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Hi guys,
Hope everyone is well and safe.
Now that I'm committed to CMU, just want to send a big huge giant Thank You to you all for being here, discussing things, sharing information and in general being ultra supportive. I've learnt so much for this forum it practically prepped me for grad school ?
I'd like to contribute by sharing a bit of my experience as a foreign student applicant, hopefully it'd help a future candidate who also look to study in such a locatity-specific field, in a language not their native. Before mid 2019 I've been much more a visual art creative producer than a writer in any sense, though I did produce a few of my stage plays. My scripts thus have not been written in a traditional, formal way but more visually and conceptually informed. I wrote to a few programs before application season began to ask them if what I looked for in an MFA (cross-disciplinary playwriting) matched what they offered. It was BU's Kate Snodgrass who kindly provided such attentive feedback that helped me craft a more focused application afterwards (thanks Kate and big cheers to whom studying there this year ? )
So when it came to applying, my first choice was Brown for the fact that they promoted writing for the bath tub or a hallway. Me likey. My second choice was UCSD, erhm... not sure if sharing this info would make me look too idiotic but oh well, it was because they'd provide candidates with a summer stipend to go see shows around the world. Gee me likey that too. Of course those were top programs, I have no doubt of the program quality, just sayin' when you look at them from afar these seemingly smaller things mattered quite a bit. CMU was more than perfect for their visual art/scientific flair but did not offer as much financial support and it was a huge factor for me, so I sent in my work praying that the universe saw how compatible my aspiration was with CMU's and would nod on it somehow. Then I had a talk with a revered figure in experimental theatre in Southeast Asia, who did his PhD at NYU, and he said I should go to New York because not only theatre but also visual art were abundant there (beside whatever else) and he had the impression I'd thrive in that environment. I took his sensible advice and ego-boosting compliment to apply at Columbia. My 5th option was Iowa as I valued ultra vigorous writing training and also fantasized a writing get-away of sort, but I'll admit that I might not be a good fit for them, nor they for me.
As it went, out of the fancylord institutions above, I only got an interview with CMU and was put in waitlist afterwards. However much I was ecstatic about the possibility of admission, I was also dead scare of not getting in any school, which in my eyes signified that my writing in specific and capacity as a playwright in general were not "good enough". The convos in this forum and Draft slowly reaffirmed that 1) a mutual fit was more likely a factor than individual capacity, especially in contemporary playwriting, and 2) this is a practice, not a competition, meaning your continuous work would count much more than the entrance to a particular (fancy) school, and 3) there's next year, which might be a better option for many aspiring writers. Strategizing the applications will earn you a much better chance of a great fit (academic, funding, logistic, professional opportunities etc...) than applying widely out of wishful thoughts and angonizing over half a year like I just did. These things helped me greatly in thinking about the growth of a playwright, and I hope it'd help some future applicants in choosing a sensible path.
Then came Covid that draped everything in a mist of uncertainty.... But that might be worth another convo.
Again, I'm grateful for this forum and you guys for being weirdly open and encouraging. Maybe we're a weird bunch. No other thread is as long and as friendly as this one. Maybe we'll help our peer weird writers/thinkers/doers (you helped me so so so much y'all ? ?). Maybe by us doing our own theatre things we'll help the world out a bit. Maybe we'll feel good doing so. I hope you do, cuz we need to feel good to retain on this long and difficult path ?
So that's my two cents today. Cheers folks! ??????❤️
 
PS: I should also send a love note to the folks at Draft after I get over my sort of  fear for non-anomity… ??
 

I accepted my offer from Ohio. And I’ve turned down Northwestern (maybe opening up a spot for someone else!!) Thanks everyone for the support and laughs throughout this process. Best of luck to everyone!! 

Hey! So, I was offered a spot at Northwestern last Friday evening, and I was offered a spot at Ohio just about an hour ago. (I think I was told today bc of the back ad forth nature of the communication I have had with them since February)  Official email with offer details is coming within the next couple of days. I'm excited, but now I need to look at all the numbers and see what's doable! Hope you hear good news from both!

