MFA Directing 2020... how we feelin?

[Lonelytraveller127]

Hi All!  Congrats to those getting acceptances and I am right there with you on waiting on some still for those that are waiting.  I feel like after this process I realized that only 1 of the schools I applied to this year was really a good fit for me and that was CMU.  I was notified that I was taken off the waitlist there a week ago, so did not get in and I assume they offered their spots? DePaul I was a finalist at and did not get in however, that is FINE with me as I decided while there I really do not like that program at all for many reasons.  UCSD just rejected me now after not bothering to communicate anything at all.  CalArts who knows?!  I wanted to communicate on here that I learned while at DePaul a couple weeks ago that Northwestern actually offered their 2 spots to candidates who didn't even interview this year they did in previous years...I find this ridiculous and again will not apply there again that is BS.  I am frustrated and feel that I wasted a crap ton of money.  Just as an FYI I actually have applied to 2 programs in the UK (Edinburgh Napier and University of Birbeck London, they have very different time lines so I am still waiting.) I have no idea how I would get funding but wanted to see if it was a possibility.  

Edited March 10, 2020 by CatMeow

[littlepeep]

Have you all heard updates on Columbia's decision? 

[moosemurders]

1 hour ago, CatMeow said:

Hi All!  Congrats to those getting acceptances and I am right there with you on waiting on some still for those that are waiting.  I feel like after this process I realized that only 1 of the schools I applied to this year was really a good fit for me and that was CMU.  I was notified that I was taken off the waitlist there a week ago, so did not get in and I assume they offered their spots? DePaul I was a finalist at and did not get in however, that is FINE with me as I decided while there I really do not like that program at all for many reasons.  UCSD just rejected me now after not bothering to communicate anything at all.  CalArts who knows?!  I wanted to communicate on here that I learned while at DePaul a couple weeks ago that Northwestern actually offered their 2 spots to candidates who didn't even interview this year they did in previous years...I find this ridiculous and again will not apply there again that is BS.  I am frustrated and feel that I wasted a crap ton of money.  Just as an FYI I actually have applied to 2 programs in the UK (Edinburgh Napier and University of Birbeck London, they have very different time lines so I am still waiting.) I have no idea how I would get funding but wanted to see if it was a possibility.  

Just chiming in to say I'm pretty sure Northwestern takes 3 directors a year, so even if they did make 2 offers and both accept there is a spot left assuming they're recruiting their usual number.

[Tintintheegg]

Well, even though some folks have not heard yet, the wait may go on. Some schools have delayed processing because of covid 19. @littlepeep C has suspended classes so that may impact notices

Edited March 11, 2020 by Tintintheegg

[Lonelytraveller127]

23 hours ago, moosemurders said:

Just chiming in to say I'm pretty sure Northwestern takes 3 directors a year, so even if they did make 2 offers and both accept there is a spot left assuming they're recruiting their usual number.

I could be wrong but I believe that they only took 2 this year, I was told by someone auditioning with me at DePaul that they know the people who got offers and they did not apply this year.  They also told me that Northwestern is going through some significant changes.  It seems to me that this is accurate based on that it did seem that they interviewed a smaller than normal amount of candidates this year.  

[theatrebythebaygirl]

@GoodToGodot Thank you for the lovely Alabama update!

How are you beautiful humans doing? I’m excited for everyone who have received offers and I feel supreme hope for those who will traverse this journey again next year (including myself most likely). I personally feel extraordinarily left in the pitch black darkness from UT Austin and Texas State. I live in TX and would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to stay in my beautiful home state. If anyone knows anything about any school, please share a little crumb with us all whomst are still awaiting news about this slightly capricious, mystifying, and prolonged journey.

[Tintintheegg]

Sounds like you want to hear if anyone has heard yet, @theatrebythebaygirl... I don't know about that so I can't be of help that front... But I do know nearly every school is going remote, cutting classes, cancelling productions, or preparing to do so in the near future. For the folks in the "haven't heard" pool that means everything is slowed down. I bet there will be no word for an entire month (especially with spring breaks in there too). Departments are not only grappling with working remotely, but rescheduling a how to proceed with learning in a field in which folks are required to be in a room together. You're not alone in the wait, hang in there!

Edited March 13, 2020 by Tintintheegg

[herecomesthemuffinman]

Yo! Anyone hear from UNCG?

