bbeacham

I also got a call from the head of the CNF program (Chloe Cooper Jones for those who don't know), and was offered a place and a scholarship!! I sobbed on the phone with her OMG I'm still shaking!!!

I'm in the same boat. I know that for CNF, they start making calls around this time in March. I'm anxiously waiting by my phone!

I am just dying for Columbia decisions (specifically Creative Nonfiction) to come out!! I know Oxford MSt won't be relaxed for a while too...it's so hard to wait!

I submitted my application to Columbia (nonfiction) a few days ago and decided that now, in the middle of my busy work day, is a great day to re-read my writing sample. Found one misplaced comma. Panicked. 0/10, do not recommend re-reading.

Hi everyone! I'm hoping you guys can offer me some advice/encouragement/support. I am applying for an MFA in creative nonfiction. I asked three former professors to write me recommendations for Columbia, Hunter, Sarah Lawerence, and Oxford (creative writing MSt) back in mid-November. They all agreed. One emails me today with the following message: "I've been struggling to write the recommendation letter because I never taught creative writing (in general and with you) so I'm not convinced I can say anything about your preparedness for an MFA. Because of this, I reached out to a colleague who teaches in Hunter's MFA program and a friend who teaches in Columbia's program. I sent them a copy of your transcript (with all the identifying information deleted), and they said that there's no way that you will be considered for acceptance. Graduate MFA programs are extremely selective; out of the fifty or more they get, they select only 5-8 students. Each earned grades of A+ in multiple creative writing workshops and submitted a body of work that shows growth based on teacher and peer comments. I'm so sorry that I can't do this. I urge you to apply for Masters programs focusing on digital design." Some context points: I graduated with a bachelor's in Linguistics and Rhetoric from Hunter in January 2020, and earned a 4.0 (aka, A or A+) I took four creative writing workshops in college, but didn't have time for more given the nature of my major I regularly attend workshops now with my writer friends The three professors I asked for recommendations were two Hunter professors (writing + linguistics—the one above) and an Oxford professor (linguistics—study abroad). I wanted a somewhat broad input from different professors who had seen me work in different capacities. I did not give her permission to send anyone my transcripts, even with identifying information deleted. I have worked as a graphic designer/creative director for the last 6 years. I do not want to continue with design full time. I love writing so much more and want that to be my career. To have the gall to tell me to pursue a masters in design...I'm honestly speechless. Now, I know, from the many info sessions I have attended, that the most important parts of the application are the writing sample, the statement of purpose, and letter of recs (plus other supplemental essays depending on the school). I was so enraged at receiving this email, especially since I only have a couple of weeks before the first deadline which is for Columbia on Jan 6th. Three weeks out, but with the holidays, I'm counting it as two. I'm panicking about asking a new professor to do this for me, but I've identified someone and I'm going to give it my best shot. I suppose I'm just posting this here because I need to share my rage with people who get it. Thanks!

Do schools send out emails for interviews in batches? I saw on the 2025 Draft that someone got an interview for Hunter (the only school I applied to) already and now I'm thinking I probably won't get one...

I hope it works out for you and you get an acceptance! Thanks for answering!

Can anyone who has had an interview talk about what it was like? What questions were asked in the interview? How did you feel going into it and at the end? Thank you!