tippybug

Another non-MFA acceptance from me! ? I got into University of Central Florida's computer science doctoral program. It is not as "prestigious" as a program as UW Madison, but DAMN AM I SICK OF BEING COLD THIS WINTER STORM SUCKS. Not to mention one of my best friends is in the same department!! Plus, UCF might offer me a fellowship, whereas UW Madison offered a TA-ship. Turns out a fellowship would mean full funding WITHOUT being a TA! Still no word from any MFA programs, though, and that's what I truly want... I was so bummed about Vanderbilt I went on a makeup shopping spree I shouldn't have, buuuuut that just made me feel worse! At least I have new lip gloss. Lmfao.My success in CS is making me feel worse. Like the universe is telling me to give up on writing and sell my soul to corporate America. I know I'm really, really lucky to be getting in anywhere at all though so for that I'm grateful. Anyway, thanks to everyone who responded to my long vent post from last week about grad school anxiety and my computer science applications ❤️ It meant a lot! Welcome!! Good luck, and don't give up yet!

This is a long rant but I really want to say this to someone: I feel like I am at such a crossroads in life right now. What I want more than anything is to get into a good MFA program and be a writer, but since I got such a good offer from a top program in CS, I feel like I can't turn that down. I've put so much time into programming and have met so many peers/mentors who seem to expect so much from me and who I want to make proud. Like, my research mentor is so amazing, and the school I got into is where she got her PhD, and oh my gosh I just want to make her proud! But I just can't believe such a good program saw something they liked in my application even though I feel like I haven't put my heart into programming at all It honestly makes me feel so guilty because CS has always been plan b in my mind, and I haven't shown it any passion, even though it is something i care about. I really care about being a good computer scientist because I think that it can make the world a better place, but I just feel so resentful of my place in CS because it is what I'm doing instead of writing. I always feel so distracted and disengaged with CS because I want to be an author. But I feel like I'm about to waste an amazing opportunity if I turn this offer down, and I don't know what to do. And this is all super assumptive anyway, there is still a really good chance I won't get into any good MFA programs in which case I will totally take the offer. I just don't know what to make of things! I have so much impostor's syndrome right now. I feel totally unprepared to be a graduate student in CS, ESPECIALLY A TA, and I feel guilty both taking the offer and NOT taking the offer. ARGH!!! Sorry if this sounds braggy about getting into a program. I know I am really lucky to have gotten this offer, and I really don't want to take it for granted. Anyone have any words of wisdom? Sorry for this sloppy vent post... I'm a little fried rn, hehe.

No this is my first time actually ^______^ ❤️

I hate to imagine the loser who has the time and energy for that lol. I mean trying to fuck with grad school applicants...? I feel like that's as exciting as fucking with senior night bingo

Is this true for a lot of Florida schools? I applied to UCF in CS and was amazed by its low application fee. The second cheapest program I applied to was, like, $75, and several were $105.

Thank you!!!! Thank you!!! I hope we all get into our dream schools ❤️ my heart definitely belongs to creative writing, so if I get a fully funded offer to an MFA program, I don't think I'll be able to turn it down. But I'm pretty stoked on this offer, so if none of my MFA options are great, I will definitely be taking it. Plus, i LOVE Madison, WI. Such a cute, hipstery, liberal town... omg... ❤️

What about smoking a fat doink? That's whats been keeping me going hehehe....

My fingers are crossed for you!! Keep your head up. I hope you hear lots of acceptances soon ❤️

I JUST GOT INTO UW MADISON!!! ......... for computer science, hah. I got offered full funding as TA for their PhD program. I know this is for MFAs, but I'm so excited I had to share. This is my first response out of the 12 schools I applied to, and it is really competitive in CS. I can't believe it!!

Really snowy here too!! Absolutely beautiful, but I'm about to have to walk to work in it ? February could wait for me... I'm trying to think of fun plans to make for if/when rejections start rolling in, ahahaha. Otherwise, the disappointment will be too much to take. Thinking about maybe taking a trip to a legal state and visiting a dispensary on my first rejection since I've never been to one. Anyone have any plans for what they're gonna do to ease disappointment?

I don't know why I keep refreshing this page... Knowing that someone else heard back from a program I've applied to isn't going to do anything but make me nervous and yet I can't stop. I don't think anyone has heard back from anywhere I've applied yet, though. I want to know ASAP but also I am NOT ready for rejections ? I'm wishing I applied to at least one "safety" school to see if I get in it, but no (though I know no program is truly "safe")... I applied to IWW, UVA, Cornell, Brown, Boston, Vanderbilt, NYU, and Columbia only... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!

Vandy's gotta be like crazy low. I think they only accept like two or three students every year or something like that. Not sure about Cornell, though.

I see a lot of people applied to UVA. Did anyone go to YWW when they were younger?

No, but I wish I had... I'm not sure why I didn't. I went to their summer writing conference the summer before COVID and absolutely loved it. If (or when) I get straight rejections this time, I am definitely applying there next year. Do you know if it is fully funded? I'm wishing you the best of luck, and I really hope you get in!! Keep us updated!

CONGRATS!!!!!! Awesome news!

I'll check out The Vegetarian for sure! I I believe I've seen the title of that book around a few times, but hadn't yet given it a read. I'm not really reading any book right now (COVID depression has been pretty rough for me lol), so I appreciate the recommendation. As for David Mitchell, I adore his book Number9Dream which I know was inspired by a lot of Murakami's books, and Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being is phenomenal. Let me know if you end up picking up either of those books, and if you have any other recommendations for me. If nothing else, I'm hoping my background in STEM makes it clear enough in my application that I can motivate myself to write on my own and not because I need to for school. I know that is one of the big hurdles for young students straight out of undergrad since MFA programs can't always be certain about a person's self-motivation to write, which does make sense. If I don't get in this round, though, I'll take it as a sign that I should let myself get more life experience before getting an MFA. Whatever happens, happens... but I sure hope me getting into a good MFA program is what happens ahahaha

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH is exactly what I'm feeling too

Hi guys! I've been lurking for a few days but I thought I might as well make an account and introduce myself I am about to graduate with a bachelor's in computer science, and I'm pretty young, so I know my chances might be slim BUT I'm hopeful. One of my personal mentors and recommenders is a graduate from the program I am dreaming of attending, so that makes me think I have a bit of a shot. I applied to a bunch of different fiction programs, all top tier, and haven't heard back from anywhere yet. I know, of course, that there's a big ole chance I'll get all rejections. Fingers crossed, though. And my fingers are crossed for everyone else! I know writing is something we all hold dear. I am not as passionate about computer science as I am writing, but I attended a super intense STEM-focused early college program that set me up to do well in CS, and I knew it'd be a good route to go down if creative writing doesn't work out for me. But man oh man, I really hope it does (as I'm sure is the case for all of you!!). I am also applying to some PhD programs in computer science as my backup plan, since I definitely don't think I'm ready to get a full-time job or anything like that... I'm not sure if this was discussed earlier in the forum, but what type of writing do you guys like the most? And who are your favorite authors? I love magical realism and Japanese literature. My favorite authors are Haruki Murakami, Donna Tartt, David Mitchell, and Ruth Ozeki. I was also a huge fan of Tin House magazine before they stopped printing. Best of luck to everyone!