pomelo

Huh, that’s weird. Did you end up hearing back from them? I am going to deny Sarah Lawrence’s offer too for the same reason. I got into a fully funded program and I’ve been telling most people that I’m still weighing both options, but realistically my heart is set on the fully funded program. I just haven’t but the bullet yet. I really wanted to attend their in-person admitted students event, but I don’t think it was a smart move to let us know only weeks in advance and to schedule it on a holiday weekend. (I don’t celebrate Easter but I’m on vacation this week). I’m accepting an offer at a school in the Midwest and will be moving there in the fall. This will be my second big move in the last five years (first one was NC->Philly which was a considerably more lowkey move than the one I’ll be making for grad school). With that said, if I were you, I wouldn’t move simply because you’ll likely be doing it again less than a year later for grad school. I hate moving. You may be saving money on rent, but what about moving costs? Moving is expensive! The only way you’d get me to move back in with my parents is if I was applying to schools in that area (or if I was experiencing some kind of emergency). There are other ways to save up for grad school, which I def recommend doing because even if you get into a fully funded program, there will be moving costs—and living costs! A stipend can only help so much. Most MFAs I’ve met have some kind of side gig. I would make the choice that’s most beneficial for you and your writing. Improve your application and writing sample. Take some workshops. That’s what I would do!

Someone in the MFA Draft FB group said UNCG wouldn’t get back to applicants until April 15 which is kind of ridiculous. At this point if you haven’t heard back from a program(s) it’s worth it to reach out to them. It’s almost April..

FINALLY got my damn rejection from UMass Amherst. Jesus. It’s on the application portal and, in revisiting it, I was reminded that I paid $85 to apply. Isn’t it interesting that I was able to get 5 fee waivers out of the 10 programs I applied to and the two that had the most no-fuss fee waiver request processes were the ones I received an acceptance from? (I’m not implying anything, just a coincidence lol). I’m not bitter that I wasn’t accepted to 8 out of 10 programs, I’m just so annoyed by the ones that have a several days/weeks-long gap between releasing acceptances/waitlists and rejections. Why?? Just send all the decisions!!

I would reach out to Michener directly. It seems strange that they haven’t contacted you yet. My rejection (fiction) came in 2 weeks ago. I’m seeing people finally hear from UMass Amherst and Iowa (fiction). I still haven’t. Put me out of my misery already!!

Welcome! I applied to SLC, Iowa, and Brown (as well as 7 other programs). First off you should be proud that you applied. Not many people take that first step. Second OF COURSE you should be proud you got in. If you check Gradcafe results and the Draft spreadsheet (are you in the MFA Draft FB group? It’s very active), there are people who got waitlist or rejected from SLC. It may not be as competitive as some of these other programs, but they certainly don’t have a 100% acceptance rate. SLC is a great program that has nurtured many great writers (including one of my favorites, T Kira Madden). Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great program *for you*. I say wait to make a decision until you receive your financial aid package, visit the campus, and speak with some faculty and alumni. It’s not unheard of to apply for the MFA two, even three years in a row. Just my two cents, of course.

It seems like Iowa rejections came in the mail for a lot of people today. When I got home I ran to check the mail (I’m expecting a rejection but, still, I wanted to read what they said). Tell me why I ripped open the one envelope in there and it turned out to be an invitation to join a local Jehovah’s Witness church. Facepalm!

Same! Congrats to everyone who got in or was waitlisted. It seems like a great program.

Brown is weird. According to the Draft spreadsheet, they sent out all poetry decisions last week. Not only that, but it looks like everyone heard back by/on March 6. Unlike other schools, it looks like they’re releasing acceptances/waitlists/rejections on the same day or in the same week, at least. Two fiction acceptances were logged for 3/8 and 3/9. I think the rest of us should be hearing from them very soon.

Good morning and happy Monday, everyone. I have a feeling a lot of decisions will go out this week!

