Leeannitha
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Everything posted by Leeannitha
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Hey @feralgrad , if you don’t mind saying, how has your writing changed since the start of your program? I feel like so much of the application process is seeing these programs as life changing or almost necessary. (At least, that’s how it is for me because the prospect of getting in is so exciting.) I know I don’t need an MFA to write. From this side, it just looks kind of magical lol. It would just be nice to hear your thoughts on how the MFA has changed your writing or helped you (or not!) since you are almost graduated.
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IWW has 2nd year MFA students read the pieces first and say which ones they recommend. The director reads every piece regardless of the slush reader’s scoring. Then faculty read the stronger pieces and decide. I think this is standard as it is also the case at Michener I believe. I know this because one of my recommenders did this at Iowa. At least in that case the director may catch something they like that the slush reader did not.
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If anyone wants to keep up with decisions posted on gradcafe they are listed separately: https://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/?per_page=20&q=Creative+writing&institution=&program=°ree=MFA&season=F23
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For UMass Amherst applicants: people on Draft have received emails to set up funding interviews. Check for an email during the last couple days. Not sure if or how many more are going out or if only people asked to interview end up getting in…(anyone know about this???) I did not get an email.
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That is TERRIFYING. thank you for sharing because that really brought home how subjective this whole process is…. I hope this year is different!!
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If I have no control over what will happen once I submit my application, I’d rather be at least a little bit hopeful in the meantime before I actually hear back. It won’t make a difference how I feel about it either way, so why not be hopeful instead of miserable? good luck to you!
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Just wanted to add that I transferred to Iowa halfway through undergrad and it didn’t do anything for me for getting into the MFA lol ? Last year or the year before I commented on a forum topic about applying right out of undergrad and was a little discouraging because that’s what I had been told by my recommenders when I got rejected. But now I am thinking they were probably just trying to make me feel better. People definitely get in straight out of undergrad. I think for me personally the sample was not aligned with my goals stated in the SOP and I wasn’t really sure what I wanted. Waiting a couple years before reapplying really helped me (and I switched from fiction to poetry). But there is no reason why you shouldn’t get in if they like your writing enough! This goes for anyone still in undergrad. It definitely does happen. good luck to everyone!
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I have been playing video games and trying to write poems that are just for me. Knowing I am not going to share them or have to refine them for submissions is extremely freeing and is generating a lot of ideas. I think it is a really good thing to do since application season was so much about trying to imagine what adcoms would think of my writing. And then IF I did get in anywhere, I would have the pressure of writing for workshops. I’m trying to see this waiting time as a great opportunity to experiment and lean into my interests. also @CupidAndPsyche this forum has had a troll the past couple of years called Marshall. Not sure if this is him but he loves telling people they have no hope of getting in anywhere. He also makes a lot of claims about how this process works without any proof. I thought maybe he wouldn’t come back this year but perhaps he did.
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Glad to hear you are ok now! That sounds very scary.
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Congrats!!! Are you on the MFA Draft ‘23 group on Facebook? Other people are talking about also getting into phase 2. It might be worthwhile to reach out to them. Also I think this might mean you have a shot of at least being waitlisted??? Not completely positive, though. Also you are very lucky to be getting results back so soon lol
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Happy December 15 to all who celebrate ?
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Do you think this means that programs are already meeting and going over applications? Was the deadline last week? The whole process is very mysterious…
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Good luck to you!
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Hi sorry just saw this!!! I know the deadline is approaching. Go to your my status page and click the “admissions” tab. It should have sections to upload each part. This is what mine looks like. (I am on mobile so I hope this picture shows up) I think you have to click “details” first on the right, then it will take you to a separate page to upload.
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Best of luck to you!! With apps and the rest of your undergrad classes. Which programs are you applying to? Maybe we have some in common. I’m applying to: Michener NWP Iowa Writers’ Workshop NYU Umass Amherst Syracuse Helen Zell program & maybe Northwestern?? All for poetry ?
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Congrats on finishing 16 applications already!! The waiting sure is difficult but at least you don’t have to worry about sending apps in during the holidays. Is this your first round of apps?
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How are applications going for everyone? Anyone else have a Dec 1 deadline? I am worried about the program processing all my documents and transcripts in time.
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Hi! Fellow poet here. I was in the thread a little last year but didn’t end up applying due to health reasons. Now, I am back to try again. One thing that is helping me with my SOP is printing out my manuscript. Then I read it as if I have never seen it before (or try to). It helped me see some common themes or topics in the poems.
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Why you gotta make me look bad noooo ? But in all seriousness, congrats and I hope you have a very relaxing time not having to worry about sending those apps out anymore (can’t relate) Did your recommenders already get their letters out? I just heard from my second one yesterday. Most schools usually accept the letters into January, right?
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He has already said the schools he is interested in. What about you? Where are you applying? I’m assuming Iowa, yes? You seem to be very concerned with its reputation.
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Hi @Taimur are you an international student already in a program or applying this round?
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So I am actually not able to see your signature on my end, but I am using my phone so maybe that’s why. Good point about the SOP. I really struggle between trying to sound like I know how much I can learn/gain from the program and sounding confident enough to be accepted or do well in one. For me, I think I mentioned most of them earlier in the thread. I will be taking out the fiction ones, even tho I REALLY would love to take a class with Mona Awad at Syracuse. So yeah I only have a handful of really selective ones for poetry. But I don’t want to spend all that time and money on 15+ applications to places I am not really that interested in. (the faculty/funding) If I get in to any of my places, I am most likely going. IF I get any acceptances or waitlists— a big IF— then it will be a lot easier to decide what to do next. Still might add some more tho! Check back in four months to see them all reject me lol.
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Thanks for that! How do you feel this year with apps compared to before? Has what you like to write about changed a lot? I think it is a good sign that you have workshopped your story so much. Which programs are you most interested in, if I may ask?
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@mrvisser I used to think of myself as just a fiction writer, but now I am also obsessed with poetry. My problem is that my fiction always needs to have a rhythm to it and my poetry is always narrative. I think I’ve realized that I like poetry just a little bit more right now. I might just take an extra fiction class like @Ydrl said. I kind of forgot that was an option. Thanks both of you for your help. I am actually still writing my sample— ooof ?. I am trying to just focus on what pieces make me the most excited and some of those are new. And yeah… I have only had communication from one of my recommenders. I think the other two will have to be from work (and I work in shipping!)
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So I thought I was going to be applying for both fiction and poetry, but now I’m thinking that my poetry sample is a lot stronger. Do you think I should go with my gut and not apply for fiction or spend the fees and the time doing it anyway in case I am just second guessing myself? I’m not sure which I will regret more— not having tried to see where my fiction sample could get me or worrying too much about the fiction sample that my poetry apps suffer. Any advice? Has anyone changed their sample significantly since first deciding to apply?
