panglosian

Hey! I totally get it, you want to figure out a method to the madness, same here. However it would be best for me to say now that the situation from last year most likely has not changed at all. Try not to let yourself get sucked into the stats and specificities of it all, at the end of the day it only comes down to one person: you!

I'm not sure what schools you're applying to, but based on my own acceptances/rejections last year and the GradCafe/Draft stats I've skimmed, these are the stats I've figured for the schools that I'm applying to. Note, they are very rough, take this as a window and not a target: OSU: A January 20th, W January 21st, R January 22nd (obviously wrong this year lmao) UMass: A February 5th, W February 8th, R February 10th GMU: A February 2-5th, W March 25th, R ??? Syracuse: A ???, W February 25th February, R February 25th Cornell: A February 22nd, W February 25th, R February 26th Hollins: A February 25th, W March 9th, R February 26th VCU: A March 3rd, W March 5th, R March 8th Brown: A March 4th, W March 10th, R March 10th (A lot of these are also skewed towards poetry in some cases)

For Ohio State, historically, yes. Ohio generally kicks off the season usually but in the past five years or so it’s never been this early. But, different cohorts finish acceptances at different speeds. CNF was likely to be first. Also, this is not an indication that other schools are the same, or that the other genres might be quick to follow. Sometimes it can be days or even a week before other genres begin to hear. So don’t sweat it right now! (PS: second acceptance has already been made in CNF for Ohio, for anyone who needs to know) (Edit: three acceptances)

First call got made from Ohio State for CNF (posted in Draft ~10 mins ago) It begins. Good luck y'all ❤️

of course! if you are curious about anything let me know

Hi Everyone! It's so good to see some returning faces, and good luck to everyone in their pursuits this year. I think it would be wise, as someone who did this all before, to offer some things that I didn't realize when I was first applying, and questions I wish I had asked myself before pulling the trigger on some of my applications in 2021. I'm hoping this information can help some people here who are going in on their first round (you are incredibly brave and valued) feel a little better about the situation. (To preface, I applied last year in fiction and received one partially funded offer. I decided to defer and reapply in poetry, my true love, so a lot of this is from both perspectives.) 1. Realistically, a lot of people get passed up on their first round, and it will not be the end of the world. I cried for two weeks after my last rejection despite my single offer, because it felt like the world was ending. It won't, I absolutely promise! 2. A lot of people applying in fiction will be seeing an influx of poets celebrating their wins and feel sad. The fact is (and I didn't realize this at all) is that fiction gets double or even closer to triple the applications that poetry does, and far, far more than CNF. Keep reminding yourself that you are applying in different pools, and do not compare based on that. You have just a good a chance as anyone! 3. Speaking of which, this year we are still coming off what I call the "pandemic surge" - an influx of people deciding, during a time of incredible economic collapse, that "Hey! Free money to write and a degree sounds awesome!" It won't be easier than last year because we're 365 days removed. You'll still be fighting for your life out there. 4. If you don't know what you want the MFA for, or why you are choosing the schools you are, I would reconsider your decision before you start sending things out. Last year I wanted to just be in the most prestigious program, and to get qualified to be a professor. That, my friends, is not nearly enough. They will know. 5. Do not undervalue your writing. If you get partial funding and the school offers deferrals for funding reconsideration, do it. If you need to reapply like I did despite an offer, do it. Do NOT settle because you don't think you can stand to go another round. 6. Don't be afraid to email programs throughout this process. Don't go crazy, because they are doing their best, but adcoms aren't known for their expeditious responses. Some schools will even wait for you to get your rejection in the mail. Just tell them to tell you shit straight and eventually they will. 7. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. I didn't and it sent me into a spiral. Now I am employed, have time for writing, and have developed a great support system. Grad school shouldn't be the be all end all. 8. In the same vein, find things to do while you wait. Don't linger too long here or in Draft, you'll just make yourself nuts. Let go and let be. Learn pottery. Knit. Secure that holiday bonus. 9. Consider this a learning opportunity. Do whatever you can, because you will be smarter for it, even if you don't go a second round. As writers, we're waiting long periods of time to be judged as a crux of our career. Learn to navigate it now. And finally: 10. YOUR WRITING IS GOOD. IT HAS VALUE. ALWAYS. I hope this helps someone who is feeling nervous and needs a (realistic and encouraging) pep talk!

Just finished all of my applications early, and I would love to get some conversation going in this forum! I'm a second-time applicant who recently changed my genre, and I already have one deferred offer for the 2022 season. Feeling much better about this time around, commiserations are open and encouraged.

