ctbck

smash that ~~heart~~ if these waitlists are driving you insane ?

Just got the kindest, most supportive email from Lisa at Iowa releasing me from the waitlist, as the offers made were accepted. Oh well...looks likely I'll be here next year as well (barring any plot twists from NYU), so, gearing up soon for 2022!
She did let me know (just wanted to share the info/details): Iowa accepts 3 students each year, fully funded/stipended, and you get full productions of your work throughout your time there.
--
Thank you everyone for all the information/advice throughout my first application cycle! I learned a lot through this process, and will be much better equipped and focused next Fall, with a revised list of schools. I've decided I'm moving back to NY anyway in about two months, and would love to connect with other NYC based playwrights.
Every program I have corresponded with has indicated that they had a record number of competitive applications this year, so we should all feel proud to have gotten this far. Plus, it's an extraordinary feat to have workshopped, written, or revised plays during a year when theatre is closed and we are basically doing our work in a vacuum (or on a ZOOM screen). Congrats all!
 

Hey!
So I applied last year to URTAs a bunch of other schools. I got an on-campus interview at UW Seattle, a finalist/on campus interview for BU, and a finalist/on campus interview for U Mass.
This year I reapplied through UTAs. I got a bunch of interviews the day of and a second interview for UC Irvine. I reapplied to U Mass, Montana, Baylor, Mankato, and U of South Dakota.
I got accepted into Baylor and Mankato. I turned down Mankato and accepted Baylor. I love Mankato’s robust program (and MFAs in basically everything) with a lot of directing opportunities, but Baylor’s program offered me full tuition + fees, required & subsidized healthcare, a much larger stipend, I would only teach (as opposed to potential shop or box office work at Mankato), and the classes for graduate directors are only for graduate students with specific coursework on directing various styles and types. I also like the idea of getting out of the Upper Midwest. I felt so weird saying no to Mankato, but I had to follow my gut. I interviewed 4 alumni, a current student, and I had a Zoom call with my old faculty from undergrad. In the end, you have to follow your gut.
And I like that Baylor courted me. I had some questions about the productions and coursework and the head called me and went through each class, its purpose, and how the productions work. I have been really impressed by the quality and “well-oiled” aspect of the program. I did not realize how much I wanted this in a program. When I have met with other “good” programs, so many of them were ripe with dysfunction. It was refreshing – so far – to be working with people who have their crap together.
I got to the final round at Montana but have not heard anything despite being told I should have heard back last week. So there’s that. I was one of 4 interviews for U Mass but got a no. That one stung, to be honest, but oh well, onwards.
Oh, and South Dakota is still in the process of interviewing me. I already accepted Baylor but it never hurts to hear about their program? I have heard incredible things about their work and great placement rates after graduating.
Can't wait to move to some warmer weather & start the next chapter in my life!

Well, I think I'm totally wrapped on applications this year. I received one offer (from UC Irvine) but decided to turn it down. While I haven't been formally rejected at every other school, I think it's safe to say I won't be heading anywhere this fall.
UCI was tempting because the financial package was great and there are many production opportunities. Ultimately though, I felt like the education and professional opportunities I'm looking for would be far better served at other schools, and that it was worth waiting. Even if I don't wind up reapplying, I feel like there are too many opportunities in the world to spend 3 years somewhere you aren't 100% excited about. Nearly everyone I've talked to about different programs has said something to the effect of "don't go somewhere you aren't incredibly excited about" and "make sure you know exactly what you're looking for from a program and how you'll get it". It was incredibly hard to say no, but I think in context of all the advice I've gotten, I had to. 
Just to wrap up how everything went for me (and to help future applicants who might be reading this):
- I submitted to TSU, FSU, and OU via URTAs but they did not interview me.
- I applied to Columbia and UCSD but did not receive an interview. I knew I couldn't afford Columbia, but I thought my work was very in line with their style and I just wanted to see how it went, basically. I was surprised that I didn't make it to interviews with them, especially considering how many students they admit.
- I interviewed with CMU, was called back for their digital campus visit (I was 1 of 10), but was told this week that I was not accepted. 
- At URTAs, I interviewed with UCI, UCLA, Boston, UT Austin, CalArts, and South Carolina. 
- Boston told me I was a finalist but that there were no callbacks. 
- UT Austin called me back for a second interview, but did not invite me to their campus visit. Technically, I am still waitlisted. They let me know that I was one of the top 9, but that only a few students were invited to campus. 
- UCI had two rounds of callbacks, the latter of which was a digital campus visit. At first I was told I was the first alternate, and then received an offer a few days later.
If I reapply next year, I'll probably be a bit more narrow in my selection. I'm interested in reapplying to CMU, UT Austin, and UCLA. Plus next year Yale, Brown, NU, and Brooklyn will all be back on the table (knock on wood!). If nothing else, I feel like applying was a great clarifying process for me artistically, and I learned a lot about the graduate program ecosystem. No regrets on applying (except maybe giving $100 to Columbia) -- not like we have much else to do these days. 
Congrats to everyone accepting offers! I would love to hear other people's "closing thoughts" or summaries of how your app process went. It's been great to hear from people on here, since we obviously aren't meeting in person at school visits etc. 

