GhostOfHermann

Does it look like Notre Dame is done for Fiction? I only see two entries in the draft spreadsheet, but they are the same person (first and interview and later an acceptance). I am assuming they are done and it's a rejection for me but curious.

Good morning, I'm wondering if anyone has advice for when to send a follow up email to schools where I'm waitlisted? I did send a thank you email right after being places on the waitlist to express my gratitude and excitement, but that was over a month ago now. When is it reasonable to follow-up without being a pest, and how should I ask the question, "What are my chances of getting in?" but in a polite way? Thanks!

It's getting to the point where I hate that it's Friday and the weekend is almost here.

I did email them on Tuesday asking the question if that email update went to all applicants, or if it should be taken as a sign of hope, or if there was any information they may be able to provide. It was short and very polite, but I have not received a response from them. If I do, then I will share anything I can share.

The first response I received this year was a waitlist for Illinois and I am grateful for that, but it really made me get optimistic about my 13 other applications. All Rs since that first one and only a couple to go. I can’t figure this process out for the life of me.

There are two Texas New Writer's Program (NWP) waitlist entries that just showed up in the Draft spreadsheet a little while ago. Now I'm anxious to hear about the Fiction results for NWP.

I don't have any real idea either. I do think the general reputation of the school plays into it, as well as who is on the faculty (big names etc). George Saunders teaching at Syracuse definitely gets that program attention (and Tobias Wolfe ran that program years ago before moving to Stanford). I have a brother who is a Professor of Music and after discussion with him and others, I think the specific cohort of teachers you will have matters more than the college. One mentor I have studied in part with Joyce Carol Oates, but told me he learned a lot more from the non-famous professors (not to knock her but teaching is not necessarily the main focus of a well known writer). I landed on location and seeing if I liked what different professors had published to see if I might vibe. I also looked at these rankings which try to go by what alumni have published. Hope this helps. Ultimately, I think reputation matters, but is not everything.

I know some others received that email from Pittsburgh this past Thursday with an update on why their admissions have been delayed. I couldn't tell if it was a general email to all applicants, or sent only to applicants who they are really interested in. That line in it, "We want to assure you that your application remains under active consideration and is of significant interest to our department," has really screwed with my head quite a lot. I've thought about emailing them (they did say to email with any questions) and asking the above (was it a general email or more specific) but I thought that might be out of line and make me look bad. Does anyone have thoughts? Thanks!

Neither school has any way of knowing that you are on any other waitlists, or what you may have told other schools. I'd say, sit tight, and you're fine. In the event that you get admitted from the waitlists to both Minnesota and Syracuse, then pick one, and you'll have a mildly awkward rejection to send to the other. But I'm sure they heard everything and far worse. And congrats! You're doing well.