2021 Applicants Forum

[Boomer not Ok]

Hello, 

My first time applying for MFA (fiction). Just wondering if Umass is done with their decisions now. I saw my portal application status changed to "update pending." Since I haven't been contacted (phone or email), I figure this means game over. Any one else know how Umass works?

 

[sylviaplate]

On 2/10/2021 at 1:59 PM, mrvisser said:

I'm really banking on this whole "writing is subjective" thing. I'm thankful that Ole Miss and WUSTL aren't in my top three, but it's certainly discouraging for my prospects at Iowa, Michener, and Vanderbilt, which probably receive more applicants. 

With you on this. It’s my first application round and I *know* to more or less expect rejections across the board, but it’s a hard thing to actually internalize. 
 

My probable rejection from WUSTL is making me nervous for the more popular / ‘prestigious’ programs, but trying to remind myself that 1) yes, it’s all subjective, 2) it only takes one acceptance and 3) life goes on. 
 

All the news on Draft today gave me a minor anxiety attack, but it’s honestly soothing to have a broader community full of people going through the same thing and getting the same rejections. We’re in it together!! 
 

Anyway, trying to distract myself and get excited for the future, whatever that may look like. Best of luck to you and everybody else.

[savsav]

Hello, am new here and this is my first time applying. 

So far, I've applied to UOregon, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, UMichigan, and UMaine - Orono (Poetry and Poetics) - and will likely apply to more places with later admissions/lesser funding. Are there any updates from any of these schools? Do all applicants get the same thing in the Applicant section of Syracuse's myslice portal (it says "admission acceptance form" but when selected, it takes you to a page saying "this page is not currently available for your use")? Going mad here and I have no "Plan B" if I dont get in anywhere.

[NLake]

50 minutes ago, savsav said:

Hello, am new here and this is my first time applying. 

So far, I've applied to UOregon, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, UMichigan, and UMaine - Orono (Poetry and Poetics) - and will likely apply to more places with later admissions/lesser funding. Are there any updates from any of these schools? Do all applicants get the same thing in the Applicant section of Syracuse's myslice portal (it says "admission acceptance form" but when selected, it takes you to a page saying "this page is not currently available for your use")? Going mad here and I have no "Plan B" if I dont get in anywhere.

MySlice looks that way for me as well. Someone posted earlier that they were told Syracuse wouldn't be sending notifications until late March or early April. That seems way late based on what I've seen for past years (did a search of the results page), but if it's accurate we've got a bit of a wait ahead of us!

I don't have any insight on the other schools, but I wish you all the best with each of them! I know the wait can be maddening, but here's hoping we don't have to wait much longer!

Edited February 10, 2021 by NLake

[teasel]

1 hour ago, Boomer not Ok said:

Hello, 

My first time applying for MFA (fiction). Just wondering if Umass is done with their decisions now. I saw my portal application status changed to "update pending." Since I haven't been contacted (phone or email), I figure this means game over. Any one else know how Umass works?

 

 

Hey, welcome! I applied to UMass as a poetry applicant but I've been wondering the same thing. This is all I know: some of the acceptances interviewed with the Writing Center pre-acceptance, some did not. Some folks have received an email about a portal update, some folks have not. Personally, I have received no communication with the school and my status is currently "under review" still. I'm not feeling very optimistic about Amherst at this point. Someone on Draft received a waitlist email yesterday for fiction, so idk? Everything seems pretty staggered, but I'm guessing we'll be hearing back reeeeal soon. 

[mrvisser]

40 minutes ago, savsav said:

Hello, am new here and this is my first time applying. 

So far, I've applied to UOregon, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, UMichigan, and UMaine - Orono (Poetry and Poetics) - and will likely apply to more places with later admissions/lesser funding. Are there any updates from any of these schools? Do all applicants get the same thing in the Applicant section of Syracuse's myslice portal (it says "admission acceptance form" but when selected, it takes you to a page saying "this page is not currently available for your use")? Going mad here and I have no "Plan B" if I dont get in anywhere.

Some people have posted acceptances and waitlists to Oregon, but I haven't seen anything from the other schools. Vanderbilt is right up atop my list along with Texas, so I've been waiting anxiously for it.

[DeepSyntax]

Have been lurking the last week or so, decided to join the fun.

