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Everything posted by MDP
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Hey@Kado! I would check your Spam, my rejection went to my "Promotions" tab in my Gmail for some reason.
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I'm applying for fiction! Applied once before when I was still a senior in college and didn't know what I was doing. I've taken a different angle with my writing and I just felt ready to try again. I sat out last cycle and if I don't get in anywhere this round, I'll likely sit out for another year before I even think about reapplying. This is a really taxing process and I'm not eager to jump back in, to be honest. Part of me wonders whether the MFA is even the best path for me. I adore workshopping and working with others, and I admire the network available to MFA students. But I dislike the competition and egoism (my own included) which seem to flourish in these environments. I also think MFAs encourage homogeneity. I have a friend at one of the top programs -- won't say which -- and she said that her workshops have stifled the qualities that made her writing authentic. She's had a hard time getting back to her natural voice (which is what got her in the door to begin with!) Ironically (?) I tend to write the most, the best, when I'm working a dead-end day job. My current job is a great fit for me in early sobriety, and while I don't want to remain here forever, it provides me with a steady stream of content in the meantime. Tldr; if I don't get in this time I probably will pivot to graduate programs in a separate field, move cities, or head in a new direction with my career. I'd like getting some more life experience that isn't yoked to the field of writing/literature. Vonnegut on searching for literary talent (since there's a Vonnegut quote for everything): "Send them to the chemistry departments, send them to the zoology departments, send them to the anthropology departments and the astronomy departments and physics departments, and all the medical and law schools. That’s where the writers are most likely to be . . . it can be tremendously refreshing if a creator of literature has something on his mind other than the history of literature so far. Literature should not disappear up its own asshole, so to speak."
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It really is harsh. I've seen so many talented writers turned away from good programs already this season alone! It really is just a game of chance at this point. What's your first choice, if you don't mind? Hollins and UVA are my top two. Oh wow, cool! Thanks for the well-wishes Hoping for good news for you too. I didn't even know what Hollins was until I applied this year, haha. I just had a feeling that I should apply, so I did. Looks like a great program. I think their acceptance rate is about 10%, which is still slim but better than some of these >1% places. Congrats on the good news, @chuey! Sorry about the funding -- funding is make or break for me too. Not too late! I just am a pessimist and tend to assume the worst. They have been known to notify fellowship accepted students as late as mid-March. There's really just no telling.
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Still waiting to hear from: Iowa (assuming rejection though, since it seems they've already notified for fiction) Cornell Hollins UNM UVA NYU Applied for Fiction MFAs only. Rejected from University of Michigan. Thank you @Rm714 Rooting for you too! Gotta say, I'm feeling pretty pessimistic right now about the whole process...it's hard not to be
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Hahaha you're fine I love the enthusiasm hope I'll have some good news to share soon!
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Ah it's not mine, just wanted to post for anyone who wanted to save a click
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That's good to hear. Last time I was in there was also two years ago. From what I remember, there was a lot of hero-worshipping of certain applicants? Like, cult of personality around certain people in that group/ass-kissing energy which I found extremely offputting and cringe. Not that GradCafe is always a pristine environment but I do prefer this forum by a very large margin. Oh I didn't get into Draft. I was laughing at "I tend to make accounts there either very good looking or very ugly. I once made an account here on gradcafe with a pic of a girl with big breasts. All the guys tried to talk to it." That cracked me up against my better judgement. Thank you
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Actual lol just now
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Totally get this. I actually deleted my Facebook altogether recently (wanting to reduce my internet footprint for some reason lately...digital decluttering.) I was in Draft during my first round of apps, and I very quickly grew to hate it. Too competitive, too much dick-measuring. Plus, I didn't like being able to see all the other applicants faces and names. You're extremely good looking AND you're racking up acceptances?! (looking skyward) God, I see what you've done for others... /s
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Sure thing! I found that site super helpful when researching programs. I think it also has a list feature so you can keep all the programs you're interested in in one place. Congrats!!!! What an awesome pick-me-up, especially following a rejection
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Check out this database and sort by Residency > Asc. It'll pull up a lot of low-res programs, which may be what you're looking for! My mom did a low-res MFA via Antioch because she's a tenured professor and wasn't going to leave her job for an MFA. She did most of her workshopping and classes online/via phone/Zoom and spent one or two weeks a year on the campus itself.
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Finally heard from a school! Rejected from University of Michigan. Got the email ten minutes ago. Not too bummed about this one...I had talked to a student there and while the program is excellent, the cost of living is apparently nuts. Not to mention the cold, ha.
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Just saw the University of Idaho acceptance posted on results page and my weary brain read it as University of Iowa. Sigh!
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100%. The waiting game is agonizing at this point, since I feel like some of my schools could notify any minute or in several weeks. I just shared the spreadsheet with everyone who DM'd me! Send me a message on here with your email if you'd like me to share the Google doc with you
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It was great to read your work, btw, and I would love to read it again any time. I admire your balanced view on this whole process and am excited to see how your writing grows! Hope is definitely crucial for me too, even tiny glimmers.
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I agree! I would be happy to put together a spreadsheet of emails that we can all access -- a little database of workshop buddies to pick from at random throughout the year. DM me your email if you'd like to be added and I'll share it with everyone as a Google doc
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Also, looks like they notified almost a full month earlier than usual...c'mon, other schools...(weak laughter)
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Feels like EVERY school is starting to notify except the ones I applied to! I am going NUTS
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Ahhh this is so kind, thank you!! I really do love workshopping, and it's a pleasure to look at such great work
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Yes, workshop offer still standing for anyone interested! I have a lot of spare time and workshopping is one of my favorite things to do, lol.
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Yes!! Message me on here and I’ll send you my personal email
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I would love to workshop poetry too!
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Congrats!!! So much great news today!!! Is it just me or does it seem like more of us on this thread are hearing about acceptances than years past?
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So I am having a reeeeally slow day at work...DM me your email on here if you want any pieces workshopped
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WOW!!! Huge congrats to you two!!!
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