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feralgrad

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Everything posted by feralgrad

  1. feralgrad
    An anecdote: I got accepted to a program with partial funding, which I thought covered 50% of tuition. However, after talking to a current student, I found out that the program's mandatory summer workshop was not included. I would have been on the hook for almost $7,000, and the workshop does not qualify students for federal aid. This was one reason I decided to pass up the offer. In short, make sure you ask questions!
  2. feralgrad
    As others have said, you don't owe your job anything. There's nothing wrong with getting more training before you leave, and it will look nice on a resume. Remember that if you do so, you won't be hurting individuals; you'll be doing a small amount of financial damage to a company that doesn't care about you. It's not like your boss is paying for your training. I'm not trying to be heavy-handed here, but you deserve that training if you think it will benefit you.
  3. feralgrad
    Keep in mind that admissions committees move on a different timeline from us mere mortals. A week for us is like a day for them. That said, there's nothing wrong with sending a quick, polite email. Remember to thank them for the opportunity to interview.
  4. feralgrad
    Seconding this. Politely explain to your top schools that you're weighing your options, but you're most excited about their programs. If they give you a lukewarm response, take that as an informal rejection.
  5. feralgrad
    I doubt they would allow you to defer your admission in hopes of getting funding. They would almost certainly tell you to apply next year. Coincidentally, that's what I would recommend if you don't get funding. I know it's frustrating, but it's common for people to apply multiple times before they get funded. Heck, there's a good chance I'll be in the same boat in a few weeks. If that happens, it may be a blessing in disguise. I know people who have gone to grad school directly from undergrad, and many of them wish they had taken a year off to relax, save money, and consider if academia is truly the right path. I'm not implying you shouldn't go if you do get the assistantship; just be flexible, and prepare a plan B. And remember: you're already a strong applicant if they're considering you for funding. There's definitely a school out there that would want to give you the assistance you deserve.
  6. feralgrad
    I'm not a PhD student, but I've heard that the work you publish is more important than your university's rank. I could be wrong, but it's something to consider.
  7. feralgrad
    It's never too early to start asking questions! Frankly, I didn't do enough of it that. Learn from my mistakes: It's good to cast your net widely, but chances are you can eliminate some of the above programs. It sounds like you've picked programs based largely on funding (smart), but are you sure all of them are a good fit for your creative and professional goals? The best way to find out is... Contact people in the program (faculty and, if possible, students). Not only will this give you a wealth of information, but it will introduce you to the program's staff. If you make a good impression, it will be a major leg up in securing funding (that said, do not contact faculty /only/ for the purpose of brown-nosing. People can tell.) Moreover, while funding is important, apply to a few schools that don't fully fund everyone. There are plenty of good programs that fund a significant number of applicants, and they will be /way/ less competitive. I'd argue that it can be easier to secure funding from such programs, rather than fighting 500 other applicants to get your foot in the door at Iowa. Don't feel pressured to go to school right away. It's not uncommon for people to be out of school for a decade or more before returning. And frankly, our discipline is forgiving in terms of academic rigor. The MFA is asking you to do what you already do: read and write. It's not like you're in a scientific discipline where the field will advance without you. It's okay -- and even advisable -- to take some time off from school. I took a year, and I'm glad I did. It helped me determine that I genuinely wanted to do this, rather than submitting to academic inertia. Hope that helps!
  8. feralgrad
    I understand why you're frustrated, but as others have said, your situation is certainly not hopeless! Something to consider is that you're probably "intimidating" to men because you're not just smart, but mature. It's normal for men to act like teenagers well into their 20s and 30s, regardless of education level. You sound like you're very independent and self-motivated, and those traits will seem off-putting to immature 25 year olds. But as you get older, men will catch up to you mentally, and matches will be easier to come by. I know that involves some waiting, but in some ways you're lucky. Most people's lives go downhill after college, but you're climbing higher with age.
  9. feralgrad
    I visited one of the programs that accepted me yesterday, and I feel much more excited about it! It's at a university that has a reputation as a commuter school, but the MFA program seems to have a really strong community. Two of the students there invited me for coffee afterwards, and they were so nice and helpful. After hearing their thoughts about the program, it's a much better fit for me than I realized. I don't know if I have funding yet, but they told me my odds were good. Keeping my fingers crossed!
  10. feralgrad
    I don't know anyone in these programs personally, but I've lurked in these forums a lot. One thing I've noticed is that Columbia's program gets weird reviews. I've heard that due to the funding situation (they only fund a few people, and of course it's quite expensive) there's tension between funded and unfunded students. Did any of the programs offer you funding?
  11. feralgrad
    I'm sure Boolakanaka is correct, but be careful: just because it's illegal doesn't mean they won't do it. People get fired for being pregnant all the time (happened to my mom -- while she was working at a law firm), even though that's illegal as well. It's easy for an organization to get around the law, because the employee/student has the burden of proof in these cases. The key to avoiding this is documentation. Do not call the school; email them so you have the communication in writing. I don't want to scare you. Your program will most likely be accommodating. Just make sure you take that precaution, just in case.
  12. feralgrad
    While I don't have direct experience with commuting to grad school, I think you should consider how spending 3 hours a day on the road will affect your studies and overall quality of life. As we all know, grad school is time-consuming, and you don't want driving to prevent you from studying.
  13. feralgrad
    Every admissions committee is different, but from what I've heard personal hardships should be avoided in SOPs. Sob stories are great for undergrad applications, but grad schools are more interested in how you'll contribute to the program. Frankly, most people I've consulted say the SOP is mainly to prove you aren't a jerk that no one will want to work with. So I think you did the right thing. Chances are your friend got accepted because his research interests were a better fit. This is all coming from an MFA applicant of course, but after lurking GC for a couple months it seems like most programs are this way, regardless of discipline.
  14. feralgrad
    Worry: I may not get the funding I need to attend grad school this year. If that happens, I'll have to apply again next year, and I'm not sure what I'll do in the meantime. Excitement: I'm proud of the work I produced for my portfolio. It encouraged me to write more regularly, and I've started sending out manuscripts to publishers for the first time in years. Even if this application cycle doesn't end with me attending school, at least my efforts weren't for nothing.
  15. feralgrad
    Are you just going to insult everyone that tells you something you don't want to hear? Because that attitude won't serve you well in academia or in life as a whole. Being passed over for funding sucks, and you have a right to be upset. But you're not entitled to funding, or an explanation, or mournful wailing from Internet strangers. Whether you appreciate it or not, everyone in this thread took time out of their day in an attempt to help you. Sometimes helping means telling you hard truths instead of licking your boots and saying you deserve the world. You don't need to take anyone's advice, but you could at least skip the rudeness.
  16. feralgrad
    The fact that this has happened twice tells me that you may not have the publications/portfolio most top-tier PhD programs want. In my opinion, you have two options: - Try applying to some less prestigious programs next year - Take the offer and improve your CV If they offered you funding, it's not a bad idea to get a second MA. If they didn't, I think the first option is better.
  17. feralgrad
    Good thinking! I'll definitely do that.
  18. feralgrad
    Requesting feedback on applications isn't unheard of. Instead of asking for their thoughts on the paper, ask about your application overall (so it won't sound like you're asking for a proofread/edits). If your paper was weak, then they'll mention it.
  19. feralgrad
    Thank you for the input! I'm planning to come out for an event on campus tomorrow, so maybe that will increase their sympathy (since I cared enough to drive up).
  20. feralgrad
    Has anyone heard from GMU regarding fellowships? I emailed the program director and he said they'd send out decisions "by April 8th, hopefully sooner." That seems awfully late, and I'm wondering if they've already sent out a first round of offers.
  21. feralgrad
    Politely tell them what you told us: that you're excited about the program, but you're weighing other offers. That said, it seems like most acceptances have already come out. While your chances aren't zero, I would be planning to go somewhere else.
  22. feralgrad
    Non-SPL intruder here: From what I understand, if you haven't heard back yet, you're very unlikely to be accepted. People receive late acceptances on occasion, but I wouldn't consider it a serious possibility. If UMD is your dream school, then there's nothing wrong with waiting til April 15th (or whenever your deadlines to respond to offers are). But if you already have funding offers from other schools, I would focus on those.
  23. feralgrad