There’s certainly still hope!! The person on Draft who got in for fiction had 0 acceptances until Brown contacted them. It’s still anyone’s game. 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️

Someone on Draft said they got an acceptance email from Brown (fiction) today. Assuming I don’t hear from them Monday I’m assuming a rejection. Thus ends the season for me. That puts me at: 2a/0w/8r (3 of which are soft rejections bc I haven’t officially heard back UMass Amherst, Iowa, and Brown). Woo hoo! Glad to have your company on this rollercoaster

UMass is done notifying I think. I asked the same thing about UMass a few days ago and someone said they’ve already invited all of their admits for a campus visit. As for Iowa, they seem to be done for fiction. Unsure of the other genres!

Just got the email from Sarah Lawrence to check my status page. I’m in for fiction!

Ditto 🙏🏽

Go Pack!

Woo!! Thank you for sharing. @Rixor Sounds like a string of bad luck. I’ve been there. Definitely felt like the world was punishing me or testing me but in reality life is just..bad..sometimes. And then it’s good. Really good. I’m hoping something really good comes your way. I wouldn’t interpret any of those things as signs or bad omens.

Oof that sucks but also good to know. Thank you. These soft rejections are killing me. If some programs can release all their decisions within a few days, why can’t all programs? I feel so silly waiting on a response from UMass (and other programs) meanwhile they’ve already made their mind up about me. Booo

Anyone else waiting on Sarah Lawrence? Last year they released decisions around this time. The year before, the second week of March. Also, what is up with UMass Amherst? Did they release all decisions? I kinda gave up hope because I didn’t get an interview but still.

Wild! I saw that exact tweet. Congrats to her, she seems amazing. I truthfully don’t think any of us are “behind” but I know exactly what you mean. There’s a student at my alma mater who recently published a novel her sophomore year of college. Her parents are college educated and teach music at a college. She was in a creative writing club in high school. I graduated in ‘20, am unpublished, have refugee parents who work blue collar jobs, and at no point in my K-12 was I offered the options of a creative writing class or club. All that to say, I was jealous of this young author and I thought I was “behind” because I’ve never even written a novel length piece, let alone published one. But while some people have the cards stacked in their favor, others have the cards stacked against them. Sometimes it’s not a matter of talent, but a matter of luck (and privilege, access to resources, and connections.) Of course, I’m not trying to say that the poet who got into Iowa or the young author are untalented. I’m certain they deserve all the success they’ve gotten. Just as we deserve all the success coming our way! Whether we’re in our 20s or 50s, with an MFA or without.

There is something special about that number 7! Why do I kinda want that magnet now?! Thank you both for sharing. So interesting to hear what signs have popped up for other people. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one thinking like this. I’m not ordinarily superstitious (not sure if that’s the right word but anyway) but this process has been full of so many unknowns, I can’t seem to help but be!

Is it weird I thought I’d get into Iowa because I saw an Iowa sweatshirt in a thrift store in my hometown (in North Carolina absolutely nowhere near Iowa) back in December? Then again, in January, I saw a guy in Philly wearing a UMass Amherst sweatshirt and thought that was a sign too - haven’t heard a peep from either school. Lol.

WOOOOO congratulations!!!!!

We’ll just have to wait and see! I’ve been telling my friends it’s like having “senioritis” all over again. Except this time, I don’t have to worry about passing any classes. I am resigning from my job in June though. Can’t. Wait. I’m still hopeful too. I think if I don’t hear back by end of the week, maybe I’ll be less hopeful lol.

I’m guessing you mean poetry? Hopefully someone will reveal themselves soon! I have to admit I’ve done the same for all the fiction acceptances. A lot of talent out there!

Another one bites the dust! Officially rejected from New Writers Project (Fiction). A bummer because both UT programs were tied for my #1 choice. edit: how common is it to end the season with 1a and 0w? Idk why but I feel silly having gotten no waitlist notifications at this point. (Still waiting to hear from four more programs, to be fair.)