This was really cool to read! Thanks for sharing your story, I can definitely relate to a lot of your journey as someone who also only got interviewed at CMU and was wait listed and was also terrified of not getting in anywhere and what that meant about me as a writer. It's so hard to internalize rejection, especially a grad school rejection, as a part of your growth and not a comment on your potential. It's also cool to hear that your work is somewhat non-traditional and visually driven because I would also describe my writing that way which makes me wonder if that's part of the reason we wound up in the same cohort. I'm super excited to study with you in the fall and grow in our practice together  

Hi guys,
Hope everyone is well and safe.
Now that I'm committed to CMU, just want to send a big huge giant Thank You to you all for being here, discussing things, sharing information and in general being ultra supportive. I've learnt so much for this forum it practically prepped me for grad school ?
I'd like to contribute by sharing a bit of my experience as a foreign student applicant, hopefully it'd help a future candidate who also look to study in such a locatity-specific field, in a language not their native. Before mid 2019 I've been much more a visual art creative producer than a writer in any sense, though I did produce a few of my stage plays. My scripts thus have not been written in a traditional, formal way but more visually and conceptually informed. I wrote to a few programs before application season began to ask them if what I looked for in an MFA (cross-disciplinary playwriting) matched what they offered. It was BU's Kate Snodgrass who kindly provided such attentive feedback that helped me craft a more focused application afterwards (thanks Kate and big cheers to whom studying there this year ? )
So when it came to applying, my first choice was Brown for the fact that they promoted writing for the bath tub or a hallway. Me likey. My second choice was UCSD, erhm... not sure if sharing this info would make me look too idiotic but oh well, it was because they'd provide candidates with a summer stipend to go see shows around the world. Gee me likey that too. Of course those were top programs, I have no doubt of the program quality, just sayin' when you look at them from afar these seemingly smaller things mattered quite a bit. CMU was more than perfect for their visual art/scientific flair but did not offer as much financial support and it was a huge factor for me, so I sent in my work praying that the universe saw how compatible my aspiration was with CMU's and would nod on it somehow. Then I had a talk with a revered figure in experimental theatre in Southeast Asia, who did his PhD at NYU, and he said I should go to New York because not only theatre but also visual art were abundant there (beside whatever else) and he had the impression I'd thrive in that environment. I took his sensible advice and ego-boosting compliment to apply at Columbia. My 5th option was Iowa as I valued ultra vigorous writing training and also fantasized a writing get-away of sort, but I'll admit that I might not be a good fit for them, nor they for me.
As it went, out of the fancylord institutions above, I only got an interview with CMU and was put in waitlist afterwards. However much I was ecstatic about the possibility of admission, I was also dead scare of not getting in any school, which in my eyes signified that my writing in specific and capacity as a playwright in general were not "good enough". The convos in this forum and Draft slowly reaffirmed that 1) a mutual fit was more likely a factor than individual capacity, especially in contemporary playwriting, and 2) this is a practice, not a competition, meaning your continuous work would count much more than the entrance to a particular (fancy) school, and 3) there's next year, which might be a better option for many aspiring writers. Strategizing the applications will earn you a much better chance of a great fit (academic, funding, logistic, professional opportunities etc...) than applying widely out of wishful thoughts and angonizing over half a year like I just did. These things helped me greatly in thinking about the growth of a playwright, and I hope it'd help some future applicants in choosing a sensible path.
Then came Covid that draped everything in a mist of uncertainty.... But that might be worth another convo.
Again, I'm grateful for this forum and you guys for being weirdly open and encouraging. Maybe we're a weird bunch. No other thread is as long and as friendly as this one. Maybe we'll help our peer weird writers/thinkers/doers (you helped me so so so much y'all ? ?). Maybe by us doing our own theatre things we'll help the world out a bit. Maybe we'll feel good doing so. I hope you do, cuz we need to feel good to retain on this long and difficult path ?
So that's my two cents today. Cheers folks! ??????❤️
 
PS: I should also send a love note to the folks at Draft after I get over my sort of  fear for non-anomity… ??
 

so i'm accepted by CMU off the waitlist ? still waiting to hear form Iowa but i'm more than likely will accept CMU offer... i like the robot-making atmosphere there...   @SuddenBeth maybe we'll get to be classmates ?
 

