waiting to hear back and will be sorely disappointed if I receive a different answer. <BR/><BR/>Sigh. I hear ya.PARTISANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03284870463043173399noreply@blogger.com