karosko

Remember, guys, as all the application FAQ sections suggest: it's easier said than done, but DON'T take these rejections as commentary on your self-worth or your writerly worth. Just remember that each person reading your sample is reading it along with hundreds of others. They're BOUND to have some reader's fatigue, and it's just about your application finding the right person at the right time, especially if you're applying for poetry. This is why we all apply at so many schools--because they're so competitive, yes, but also because we want to improve our odds of our sample finding the right person at the right time. Fret not, my friends and colleagues; if you keep trying, you will get in somewhere eventually.

Congrats, @gaudysideoftown! Any associated assistantship or aid?

Apologies abound! Now go get your ass into a school so you can celebrate!

Sorry, wasn't trying to imply that you didn't or don't work hard; I'm sure that you do. It was more clarification than a tip. And believe me, I know what you mean about being poor--I paid my way through school as well. We're all in this together, friend. Good luck!

Also, @DangerDetective--can't tell if you were joking, but instead of deliberately living below the poverty line just to get your fees waived, you could actually work hard and then save money to pay the fees...

Thanks for the congratulations, @Radesky and @sayantika!!! I'm glad I got in somewhere and am a longtime fan of Dorianne Laux's work, so I'm excited to potentially work with her as my thesis advisor. And she was very sweet and helpful in our (longish) phone conversation yesterday. To answer your question, @sayantika, I got an email directly from Laux, so I would guess that even though the poetry decisions have been made, that doesn't necessarily mean the fiction decisions have been made. I wouldn't sweat it yet. And if anyone else applied to/is wondering about the New Writers Project, I made a polite phone call this morning and they will be sending out decisions next week.

I applied to Minnesota, Syracuse, New Writers Project, Michener Center, and North Carolina St. I've already gotten rejections from Minnesota, Syracuse, and the Michener Center, and just today I got my first acceptance from NCSU (woohoo!). Now I'm eagerly awaiting word from the New Writers Project--anybody have any idea when they usually send out letters?