feralgrad

I'm glad I can help you hash it out! And that's true, we really can't take anything for granted... I hope you're able to work something out, and let us know what you decide! At the very least, you can rest easy knowing that you'll definitely be attending a program this fall.

Those are strong reasons to favor a program. It's unfortunate, though, that your options for extra funds are limited... Personally, I think trying to work a part-time job on top of TA duties would be more than I could handle. Plus, the whole point of the MFA is having time to write -- and would you really have time with another job? Your other option is a loan, which I would favor if it wasn't more than $15-20k for the duration of the program (since that's easy enough to pay off, in my opinion). Also apologies if you weren't looking for advice. Those are just my thoughts as a third party who knows nothing about your personal circumstances. As for me, if I don't get funded, I won't go. It would be too much debt, and the financial stress would make it hard to fully enjoy the program... I've harped on this many times on this site, but I consider financial freedom a bigger boon than an MFA when it comes to """making it""" as a writer (whatever that means).

Just saw this on Draft: "For those waiting on UC Riverside: I just got off the phone with Michael Jayme and he said they are about halfway through admissions! They are accepting 3 nonfiction, 4 fiction, 4 poetry (I’m not sure about those who applied in Writing for the Performing Arts). Those numbers are set to ensure all admitted students have a TA position in the 2nd year. Complications with corona are affecting the speed of the process, but you should be hearing soon!"

I appreciate your concern for people in the program and other applicants, but waiting doesn't make you an asshole. You're making a life-altering choice, so you shouldn't feel bad about taking your time; that's simply the smart thing to do. If you're certain you don't want to go to the other school that accepted you, however, it would be kind to turn it down now. Can I ask why you don't want to attend the better funded program, though? As for GMU, it fully funds about 2/3rds of its students. However, offers come out on a rolling basis. I know that at least one person has been offered a TAship (which they turned down), and since then no one on Draft has heard anything. I'm trying to stay hopeful since I was a first round acceptance (seems like they started sending out more acceptances this week), but it's nerve-wracking. One of the program vets I spoke to told me they heard in late April...

Same, dawg... Based on Draft and my communications with GMU, there's a good chance I won't hear about funding until April. Apparently this happens every year. You got into UNLV, right? Don't they fund everyone?

I don't think it would work against you per se. That said, most MFA faculty don't view it as a professional credential; they view it as time dedicated to completing and polishing a manuscript, which you've already done. In fact, I've heard that being a published author is more valuable for university teaching prospects than the degree. So with that in mind, I'm suggesting that adcoms may not view it as important or "proof" of anything. That's just one person's opinion, though. I don't think it would hurt to mention it, I just don't think it would help.

Columbia offers very little funding. From what I've heard, only a couple people in the program receive full funding. Sorry, dude... I hope Hunter comes through.

From what I've seen anecdotally, having a published novel doesn't seem to weigh much on decisions. Plus, the whole point of the MFA is to produce a novel-length manuscript. If you've already done that, adcomms may wonder why you're applying.

Black bear

Just got my rejection from Hollins. Doesn't sting too bad, since I've been expecting it. I'll be praying that funding comes through from GMU. If not, no dice again this year! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Based on what I'm seeing here and on Draft, I'd say all Iowa acceptances and waitlists are sent. I bet that UC Irvine is still sending theirs out, though; seems like they notify late.

There's a chance you're on a silent waitlist, although I know at least a couple of those programs notify for waitlists. I wouldn't consider this cycle a lost cause just yet, but it's a good idea to consider your back-up plan.

Man, the results page is a massacre right now... I'm sorry, y'all. I hope you're able to chill and take your mind off things this weekend.

This seems to be the latest on Draft. Sorry if it's bad news, but with those numbers you can rest assured it's not a reflection on you.

You can ask when to expect one, but they can't expedite a decision for one person. Adcoms make decisions in person at meetings, and they can't change the schedule now.

I can understand why you'd be turned off by Temple's conduct (not letting you talk to a current student is really sketchy...), but I wouldn't agree that asking for an earlier decision is a red flag. This is common for partially-funded programs, as it gives them the opportunity to roll out offers to those on the funding waitlist before April 15th. I'd actually argue that it's more fair to the cohort as a whole.

What is your top (or top 3) programs? If you don't know yet, figure out ways to narrow it down. This is when talking with current students really helps! Outline what you most value in a program (e.g. the community, faculty mentorship, strong TA experience, etc.) and ask if the school is likely to meet your needs. I guarantee you this will help you cross a couple names of your list. For what it's worth, I talked to a current VCU student and decided not to apply. She said the cohort wasn't very tight-knit or collaborative, and that professors were more like workshop leaders than mentors. That's just one person's opinion though, so it might be worth asking someone else. That said, the fact that they can't offer everyone funding *again* and they still haven't updated their website to reflect that really pisses me off... Anyway, I hope that's helpful! You can also, of course, ask Colorado for an extension.

I feel that. This week has been tough for me too, and it's so much harder when our entire lives are up in the air...

I think news has slowed down since last week's bloodbath. Some people are out for the year, others know where they'll be going. Personally, I was one of those rejected from VT last week (womp womp), so I'm in a holding pattern waiting on funding info from my one acceptance.

Currently experiencing a waiting double whammy: waiting on funding info from my singular acceptance, and waiting for results from the other two programs (one of which is an implied reject at this point). It's so frustrating to have everything up in the air... I feel like I spend all day at work refreshing my email and GC.

Seeing VT rejections on the board... bracing myself! Although I won't be too torn up about it, since VT is far and away the most competitive program I applied to.

I think it depends on the program. My theory is that some of them are split up by professor (presumably one who defended your application to the adcom), and the professor orders them however they see fit. I've often wondered too!

Looks like it, based on the results page.

Based on what I've seen here and in Draft, I think results are trickling out. I hope that's more reassuring than frustrating.

According to Draft, results are starting to trickle out. Fingers crossed for y'all!