Ahhh that would be awesome!!! I officially accepted the CMU offer so if you go there then we will be. Congrats on getting off the wait list!

so i'm accepted by CMU off the waitlist ? still waiting to hear form Iowa but i'm more than likely will accept CMU offer... i like the robot-making atmosphere there...   @SuddenBeth maybe we'll get to be classmates ?
 

so i'm accepted by CMU off the waitlist ? still waiting to hear form Iowa but i'm more than likely will accept CMU offer... i like the robot-making atmosphere there...   @SuddenBeth maybe we'll get to be classmates ?
 

Ah, how invigorating to see so many positive updates and decisions! I clearly don't check this page often but feel really proud of and psyched for you all. 
Regarding NPX, I echo the yeses - totally join! I started mine early this February, and two weeks later had an inquiry from Iowa State University!! They asked to buy rights but I offered the piece for free, always down for supporting education, of course. Here's mine: https://newplayexchange.org/users/38801/ellis-stump
As for me, I applied to six programs this round, my second year applying. Got 3 acceptances, 2 waitlists, and 1 rejection. While NYU and Columbia are my top choices and naturally the ones waitlisted, every day I inch closer to committing to University of London actually. Full funding and a new country... After quarantine, I think I'll crave a breakout from NYC, lol.
Wishing the best for everyone right now! Health, optimism, creativity, and peace!

Hey guys. If anyone is waiting to hear back from U of New Mexico, Professor Ehn emailed me asking if I would be interested in talking to them (however since it is so late in the process they mostly wanted to know if I committed elsewhere, which I told them I had.) Not sure if that is useful info for anyone wanting to get into there, but thought I should share.

Rejected from Iowa & NYU in the past week or so. At this point, waiting on Juilliard and to learn if I got off the BU waitlist.
It’s been a stressful week- seeing the rise in confirmed cases in NYC (and hearing too many stories of people who experienced symptoms and were told to just stay home and not get tested), I decided to fly overseas to stay with family. Being in airports and on an airplane was very stressful- but I am just glad to be home. I’d certainly welcome good news about grad school next year...
Hoping you are all staying safe (and sane!) given the coronavirus outbreak!

out of all the posts about waitlist and rejections yours stuck out the most to me. Idk why really. 
 
I applied to nine schools: Northwestern, USC, UCLA, CMU, Columbia, Brown, UCSD, Yale, and NYU. This was my first year applying. 
 
I was rejected by CMU first—no interview. Then I heard back from Northwestern—interview and then a Yale rejection. I was so discouraged because Yale was my number one. I had just had an interview with Northwestern the same day. 
 
A few weeks later I hear back from Columbia and it took me by surprise they wanted an interview and a few days later they are granting me acceptance into their program and the day before that I was rejected from Brown, UCSD, and waitlisted at Northwestern. And this week I found out I was waitlisted at NYU. I haven’t heard back from UCLA and USC. 
Through the whole process I told myself I had a better shot at getting into CMU than any Ivy League. I am learning that life is full of surprises and we should be proud of trying. There are so many people who will say I can do that but don’t do it or have anything to show for it. And all these programs are looking for something different.
I’m saying this as a message of hope that the universe will surprise you. This is all a long journey. You took that shot and it made it in the hoop—you didn’t lose the game or win the game because it’s all about getting better and recovering from the shots that you didn’t try. if that makes sense.
 
Sorry for the long post. I just wanted to put my story and journey out there for any of you who are losing hope or wanna give up. I think we all go through that especially in this career path. 

Just off the waitlist at CMU!!!!   I cut myself off from the forum for a good while there because I was pretty sure I was down for the count and preferred to live in denial (and my heart is ever so slightly broken from the fact that I didn't get into Iowa but congrats to the folks who did!) so I'm still reeling from this plot twist. I'm still technically waiting on Ohio but the deadline to accept the offer from Carnegie comes before I will hear back from them. I'm torn between asking CMU for more time or just accepting the offer because on one hand I would much rather live in Pittsburgh than Athens Ohio but on the other I think Ohio is free from what I can tell which is definitely a factor for consideration.

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 ?

