mr. specific

Hi. I wanted to offer help to folks in whatever capacity I can. Last year I was accepted to 6 fully funded programs in poetry and wait-listed by another 3 top programs. Due to health reasons, I'm currently deferred from my fellowship and have a lot of down time. I expected to be a full time student, but now instead I could potentially help people out as the dates get nearer. I think I could especially be of help with personal statements, since that seems like the hardest part, (and one you can still do something about), but also could maybe answer questions about specific programs. I lucked out with the advice available to me through mentors and recommenders, but I know not everyone has that. So please message me if I can be of assistance. I have a fair amount of experience with this stuff and will try to be prompt in responding.

Following up with gratitude and final stats. 6 accepts, 3 waitlists, 8 rejects. It's been an thrilling, humiliating, and encouraging process. Would love to help others w their sample or statement stuff in the future. Lotsa love.

Do you know if that mean stipends or tuition assistance? 20-40k toward Columbia tuition still leaves a lot of tuition.

I heard from NYU a month ago and they already had their accepted students visit. Columbia announced acceptances pretty recently and also have invited all their students to an event. So I'd say they're done with acceptances, but I don't know about waitlists. Some people have reported waitlists I think. Strange they have not told everyone yet.

Has anyone seen any actual money from Columbia? or have info on how many people they fully fund?

Congrats! I got into Miami too! They told me they were only taking 3 poets and 3 fiction writers. Maybe they meant there were 6 over the two years, or maybe I misunderstood. Regarding Syracuse, I don't have any special insight on the waitlist, but I am accepted there and most likely will not go, so hopefully that's good news for someone. I visited and it's a great program.

Iowa poetry is definitely not done yet. Acceptances still to come.

I am also interested in this question and have been looking for resources. This seems like a pretty legit approach: https://www.profellow.com/tips/how-to-negotiate-your-funding-offer-for-graduate-school-an-email-template/ I haven't tried it yet, and am a little anxious, but might give it a shot.

Not an MFA, but apparently University of Buffalo has rescinded several offers made this year for the English PhD after "budget cuts."

I've done this already with a couple faculty members. You may already have the logistical answers you're looking for, but you don't know their particular attitude towards the program and toward their students. I did run through a lot of those basic logistical type questions, but just as a jumping off point for finding common things to talk about. It's a good gauge of the culture of the program. I think about it as just having a conversation and hopefully building a relationship. You already got in, so you don't have to ask the standard interview-y questions. If they emailed you, they're happy to talk. They're probably as interested in you as you are them. I'd definitely speak with current students too, which will probably be incredibly helpful.

I'm in at Miami! And Columbia! Good afternoon, evening and good night. 5a/2w/6r/4p ❤️

I would love to know about Columbia too. I think NYU is done with acceptances (who knows there might still be a waitlist and I don't count anything out until I get the letter—looking at you, UMass) since they are having accepted students visit next week. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

I applied for poetry.

Wow thanks! I hope I hear back from them in a week or so. I'll definitely hit you up for Miami advice.

I got interviewed by Miami today and came away with a really excellent impression of the program there. They said they only take 3 in each genre, so my odds are still long, since I assume, based just on time slots they offered that the'yre interviewing at least ~10 per. But if they take me I would definitely consider moving to S. Florida. Also got a really nice waitlist notice from UVA several days ago, and they said not to post anything until the 5th. This is the only school I've seen do that, but I guess they want to wait till they can notify everyone (instead of waiting weeks like some schools). They won't say how many people are on the waitlist, though.