newengland1

Just curious--why Columbia but not NYU?

Hey there! I finished my MFA at NYU in 2018. I don't know if much has changed since then, but I'm guessing it's still fairly similar in terms of available funding, etc., given the department leadership hasn't changed. SO ... SOME people get full funding, but it's a very small handful of the class (which is roughly 24 students, a third of whom are playwrights--the rest are TV writers and screenwriters). I had to fight for my funding. As I was deciding which MFA program offer to accept, I asked for a meeting with the chair at NYU and he put me on a "needs more money" list. They wound up offering me a little. (Ask for what you want.) I decided to attend, mostly because of the reputation, cross-training emphasis, and quality of faculty and peers. I was given more funding as a surprise in the middle of my first year, and more on top of that as I started my second year--this was based on merit, I guess. I was very happy with the experience, BUT I was in a good thesis cohort, working intensively with Lucas Hnath for a full year, and Lucas was wonderful. My group had great chemistry and we loved, respected, and supported each other, too. Our cohort has done pretty damn well since graduating. The class ahead of us and the class behind us had a different thesis mentor (I'll share in private message if you like) and were unhappy with the experience. So, always pros and cons ... overall I had a very good experience and highly recommend the program if you don't have to take on debt. I'd be happy to speak about any aspect of it anytime, if that would be helpful. Feel free to reach out. And good luck!

True but just about 8 playwrights (I graduated in 2018). Then around 8 TV writers and 8 screenwriters.

I finished my MFA in 2018. It was not a golden ticket to anything. It did help me--most of all, by expanding my network and giving me a resume line that piques interest. I would have written plays even if I was not in school. However--- - I still have to network my butt off to get to know literary managers and other gatekeepers. - I still have to do the hard work of writing. - Even though I have an agent, I am still 99% responsible for earning things that happen in my career. These are the things careers are built on. Grad school, in contrast, is optional, and most of what you'd get in grad school, you can find other ways. Which isn't to say that you shouldn't go to grad school. Just that I don't think it's a magical portal to a career, and that careers in playwriting can happen without it. Feel free to disagree with me, of course. Curious to know what others think.

Hey only just saw this. Sooo ... - Everyone always has to fill out a FAFSA, and I think everyone gets considered for money. Some people were offered full rides, and others were offered varying amounts of scholarship money. I actually was not initially offered any scholarship money. Then I got into a different (free & stipended) program and went back to NYU and negotiated for a scholarship. They then gave me some (really not a lot at first), and after I started the program, they wound up quadrupling the amount I was given--due to merit. I don't know if everyone is given a scholarship, actually. - The best part was the level of talent around me. The playwrights were really strong. The faculty are stars in their various genres. This doesn't always equate to good teaching, but I felt I lucked out--most everyone I studied under was an exceptional teacher. Another clear strength of NYU is the cross-training in TV and screenwriting. Some programs offer a course or two in each of those, but they're longstanding areas of expertise for NYU faculty. It's useful, and you can take advantage of that to the extent that you want. - I would also say that the reputation has been helpful to me. I don't know that Tisch opens as many doors as quickly as Yale or Juilliard, but it's up there. Being in the NYC mix was also pretty helpful for networking. A few random examples: I feel I could easily get coffee with one of my professors who's in the writers room at Mrs. Maisel; I'm friends with Tisch film grads; Spike Lee made a phone call and got one of my peers an agent at ICM. And the program has strong ties to the Public Theater. - The biggest weakness is clearly the financial aspect. For most people, it is not a free program, and this is problematic. For this reason, the department can occasionally feel like a bastion of privilege. Other potential disadvantages of the program include: bigger cohort, and they don't produce your plays. Maybe I'm biased, but I didn't mind either of these things. - It truly helped advance my career. When I look at where I was career-wise just before entering, and where I was when I came out of school, it's kind of night & day. By the time I finished, I had an agent and a publication contract. I have a number of high-profile people who will write me letters of rec. I got a nice playwriting fellowship in NYC a couple months after graduating. Not everyone fares as well, and some have skyrocketed faster. But I think of the 9 or so playwrights in my year, the vast majority--particularly those who have been disciplined and productive about both writing and networking since graduating--have had some really nice things happen for them. Happy to talk more, on or offline! -c

Hi there--I really should stop reading this digest since I'm now almost two years out of my MFA program, but I thought ... perhaps I could be of service, having completed my MFA recently. I graduated from the NYU DDW program in 2018. I loved it but there are pros and cons. Happy to answer any questions about NYU, applications/admissions, or anything else that may be useful, at any point!

Congrats on getting in! Have you spoken to alumni of the program? If not, I'm sure someone there could put you in touch with a few. Good luck!

I should totally be getting on with my life and not posting here because I'm already in a grad program and about to graduate. But! Noticing that someone has gotten in when you haven't heard anything does NOT mean you're not also getting in. I learned this the hard way when I applied to programs. Anything could happen still. Have faith.

Yep. I applied to NYU two years ago and am a current student. I think I posted about it around late February 2016 but happy to answer any questions. Who is your interview with?

Me too.

@guacthisway, congrats!

@jnp809, good question. I'll PM you about it.

little update. i accepted NYU's offer. sent a quasi-heartbroken email to charles & erik at ohio today. also was offered a spot off the waitlist at CMU last week, and turned that down as well. so, if you're waitlisted at either Carnegie Mellon or Ohio, chances are there will be some movement. sending good vibes to anyone else still waiting!

Yep, got the same email. Kind of exciting, yet kinda mysterious. I'm also glad I can send a revised script. Good luck @jnp809 and anyone else who got this!

Hey all. Hope everyone's well. A few updates on my end: Rutgers: rejected, no interview, impersonal form letter Brooklyn: rejected with a form email that encourages people to apply again Juilliard: no word yet U of Guelph (in Toronto): accepted with partial funding; I declined the offer eventually Carnegie Mellon: I interviewed with Rob Handel yesterday via Skype. I'm at or near the top of the wait list. As of yesterday 6 offers had been made, and of those, one person hadn't yet accepted. He said I'd hear back this coming week. NYU-Tisch: accepted. Ohio: accepted. Weighing the merits of NYU and Ohio has been PAINSTAKING. I've yet to make a final decision -- waiting for Ohio's formal offer letter and also for NYU to see how much more money they can scare up. The two programs couldn't be more opposite, and I've spent a great deal of this past week talking with people and trying to gather info/anecdotal evidence. I visited Ohio, and had a fucking fantastic time there, despite my nerves. I met both Charles and Erik, all of the current grad students, got a tour of the theatre building/facilities and the town (which is surprisingly charming), attended several rehearsals, interviewed with a theatre historian I'd potentially TA for, and saw Midnight Madness (some great writing!). It's a very warm community and a really well-put-together program that seems to really dignify and nurture its students. The faculty are incredibly warm and open. I'll be making my decision soon. Good luck to anyone who's still waiting for news. I hope the coming months bring lots of creative energy to all. (If anyone has further questions about my experiences with Ohio, NYU, etc., feel free to PM.)