RosA-R

Update: I got into CCNY today!! I know this forum is winding down, but thanks to everyone here, it was great to have this space!! I had so many questions and you all really helped!! In case anyone is reading this in the future: I didn't have a clue about grad programs before this cycle. I knew I did not want to leave NYC since I already live here, and I personally saw applying to any schools that weren't my dream schools as a waste of time. I knew I only cared about two schools and applied to both, and only applied to CCNY afterwards because they had the latest deadline. I was mostly motivated to apply because it seemed like if you don't apply to 6+ schools in a variety of locations, you are severely hurting your chances. I also got the worst 'poor you' look from a current professor when she said that applying with adjunct recs was a bad idea, and only faculty professors should be used for recs (this was well after I had submitted my applications with two recommendations from adjuncts). But it worked out, as I was not disappointed in any way. It is absolutely crazy to me that it turned out this way, but if it can happen for me, it could happen for you, so trust your gut. P.S. I so badly want to do that thing where you write your final tally, but I don't think I can P.P.S The advice given here is done with the best of intentions, and I am so so grateful for it, but past timelines can only be used to predict how the next cycle will go, there is no guarantee that things will follow the same dates. All hope is not lost if its taken a while longer than last year to hear back!

First, congrats on Florida State!! Believe it or not I still haven't heard back!!! Last week my portal updated from saying 'under faculty review' to 'dean review', so I have no idea what that means. I did get in somewhere else though (much later than a certain someone's timeline on here, so it's not as early a decision as some might believe, but it is as secretive) and have committed to it, and it wasn't Sarah Lawrence....... Anyway, I'm very happy with how things turned out; this was my first time applying, and I know I limited myself by location (NYC) and number of applications (see: past posts). I didn't know anything about the MFA process until just before applying, so I am still a little in shock that it turned out the way it did, but I am extremely grateful to this group and Draft for getting me through it! If anyone else is attending in NYC please reach out, I'd love to make more writer friends!

Did anyone ever hear back from City College? Someone on Draft said they got an update on their portal without an email notification, but havent heard of anyone else hearing back.

Hey, what genre are you? I declined my spot at Sarah Lawrence for CNF and I know of at least two others who did the same. I also see one person on Draft who has declined for fiction.

I finally got up the courage to re-read the ones I submitted... if I do this again I should start writing soon, too. I feel a lot of what got to me was a fear and lack of understanding of these programs, like how early and selective interviews were. If anyone interviewed, what was that like?? I am a very nervous and awkward person, and got overwhelmed doing applications that I had plenty of time to prepare for, lol.

Thank you so much for this response!! To give some background, I moved to New York at 17, taking that risk. I applied to only two undergrad programs here (I'm from North Carolina), got into both, and moved up. Because of a series of events, my family moved up, too, my little sisters went to public school and are now in college here, too. I already did my big risk taking move, and I wouldn't ever do it again, this is home! Because of the pandemic and a financial aid thing, I'm completing a creative writing bachelor's now. I know other programs are selective or prestigious or well funded but to me nothing is worth leaving this city and my family. Which is why my selection is so small. I didn't know much about grad school, I'm first generation college, child of immigrants, and from a rural area ( hence why no one advised me to apply to more than two undergrads, or at least one in state!!), but I had been planning on grad school since last summer. I actually visited Sarah Lawrence taking my little sister on an undergrad tour and loved the campus and did find some faculty cool and promising! It's solely the price that is terrifying, assuming little funding. I am really sorry I'm vomiting all this here, but I am seeing that the alternatives, like potentially moving, are not options I want to consider. I'm already working in the lit mag world, and I did look up some things about other MFAs. The reason I applied is because I have life plans that are very meaningful to me, and I know I will either go now, or fifteen years from now. I appreciate everyone's comments!!!! I am still cheering for all of you, and I really appreciate the reality checks!! I feel like the people I look up to in writing all have MFAs from this place or that, but this cycle has shown me that this might not be my path, although I really did admire and would love to attend the programs I applied to. I look forward to seeing where you all end up, and fingers crossed for those of us still waiting on one or more school! ETA: thank you so much for the info on NYU as well. I think if anything I would give myself one more try if I don't feel comfortable this year (although as I process the rejection and acceptance I am learning I wouldn't have been happy with a different outcome), and I would apply there for sure!

