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feralgrad

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Everything posted by feralgrad

  1. feralgrad
    If you don't mind my saying so, you seem very hard on yourself. You sound like you think you're a failure, but you've accomplished so much. Frankly, the fact that you've done all this despite your mental health issues speaks to your ability and perseverance. It makes sense that you're nervous; PhDs do indeed take tremendous effort and commitment. However, I think you have the skill necessary. That said, if you're really anxious about feeling unprepared, there's nothing wrong with waiting to apply and working on your mental health in the meantime.
  2. feralgrad
    Weren't we all constantly teetering on the edge of a crisis our final semester of undergrad?
  3. feralgrad
    I agree with Nothingtown. As I'm sure you know well, the stigma against psychosis is high, regardless of education level. You could mention that you were hospitalized to show the gravity of the issue, but I wouldn't mention anything about mental health. It's BS, but you deserve a fair shot, and unfortunately most adcomms won't give you one if you mention mental health issues. Anyway, best of luck in your applications! My partner had to drop out of college last year due to psychosis, so it makes me happy whenever I see someone who's successful and living well with it.
  4. feralgrad
    I've been nervous about this too, as I'm pretty shy (which most people mistake for disinterest). However, I know many cohorts are tight-knit and have regular get-togethers. One of the programs I applied to does weekly readings at a faculty member's house. If your cohort isn't like that, consider suggesting a weekly/bi-weekly event.
  5. feralgrad
    This one was a wild ride from start to finish. Hope the OP is okay, but the "yeet" kills me.
  6. feralgrad
    Update: finally got in touch with the admissions staff this afternoon. The PDF application is outdated, and new applicants are not required to submit it. GMU creative writing applicants, take note!
  7. feralgrad
    If you're concerned about your next apartment's security deposit (obviously a major expense on top of the actual moving costs), you can look at subleases. That will give you more time to save up for the deposit for your next lease.
  8. feralgrad
    I posted this on the vent thread, but I was hoping someone could weigh in here. Earlier this month I received an acceptance from GMU's creative writing MFA program. When I last spoke with the program director, he said TA decisions would be finalized between 4/3 and 4/8. When I filled out my online application, there was a section labelled "Teaching Assistantship Application," to which I uploaded some additional documents. But when I was looking at the program website today, I noticed that there was a separate PDF application, along with an email address to send it to. It requested all the same info/documents as the regular online application. Will I be ineligible for a TAship since I didn't send in the separate application? Has this happened to anyone else? I've tried calling/emailing the department, but of course no one has responded.
  9. feralgrad
    Yes, I think it's a good sign! Your POI wouldn't take the time to contact you if they weren't very interested in you.
  10. feralgrad
    Oof, sorry, I completely misread your original post. If they asked you directly, feel free to say so, especially if you were accepted into prestigious programs and/or received funding offers.
  11. feralgrad
    From what I've seen, this is considered inadvisable. The only time it's wise to mention other offers is when you're negotiating funding.
  12. feralgrad
    I just realized I may have messed up my TA application at one of the schools I applied to (and the only one I think I might receive full funding at). There was a section in the online application called "TA application," but when I was reviewing the website today I noticed that there was a separate PDF application and an email address to send it to. This separate application asked for the same info/documents I submitted with my main application, but presumably it goes to a different department/office...? Now I'm terrified that I may have messed up my only chance at going to school this year, and the department didn't answer my call!
  13. feralgrad
    If you didn't respond to the diretor's email, then yes, I would reiterate your interest. If you already have, I don't think it's necessary. If they were cagey about the waitlist before, then it's probably a matter of departmental policy; calling again won't hurt your chances, but it's unlikely to get you more info. That said, I agree that the program director's email is a good sign. I know people here treat waitlists as rejections, but I see them as proof the program /does/ want you. You may have to wait til after the 15th, but I wouldn't give up hope yet. And I feel you. I have a lot of dread about the possibility of taking a year off and reapplying (I'm waiting on funding info from one program, and if they don't give me full funding I can't go to school this year). What's helped me in the meantime is working on/sending out my manuscripts. Taking a year off from school doesn't mean taking a year off from writing. You've obviously got talent, and if worse comes to worst you can continue building your portfolio and potentially getting some publications on your CV.
  14. feralgrad
    Since people who apply to Michener usually apply to other top programs, I bet many accepted applicants are weighing multiple attractive offers. Do you know your place on the waitlist? If you're high up there's a good chance you'll end up getting admitted.