Ok so, I am headed to Ohio University this fall. They have offered funding, but I do still need more.  I have been STRUGGLING to find grants or scholarships outside of fafsa (i'm working on setting that up).  I feel like I am in the dark on this topic. Any tips on where to start? where to go?
 

My plan is to wait until after March 15th before emailing. My application changed from "Under Departmental Review" to "Pending Decision" which makes me think it's coming sometime this week. 

Update: turns out I just needed to check my email. I'm waitlisted at DePaul! 

in @ ut. cried on the floor. wrote my mom a poem. danced to sylvan esso. monday!

Hi, @quarantini33 -- IU Bloomington is now accepting apps due April 1. https://theatre.indiana.edu/graduate/playwriting-mfa/index.html The slot has just recently opened up (earlier in the year they weren't offering any slots for this fall due to COVID).

Fuck yeah, you're going to do great! CMU callbacks are tomorrow too all day (starting at 7am for me since i'm west coast  ).
I wore a suit jacket and shirt with no tie to URTAs, but it was so casual that I took the jacket off pretty quickly. I think the bar is pretty low when we're all sitting in our homes. I do think there's something to be said for getting at least a little dressed up though, just to get into the interview mindset. 

Tomorrow's my interview with DePaul! Nervous, excited, and feeling good about all my prep work. 

Here's a question: what have y'all been wearing for interviews?

I applied to Iowa, but haven’t heard any updates yet. Judging by last year’s timeline, there may be a little more time (looks like interviews/offers began in March in 2020). Hoping that’s the case!

Congrats! Where will you be attending in the Fall?

CMU has either notified finalists or made offers not sure which or if they are doing things differently this year.  I was waitlisted again this year, but alas I am going to my choice B program which I am very grateful for, even though much is unknown with the pandemic.  @LittleViking131 yeah I hate that many of the schools don't send out no's until very late.  

UMass Amherst already has offers out, I believe. 

CMU sent out interview requests today!

I really thought that I could walk away after hitting submit without thinking too much about it or becoming obsessed, but the more I hate my interim job, the more I hit refresh. 
OCD, much. Much OCD.
 
 

Oh awesome. Just DM'd you! Thank you!

@ctbck I was a finalist at DePaul last year, I'm happy to give some insight, DM me if you'd like to.  Otherwise break legs!!!!  

Can confirm, UT Austin has contacted finalists. BU and UC Irvine as well!
I've heard nothing since my interview from UCLA, CalArts, and South Carolina. Have heard nothing since applying from CMU, Columbia, and UCSD. 

Hi guys, thought I’d pop in and play the waiting game with you all. I applied to UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Northwestern, all (Theatre and) Performance Studies PhD programs. I have a Zoom interview with UCLA tomorrow ? if anyone’s at all interested, I can report back about my experience. 
 
Haven’t heard back from any other schools.... yikes

It begins!

Oh! Yes. I read your post as there was some updated details provided -- like an email or a social media post.
Thanks!

URTA update: I felt pretty good about my interviews! 25 minutes flew by with each school, so my only regret maybe is that I wasn't more concise with my answers. No questions out of left field, a lot of "why grad school?" and "where do you see yourself career-wise after grad school?", etc. I do primarily devised work, so I got a few questions about my process. I was asked to pitch plays for 5 of my interviews, but 2 of the schools didn't actually bring it up.
Every school that laid out the next steps for me indicated that callbacks would consist of more interviews. No one said anything about having to direct over Zoom (knock on wood). I asked a few schools about their plans for the fall in terms of in-person vs zoom, productions, etc. My main takeaway from that was just that no one really knows where we'll be at in the fall. 
Oh, and I know we talked about Boston a while back -- something I was unaware of is that they have a total change in leadership -- brand new program head. 
Anyone else interview yesterday? How's everyone feeling?
On a different note -- I think Brooklyn may not be taking a class this year for directing. They pulled out of URTAs, and when I emailed them about it and to ask some other questions, I got no reply. Anyone know anything else about it?

Interviewing with UT Austin, UCLA, UC Irvine, Boston University, CalArts, and South Carolina. OU, Indiana, FSU, and TSU did not elect to interview me. 
Yeah, that's my sense too with Carolina. Hoping to learn more about the program in the interview!