Congrats to you, too! I hadn't thought of that, I will definitely reach out about aid and especially to see student work and workshop samples!! Fingers crossed for CCNY Thank you for this info, I know NYU has a reputation for being really bad about aid for undergrads, glad to hear they seem kinder for grads. If anything, I might wait to apply there next cycle.

Thanks for the response! I completely understand, I think I just fell in love with Sarah Lawrence's campus, plus a professor who was part of my scholarship program at my first undergrad went to that MFA and said it was amazing. While Hunter might be harder to get into, I don't know that it would be right for me, who likes to experiment across genres and pull magic realism into my nonfiction writing. Their open house gave me the impression they are no nonsense, plus I read the directors books and their writing is very different from mine. If anything, I thought I would gain discipline in their program, along with their rep. City College just has good vibes lol but I've never met or heard of anyone who went there. Its just that, assuming I get zero aid, Sarah Lawrence is basically the same as my mom's mortgage, not that that amount could buy me a house nowadays anyway! I know people say Columbia's program is predatory, but if anyone applied to NYU or knows more about the program, what was it like?

Hi Everyone! I got accepted into Sarah Lawrence yesterday and am happy, but I know their funding situation is not great. I am still waiting to hear from City College, whose campus I love (I'm take a class there now) and the faculty seem cool. It's also work-friendly. However, they don't have any kind of reputation as far as I know, and from what I can tell that's a big draw for a lot of schools. While I didn't get into Hunter, I go there now for undergrad and seeing their department made me nervous with how elitist it came off, as well as their MFA being strict (no cross genre work allowed according to their online open house.) I know people say not to take out loans but seeing that a lot of people are applying cross country I figured that I do not have to take into account a certain cost since I already live here with my family and work in New York City. I guess what I'm asking is if it's worth it to wait a year and apply again, and if you guys have any recommendations for programs with decent funding for creative nonfiction in New York City. I didn't know anything about graduate school before applying but having done research I really didn't want to go to any school but those three. I know that good funding is rare, regardless of where you go, which is why City college and Hunter seemed so attractive. Sorry for the long post; any advice is appreciated!

Sorry for not responding, but same! Just a standard email.

IN AT SARAH LAWRENCE !! EEEEEEEE

I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time at it, but you've made an enormous amount of assumptions. These rejections should not discourage anyone from continuing to write, and they should certainly not make anyone think they must rest. For some it is motivation, and for others it's just one way to measure where you are at so far. FYI there are a few programs that had deadlines way past other schools, where it is normal to be waiting by now. It's not over until it's over, and even then, keep writing! For fellow POC, I would love to start a chat if you guys are interested, I've had experiences good and bad at PWIs and would love to have a place to support each other! I am confident my writing could not be any better for the amount of time I've invested, and I've already got killer ideas and a hunger to learn, no matter what happens next. All my energy in writing goes to bettering my craft, with a smidge left to talk on here with you all! I'm sure the same goes for everyone else. Except you, you clearly love the action of writing, maybe if you could focus it, you'd feel just as fulfilled

If that's true, oh well, it is what it is, one less thing to stress about! I think that person was told they were on the 'longlist', which I am assuming is their word for wait-list. While the email response they received was discouraging, there is always hope for those waitlisted, and clearly that hasn't been fully announced yet, they had to ask! For those who like me were asking about nonfiction specifically, these other admissions plus that 'someone knows of someone' confirmation of a CNF admission on Draft are worrying, but there is always the long list it seems, and if not, I'm right here with you all! Best of luck to those still waiting!!!

Hey, someone on Draft just said they know of someone who got a CNF offer of admission at Hunter today. Has anyone else heard anything??

Congrats!! Was this for fiction, poetry, or nonfiction?