where did you apply?
there are many programs with students practicing straight photography. mfa thesis shows point to this. schools that practice straight photography:
Hartford Art School (low-res program with online components and in-person meetings in different parts of the world)
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Yale
School of Visual Arts
Rhode Island School of Design
Columbia University (studio art mfa, if you are admitted to the photography department you have focused study with thomas roma who is a "straight photographer")
Arizona State University
University of Santa Cruz, Los Angeles (also studio art mfa)
Pratt Institute
Bard College Master Class (certificate, not an MFA, can study with "straight photographers" like Stephen Shore, Larry Fink, etc)