pananoprodigy

I DO think it’s subjective and arbitrary, but I also think it’s true that every now and then you get one or two little freaks who are just super fucking talented in a specific way that appeals to MFAs.

This is a bit of a specific pitch, but what about writing a few stories set in the world of your novel? For example a story that follows your protagonist years before (or after) the events of the novel; or one set during the events of the novel but from the POV of a minor character; etc etc. It would only help the novel and who knows, you might produce some stories you’re excited about submitting. Just a thought!

Anybody else apply to Rutgers Camden? They're officially killing me with their marketing emails lmao. I keep getting stuff with subject lines like "Join us at Camden!" and it's just for a reading event or something.

Congrats on the waitlist!!! Definitely do reply! What you wrote above sounds perfect. They often do take enthusiasm into consideration esp if the waitlist is unranked, so it's important to let them know you're excited.

Doing some witchcraft and positive spells for you today!!!! You’re SO CLOSE!

Just got what I assume is my rejection from Pittsburgh…but all it says is “Attached is a letter from the Director of Graduate Studies with an update on your application.” ….except there’s no attachment. Lol EDIT: Okay this is weird y’all. They followed up with the letter and… “Thank you for your application to the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh. We want to assure you that your application remains under active consideration and is of significant interest to our department. Our admissions process is currently being affected by recent federal guidance that requires careful interpretation. We are working diligently to navigate these regulatory complexities to ensure we can offer you the best possible opportunity for your academic journey. We anticipate providing admissions decisions as soon as we have clarity on these matters. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and we will provide you with the most current information available. We greatly appreciate your patience during this time and remain committed to supporting your scholarly pursuits.” I’m so confused - I didn’t get an interview request at Pitt so why would I still be under consideration? And “recent federal guidance that requires careful interpretation”??? Huh??

This is SUCHHHH good advice!!!!

Tbh I really thought that if/when I got a funded acceptance the entire rest of app season would be easy breezy beautiful but that hasn't really been the case. I've been anxiety spiraling a little bit if I'm honest. The idea of moving/being in grad school again is just feeling really overwhelming (financially, emotionally, logistically) and I'm struggling to feel excited about my one acceptance. Sorry - realizing that is the OPPOSITE of what you asked haha, but I am also clawing at the walls. I hope you get amazing news soon!!!

Totally agree with all this, and for what it’s worth @Eloise2897 I got my artsy fartsy BFA degree from an “Institute of Technology” and if anything all it’s done is make people think I’m smarter and more science brained than I actually am lol

YESSSSSS LETS FUCKING GO!!! I just got mine too!!!!

I'm certainly not the CV queen or anything but I feel like there's no way your journalism stuff would be looked at as clutter! It's so relevant to creative writing, and even if it wasn't I think there's a strong case to be made for including whatever specific experiences have made you you in your apps. As long as you didn't exclude your creative writing stuff I feel like this is totally fine

Can anyone speak to the main differences between Oregon State and U of Oregon's programs? I applied to both but I can't really tell which one I should be manifesting harder lol

Morning y'all! Another day in the trenches. My focus is BAAAD, I have an end of Feb deadline that I've just been straight up ignoring, and I've been letting movement fall by the wayside and feeling physically achey and bloated. BUT just like @MegHe I forced myself to go to the gym and do yoga yesterday and I instantly felt better. Gonna try do do the same today! How are you hanging in there, bagel? Wishing everyone a tolerable Tuesday🧙‍♀️

eeek congrats!!! That's huge!!!!

I think so if I remember right from last year. This round I've been taking a "whatever happens on the portals is none of my business" approach which I highly recommend lol. I think they're one of the most unreliable ways to torment yourself

The one acceptance call I've had lasted about all of 45 seconds; I think she could tell I was internally screaming and not really processing anything other than "you're in" so she let me hop off pretty quick lmao. I think in your case if you genuinely have questions about logistics you'd be totally fine to ask them, but I also think it's perfectly normal/fine to go into it expecting not to say much more than "thank you so much, I'm very excited, I look forward to talking again soon," etc.

CONGRATS! That's awesome!!

Congrats!!!! Vandy waitlist is a huge accomplishment!! And congrats @Tuxedocat on Columbia!!!! Love to see it!!!!

Waiting on Wyoming, U of Oregon, Brown, Rutgers Camden, Trinity College Dublin, Northern Michigan, and Boise State! With three sexy soft rejections from Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Notre Dame. 🤠 edit: four* soft rejections -- take that Iowa, I can forget you too!

CONGRATS!!! Three years is the dream! Don't know much about this one but the campus looks absolutely stunning!

Hmm, in that case I'm not sure. If there are no faculty members in the department that you'd feel comfortable talking to about it, I wonder if your university has a general graduate advisor or academic office that you could reach out to. That's probably where I'd start if I were you.

Is taking a formal leave of absence an option?

You offered the world a tremendous gift, but at what cost?

Dear MFA Gods: If I get into my top choice I vow to give anyone who asks me free notes on their SOPs and samples next cycle. So mote it be So mote it be So mote it be

Reminder (for myself as well) that ✨what's meant for you will never pass you✨