Brother Panda

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.

Hey, y'all! Glad to see some familiar faces around here. For those of you who don't know me, I've been on GradCafe for a couple years. I did two rounds of applications before I got into the right program, and this board was so helpful! I'll be popping in occasionally to offer my opinions/bother y'all.
It's still way early in the cycle, but I will say: don't underestimate the importance of the research phase! I rushed through it my first round, and it bit me in the butt. If funding is a major concern (and it should be for most applicants), I recommend digging deep for less famous programs. UMass, Michener, Iowa, etc. are great, but applying to 5 programs that accept >1% of applicants gives you much lower chances than applying to one program that accepts 10% (e.g. Hollins -- which is still fully-funded and well-respected). And trust me, each program you add to your list piles on more work than you think.
Aaaanyway, good luck, everyone! I'll see you around :)

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.

For those of us who plan to apply for a Creative Writing MFA in 2021 (start date 2022)

Hi,

I may or may not apply this fall. It all depends if I can obtain letters of rec from these continuing studies English instructors since I've been out of school for eight years. It would be my first application cycle. ?

Hi! I am an extreme planner and planning to apply this year. Working on getting my list of schools whittled down over the next few months. :) 

Hello! This will be my second time applying. (Didn’t apply last year but the year before.) I am starting much earlier this year than last time!
So far, I am applying to Iowa (fiction), UMass Amherst (poetry), Stegner Fellowship @ Stanford (LOL- thought I’d give it a shot) and Michener. Going to be adding some more as I narrow it down. 

Thanks for starting this! Didn’t apply for the season getting results right now but did do some major lurking. 

Hey, thanks for starting a new thread, Kate! 
Oof, here we go again...

I was waitlisted at Tennessee! I can't fucking believe it. Didn't think i was going to get anything this year, so this feels like a big win 

For my fellow fiction applicants, I present a slightly baseless theory that might give you some hope if you have not heard back from programs which have already accepted folks in poetry/CNF.
Fiction programs generally have much larger applicant pools, and this cycle was almost certainly exceptionally large. Perhaps acceptance decisions for fiction are just taking longer due to an influx of applicants? 

So I just got an email from the head of my MFA department (it seems by accident) that indicates the school is accepting the same amount of students as it always has--12 students, 6 in prose and 6 in poetry. My school is fully funded, though summer funding that was once guaranteed now hangs in the air a bit. I hope this helps alleviate some fears!

So I just got an email from the head of my MFA department (it seems by accident) that indicates the school is accepting the same amount of students as it always has--12 students, 6 in prose and 6 in poetry. My school is fully funded, though summer funding that was once guaranteed now hangs in the air a bit. I hope this helps alleviate some fears!

Just thought of this forum after being on it a lot last year. Good luck to everyone here! I'm in a fully-funded MFA right now and it's been a really positive experience. I had applied in 2017 and was rejected (only applied to 3 top tier programs) and applied to 13 in 2020 and was accepted. The most important thing is to keep writing, and also to take care of yourself. It is a very stressful time, and the less time you can worry about things that are out of your control, the better. Make sure your writing sample is tight (think Raymond Carver: edit until you take out a comma and on your next edit you re-insert it; that means you're done). Submit your applications and then forget about them as often as you can. Do things that bring you joy. Stay well everyone--I'm rooting for you!

Just thought of this forum after being on it a lot last year. Good luck to everyone here! I'm in a fully-funded MFA right now and it's been a really positive experience. I had applied in 2017 and was rejected (only applied to 3 top tier programs) and applied to 13 in 2020 and was accepted. The most important thing is to keep writing, and also to take care of yourself. It is a very stressful time, and the less time you can worry about things that are out of your control, the better. Make sure your writing sample is tight (think Raymond Carver: edit until you take out a comma and on your next edit you re-insert it; that means you're done). Submit your applications and then forget about them as often as you can. Do things that bring you joy. Stay well everyone--I'm rooting for you!

Just thought of this forum after being on it a lot last year. Good luck to everyone here! I'm in a fully-funded MFA right now and it's been a really positive experience. I had applied in 2017 and was rejected (only applied to 3 top tier programs) and applied to 13 in 2020 and was accepted. The most important thing is to keep writing, and also to take care of yourself. It is a very stressful time, and the less time you can worry about things that are out of your control, the better. Make sure your writing sample is tight (think Raymond Carver: edit until you take out a comma and on your next edit you re-insert it; that means you're done). Submit your applications and then forget about them as often as you can. Do things that bring you joy. Stay well everyone--I'm rooting for you!

Just thought of this forum after being on it a lot last year. Good luck to everyone here! I'm in a fully-funded MFA right now and it's been a really positive experience. I had applied in 2017 and was rejected (only applied to 3 top tier programs) and applied to 13 in 2020 and was accepted. The most important thing is to keep writing, and also to take care of yourself. It is a very stressful time, and the less time you can worry about things that are out of your control, the better. Make sure your writing sample is tight (think Raymond Carver: edit until you take out a comma and on your next edit you re-insert it; that means you're done). Submit your applications and then forget about them as often as you can. Do things that bring you joy. Stay well everyone--I'm rooting for you!

Just thought of this forum after being on it a lot last year. Good luck to everyone here! I'm in a fully-funded MFA right now and it's been a really positive experience. I had applied in 2017 and was rejected (only applied to 3 top tier programs) and applied to 13 in 2020 and was accepted. The most important thing is to keep writing, and also to take care of yourself. It is a very stressful time, and the less time you can worry about things that are out of your control, the better. Make sure your writing sample is tight (think Raymond Carver: edit until you take out a comma and on your next edit you re-insert it; that means you're done). Submit your applications and then forget about them as often as you can. Do things that bring you joy. Stay well everyone--I'm rooting for you!

Just thought of this forum after being on it a lot last year. Good luck to everyone here! I'm in a fully-funded MFA right now and it's been a really positive experience. I had applied in 2017 and was rejected (only applied to 3 top tier programs) and applied to 13 in 2020 and was accepted. The most important thing is to keep writing, and also to take care of yourself. It is a very stressful time, and the less time you can worry about things that are out of your control, the better. Make sure your writing sample is tight (think Raymond Carver: edit until you take out a comma and on your next edit you re-insert it; that means you're done). Submit your applications and then forget about them as often as you can. Do things that bring you joy. Stay well everyone--I'm rooting for you!

Hey everyone, just wanted to let y'all know that I secured funding! I'll be attending Mason in the fall! 
I also want to thank everyone for your support and advice. It's been a difficult 2 year journey, and GC really helped me every step of the way (even on the days when checking this thread got addictive :p). 
For 2021 hopefuls: Don't be afraid to reapply! I turned down partial funding last year, and obviously it paid off. I'm so happy with where I'm headed now.

Yup haha