lilacbread

I've been rejected from almost half of my schools in five days! What a week haha.

Heads up: Someone in Draft just got an acceptance call from Arizona State. Director Sally Ball called and said she would be calling the other accepted students today.

With you on this. It’s my first application round and I *know* to more or less expect rejections across the board, but it’s a hard thing to actually internalize. 
 
My probable rejection from WUSTL is making me nervous for the more popular / ‘prestigious’ programs, but trying to remind myself that 1) yes, it’s all subjective, 2) it only takes one acceptance and 3) life goes on. 
 
All the news on Draft today gave me a minor anxiety attack, but it’s honestly soothing to have a broader community full of people going through the same thing and getting the same rejections. We’re in it together!! 
 
Anyway, trying to distract myself and get excited for the future, whatever that may look like. Best of luck to you and everybody else.

Hi, I woke up one morning in December and started looking up MFA Creative Writing Courses and complied my notes and stuff (I have been a journalist) and applied to a few schools. hardly slept or stepped out for a week. now, I feel I should have taken more time. I had no idea they would be so hard to get into. I wrote to Syracuse and they said they would be sending out notifications late March and early April. I am 41 and I don't even know why I applied but I guess I thought I'd give it a shot. I am not from the US but did my master's in journalism from Syracuse many years ago.
I don't know if age works against me. Or if journalists apply. 

Meh. If you're aiming high I think journals typically have lower acceptance rates than MFAs - even true of journals out of MFA programs. But I know that journal rejections are always so tough even when you fortify yourself against them! I've also had stories rejected by "lower tier" journals then picked up by "higher tier" journals the next day. As always, this shit is so deeply subjective and probably has to do so much more with how we fit into an imagined cohort, etc, than we even care to admit. 

Hey everyone! I've mostly been a new lurker here, but I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a fiction writer from DC! After college I realized writing was something I wanted to do more seriously, but to be honest I've had a lot of trouble balancing writing with my career in political writing. I find my work pretty exhausting; I work under very tight and spontaneous deadlines, which makes it hard to plan ahead. I anticipate I probably won't get into an MFA program this cycle (I only applied to several top schools), so I'm trying to make contingency plans re: how I can continue writing even without institutional support. I've noticed most workshops start at 6pm EST, but that's when my workday supposedly ends (and the truth is that it often runs longer, without any previous notice; if I'm given a new assignment at the end of the day it's my responsibility to fulfill it). I honestly feel spread very thin between work, spending time with my loved ones and writing fiction. I'm so exhausted that I think about quitting my job every day, but I feel guilty doing that under such a precarious economy. 
So I wanted to ask about day jobs. Before your MFA, what are you doing to support your writing?

Anyone who applied to Helen Zell (Michigan,Ann Arbor) the "How to Apply" page updated and said that decisions will be made in early March! Hope this eases some February nerves! 

Wow things are hopping today!
There was also a non-fic acceptance from UC-Riverside and poetry from Boise State on Draft. Congrats to everyone who have been accepted so far!!! ??

Hey all--
I've mostly just been quietly grateful for the company since joining this group, but I thought I'd chime in briefly...
A lot of people seem to be experiencing some degree of agony over the fact they haven't heard back yet and/or are expressing the expectation that they'll be hearing back really soon. (For whatever reason, I've been feeling that with each passing day my chances of being accepted are somehow declining, which I have to remember to laugh at myself for because this belief has zero ties to logic!). Anyway, I just wanted to gently remind people the same thing I'm reminding myself: it's actually too early to be hearing back from most of these programs. I'm sure the info below isn't perfect, but here's the data I put together by combing through the past 3-4 years or so of gradcafe and other forums where applicants have posted about receiving offers for programs I've applied to. (It also includes the dates I was waitlisted at Michener, Minnesota, and Madison-Wisconsin last year). Just hoping the extra info might bring some of you a little peace of mind! The programs are ordered by earliest date of earliest documented acceptance:
Minnesota:
     Earliest acceptance: January 26*
     My waitlist 2019: January 29, 2020
*It seems worth mentioning that Minnesota extended their deadline this year and has had to recalibrate their entire funding program due to covid, so I suspect their responses will be late...
Syracuse:
     Earliest acceptance: January 29
Madison-Wisconsin:
     Earliest acceptance: February 3
     My waitlist response: February 18
Florida (Miami) :
     Earliest acceptance: February 12
Vanderbilt:
     Earliest acceptance: February 13
Michener:
     Earliest acceptance: Feb 14
     My waitlist: Feb 18, 2020
New Writer's Project:
     Earliest acceptance: Feb 14
Helen Zell/ Michigan:
     Earliest acceptance: February 15
Florida (Gainsville):
     Earliest acceptance: February 15
Iowa:
     Earliest acceptance: February 17
Notre Dame:
     Earliest acceptance: February 22
Brown:
     Earliest acceptance: March 5
 
