meanwhile

lol very real, the other week I had a dream that U of Minnesota sent me an email saying exactly where I ranked on the reject list (285) that explained the elaborate points-based system they used and where my work fell. also cc’d was a coworker (who I barely interact with) because he reached out to them to recommend a rejection because “I just don’t like her in general” 😭 now it’s a running joke with my work bestie that anything that goes wrong is Jon’s fault. so if anyone wants someone to blame for their rejects, please know that it has to be Jon.

Is there a reason why schools wait so long to send rejects? Like, we know Alabama (for example) has already sent out both accepts and waitlists, so is there any point in not also letting the rejected applicants know? Just genuinely curious if there’s actual reasoning behind this!

U of Arizona 🕯️ please 🕯️

For what genre? Haven’t heard anything yet.

On the topic of transcripts, I’m so worried that I don’t have a chance at Idaho. They wanted transcripts from the school I spent my first year at. Even though all credits were reported on the official transcripts from where I ended up getting my degree My first school doesn’t do unofficial transcripts, so I had to order official ones and pay for them. No electronic ones, so had to get them mailed. My application wasn’t received by the department until EOD 2/10, nearly a month after applications closed. No other school had an issue (or told me they had one) with the transferred credits being reported on the other official transcript. 🥲

Have there been any notifications reported for poetry at U of Arizona yet? 🥲

just got the official reject from Ole Miss. was expecting it, but still stings. hoping that everyone here is taking deep breaths and doing kind things for themselves every day as these results come out i know we are, in effect, competitors, but i am truly rooting for everyone and wishing you well!

This has been on my shelf for years. I’ve put off reading it for no reason in particular, but this seems to be a very good time to pick it up. The right time, even. Thank you for the recommendation 💗

Echoing some sentiments shared earlier, but this truly isn’t for the weak of heart, and everyone here should be proud for trying against amazingly low odds. I keep telling myself this while waiting (not so patiently) to see if U of Arizona sends out poetry decisions today. One of my top two schools 🥲 To anyone else who hasn’t heard a single thing back from anywhere they applied (while seeing that others have), my heart is with y’all. Absolutely wretched feeling.

Hi!! In a super similar boat (down to the state lol), except in corporate America in scholarly publishing (4 years this year in my first “grown up job”). I love what I do, just hate doing it and corporate as a whole. This was the first year I was able to try for an MFA (due to personal circumstances) and the stakes feel so very high. Very much relating to your situation! I don’t have a backup plan at this point, but am considering other big life changes like moving out of state anyway if this doesn’t pan out. In terms of applying again, I do think it’s a decision I need to make after the disappointment subsides a bit, not before it happens. Also aware I definitely need some kind of career change, and trying now while waiting on decisions to figure out what else might interest me. I’m not sure where to start there, but it’s a journey I am trying to hype myself up for! Hang in there!

Big thanks and all the good karma to you both!! This gives me some hope, but also some likely-rejected relief and clarity.

Not on Facebook and would appreciate if someone could let me know about decisions (or around when to expect one) from these schools, for poetry: University of Minnesota, University of Arizona, University of Alabama, Ole Miss, UNC Greeensboro, University of South Carolina, University of Idaho, and University of Arkansas. (Have avoided asking but the nerves are very high right now and I’d just rather know to expect rejections. Thank you <3)

I’ve been on a weird cycle of this exact thing for a few days, then a few days of “everything will be ok no matter what happens” since applications began. The only thing I’ve found to ease it a bit is honestly not fighting the overwhelming feelings and accepting that this is a somewhat brutal experience. My therapist and I have lovingly named it the “It’s So Over, We’re So Back Cycle.” Giving it that name and being able to recognize that one will follow the other (for better or worse) has helped. It does feel very intense in a very strange way. Hoping it gets better for you and also looking forward to seeing if anyone has any other tips!

For those of y'all who are applying again/another round and those who have MFAs who are here very kindly offering your insight to us, what thoughts/tips/advice/do and don'ts do you have on giving it another go? This is my first time applying and even though it's still pretty really early on (no decisions received yet), I'm admittedly already losing faith 😕 I've been out of school for a half a decade (any other 2020 grads here?? fun times!) and feel so rusty. I had enthusiastic recommenders, a writing sample I'm damn proud of, but feel that my biggest weaknesses were my SOPs and not having any publications (I've never submitted anywhere either, though!). Any thoughts on applying with the same or mostly the same writing sample to the same programs the next year? Should one not apply to the same programs again? This is absolutely a me thing, but I'm horrified to think about pulling a "Hi, it's me again!" I know it's completely normal to not get in on your first round of applications, but if things don't work out this time, I'm really appreciative of any words of wisdom to keep from feeling completely dejected and like this is the only chance.

Mine is still awaiting initial review as well. I emailed the admissions department out of concern (U of South Carolina had issues with my transcripts, so I was wondering if it was the same issue) and they replied this morning saying everything is on track, they are still just taking longer than usual to process applications due to volume and the holidays.

same 😭 and now knowing that University of Arizona has sent out interview invites for nonfiction (even though i applied for poetry) has me on pins and needles. fingers crossed for us, lisichka 🤞

thank you both!! that does make sense!!

hi y'all, long time lurker but broke down and created an account bc the nerves are getting very real!! from what i've seen in this forum, many/most(?) of y'all seem to be fiction/non-fiction writers. was wondering if any other poets are here and if there seem to be, in general, a larger amount of applicants for those genres vs poetry? this year and other years too? i don't think my current anxiety levels could take joining the draft fb group, but i was wondering if (and i ask with all respect to the privacy of that space/understanding if this cannot be answered) it looks like an even-ish ratio of applicants from each genre? wishing everyone the best of luck ❤️