[Tui77]

Hi all,

I got my acceptance to Brooklyn College yesterday and they shut down the whole school due to a Carona Virus case yesterday. So there is still hope for a response in these trying times. 

@LRI160 lets connect! 

 

[Tintintheegg]

@Tui77 Wohoo! Congratulations!

 

I too received an offer letter yesterday (from BU)! 

 

Fingers crossed for everyone waiting.

[herecomesthemuffinman]

Yo again! I heard from UNCG. Big fat no go for me. Hope ya'll get it.

[TheatreGuy123]

ISU has finalized all decisions. No for me!

[GoodToGodot]

Sounds like the other person who was offered a spot at UCLA did not accept and they've possibly sent another 1 or more offers. Keep your eye out if you're one of the people who had a final interview. 

 

Also - I've been told CalArts has sent their offers and financial packages 

[followmytearsthepolicesaid]

6 hours ago, GoodToGodot said:

Sounds like the other person who was offered a spot at UCLA did not accept and they've possibly sent another 1 or more offers. Keep your eye out if you're one of the people who had a final interview. 

 

Also - I've been told CalArts has sent their offers and financial packages 

Thanks for the info! Though it makes me super anxious... I am a candidate from China and took the final interview. They asked me to present a scene via Zoom in Feb 17. Since then I haven't heard a word from them. Such a long period of waiting, I guess I would not go in there. Congrats to U!

[Eccyclema]

Officially rejected from Washington, no surprise there. 

 

Additionally, I turned down Hawai'i. Just not the right program.

[GoodToGodot]

Anyone else worried about potentially needing to defer their program in light of all this COVID-19 anxiety? 

[throwtrimfire]

@GoodToGodot I turned down an offer from CMU because it felt like too uncertain a time to start an MFA (I don't really want to be directing over Zoom in grad school, and all my work for between now and August got pushed to next season...). I asked for a deferral given the exceptional circumstances but they wouldn't go for it. It kind of sucks to have nothing to do but debate whether I made the right choice, but alas that's the situation over here. I'm curious to hear how others are thinking about this and/or handling it with the schools they've accepted offers at.

[GoodToGodot]

@throwtrimfire From the looks of things, I don't think UCLA accepts deferrals for theatre film and television (which sucks). I don't feel I can cancel my intent to enroll because my husband has already rearranged his entire life around us moving to LA. It sounds like California is planning to open up fully by the end of the summer, so I'm hoping remote classes don't become my reality, particularly since it sounds like the entire 2020 cohort consists of only myself. 

I understand your need to turn down CMU with the region. Who knows when they'll be able to hold in-person classes again. 

[Tintintheegg]

Soooooo how is everyone? For those "going" to school in fall how are we feeling? 

[Tintintheegg]

I really meant that - this year is strange right?! What a year to go or not go to grad school in...

Edited May 25, 2020 by Tintintheegg

[ctbck]

On 5/25/2020 at 2:17 PM, Tintintheegg said:

I really meant that - this year is strange right?! What a year to go or not go to grad school in...

I'm already working on essays for this coming Fall. I'll be interested to see what the process is like. Bummed that 3 shows I had slated have been postponed but what can you do? I figure my resume and experience is still worth tossing my hat in the ring this coming year and I'm really itching to get to work so maybe it'll all work out. 

[GoodToGodot]

On 5/25/2020 at 3:17 PM, Tintintheegg said:

I really meant that - this year is strange right?! What a year to go or not go to grad school in...

I chose to go. UCLA is planning to do a hybrid of online and in person classes. Their justification of this is that if there is a second wave and the shut downs are resumed, they can then easily pull everyone to online classes again. I've spoken with some of the current directing MFA candidates and they said, while it is different, the instructors have been mindful of which classes they decide to hold online vs wait until they're in person. 

[ctbck]

Did everyone see the news about Yale?

https://www.drama.yale.edu/our-plans-2020-21/

[Tintintheegg]

Yes, I did. I'm curious if anyone's school has come out with a comprehensive plan like Yale's? If so or if not, please DM me so we can chat... 

[herecomesthemuffinman]

Yo! What ya'll wearing for school? Are ya'll dressing up or dressing casual? Thought I'd ask before I look like a fool in a couple of weeks. Thanks fam!