I got an official Iowa rejection this morning via email. So now, with 4 rejections and 1 waitlist, that's it for me! I'm on the CMU waitlist but I'm not super optimistic about getting in (and with all the zaniness going on, I don't know if I'd be able to move cross-country right now even if I *did* get in).
I'll probably apply again next year. This was my first cycle and I definitely learned a lot about what each of the schools I applied to are looking for. It would've been nice to get any sort of encouraging words from the rejections... They were all just the bland "thanks for applying, we have a decision" form letters, but what can ya do. Onwards and upwards.
Congrats to all y'all who are going off to school in the fall!! If the past months have taught us anything, it's that we all worked out butts off and should be proud!

We are heading into the week when I should hear from the school from whom I really want to hear. This would stress me out by itself, but with the onslaught of news about this pandemic and other life things....whoo boy. Just trying to breathe and keep on with what I can control.

there's so many of us on the BU wait list lol 
I love it, we're like the Waitlist Club. 
Best of luck!

Hey! Update from me: I’m also on the BU waitlist!!
Really needed the good news given this semi-apocalyptic week...

There's a little Covid-19 playwriting contest floating around the internet that's based on Paula Vogel's Bake-Offs. They send you five "ingredients," and you have 32 hours to write a 10 minute play. Starts Monday. Email is QuarantineBakeOff@gmail.com if you want to participate. It might feel good to be productive in these bizarro times.

Me too. I tried using them to create a student account, expecting nothing, but got in, lol. So whether I'm officially accepted or rejected (or maybe waitlisted? kinda the vibe I'm getting but perhaps just optimistic), I've accessed the portal. Idk if this means anything. @PlayWitch
Also a little surprised by silence from Columbia, after a positively affirming interview and even follow-up email from Morgan. So I'm anticipating/hoping for waitlist. 
(Does anyone have experience with their waitlist systems??)
And this is where it gets tough... Commit to one of my other (more financially supportive) options, or hold out for these top choices, where scholarship money is likely non-existent? Blah. On top of the worldwide uncertainty, this indecision is exhausting!
Stay healthy, all (physically AND mentally). Heads up and hands clean!

Hello!
I posted here what feels like a decade ago and I've lurked ever since.
I applied to Yale, NYU, UCSD, Columbia, UT Austin and made a hail-mary -last-minute application to Ohio.
I've been declined from Yale, USCD and UT Austin.
I interviewed at NYU and Columbia. 
I'm still waiting on Ohio.
I found out on Friday that I'M IN AT NYU!!! Which is crazy. 
I felt like I had a great interview with Columbia, but crickets...
Now I'm looking at the financial reality of NYU. While they offered me a decent scholarship, since it's NYC, I'd still need to take out loans to make up the rest and for cost of living. Which is not ideal. 
Can anyone speak to the reputation of the program? Is it truly up there with Yale or Juilliard? Or it is a a bit of a degree mill? 
Best wishes to everyone applying and still in limbo!
Hang in there!
 

Hello all, 
Long time lurker here, like for a couple of months.  Not sure that my insights will be useful this late but, thought they might be worth sharing. 
Here's how my first draft season (Finished undergrad Dec. 19) went down- 
CMU - Waitlisted in February (Like many on here)
Brown, UCSD, Yale - Rejected (Also like many on here)
Didn't hear anything from Iowa and this late I think that's a no.  
Rejected from BU. Thought the bilingual angle might give me a leg up, guess I was wrong. But I know Kate (a lot of mutual acquaintances) and she wrote a really heartfelt "don't give up letter". Warmed my heart- she's awesome. 
Guillermo from ASU reached out to me and I have a phone interview Monday.
Already admitted to Texas Tech and I am seriously considering going if I can afford to move to Lubbock. It's a smaller, newer program but it sounds like they're really trying to restructure it. Plus Rebecca Gilman (personal hero and all around amazing human) is head of the program so, worth giving it a look for those of you applying next year for sure.
To everyone else best of luck, I figure with all of this COVID-19 panic we all ought to have some unexpected time to bunker down and write.  

Good morning everyone! Iowa was AMAZING. Honestly, I felt such a warmth from the faculty and students. Everyone was so kind. I accepted the offer last night, without hearing from Arizona or UT Austin. The school really made that much of an impression on me. I believe they have their finalists and are in the process of making final decisions, if that helps you as far as info. I am so honored. This forum has helped me so much. Sending the absolute best to EVERYONE because this journey can be exhausting. 

Same. how are all three of us on the waitlist?