Are there many other non-traditional-ish student types out there applying this year? Like are there other folks in the workforce trying to make it into some of these programs to ultimately make space for what "it" needs? The ever illusive IT! I've obsessed over my application materials as these announcements have trickled out, and I applied to very few programs. I worry I don't speak the right lingo to trigger the right reaction from a panel of grad school applicant readers. And I must say, the new personal statement that now sits somewhere JUST ABOVE MY HEAD is marvelous compared to what I sent; today, of course, I can SO MUCH MORE CLEARLY state my life's larger purpose and intent in their relation to words and language. Do you know this feeling? Tell me you know this feeling! MFA apps off-kilter feels very different from regular off-kilter. It seems to result in a drastic obsession far beyond what is typical or really even acceptable.