exvat

[Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks!] NYU still employs 2 out of 3 professors that I wrote in my SOP I wanted to work with—and that ain't bad.

Also, a word of comfort for those—and their supporters/recommenders—who were surprised by certain outright rejections. The professor I talked with had assumed—assumed! without my even bringing up the school!—that I had gotten into UMass, my alma mater. He thought so highly of my poems and overall application (SOP played a significant role btw!!!!) that he couldn't even fathom the idea that Columbia would have me, but not UMass. I told him that I can't presume to know what sort of cohort they're building in Amherst, but it would seem I'm not a good fit for their vision. And I do believe the difference between an A and an R can be as slim as fit.

Just got off my post-email acceptance call with Columbia (poetry). Really lovely and chill convo, kept it very real. Affirming balance of encouraging me to make the best decision for myself, and really hoping I'll be their resident Old Poet in the cohort 😆 Will keep the option open until my other offer shakes out, but likely politely declining because of money. Maybe my spot and $20k will roll to someone for whom they'll make All The Difference 🙏

Meanwhile, congrats on SL!

🙏❤️

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, and I'm really glad you have the larger perspective you do. I commend your strength, resolve, and levity. And am SO happy that you have better options available to you! NYU is my only realistic offer, and I will almost certainly accept. So any and all intel/hot goss is appreciated🙏

Make it cosmic law

The only 2 poets I knew who were familiar with my work and could write letters were my former workshop leaders at weeklong writers' conferences. The third letter was from my Chemistry MS advisor... from 15 years ago. I'm not sure what your timeline and financial means are, but for me (who's never taken a lit/English course), workshops were pretty much my only access to potential recommenders, as well as writing community in general.

Yo, WHAT???? Are they trying to alienate applicants en masse???

The standard acceptance package at NYU is a half-tuition scholarship, so two years would cost roughly $40k total in tuition/fees. Gotta make at least $30k to survive semi-ascetic in NYC tho.

In undergrad, I used to go to the Yankee Candle Factory often, since it was a cheap thrill close by. I must have gone on pilgrimage to the candle epicenter of the world a dozen or so times, but never really considered the power I was absorbing while there, charging up for an unforseen moment in the future. Today, I release all that candle karma: may all you candleers get your acceptances 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️candle

Fingers crossed for yooouuuuu 🤞🤞 May you be at eeeeease 🙏

Congrats!!!

"Yeah, I obvs applied to the IWW—the Irvine Writers' Workshop."

Not to give false hope here, but I wanna remind anyone who needs it—as my loved ones have been VERY quick to remind me today—that it truly ain't over 'til it's over. I called my cycle a failure on Friday (with "98% of precincts reporting")... And then got accepted to my last two schools. It ain't over 'til it's over.