Idca

Yeah it did, sorry. Like @draconianstars said it was probably formulaic yet complimentary.

Well guys I officially got my rejection from Yale. They just sent me a status email 15 mins ago. Oh well, I'll get in another year. For me it's not about getting into grad school, but getting into that specific program. Anyway, since I'm just getting out of undergrad this May I have time. In the meantime I've applied to theatre companies to work as an apprentice next year, and I'll continue writing and producing. Good luck to everyone with your interviews and such! I'll continue lurking in the shadows and reading about your app adventures .

Wow, three of the interviewees for Yale are on here. Are you guys gonna have a secret sign when you meet? As for me, I'm still waiting back to hear from all the other places I applied. Congratulations to all the interviewees so far!

Hi everyone, Happy Holidays. As for the recommendations, no harm no foul. I of course realized its better to have letters that are more about you than the recommender. That said, I did make new connections, so again, no harm no foul. As an update, my play went well. A few mistakes here and there, but nothing the audience noticed. Also, my applications for grad school are in, but I'm now looking more closely at theatre company internships/apprenticeships in case I don't get into a grad school on the first try. @GlenwoodRed, sounds great! I went there last year, but didn't ask very much cause I was absorbing the experience. lol. Sounds like you got more information than I did. I hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi everyone, I hope your Falls have been going well. I'm actually only applying to two schools Yale and Juilliard because those two schools are the ones that have interested me so far. I'm graduating college in May, so I'll understand if I don't get in on the first try. If that happens I might look into more schools next time. To offset that I've also applied for the Fulbright to teach English in South Korea, and I plan to apply to companies for apprenticeships/internships with housing next semester. As for what I've been doing this semester, besides applying, I've been directing and producing one of my plays on my campus, and guys, now I know I do not want to be a director. Pray for me as my female lead STILL DOESN'T KNOW HER LINES and the play goes up next week! (groan). Also, I've been interning at the Walnut in Philly and I'm enjoying that experience. I've been getting to read/review a lot of scripts and sitting in on rehearsals. We've even extended my internship for next semester! On the matter of the LORs, I read that and went into hyper-drive. I found someone who works at my internship who went to Yale (an actress), talked to a recent playwriting grad who's a part of a facebook group I'm in, and I'm going to a lecture by a playwriting grad on Friday. The actress who graduated 20 years ago said that she did not have a Yale affiliate write an LOR for her, but she did have a big name director write one for her. The recent grad told me that it was NOT true. In fact here's her response. "It is certainly NOT true that you need a "yale affiliate" in order to get into the program. I had 2 (or 3? ...can't remember, ha) letters of rec from people with no affiliation to the program. I would suggest you seek out trusted collaborators, teachers, or mentors who really know you and your work...and who will be able to speak to your character and artistic integrity. Honestly: they'll look at your play first, and then read your rec letters just for more info on who the heck you are, as a person! best of luck on the process." If I can get close enough to ask the lecturer on Friday I'll be sure to tell you guys what she says about the matter. @plost5950, I don't think the resume review is that strict. I think that its more about the experience in the resume and does the resume look neat and polished, and not so much about specific categories the resume has to have. If a Theatre Administration and Casting categories makes your resume look more impressive than go for it!

Hi @lavendercloud, First off, Yay! It's been so long since someone posted in this chat. Second, I have found one or two internship programs like that (i specifically remember one in DC) and I had considered applying. I think I will apply to a few MFA programs and a few internship programs as well. Ultimately my goal is getting into Yale. I especially look forward to that resource website of yours.

Hi guys, I hope everyone's doing well. I actually have a question for anyone who's willing to answer. I'm soon to be entering my senior year of college and will be applying to grad schools, Yale namely being my first choice. If I don't get into a suitable school the first time around I wish to move to NYC, but I have no idea how I would afford it. I've looked up internships/apprenticeships like those at the Roundabout Theatre Company and the Playwrights Horizon, but I'm not sure those will help support me. Additionally, I'm wondering what happens after grad school when I'm trying to get my name out there. Where do usual playwrights who are starting out work? Ultimately, what I'm asking is what are the day jobs that you playwrights or playwrights that you know/read about have or have had? Any response is a helpful response, so thank you in advance.

I'm still here. First off, congratulations on getting into Columbia. I know you're confused right now, but remember to celebrate that. Also, Yale is my number one school as well (basically the only choice in my mind), so I understand your dilemma (but also keep in mind that that causes a bias in my response). I think that you should definitely weigh the cost of not going. If you can live with the the risk of not getting into Yale again and then having to reapply to Columbia, or worse, not get into any school next year, then go for your dream. Ultimately, you have to be secure with taking those risks. In order to do that make sure you think about it logically, but also take your own emotions into consideration. Consider how much money Columbia is offering you or rather, how much would you have to pay? How would your life work as you attend the school? Where would you live, expenses, the works.It's nearing the end of June, you'd have to get on that quickly. Lastly, your own thoughts on the matter (which i suppose you've answered) and the reputation. To my understanding the program doesn't have that great a reputation, but JUST recently the school announced that David Henry Hwang and Lynn Nottage have signed on as faculty there. This could be a sign that the program is on the up, especially since Hwang will be the director now. Look more into that before you decide. Now, consider the same things for the other programs especially Yale, and see where the best option is. One extra note I'll share is that I went to the December Visitor Day at the YSD. There was a section when the playwright hopefuls (9 of us) had a Q&A with the chair, Jeanie O'Hare. She spoke of one woman from the application process the year before whom she liked, but had a terrible interview. Jeanie said she was upset that the person didn't reapply for the '14 apps. This leads me to believe that while, hopefully, they are fair about their selection process, you having already interviewed with them will make you a better candidate. Especially since they didn't refer you to someone else like they did with the person who went to Rutgers earlier in this thread (though i don't know how often they do that). Perhaps sit down and write a pro/con list for Columbia vs. reapplying and then leave it alone for a day or two (or however long Columbia is giving you to decide, but I suppose not much) and then come back to it to make a decision. I just want to make sure you decide equally with logic and emotion. Lastly (and I'm sorry but I have to add this), I would love to hear about your past application process and your Yale interview experience. Also, if you ever need to talk more before your decision remember I'm still reading the chat.

Hi, just wanted to say that i read through this forum and it's really helped me. I'm applying for grad programs next fall, which terrifies me, so it's great to read about all of your past experiences. I'll make sure to comment when i start applying and during the waiting process. Thanks again.