Cristie

I'm expecting the real chaos to start today because I imagine a good amount of people who haven't made their choices yet will do so before tomorrow as a courtesy to the schools and waitlists of the schools they will be declining. As a fellow waitlister, I feel like vulnerable game in an open field that could be struck with an e-mail deciding my fate at any second. Stay strong everyone, we're in the final stretch.   

I'm still hoping those last two schools will finally talk to me tomorrow or the next day... I never expected it to drag out this long for them. Waiting on UNLV and WSU (English, not MFA). I know it's probably no's, but I think I'd feel better if I knew it was definitely no's. It's hard to close the door when there's still that sliver of light leaking through. 

Thank you and I have reached out. They know I will accept, they are just waiting to hear back on a few people and they will let me know either way. Domino effect is so accurate. I wasn't given a number, but powerful words. Since we are in the word business, I have to believe if a spot comes open it will be mine. I think I'm just having an internal battle over the indecision of others determines my fate and clearly, I'm not alone in experiencing this uncomfortable feeling. When my daughter was little (back when she said words all wrong) she used to say, "No, no. I can't like this," and wave her little hand back and forth.  Lol, that's where I'm at.    

Thank you and I have reached out. They know I will accept, they are just waiting to hear back on a few people and they will let me know either way. Domino effect is so accurate. I wasn't given a number, but powerful words. Since we are in the word business, I have to believe if a spot comes open it will be mine. I think I'm just having an internal battle over the indecision of others determines my fate and clearly, I'm not alone in experiencing this uncomfortable feeling. When my daughter was little (back when she said words all wrong) she used to say, "No, no. I can't like this," and wave her little hand back and forth.  Lol, that's where I'm at.    

Yes, offers are made on the 15th. I was offered a spot into an MFA from the waitlist on the afternoon of April 15 a few years back. Other friends have been admitted to programs later than that date. Being waitlisted at a dream program while accepted to a maybe program is kind of a crap situation to be in-- but at the same time, schools are aware of this and the domino effect that can happen, and will hopefully try to keep you informed. If you haven't reached out to your waitlisted school, maybe do that to get an idea of where you are on the list, how many people haven't said yes yet, and to tell them that if they offer you a spot you will definitely accept. Hope it works out for you!

Bingo. It’ll unfortunately take some upfront costs to make that initial move. I’m not sure what resources are out there to help with that cost since I had to dip into my savings to do that. Asking the department directly for advice or pointing to resources might be worthwhile, as I’m sure many of their incoming students have to deal with that. I read somewhere that someone even got their program to help with moving costs? That’s probably extremely rare though.
 
George Saunders had a funny story about how he was utterly clueless when he moved to Syracuse for his MFA. If I recall correctly, it involved having to sleep in his truck for awhile because he had no idea he couldn’t just show up and get an apartment without any money to his name.

This is on Wisconsin's webiste: "We at Wisconsin advise any applicant who is feeling pressured to accept another MFA program's offer before the April 15th deadline to simply send the program a friendly email that states, "I see that your institution is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools. As such, I believe that I have the right to consider your offer up until the April 15th deadline as established by the council. Thanks so much!" Most universities are big places where one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing. "
Some schools don't accept anyone after the April 15th deadline, even if someone declines their offer at the last minute. It would be cruel to put someone in the position of having accepted an offer, only to get another offer form a waitlisted college that's better. Some of the bigger schools in New York tend to do stuff like that though. One time in the results page on GradCafe, I saw someone get rejected from NYU in July.
I'm not sure what school you're waiting for, but if it's a big New York school, I honestly wouldn't wait. If you have an offer that you aren't sure you want to take, I would try again next year. These are just my thoughts though.

Not a dumb question at all. So US graduate programs in general calculate an amount that is called the total Cost of Attendance (COA) or some variation of that. This is the sum of tuition, fees, estimated housing costs (varies whether you select on or off-campus), food, transportation, med. insurance (if applicable), etc.--basically everything it will take for you to live and go to class there. Then from that they will subtract your EFC (estimated financial contribution, i.e. money out of your pocket) based on your FAFSA results, grants, fellowships, scholarships, etc--we'll call this "Funds." The resulting amount will be the gap between COA (cost of attendance) and your funds, i.e. your "Need." As a US citizen/permanent resident, you are entitled to federal loans with fixed low interest rates in amounts up to this total "Need" estimated by the school. Yearly, up to $20,500 of this "Need" will be covered by the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (about 4.3% this year, which is fixed for the life of the loan), then anything beyond that can be covered by the Grad PLUS Loan (about 5.3% this year, again, fixed for the life of the loan). Again, the max amount of that PLUS loan will depend on the remaining "Need" calculated by the university, and you don't even have to borrow the full amount if you think it's unnecessary. This Grad PLUS loan is the only loan that will do a credit check, but I know people who have had pretty bad credit be approved easily.