That helps a lot, thank you! Can you speak at all about the funding situation, or finances at large? I was skeptical about applying at first because a lot of people have been shafted in terms of funding in the past five years, and it seems fewer people have their tuition waived than they advertise. Is this true?

Hi! I'm applying to UNH this round in poetry, but I'd love your insight into the school and program as a whole. If you have any trade secrets on location, curriculum, teaching, and course load it would be much appreciated!

Heads up, UVA waitlist on Draft!! No specified genre

I didn't get a waitlist for Maryland (congrats everyone who got in I cheered for you all!!) so that probably means rejection. With UVA and Boston my only other two options, Rutgers being radio silent, and Temple not coming through with funding, I may have to call it a year. Honestly, I was more upset about it a week ago. It was mainly because I hinged ALL of my plans and aspirations for the upcoming year on going to grad school, and I didn't even entertain the idea that I might be able to use my time in a different way. I had a breakthrough this week, and I realized that I was allowed to be sad about this, but I had so many other options for how to spend my year. My girlfriend and I are currently looking for apartments together, and I have it in good standing that my university may be willing to give me an adjunct position next year with only a BA, because I have assisted in teaching composition before. I might even be able to read for our lit mag for another year, which would be so great! In short, thank you all for your support. I'll let you guys know how my final decisions pan out, but I'll be lurking until then. If I get a miracle, you guys will be the first to know ❤️ See you next year!

Just got mine! If Maryland comes in today too I'll scream omg

^^^^^^^ this is what I did for all my remaining programs!

Amen to that. I will say though in my email from Lindsay Bernal, she DID say they were experiencing delays because of a newly implemented portal (or portal changes). So @FairleyAlfy it might also be an error, but I wouldn't worry one way or another. Clearly we're getting notified soon, for better or worse!

Honestly as someone who is in the same boat as you, I'm not speculating a THING until I have a yes or no XD hop on the ignorance train with me, we've got complementary snacks

Has this happened to anyone else? Mine still says under program review (active), but I don't want to get my hopes up. Portals are never reliable, but I'll let you know today if mine changes!

(Cross-posted to Draft) Might be jinxing it, because both of the other times I posted about an email from a department about notification timelines it always ended up being wrong (looking at you, Cornell and UMD!) but I just emailed Brown about fiction and this is what they said: “Many thanks for your message. We hope to share admission information by the middle of March. The exact date will be determined by the Graduate School, where a review of department recommendations is underway.” So, take this how you will! Additionally: another person on Draft heard that notifications may be finished by the end of this week for fiction, so it would make sense given what they just told me.

Are there any vets out there who can speak to miracles? I need a little hope tonight. UMD is one of my last shots for acceptance before I get to my final few bigwigs (Brown, Boston, UVA). Rutgers is a maybe, but I'm not counting on it, and my one acceptance to Temple has since not given me any word of movement on the waitlist for funding so it may be implausible for me to even entertain. If this isn't my year, how do I deal with it? Should I keep holding out hope for a miracle acceptance, or accept that this isn't my time? How did YOU deal with it? What did you do instead of grad school in the time between? I would accept any advice graciously ❤️

Thank you to anyone who offered to check up on VCU for me! Unfortunately I did email them today about their notification timeline and they sent me a very polite email back letting me know that notifications were finished and that I was not chosen. He also said that he specifically wanted to let me know now in case I needed to make decisions accordingly, since they reject by mail. Honestly, the best rejection I've gotten so far! PS: if you have not gotten a notification from them for acceptance or waitlist, you can come chill in the Commiseration Corner with me ❤️

look at you, an absolute queen/king/regent!!! congratulations - you're killing it!!!

Yeah I mean he did say he got a waitlist so. Wasn’t saying acceptance. But it seems he may be talking about UW by the clues he gave, or another western school. Still holding out on Brown but acceptances are probably out.

Heads up from Draft, someone was notified of a "mystery waitlist" earlier by email for fiction, said they were asked to keep it under wraps because it was a personal email and not official but they were given their answer. They said this specific school would be notifying in a few days, and that they only had 2-3 funded spots this year. My money's on Brown, Place your bets!

you guys are so wonderful omg, and feel free to shatter my heart if you get bad news I can take it XD (at this point i'm expecting rejection but I'm willing to hold out <3)

Syracuse and Cornell already gave me the boot, hoping for a VCU waitlist in the next few days (because I'm not feeling great about there still being acceptance calls left) but we'll see!

Hoping for you and me both at Maryland, fingers crossed we both see each other around College Park one day!!! (Those are the only vibes I'm putting out there I REFUSE to be negative this year)