Wishing everyone good luck and peace of mind. 

Really hoping there’s a bunch of decisions tomorrow like I’m predicting. This is so draining.

I expect seven phone calls tomorrow begging my attendance.

Hi everyone! Super late to posting on here but I applied to 4 MFA programs and figured I would share. I'm a writer from California and also applied to several journalism programs. I just really love writing and figured while getting into an MFA program is a long shot, it doesn't hurt to try. I'm wishing you all good vibes and crossing my fingers for you!!

Thank you so much and good luck to you as well!
I applied to Hunter College, University of San Francisco, University of Notre Dame, and Brown all for poetry!
Do you mind sharing why you did a pivot from journalism? I know the job market is tough right now so that was definitely in the back of my mind when applying to several journo programs but I'll see what ends up happening.

At the time, I was working an admin position in an office. Pretty dry,lots of spreadsheets, but it was a relaxed environment.

Hey everyone! I've mostly been a new lurker here, but I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a fiction writer from DC! After college I realized writing was something I wanted to do more seriously, but to be honest I've had a lot of trouble balancing writing with my career in political writing. I find my work pretty exhausting; I work under very tight and spontaneous deadlines, which makes it hard to plan ahead. I anticipate I probably won't get into an MFA program this cycle (I only applied to several top schools), so I'm trying to make contingency plans re: how I can continue writing even without institutional support. I've noticed most workshops start at 6pm EST, but that's when my workday supposedly ends (and the truth is that it often runs longer, without any previous notice; if I'm given a new assignment at the end of the day it's my responsibility to fulfill it). I honestly feel spread very thin between work, spending time with my loved ones and writing fiction. I'm so exhausted that I think about quitting my job every day, but I feel guilty doing that under such a precarious economy. 
So I wanted to ask about day jobs. Before your MFA, what are you doing to support your writing?

I hope everything works out for you! ?? I  haven’t taken any local workshops, but I sought the feedback from two former coworkers who hold MFAs, and they were kind enough to offer me really constructive feedback! 

Hey everyone! I've mostly been a new lurker here, but I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a fiction writer from DC! After college I realized writing was something I wanted to do more seriously, but to be honest I've had a lot of trouble balancing writing with my career in political writing. I find my work pretty exhausting; I work under very tight and spontaneous deadlines, which makes it hard to plan ahead. I anticipate I probably won't get into an MFA program this cycle (I only applied to several top schools), so I'm trying to make contingency plans re: how I can continue writing even without institutional support. I've noticed most workshops start at 6pm EST, but that's when my workday supposedly ends (and the truth is that it often runs longer, without any previous notice; if I'm given a new assignment at the end of the day it's my responsibility to fulfill it). I honestly feel spread very thin between work, spending time with my loved ones and writing fiction. I'm so exhausted that I think about quitting my job every day, but I feel guilty doing that under such a precarious economy. 
So I wanted to ask about day jobs. Before your MFA, what are you doing to support your writing?

I really appreciate it! And I understand what you mean. I think I should probably think about how much I need and go from there. Your job history sounds so eclectic—I agree that every experience colors the writing you do.
 
Ahh I wish I could do that! I would love to find a situation that allows for that. What do you do?
 
Woah, your previous writing schedule sounds intense. I definitely understand your feelings; it's really hard to step away from a situation that requires so much involvement. What you said about stress is so true! I often feel guilty because my work is usually only ~45-50 hours at most, but it's a real energy-zapper. I'm glad you were able to find a balance that works for you   I'll keep what you said in mind as I figure out my next steps.
I noticed you're from Maryland; are there any local workshops here that you've taken?

