SeaLou

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Wanted to offer my two cents on the mental health/application cycle/rejection conversation. I haven’t posted here regularly in years but maybe I can give some comfort or clarity or companionship to some people. 
This is my sixth year applying. My first year: nothing. My second year: alternate at Indiana. My third year: interview at Ohio and shortlisted at UCSD, Yale told me to apply with a fuller resume and held my application open for a year. My fourth year: shortlisted at UCSD and accepted at a Texas institution.  Also a Jerome finalist. 
 
I went to the aforementioned program in Texas for one year but left after they refused to stage my plays: too violent, too queer, too whatever, too offensive to donors. Okay.
 
My fifth year applying, while enrolled as an MFA student, I was invited out to UCLA to meet with the faculty and was ghosted shortly after. A program, which I won’t name, invited me to apply without me expressing interest but later rejected me because the content of my plays. I understand this much more than the program wherein I was previously enrolled  and hold no ill will. 
Last year between cycles, I met with higher ups at a prestigious institution and was told to apply and was told they’d come check out my work. They did not and then flatly rejected me this year.
This year, my sixth, I interviewed with CMU then rejected. Waiting to hear from UCSD and Brown but I have low hopes.
All this to say...
Things are complicated. If you’re wondering how can I do this again or struggling with the pain of rejection, know it’s okay and okay meaning a plurality of things: fucked up, normal, political, and not a blanket indicator of talent. 
 
I’ll apply again next year but until then I’ll continue producing my own work and doing what I want. This does not always make me feel better.
 
In the year since I’ve left that Texas institution, I’ve produced two plays, performed in two productions and am now gearing up to produce and direct a charity festival. This also does not always soothe the pain of rejection. 
 
I imagine others have similar stories. I hope I’ve refrained from badmouthing any programs as my experience is not anyone else’s. Just wanted to touch on the common pain of rejection. 

Anybody heard anything from Brown? 
 
 

@emmadlemma got my UCSD rejection email today too : )
@LordQuas Most of the schools considered most prestigious offer full funding (some/most require you to TA for it). Yale, Iowa, Indiana, and Brown are fully funded but extremely hard to get into. Juillard's graduate certificate program I believe comes with a stipend? but is also near impossible to get into. Boston is fully funded as is I believe Arkansas. I've learned through my conversations with a student as ASU that it's not fully funded for everyone - it depends on what's offered and how well the student hustles for opportunities. I think UT-Austin, UT-Michener, and UCSD are all or mostly funded, but I'm not sure. Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, and the New School are nowhere close to it - at those programs most people accumulate a very large amount of debt. I'm not sure about Brooklyn College, Carnegie Mellon, Hunter, Ohio, Rutgers, Temple, USC. All state schools will at least have cheaper tuition. Programs that admit a lot of people, like NYU, Columbia, and Northwestern, tend to offer a lot fewer financial resources.
 

Waitlisted at Michner. Hope there are some folks getting good news today! Anyone heard from UT Theater and Dance?

Hey all. I just wanted to let you know that I have officially accepted my offer at Ohio University. I'm so excited to be going. Thank you everyone for your support. 

@SeaLou I just got off the phone with Charles.  One person declined their offer.  I hope this means good news for you!  Keep me updated with what happens.

Hey there, everyone!
A friend turned me on to this thread recently, so I thought I'd comment with the status of some of my applications in hopes of clearing room for some of you. I received acceptance to Rutgers this week and Carnegie Mellon last week, but have declined them because of my acceptance to Yale late last month. 
Best of luck to all of you still waiting! I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you. 

Hey @SeaLou I e-mailed Art at Iowa and got this response today: We receive a large pool of applications and can offer admission to a very small fraction of the pool. We have made offers of admission to three candidates. The process is highly competitive and unfortunately must exclude a number of talented and accomplished candidates. 
Also I know that Ohio has offered to 2 students already.  I have a phone call with Charles today.  Not sure that I will get the 3rd offer but I feel really good about it after my visit over the weekend.  That being said, I know that neither of the other 2 offers had accepted as of yesterday.  It's possible something has shifted since then.  Best of luck!  I would love it if we could be classmates there.

I wish @TBA1982!  Sorry!
I had a really great talk with Charles at Ohio.  He started off asking if I was still interested in the program and was surprised when I said yes.  He said that he thought I'd have three other offers from other schools by now and said that's a testament to how much he liked my work, which was really really nice to hear.  Honestly we spent most of the time with me asking questions and him selling me on the program, which he definitely did.  It sounds like it could be a perfect fit.  At the end of the interview, he brought up how small the town was that the school was in and asked me if I thought I could live there for three years.  I said that I definitely could but that if he offered me a place, I would want to visit first before accepting.  He responded by saying they are definitely interested in having me in the program and that I should visit.  So I am flying out next week, to see the last madness of the year and hopefully get some clarification.  I wish I had asked him if I'm in.  It sounds like my shot is good but I have no idea how many people they are talking to and inviting out there for the three slots.  

Just got this e-mail from Charles at Ohio
"I have been reviewing applications and am particularly interested in your material but have a couple of questions for you. Do you have time for a phone conversation either on Friday, April 31, or sometime next week? "
I have so many feelings.  What does it mean?!  But beyond all, thrilled to get some response from a school that isn't a cold rejection.  

Hey guys, just sending in an update: I've officially accepted my spot at Brown. I wrote to Iowa and Columbia letting them know they should pull me from consideration. I hope that clears the way and opens spots for some of you.
This is my second year applying - got rejected from UCSD, rejected from Yale finals, and I gotta say, it's so very comforting to have you guys here with me moving through the same stressful motions. I am deeply appreciative of everyone's support/advocacy and it's a true testament to our community of playwrights. Keep writing, please. I know I have to.  Sending you all so much love.

Hey guys, just received my finalist email from Art Borreca, so I guess Iowa notices are trickling out. Best of luck!

@jnp809 thank you! not seeing any sort of status update on my app. I guess we throw it back into the winds of fate for now. but please, vent darling, expel your venom onto the milky breasts of the internet, our hoary mistress.

I caved and emailed UCSD. They said if you didn't get a rejection, you're still being considered. Which makes me think they're choosing who to interview right now.

I did talk to Peter. He said that I submitted my application before they changed the policy on the website so they are considering me this year. We'll see what happens. 
Also stupid autocorrect I meant to say Naomi izuka!  Can't figure out how to edit the post on my phone

Thanks, everyone! Still in shock.
@TBA1982 I am holding off on confirming with Brown until I head to Yale and get a vibe for that program. I am still interviewing for Columbia with David tomorrow, which feels a little strange because I don't intend to give up Brown's full ride for that program.
Best of luck everyone. What an incredibly arduous process.