jasey roberts

Hi everyone! I'm a senior in college applying for a Fiction MFA! I've been stressing about this for the past couple years but I think I have my submission packet pretty close to where it needs to be. After a certain point I've accepted that my best is all that I can do, and there's no point worrying myself about it. So cool to hear from other folks who have already made it into MFAs; living the dream, lol!
I'm applying to 24 different programs. I know it's a lot (the submission fees alone are gonna be like $1500 probably) but I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I'm living with my parents so I don't have a lot of bills and I have quite a bit of money saved up from working part time. I figure now is the time to cast a super-wide net while I have the resources, the freshest connections to my recommenders, and the cash to do so. It's no big deal if I have to apply again next year, but my submission pool will probably have to be a lot smaller as I'd like to start living on my own by then. In any case, I wish y'all the best and I'm excited to have this space to freak out in as December gets closer.

Hi everyone! I'm a senior in college applying for a Fiction MFA! I've been stressing about this for the past couple years but I think I have my submission packet pretty close to where it needs to be. After a certain point I've accepted that my best is all that I can do, and there's no point worrying myself about it. So cool to hear from other folks who have already made it into MFAs; living the dream, lol!
I'm applying to 24 different programs. I know it's a lot (the submission fees alone are gonna be like $1500 probably) but I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I'm living with my parents so I don't have a lot of bills and I have quite a bit of money saved up from working part time. I figure now is the time to cast a super-wide net while I have the resources, the freshest connections to my recommenders, and the cash to do so. It's no big deal if I have to apply again next year, but my submission pool will probably have to be a lot smaller as I'd like to start living on my own by then. In any case, I wish y'all the best and I'm excited to have this space to freak out in as December gets closer.

Hey all! I'm an MFA student who haunts these forums because I remember what it was like to be waiting to hear back from programs. I have a few things to say to applicants if you're willing to listen. 
1) Only apply to funded programs. I know it's old advice, but  it's still good advice. Even funded programs that are "lower" tier are still better than the best unfunded program. Consider that Columbia costs around 150k, comparable to medical school, and that even doctors have a hard time paying off their loans. So please don't think you'll be paying it off with writing. Only go to a non-funded school if you have 150k to spend, in which case, do it if you really want to. It will still be the same thing--some workshops, some other classes, some award-winning writers. Every MFA has that stuff.
2) Actually do your homework. Read some work by the authors at these programs. If you like the work, mention that author by name in your statement of purpose. Everyone loves to be complimented, and they will feel good knowing that you have actually done the work of seriously looking into the school. And speaking of SoPs, actually take the time to truly tailor each one to the school.
3) Submit your best (and favorite) work. Take your best and favorite story or two (or poem or essay) and revise and revise and revise until every single word can stand trial and still remain in the story. As Raymond Carver said (quoting another author), you are finished revising when, on one pass, you take a single comma out of the story, and on the next pass, you put it back in.
4) Submit and forget. Once you've submitted, go back to doing things you love. Go to the gym. Hang out with friends. Anything that will be good for your soul and push the dreaded decision letter out of your mind.
 
Good luck everyone! It took me a couple application rounds to get into a program. If you don't get in, just keep living and writing and try again next time.