    Austin, TX

    feralgrad replied to a topic in City Guide

    I lived in the Ballpark West off Riverside during undergrad, and it was okay because I picked my roommates. I agree that it's extremely risky if you get matched with strangers. However, there are a lot of factors that make Riverside desirable in my opinion. Most of those large complexes are walking distance from a grocery store, which is vital if you don't have a car (I didn't). The area is pretty well-connected to public transportation, and there's a UT shuttle that stops right at the gates of many complexes. You're going to pay a high premium for these amenities in other neighborhoods. I knew people who lived in worse apartments close to campus (specifically West Campus), and they paid $200-300 more per month. If you do have a car, I might recommend looking in the North Loop area. It's more expensive than Riverside, but from what I saw not by much. It's a quiet area with a few hip restaurants and stores (plus a coffee shop that stays open late-night!).
  24. feralgrad
    I've been accepted by 3 schools for an MFA in creative writing: George Mason, American, and Chatham. Today I found out I was moved off the wait list for a fellowship at Chatham, but it only covers about half of tuition. They want me to accept or decline the offer by March 24th. The other schools haven't offered me anything yet, and when I emailed GMU today they said funding decisions would be made by early April. GMU seems to offer pretty generous funding, so of course I'd like to see what they give me (I'm not holding my breath on American). Should I ask Chatham for a deadline extension? What's the best way to do it?
  25. feralgrad
    I see nothing wrong with sending a quick, polite email. You could say that you're really excited about their programs, but you need to start preparing for next year. Some schools are cagey about the wait list, but others will tell you your position and the likelihood of getting admission. It seems worth a shot.
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