kevinmalone

Hey all! I also got that email from Juilliard....?‍♀️ Have been meaning to follow up with a quick update. I ended up getting into both Brooklyn College and University of Iowa and last week accepted the offer at Iowa. Hopefully this meant movement on the Brooklyn waitlist for some of you (I was also briefly on the waitlist there!). Really excited to be moving out to Iowa though it feels surreal in this moment, and who knows what the next few months will bring in terms of challenges or changes. @zayzay looks like I will be there with you this fall! Hope everyone is well. If anyone has any questions about either program or the process with each, feel free to message me! Best of luck to all in the lingering weeks of this crazy process, and with whatever is going on with Juilliard ?

Just got in off the Brooklyn waitlist. @Zadican I suspect I was offered your spot! Still waiting to hear final word from Iowa and for more details on financials etc from Brooklyn, but it's amazing to know that I will be going to grad school in the fall ?

Hey! Sorry for the radio silence. I'm among the finalists who are waiting to hear on the remaining spots. I'm very much hoping to be there with you in the fall and will let you know what I find out! Hopefully soon, though I believe they've run into delays around funding, plus all the coronavirus uncertainty. So happy for you that you'll be there

I too was waitlisted this year! Was also waitlisted last year. I believe they usually accept around 5 and waitlist around 5, so it's not a long list. I obviously didn't get in off the waitlist last year but we'll see.....

Hey! I also heard from Lisa at Iowa yesterday and spoke with her this morning! It was a lovely, really laid back conversation – mostly just chatting about why I was interested in Iowa, and why grad school right now. She told me a lot about the program – including about the financials & teaching opportunities – and I asked a bunch of questions. You will do great!

I actually emailed them yesterday because the portal said they were still missing my transcript (even though I sent it). I received an automated email letting this morning me know that i'm still missing docs but that my app is being reviewed - so they must just be doing a follow-up with everyone to check in if anything is missing.

@SeaLou thanks for sharing this story. I've also been around the block with this process a few times, and while I haven't experienced some of the (what sound like) deeply frustrating processes you have, I agree it feels like getting pulled through the wringer every time. Not sure I have much advice, but I think it's important to keep in mind why you want to be in grad school, and even if it doesn't happen this year, keep working toward whatever that is. Whether it be that you want to make more of your own work, want to teach, or want to focus more on writing than a day job, there are little ways you can keep getting closer to that goal even without grad school. For me this process can take a huge toll on my self worth and mental health, but continuing to work toward my original goal does help a great deal, and helps me feel more in control of my work and career. I will say this forum feels very open and generous this year, and that is really wonderful! Keep it coming.

Same! But my friend was asked to come to campus as one of 3 finalists this weekend – I believe just for T&D, but the finalist group may also include Michener folks. I also saw on the MFA Draft Facebook groups that a few people were rejected from Michener.

No, I haven't! But I interviewed last year and was part of the second batch of applicants they reached out to then. I also have a good friend this year who I'd be shocked if he didn't get called in, and has hasn't heard anything yet either. It's truly anyone's guess at this point, but I wouldn't lose hope just yet

On the Hunter front, I know last year they contacted applicants in waves (one earlier in the process and one later). That may have been a factor of the fact that the program was in transition last year, but it may also be that they read and reach out in batches. ?‍♀️time will tell...

@jck349 that's a good point! @zayzay if past years are any indication, I wouldn't expect to hear from Iowa before mid-March - and it sounds like they typically don't do formal interviews, but just make offers by phone. Yale usually invites finalists for late February or early March, and I believe they send out rejections simultaneously, so imagine you'll hear in the next few weeks either way. Not sure about UCSD or ASU - have never applied to those schools!

Ditto! My friend applied there as a director and interviewed as a semifinalist by phone on Monday and is waiting to hear about finalist interviews. I know there's a lot of overlap for the playwriting/directing faculty, so guessing they have been busy with directing candidates.

That's exciting! All amazing schools. Hunter and Brooklyn were last year - Yale was a few years ago, haven't applied since. But it's an amazing program for sure.

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.

@space94 you are so kind...we'll see what happens. where are you applying?