  15. feralgrad
    It depends on the school/program. You'll get a better answer by asking students from the program.
  16. feralgrad
    Try reaching out to the department to see if they can put you in touch with some current students. It's a common request, so they'll most likely agree.
  17. feralgrad
    As @itheproofofstupidity said, it would be smart to email the school your waitlisted at. Did you receive funding from the school that admitted you? If not, you could ask them to extend your SIR deadline on financial grounds (even if funding from the other school is unlikely). Programs are generally understanding when it comes to money matters; even if they can't extend the deadline, asking won't reflect poorly on you.
  18. feralgrad
    I'm still waiting on funding info from one of the schools that accepted me. I emailed the director of the program (who was listed as my point of contact in my acceptance letter), and he explained that decisions will come out next week. If you don't receive a TA position from the department, ask about other assistantships and fellowships around campus. Larger universities often have a number of these positions for students who are already attending. You may need to pay for your first semester or year, but it's something to consider if you really want to attend.
  19. feralgrad
    That's fair. It's certainly not bad to want support, I just think it's concerning if someone feels they need it. My SO has been very supportive while I've been applying to grad school, which I deeply appreciate -- but I wouldn't be applying if I didn't think I could do it on my own steam. That said, I'm pretty independent, so maybe my priorities are different. I'm not advising OP to do one thing or the other. It's just something to consider.
  20. feralgrad
    I'm waiting on funding info for what is basically my only option. The other two programs that accepted me didn't offer enough to make my degree financially viable. The program director is at a conference, and he told me that decisions should start coming next week. They fully fund most of their students, and I was accepted fairly early (which I assume is good), but I'm still so on edge. There's still a chance this will fall through and I'll have to reapply next year. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would be a major setback...
  21. feralgrad
    I'm in a very different discipline, but I was nervous about asking for LORs since I took a year off from school and never got close to any of my professors to begin with. I had to email 6 people before enough of them agreed. Frankly, I think the only reason any of them remembered me is because I talked a lot in class. When I emailed them, I discussed what I had done since graduation, my current writing, and my career goals. I also had one professor request a current writing sample. I assume the letters were fine since I got into multiple schools. Long story short, I think it's nice that you want to visit them in person, but it may not be necessary. I would only do it if it's easy to get to your alma mater (not an option for me since I moved 2k miles away after graduation). Sending emails was awkward, but professors get those emails all the time, and it's not going to offend them. I would, however, make sure you send them a handwritten thank you note!
  22. feralgrad
    I agree with Ternwild on finding a back-up plan. That said, some schools have a silent waitlist. It's possible that you'll hear something last-minute, but it's not likely.
  23. feralgrad
    Shouldn't you be pretty certain this department is right for you to begin with? I understand that you may feel nervous after your MA experience, and there are unpredictable factors, but you should feel confident about your choice. With all due respect, you shouldn't need to rely on emotional support from someone else to feel good about your decision.
  24. feralgrad
    Reviving this. I wish I had put more emphasis on applying to schools with good funding. Everyone says "don't pay for an MFA," but it took me months to internalize this advice; I was naive and assumed this didn't apply to me because I have no undergrad debt. It wasn't until I started crunching numbers that I realized how overwhelming grad school debt would be. That said, I think many MFA folks on GC place too much emphasis on only applying to funded programs, which tend to be extremely competitive. I picked schools based on geography, which meant I applied to both small private schools and large public schools. I ended up getting into three, and two were private schools with very little funding. I got a fellowship offer from one, but it wouldn't have been enough to save me from $40k in debt. The third school is a large research institution that funds most (but not all) of its students. They haven't released funding decisions yet, and if they choose not to fund me I'll have to apply again next year. Knowing what I know now, I would have applied to more state schools. Most of them have decent funding while being way less competitive.
  25. feralgrad
    This is very specific to creative writing, but I'll mention it anyway since I didn't see anyone else online doing this. I can't say for sure, but I think my approach to my SOP helped. I've never been published don't have much relevant work experience, so I was nervous about having an SOP that was two paragraphs long. Instead of going the "way too personal" route, I spent more time on my creative goals and discussed how my portfolio reflected them. I wrote a short analysis of one of the stories I submitted, explaining what I felt the "moral" of my story was. I think this demonstrated that I was a thoughtful writer capable of providing decent feedback.
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