after

This is my first time posting, because I really wanted to respond to this. I haven’t seen stories of paths to an MFA similar to mine, so I’d love to share and give some variety (especially from an older perspective) along with a heap of encouragement to keep doing you. I did not study writing in university. After graduating, I worked a series of random jobs I can only describe as “for the plot.” I always loved jotting down thoughts, but I never considered writing formally until I started taking ad hoc online workshops about 3 years ago, in fiction, which I soon realized wasn’t a good fit. Speaking only for myself, I discovered my true obsessions only when I was older, the recurring themes that I kept thinking of from every possible angle. I started writing poetry 2 years ago, finally finding the form best fit for capturing those obsessions. I’m now in my early 30s, I still haven’t tried to publish anything, and winter 2025 was my first application cycle. Only applying to fully funded programs, I received a handful of acceptances and waitlists, at more than half the places I applied. I'm still in shock that I’ll be going to my dream school in the fall. It took time for me to get in, not because of multiple app cycles, but because I literally needed time. To prep, I’ve started doing academic and craft reading that, most likely, the majority of my cohort will have done. I’ve seen already how my submitted work could have been stronger. I know this isn’t the best time economically, but still keep the option open of doing something that allows you to develop your singular obsessions. Anything that comes next is for the plot, and it’ll enrich your writing, even if it has nothing to do with writing. Between now and your next app cycle, whether later this year or in a handful of years, try to be guided by intuition and some whimsy, and remove the pressure of putting writing “out there,” because it’s not as important as fully inhabiting yourself.