womanonline

Funny thing is... I applied for Creative Nonfiction? Or I thought I did. I saw a post on Draft awhile back that alluded to UTK only having fiction and poetry, but I don't think I would've applied if it hadn't allowed me to choose CNF? I've been concerned about that since seeing the post (and still a little concerned since they didn't mention genre in the email). But this has spiraled me into a longer post. Basically, I had no idea what I was doing the last two years attempting to apply to MFAs. I wasn't apart of these groups and my professors did not fully prepare me for what it would be like or the stakes of applying. I didn't know about stipends or financial packages, didn't consider location/rent or cohorts, didn't realize how few people they accepted. I didn't even know what the best schools were to apply to. I applied to Emerson College last season and got accepted despite not having all of my recommendations (and having objectively not great samples), but I wasn't able to go because I ended up having to do another year of undergrad due to a schedule mix-up. This year I was waitlisted at UTK (with a much better application and full recommendations). Both years, those were the only schools that I applied to. I found this group (and Draft) a few months ago when trying to find out when I'd hear back from UTK. It has sincerely opened my eyes (and taken over my life a little bit). I've learned so much and been so grateful -- but also, to some degree, still feel left out. I never had the experience of applying to far-away or prestigious universities in undergraduate because of primarily fear and doubt (and lack of knowing what I wanted to study) but also due to financial reasons. I've always wanted to be able to apply to a bunch of great schools and see if I got in just to even have that experience at all, even if they were rejections. I regret that external worries about the future led me to apply late and to only one school (of which I'm still not sure if they would have a focus in my genre). All of this is just to say that I have regrets. And despite being so grateful and excited for this waitlist, I will be taking myself off of it. I want to try again. I'm not sure that Knoxville is the place for me anyway. I've lived in rural Mississippi my entire life, and I want to see if I could get further away. I just want to see realistically what my options are. I feel more confident to be able to do this after this experience and learning so much from this group. (Side note: Am I crazy for this?) Also, for those that are wondering, UTK said they sent out five acceptance offers. I'm not sure if that is fiction or nonfiction at this point, but I really thought I applied for nonfiction. They also did not mention if it was a ranked waitlist or how many people were on it. They didn't even spell my name right in the email lol. Last thing -- Considering everything I've said, does anyone have recommendations for which (fully funded) universities to apply to next round for CNF?

UTK waitlists just went out! i made it 😁

somebody asked earlier if the university of tennessee poetry acceptance on gradcafe results was a fluke, but it’s also been reported on draft as well now. going crazy waiting to hear back from them. crossing my fingers for tomorrow

been waiting on knoxville forever it feels like. last year it looks like acceptances went out on the 21st so they’re behind it seems like

i’m so ready to go to sleep so i can wake up and see if there’s any results tomorrow

Whoever said Iowa might drop even this weekend was so right

I think you can do direct messages? Not sure, I’m pretty new here but I think so

Question -- what is the general consensus on Emerson College's MFA program? I applied last year and got in without one of my recommenders even submitting their recommendation (because I had decided I was going to wait to apply). Also, looking back, my writing sample was terrible, some of the worst I've ever written (I say this as objectively as I can, not trying to down myself). Based on the Draft, it looks like only acceptances to Emerson. Are they not a very selective program? I didn't know much about MFA programs when I applied, and I just saw them on some list of the best programs (plus I thought that Boston would be a fun city), but now that I'm more involved/educated, I'm wondering about how good their program is. Can anyone speak to this? Mostly asking because I'm considering reapplying since they accepted me once, but I don't know if it would be worth it.

I really thought this week would show a lot more results than it did. It's looking like next week might be big. I do see somewhat of a trend of some schools sending later decisions so far than they have in previous years. I wonder if that's due to an influx of applicants or something else.

Looks like Boston University is starting to send out emails on the Draft (for fiction so far)

i was really hoping that UTK would release decisions today based on last year’s results in the draft but the doom is already setting in and i’m just going to assume i must suffer for another week

anybody else just reading their samples and SOPs over and over again while they wait for responses? some days i’ll read them and be like yes, this is the one. some days i’ll read them and wonder what the hell i was thinking

Been lurking here for awhile hoping to see if anyone mentions UTK's Creative Nonfiction program. I've seen acceptances/rejections/waitlists for Fiction and Poetry, but Nonfiction seems to be quiet. Does anyone know when they usually reach out? This is my first year applying to MFA programs, and the suspense is killing me.