Cristie

Let me know what you find. I went into this thinking I was a decent writer...apparently not-but I'm also a big rule breaker. I've only done workshops in school but I have been published more than once. Still, No REAL feedback on my writing (apart from instructors/peers). I have found that people promise to read and review but never seem to have the time. Then I want to throat punch the ones who give you the "good job" business. If you ever want a random reader to give you an honest opinion I will--you do mine and I'll do yours. Let me know and I'll give you my email address. I have nothing to do while I too sit here and wait for TWO more rejections also. I feel like I'm on pause. Could we not start a new thread on here, post our work and all share/comment...help each other along? Yo, feralgrad...I just feel that you know this answer.

If anyone on here wants to form a writing group for fiction, let me know.  Maybe we can organize something; help each other out and learn from each other.  And yes...give honest feedback and suggestions.  I too got a lot of "good jobs" but I need some (brutal) honesty if I am to grow as a writer.  Thanks.

Well, that was a wash.
 
...
I'll see myself out.

That’s very kind of you! And oh dear ? If I did that, I think my mom would question my sanity, and my grandmother would disown me. They’re still quite traditional-minded so it would be quite the cultural shock! They’d probably stop listening halfway through and walk out of the room to be completely honest ?

Thanks, and I'm glad you made this point about your feelings. There is a girl that sits behind me in one of my writing classes (never says a word, not sure where she is from) and reading that....it's a- you could be her feeling...So I plan to reach out to her next week to make sure she doesn't feel this way too. As far as getting over fear of writing/judgement...ha, here's what I did. I wrote a really dirty romance scene and then read it to my mom. OMG...but if you can do THAT...you can get over writing fear and embarrassment real quick. 

omg so sorry to hear that. lots of fluids and maybe you'll manage some reading as well. I hope you feel better soon! COVID is definitely still around...
and damnit they need to get their shit together. NYU and Columbia (I don't mean to single them out for any other reason) both have such a weird process of notifying the applicants. A call today, another call tomorrow; some e-mails, some portal changes. Like, why? At least NYU only had one person calling. Columbia's process seems even more nebulous. 
not a helpful rant and not my first rant about this... fingers crossed for you! 

That's a great suggestion but one I can't consider. I have to stay in the US (family), prefer the south but clearly am going to have to reevaluate my roots and look past the Mason Dixon Line. I've never even ridden on a subway (Jesus) horses but....I'm literally terrified of moving up north...and this is just fear of the unknown I'll readily admit to. Its not fear of the people or places but how to function successfully in/with them. I have to think about things like a place to live, traffic, food, no friends, and PACE. I live in Arkansas and it's green and sweet and warm (mostly) and slow. The pace of life here is different than big cities. Then there is the whole...I'm not sure my writing style would jive. Imagine the hick in your class at some big fancy school...that would be me. Female honors student that says y'all and drives a truck (just trying to give you a visual). So awkward. Granted, one hell of an opportunity for writing inspiration but still...sooo very awkward. Me at a place like Boston or New York...that's like a good bar joke. Maybe I can find a smaller program somewhere up there (next round) and not dive head first into the deep end. Open to suggestions. I didn't try Alabama or Texas this time so there's still those to think about and I've been told I'd fit in at Idaho. I'm constantly researching programs and towns but this all feels like one big crapshoot.

Isn't that just part of the human condition, especially in a first-world country?
So many people waiting on the outskirts for someone to be first so they don't lose what they have, and yet, so few do decide to take that first step, so everyone is left waiting until the absolute last minute.
And hey, I'm not even trying to disparage those who do that.  I'd probably want to keep all my cards in play too.  The insidious nature of what it takes to progress or "move up in life" takes a toll on one's humanity eventually, if one lets it.
I reckon this is why it's crucial to really know oneself and what one wants at this stage in the game.  It makes the ability to choose between programs one's been accepted so much clearer, clearing the way for others.
And still, it's dawgy-dawg.

Interesting on Draft to see quite a few people complaining about being on waitlists---all the while holding onto ALL of their own multiple acceptances. And they wonder why things aint moving. 

Like, if you want some movement, be the change you hope to see, yall.

Not directed at anyone in particular, just a gripe. 

Going for the Hail Mary. Found a program still accepting applications that had been on my original list. I didn't apply before because I didn't want to live (shiver) in the cold. Reworked my submission and SOP. It screams last minute but HEY...you never know. Crossing my fingers someone out there doesn't like heat and mosquitoes. Or gumbo. I just don't know about a southern girl writing up north. If you happen to know of any programs that are still accepting applications, please let me know. 

I applied to Lancaster, Edinburgh, and Glasgow! Got offers from these three but rejected from UEA (said I had “promise” and to try again next year  ) I believe those are still open for applications (?) I also worry about the UK schools funding wise so I’m holding hope for the remaining US ones but if not, I think I’ll end up going to the UK.
 
If you’re looking for any program including MA not just MFA, I’d suggest the UK schools I listed above! ^ There are many others you can look into too. A lot of them have numerous “rounds” deadlines.

I think it’s - fake news. ?

Y'all are better than Netflix.
 

Y'all are better than Netflix.
 

I GOT ACCEPTED INTO COLUMBIA WITH A SCHOLARSHIP!!! they just called ? 

I so feel this. Like, because I'm also in the same boat ? 

Nawlins, where you at bruhv ?

It's also very similar to a bad divorce...takes months to happen, costs a lot of money, you feel rejected....I could go on but I'm sure you get it.

For what it's worth, it seems grad school application/admission season is essentially the living embodiment of:
"You're tearing me APART, Lisa!"
"Oh, hi, Mark."
I'd take things in long, breezy strides with a drink (alcoholic or otherwise) always in hand to lubricate the silence.
Also, I always miss the good stuff, but I'm so glad Facebook deleted my empty profile before Draft ever allowed me in.  What a horrifying nexus of everything I absolutely abhor.  Dodged a bullet there, fur shore.
Phew.

"Extenuating" generally means something unforeseen. If another program asks why you're transferring, and you say it's because you're unfunded, they'll wonder why you accepted the offer in the first place. Moreover, I think it's a big gamble to pay for that first year when you have no guarantee of transferring into a funded program.

Being on the waitlist for a dream program is a special kind of pain #justmondaythoughts

The MA-first route is an option for PhD programs, but I don't really hear of people doing it for MFAs. Honestly I don't see the point since MAs in creative writing are almost exclusively unfunded, so you're in the same boat.
As for accepting no funding and trying for the next year: In some programs it's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're 100% prepared for that plan to fail. It's a gamble.
Transferring to another program is rare. As with any terminal degree, it's expected that you're committed to the program unless there's some extenuating circumstance.
Personally, I think it's most cost-effective to try again next round, and look for fellow authors to exchange drafts with in the meantime (there are plenty of websites for this). That's what I did, and it worked out for me.

I JUST GOT INTO COLUMBIA! OH MY GOD!!!! I was rejected from six schools and got into my seventh! ? 

Got a reject email from Lauren Grodstein at Rutgers Camden, which was weird, bc they posted the decision a few days ago. For a moment, I thought the email was going to say, "Wait, we made a mistake," (lol) but alack not...
Also, got a waitlist at McNeese State. 
Tally now: 2a/1w/5r/4p

Let’s just say since discovering gradcafe, it really has been enabling my obsessive compulsiveness ??