So all of this aid is packaged to you, and after it's applied to tuition and fees, the remaining amount is refunded to your account in one big check (each semester). That money you can spend however you wish, but obviously you'll want to actually spend it how it was intended--to live. Lol

One of the primary benefits of these federal loans, aside from ease of access and low fixed rate, are the various income-based federal repayment options that allow you to not live life in total abject poverty after graduation by handing over 50% of your paycheck every month. https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans
Pro Tip: I'm not a fan of going into debt at all, BUT for anyone who plans to take out these low-interest federal loans AND has any sort of higher-interest balance on a credit card/car/private loan, consider utilizing the generous COA estimate (really it's almost always more than you need) and borrow enough to also pay down those debts and essentially convert them to lower interest long-term federal loans. It makes general financial sense and your credit rating will improve immediately.

Lots of good points here. I would also add that the MFA can actually offer you some great professional skills, but mostly through extracurriculars or funded positions. Your /coursework/ won't usually get you a job, but volunteering for a lit mag or the program's events might (think graphic design, social media, PR, event planning, etc). I know several graduating students who are leveraging this type of experience to find jobs. However, these are often volunteer positions that require free time outside of class. If you're working retail through your MFA, you'll actually be missing out on professionalization opportunities.

Nope, I’m probably the oldest. Got two kids in college. Congrats on ASU. Sounds like a great program. We did a fam trip to AZ two summer’s ago (Sedona, Grand C.) and it rocked (bad pun attempt). 

Gotcha. It's a shame that everyone here has to worry about shit like this. I might pop in on next year's thread, but if I don't happen to see your posts in a sea of thousands of posts, I hope next year is easier for you. You've helped us out a lot, thank you.

I thought I was the oldest (or second oldest maybe?) on here. 
I'm looking at apartments now to move down in July. Both of my kids will start college here in MO, so that makes it hard, but ASU offered me moving expenses to get moved out there, so that part's amazing

Thanks. Appreciate the kind words. Hope your pending and Mcneese work out. Happy to share link when published. 

Oh boy, I was sucked into a project so didn’t have email access, but also got the “BU bust” late in the pm. Commiserations to those who got the ‘no’ too. For the life of me I cannot understand why BU did that drip-water torture style of rejection. But happy to have closure. So final tally: 2a/1w/9r.
Anyways, I got a story accepted for a reprint, and some other good stuff been happening, so it helps put all this MFA thing in perspective.
Probs gonna apply again next year. Hope some of the folk here stick around. Just wondering if a new thread MFA 22 has to get started? 
 

Indeed, I received my rejection e-mail earlier as well.  They just needed a little nudge. 
Well, this has certainly been a very long engagement, but not nearly as enjoyable or thrilling as the film or the novel it's based on.
I'd LOVE that spreadsheet, please.  I'm a taskmaster, and pros/cons lists and scheduled activities are pretty much a part of my DNA.
I will message you my email in a message so you can send it away!
I do wonder if this is the right thing for me, because all I feel is indifference about the rejections.  I'm not certain, but maybe that's a nudge too cavalier an attitude, or maybe it's fine.
I'll probably just self-immolate once all 8 future schools I'm applying to reject my writing as well.
But WHAT a way to go!
 
Toodles everyone, and see some of you on the other thread!

Well crap. I'm sorry but hang in there. If your writing on here is any indication...don't give up. HUGS and good luck in the future. 

I'm close to the same age that's why I was hoping to get in this year. Time seems to be this niggling factor. But I'm very young at heart and don't look/act my age either. I think you try again like there isn't the option not to and call it a gut feeling but I think that is the story that gets you in-written as fiction. 

If it makes you feel any better the call telling me that I did not get picked for any funding sucked just a little worse than the rejections. There, I'm just out the application fees...and my pride. Now I'm looking at a future of student loan debt unless a waitlist spot opens up last minute or unless the Big Easy comes through. This has all been very humbling you are right. Hang in there and I swear, write the bird and old man story and sprinkle in some magic. I just have a feeling that one is a winner. 

it is not so bad  I guess I will have to start all over again. and make the effort it needs. it has been a learning experience and very humbling one as well.

I'm gonna say it on this thread and the 2022 thread, but anyone who wants my MFA school spreadsheet link (for next application season) can message me. It has virtually anything you can think of about a school that I could find. I encourage you to copy and update your spreadsheet to your needs as the virus has changed things drastically. It has stipends, average-low apartment prices, program duration, town, teaching, stuff like that. Hope your next application season goes better!

Sending hugs. I'm sorry. 

Thanks for thinking of me. Can totally relate with that poster though. Finally.....

Nothing yet. Really weird. Yeah, I saw a lot of poetry decisions released. Only one fiction. Also, no word from McNeese either. 

Good to know, I've only ever had scholarships. I'm sure I'll be eating Ramen, lol. But since I'm moving to a place I'm not familiar with and don't know a single soul, I thought I might do a meal plan just in the beginning. Plus, moving to either Kansas City or New Orleans (I haven't decided yet) is NOT going to help the waistline at all. I should have applied to places with really crappy food. I mean BBQ...I'm doomed-don't even get me started on all the stuff I'll want to eat if I go to UNO. I want to make a treadmill desk...(picture THAT) all this sitting and writing is uh....not good. Thanks for the info!

Hahaha. Skip the BBQ. Go to Southwest Blvd and eat Mexican food!