PlayWitch

Hey folks, got an interview request from Brown this morning. It was individual (not a batch one), so they're likely sending them out one by one.

I've yet to have the sense to fav this page, so I always see their name in the search. Heaven bless Dampka and what they've done for us the past decade

Dampka, Dampka, Dampka!

Dampka, Dampka, Dampka!

Sidebar: Does anyone else wonder how Dampka is? Dampka gave us this thread, and who knows what became of Dampka... I mean, what is Dampka up to right now? Things to think on as you anxiously hope to hear good news.

I emailed Brown a week ago and they said they were still going through applications. 

Hey folks, a few updates. I was one of the people who went on the UT in-person interview over the last couple of days. There were three of us on the trip, and one local Austinite had interviewed before we arrived. It seems as if they're going to choose the class out of the four of us sometime before mid-March. A couple of details that I didn't know going in: 1) Last year's class size was only two people, and it seems like it may be the same thing for this year, though no one confirmed that one way or the other while I was there, and 2) As of last year, the program is fully-funded for playwrights. The Michener fellowship (for which I am currently on the wait-list) funds one student and the Theatre & Dance department now funds the other (or others as the case may be). 
 
As for Hunter, I also live in the area, so I'm doing an in-person interview next week. I currently have not heard from UCSD or Yale, but I haven't been rejected either. Additionally, no news from Brown. I'm waiting on Brooklyn College and Iowa too, but I know that will likely be a while. 

i interviewed w/ Hunter yesterday at 3pm(EST). They said I was their first interview so they're just starting the process

I don't think anyone's gotten rejections from Hunter, though. I'm in the same boat with them and UCSD. 

Then take that as you guys must of made it to the second round. Because no news is good news. I wish you y’all luck. 

I don't think anyone's gotten rejections from Hunter, though. I'm in the same boat with them and UCSD. 

I don't think anyone's gotten rejections from Hunter, though. I'm in the same boat with them and UCSD. 

Sameee. With this and radio silence from Hunter this week I'm in this uncomfortable holding pattern lol. 

I haven't heard a peep from Yale. No rejection on the website, but also nothing about an interview. 

I haven't heard a peep from Yale. No rejection on the website, but also nothing about an interview. 

Hi all, I received a call from Yale earlier this week about coming in for an interview in early March, so they've moved on to the finalists stage.

I made sure to do so. Everyone post what you can! It only helps the next and current flock

Search for "dramatic writing" as well!

Hey, babes! Are you all posting your results to the results page, too? It's unusually quiet over there. I haven't heard anything yet, but usually there are a few people who have heard something by now.

UCSD Update:
I had a phone interview with Debroah Stein today. They're interviewing 8-10 ppl (her and Naomi). I should hear back in about 2 weeks

Hey folks, longtime lurker, first time applicant (Yale, Brown, Hunter, Brooklyn, Iowa, UT, UCSD).

I got my semifinal email for UT pretty recently, and today was video interview day (they seemed like they were doing them all back to back). Just wanted to let everyone know. 

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

Thank you, Kevin! If I'm lucky enough to get an interview, I'll hit you up!

Hi All, Just looping back about Brooklyn. I just checked in with the main admissions office about missing paperwork, etc., and they were super nice about it -- so that made me feel better!

In my experience with interviews – have gone in for Yale and Hunter in the past – they usually bring in just a handful of people, so at that point they already know and like your work. My sense is that schools are usually just trying to get a feel for your personality/who you are, and what you're looking for from career/grad program. Conversations have felt pretty personal and comfortable. Questions around what you want to focus on while you're there, why you want to go to grad school now, what you're working on. Also tend to ask questions about the play that you submitted – what you're still working through, how it's evolving, what inspired it, etc. Hope that helps! Happy to chat about my experience with both those schools via message if helpful.