Jane Wyman

I'm worried today will be quiet, while tomorrow will be a Red Wedding. I guess that's the joy of application season!

Can we manifest "everybody gets good news this week"?

Can you visit or get put in touch with other students?

Which schools might release decisions this week? Iowa, Hunter, U of Oregon, NWP? (I know this is encouraging baseless speculation and that I should be engaging in fruitful labor, but ... I'm curious!)

I haven't gotten any positive signs yet and am starting to panique ... I'm leaving my current program regardless for a variety of reasons, but it's not going to look great if I'm just like, "Yeah, I'm leaving for personal reasons, best of luck to all." Does anyone know the etiquette in this situation?

Just got a no from Amherst. It's especially disappointing because last time, they said "faculty encourage you to reapply." No such wording this time.

Thank you both! That helps to hear.

That's comforting. Thanks!

Just saw on the Facebook group that not waiving the right to see your recommendation letters is a "pink flag" for admissions committees, at least at some schools, like Vanderbilt. Feeling worried about this--I think I waived it for some schools but not others, because I was curious and didn't know you weren't supposed to do that. Is this a thing, or will committees understand that not everyone knows this unspoken rule?

This freaking-out thing happens every year, right? And at least some of us get in? Riiiight?

Thank you for talking me down lol.

Feeling the same way. I'm a fiction transfer student, this was one of the less competitive programs I applied to, and I thought I was a great fit. Worried I'm cooked. Reality checks welcome.

Feeling deeply obsessed with the WashU rejection that just appeared on the spreadsheet. Fake, or are they working backwards?

Loved reading "James" on my last plane ride!

I'm not. I'm in an adrenalized state of hypervigilance.

Thanks, @prufrock_!

Where in Draft can you see how many applications there were for each program?

Bad/sad in what way? Like, you thought their work wasn't great? I think profs matter more than the cohort, but the cohort is meaningful, too.

I recommend visiting if you can! And also talking to grad students who the program DOES NOT hand-select for you, but rather people you find through here or the Draft Facebook group.

I'll go ahead and make an intro post, too. This is my second time applying (I'm hoping to switch out of my current program, where I'm a first-year). Feeling jittery and desperate for news, but I know it's not healthy to dwell in that energy through March. I wish I knew for certain that I'd get a waitlist or acceptance this round.

Yeaaaaaah, I too am pressing that Pavlovian button. I know I must stop!

Seems a lot quieter around here than last year. Dare I hope that the applicant pool is smaller, or are people just asking ChatGPT their questions? I'm in my first semester at a program that hasn't turned out to be a good fit. I've got 11 applications in and two more to go. It's been a heavy lift, and I can't help but worry that I won't get accepted or waitlisted anywhere. But wildly speculating isn't helpful either, especially in the depths of December.

Whew, thanks! And sorry your submission is late, too. I guess there's an ice storm messing up the mail planes.

Question: I'm in my first semester of a program but applying elsewhere. Someone suggested that I should ask for an LOR from my current program. Is that standard? Or a good idea? Feel like former teachers would be better.

Anybody have an MFA application consultant that they recommend?