pinot noir

I know for Hunter, the short list isn't made until the third week of March, so I'm not too worried about that... just wondering about the others. Thanks.

Get a copy of White & Strunk's Elements of Style. It never fails!

I'm not freaking out yet, and I already received one offer for admission (which I thought was early), but does anyone know the typical time MFA programs get back to applicants. I hear it's usually later, like March or April... just thought I'd ask... Thanks!

I agree with modernity that it's not a matter of "safe" or "top choice." It's really a matter of "fit."

Very nice! Thanks both of you... it's just nice to know you're not alone. That's what I like best about gradcafe

I was just offered admission for creative writing (nonfiction). I have been in contact with advisors/students and I plan to attend an open house if they have one, but I am unable to make a decision quite yet as MFA's tend to notify much later than February, more like March or April

ny, I'm still waiting on you...

ny, I'm still waiting on you...

I agree that there is definitely a difference between apprehension and indecision. I think having cold feet is a natural, healthy way of saying, Oh my God! I'm about to commit my life to something and I have no idea what's gonna happen next. I know for sure that grad school is the next step in my academic career so no second thoughts, just nice to chat with others who are going through a similar process and sharing the same sentiments (sigh!). By the way, I'm applying for an MFA, not a Ph.D., still highly competitive and a terminal degree (another big sigh!).

Thanks for the offer, but I'm waiting to hear back from (top school). Um, if all else fails I'll get back to you. Here's what I actually said: Uh, I'm not quite ready to make a decision yet (is that really bad?).

Totally understandable... I feel ya!

Yeah, I just get this wierd feeling in my head like I'm gonna become 'one of them.' I start to feel alienated from my friends and a little isolated too... it's wierd.

So, I don't know if I'm the only one feeling this way, but does anyone get a sudden urge to drop it all and walk away? As if grad school is going to turn me into a different person that I don't want to become i.e. stressed out and unable to enjoy life... just a thought, any thoughts... anyone?

I don't know if this helps, but I'm not expecting any responses until March or April. I just got an offer of admission from my 'safe school' which seemed unusually early. Granted, MFA programs tend to take longer, but hey, I wouldn't give up hope quite yet...

You don't need an advanced degree to succeed. Look at Oprah Winfrey... or Donald Trump.

You don't need an advanced degree to succeed. Look at Oprah Winfrey... or Donald Trump.

If you get an offer from a program and you're not sure you want to go there, how does one respond? Gosh, I hope I wasn't rude or nonchalant when I said, "I'm not ready to make a decision right now."

'twas an easy call, "we'd like to offer you admission for fall '11." And that was it!

Mine's not that exciting: I was in the shower when I heard my phone ring. I wasn't expecting a notification until at least March (MFA's take ages to process apparently). When I checked my voicemail I was delighted to hear the head of the creative writing department at UC Riverside telling me that they had read my application with 'great interest' and would like to speak with me 'as soon as possible.' That was Friday. We played phone tag all weekend and just today, Tuesday, I received my sixth call from him and he said it straight up, "We would like to offer you admission for Fall '11." I didn't know how to respond, but I was at least happy that my $80 wasn't wasted. I said, "I'm not quite ready to make a decision yet" (I'm still waiting on ny). He said he understood completely and I have until April to decide

Thank You! I'm expecting a call today... a little nervous, but excited too.

So, I received a phone call on Friday from the head of the creative writing department at UCR expressing that they had read my application with 'great interest' and would like to speak with me 'as soon as possible.' We've played phone tag since and it's leading me to wonder what does a phone call mean anyway? It's not really my top choice, but still, I'm curious... any help would be appreciated!

So, I received a phone call from the head of the creative writing department at UCR. We played phone tag and I'm trying to stall the conversation to see if I hear back from anyone else i.e. Columbia. Does anyone know what standard procedure is here? Will they offer you a spot only if you accept now? Is there a grace period? I don't want to be rude, but I don't want to be foolish either. Thanks for any advice.

Just got my first call from the head of the creative writing department at UC Riverside. I'm trying to stall the conversation to see if anyone else responds...

I just got a call from UC Riverside (Feb 11, 2011) which I thought was early and nice. I also applied to Columbia. Still waiting to hear from New York... so, they actually threaten you to take their offer? Geez, I thought this was grad school, not Kindergarten! I'm a little nervous about that (!)

Not in California they require a personal history statement along with a statement of purpose. a lot of copy and pasting in this application process to satisfy everyone's questions about why I want to attend graduate school.