tansy, rue, root, & seed

awww, i think that would have been a really good topic! ❤️

I agree completely. It's absolutely morally reprehensible and unacceptable on the part of Georgetown English. I think making a separate thread to warn future applicants is an excellent idea! At the very least, you'll be saving people some hefty application fees -- and, at most, tens of thousands of dollars. I plan to write a letter to the department itself sharing my thoughts.

Just wanted to correct one of your claims here -- Brown, Columbia, and Cornell all have MFA programs! OP, I know people who have done the MFA > PhD route, the MA > MFA > PhD route, as well as the PhD > MFA > PhD route (doing an MFA in the middle of the PhD!), as well as the PhD > MFA route. It really depends on where you and your work are, right now, critically and creatively -- and also, perhaps, taking age into account. I have an MFA and I'm starting a PhD program in the fall, and I'm really glad I did the MFA first. It absolutely strengthened my applicant profile -- I've won a number of creative writing fellowships and prizes, and have a couple of publications in prestigious journals, which I likely wouldn't have had without the MFA. Not so much because the MFA itself made me a better writer, but because it gave me access to the literary world and its opportunities. It also gave me time + funding to mature as a writer. Also, people at the English PhD programs I've been admitted to have been very interested in and impressed by that aspect of my writing life, so I wouldn't discount what you're bringing to the table as a creative writer, or the possible appeal of your degree/background. I was also very generously funded at my MFA, so your situation, I think, is a bit different. Will you be able to live comfortably on the stipend the MFA program is offering you? One of the absolute best aspects of my MFA was being able to travel and save money, which totally transformed the first part of my twenties. Also, I've seen some MA English programs where a creative thesis is possible -- that might be something to look into! I think the best options here are a) do the well-funded MA, be proactive about seeking out creative writing opportunities, b) take a gap year, reapply to better funded, more established MFA programs. Congrats on your admittances! You have a wonderful problem on your hands. Getting into fully funded MA and MFA programs is nothing to sneeze at.

I too wish I had known this before applying, as I would not have applied. Frankly, I think it's irresponsible and dishonest of them not to clearly communicate this change on their website, since, as recently as last year, they were offering full funding to a handful of admitted students. What a waste of $117 (application + GRE score report fees). To future applicants: Beware of the now-unfunded Georgetown MA!

I also just received the Princeton email. I'm so sad. I'm choosing between Princeton and Yale, have already visited Yale (thank goodness their visit was scheduled before this madness!), and just have absolutely no idea how I'm going to make a decision now. It feels so lopsided to try to make a decision having visited one place and not the other. I was planning to also visit Princeton "unofficially" this week for a different event -- my boyfriend's presenting at a conference there -- but I'm assuming that, too, will be canceled. I understand the need for precaution, especially for those in precarious health and financial situations, but . . . the timing. Sigh. Also, yes, solidarity with the ongoing COLA strikes! When assembling my school list, I immediately ruled out the UCs due to the outrageous COL and meager funding.

I'm only trying to plan my life!?

Congrats as well on your amazing admissions success!! Looking forward to meeting you soon

(I think I posted this in the wrong thread?) Coming out of heavy lurk mode (I feel like I know everyone here!? 😭) to say that I was also admitted to Princeton today. I missed the phone call, but the DGS left a very nice voicemail and followed up with an email. Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting to hear back! x

Coming out of heavy lurk mode (I feel like I know everyone here!? 😭) to say that I was also admitted to Princeton today. I missed the phone call, but the DGS left a very nice voicemail and followed up with an email. Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting to hear back! x

I don't study film/media, but I applied to a mix of Africana Studies and English Ph.D. programs. I had my first interview today and am in the anxiously-waiting phase.