I was in the same boat as you! I was a full-time high school English teacher and worked part-time at a gym closer to my apartment. I wrote a piece during my first year of teaching, staying up until 2 or 3 a.m. to draft and research. But after it was published, I was exhausted and knew that kind of schedule wasn't sustainable. Even without making time to write, I felt like I was burning the candle at both ends every day. I ended up using teaching material to brainstorm topics to write about and research, or thinking of different angles to approach that material in my writing. I wrote those ideas in my phone or in a word doc. Sometimes I'd add a few sentences or bullet points. But that's as far as my writing went while I was teaching. 
After a lot of reflection, I felt that my desire to carve out more time for writing stemmed from a deeper desire to create a life that was not only a bit slower and more intentional, but also allowed me to spend time the way I wanted to. For about a year, I felt selfish and guilty for leaving, but the burnout was real, and I felt like I had every right to make my life actually feel like a life. 
I now work as an editor, and I'm happy with my choice. Personally speaking, I don't think it's the job, but rather the lack of work-life balance that can be a hindrance to one's writing. And I don't think the work-life balance is limited to time, but also stress. When your job is so stressful it leaves you emotionally drained on a regular basis, it's hard to want to do anything except decompress, even if you do get off at 5 p.m. 

Honestly? I wrote at work. I had a very hectic home life that didn't leave me much time to myself, so if I had downtime on the job, I used it. Maybe not useful for your specific situation, though.

I just got a great gig as an English tutor for the daughter of a wealthy family in one of Seoul's nicest neighborhoods. the father is in real estate I think. it's going really well! 

Hi there! For me, having a day job that is completely unrelated to writing worked much better than having to do something that is a form of writing (political writing, copywriting etc.) because I think having to output any writing as part of your job will bleed into your personal writing. But, of course, when you're a writer, everything is related to writing! I've done hosting jobs in restaurants, bartending, coat-checking in night clubs, babysitting for kids who go to fancy New York private schools, tutoring, and film production jobs (my background). Honestly I think these "day jobs" have fueled my writing in many ways, though money is always a struggle! But it all depends on what you think you need, or there's never going to be enough money. 
I do realize that so many of these options are not available right now amid the pandemic :(. I hope you find something that are physically and mentally less taxing on you! 
 

Hey everyone! I've mostly been a new lurker here, but I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a fiction writer from DC! After college I realized writing was something I wanted to do more seriously, but to be honest I've had a lot of trouble balancing writing with my career in political writing. I find my work pretty exhausting; I work under very tight and spontaneous deadlines, which makes it hard to plan ahead. I anticipate I probably won't get into an MFA program this cycle (I only applied to several top schools), so I'm trying to make contingency plans re: how I can continue writing even without institutional support. I've noticed most workshops start at 6pm EST, but that's when my workday supposedly ends (and the truth is that it often runs longer, without any previous notice; if I'm given a new assignment at the end of the day it's my responsibility to fulfill it). I honestly feel spread very thin between work, spending time with my loved ones and writing fiction. I'm so exhausted that I think about quitting my job every day, but I feel guilty doing that under such a precarious economy. 
So I wanted to ask about day jobs. Before your MFA, what are you doing to support your writing?

Personally I'm more prone to comparing myself against others (generally to my own detriment) than imposter syndrome specifically. Sometimes I feel inadequate, but I don't feel like an imposter, since I still did the work required to get into my program. As we all know, applications are a long and difficult process. And you did that work too!
One thing they stress in grad school is that writing (or any creative endeavor) is not an innate talent. It's a skill that must be honed over the course of years. That involves a lot of bad drafts and rejections. Writing something you think is sub-par doesn't make you an imposter -- quite the opposite. It proves you're putting in the work.

Fellow applicant here—I want to push back on this a little bit! Iowa's director is a woman of color who has arguably paved the way for tons of writers to find commercial success, many of whom wouldn't have had as much support under previous directors (Carmen M. Machado actually tweeted about this recently). I think it's easy from the outside to see this as a form of gatekeeping—and in a way it is—but I think in another way it's an opened door for writers who wouldn't have had these opportunities otherwise.