I worked really hard and methodically on my application over the last several months. Before I checked here I didn't realize so much activity happened in February. Based on previous years it seems some of my schools could be providing results as early as next week. Now I'm very anxious.

I am working full time, and actually just got married. I will need to move soon, so my future is partially determined by whether and where I get into any of these schools. In a weird way it will be kind of a relief if I don't get in anywhere so that I can just keep plugging along. And because I need to move on a tight deadline, I will need to make a decision before waitlists get processed - so getting waitlisted is effectively a rejection for me.

Anyhoo nice to be here and hope to engage in further discussion in the coming month. Best of luck to all.

[shanbanan]

2 hours ago, DeepSyntax said:

Have been lurking the last week or so, decided to join the fun.

I worked really hard and methodically on my application over the last several months. Before I checked here I didn't realize so much activity happened in February. Based on previous years it seems some of my schools could be providing results as early as next week. Now I'm very anxious.

I am working full time, and actually just got married. I will need to move soon, so my future is partially determined by whether and where I get into any of these schools. In a weird way it will be kind of a relief if I don't get in anywhere so that I can just keep plugging along. And because I need to move on a tight deadline, I will need to make a decision before waitlists get processed - so getting waitlisted is effectively a rejection for me.

Anyhoo nice to be here and hope to engage in further discussion in the coming month. Best of luck to all.

Welcome!

We're in the same boat. I am working full time, just got married, and approaching a move, too. Sounds like we're wrestling with a lot of the same feelings about this process. I'm just excited to finally know what the future will look like, whatever it may be. Just popped on here to say you're not alone. Best of luck to you!

[panglosian]

4 hours ago, teasel said:

 

Hey, welcome! I applied to UMass as a poetry applicant but I've been wondering the same thing. This is all I know: some of the acceptances interviewed with the Writing Center pre-acceptance, some did not. Some folks have received an email about a portal update, some folks have not. Personally, I have received no communication with the school and my status is currently "under review" still. I'm not feeling very optimistic about Amherst at this point. Someone on Draft received a waitlist email yesterday for fiction, so idk? Everything seems pretty staggered, but I'm guessing we'll be hearing back reeeeal soon. 

 

5 hours ago, Boomer not Ok said:

Hello, 

My first time applying for MFA (fiction). Just wondering if Umass is done with their decisions now. I saw my portal application status changed to "update pending." Since I haven't been contacted (phone or email), I figure this means game over. Any one else know how Umass works?

 

Hey guys, I think I can be of some assistance! I also applied to UMass, did not get an interview, but I did receive an email early this morning (1 AM-ish) telling me that they had a decision for me and to check the portal. My portal since has not changed from "Update Pending" and I have left several voicemails and emails. 

From what I can gather from a post of mine on Draft, people are in three boats right now: 1) there has been no email, and the status is "Under Review", 2) there has been no email, and the status is "Update Pending", and 3) there has been an email and the status is "Update Pending". 

The consensus seems to be that there is a mixed bag of interviewed applicants and flat-out acceptances so it's a toss-up. 

My conspiracy theory is that I'm on the waitlist because of the advance email that not a ton of other people got, but they could also be notifying people alphabetically of rejection. Either way I'm fully prepared for either outcome and ready to GET THIS OVER WITH

Hope this helps ❤️

Edited February 11, 2021 by panglosian
lots of typos first time around lol

[panglosian]

Just now, uiop1 said:

Well, a bunch of people posted that they got an interview in January and acceptance calls in February. No one posted about an acceptance without a call. I think we can rule out acceptance. Two people posted that they got an email that said to check the portal, but no data on the portal. No one has posted about a rejection email.   All in all, your analysis is sound. 1) Only a few people have been waitlisted by email. Or 2) They are emailing rejections alphabetically. It is odd how UMass made acceptance calls on different days. Why would a school stagger it? Maybe they give the job to different faculty, and faculty does it whenever they decide to set aside a day. 

I think you're probably right about the interviews tbh, I'm just holding onto hope that getting this email early meant something. (A waitlist, God willing.) I'll likely know by tomorrow - any later would just be ridiculous at this point - so I'll report back!

PS I totally agree, their notification choices were a mess ?

[panglosian]

1 minute ago, uiop1 said:

Any program that accepts 5 to 10 students just doesn't have the secretarial staff. They probably have one secretary shared with other departments. She probably barely knows how to email. She might send out 10 rejection letters a day as her load. It might not even be alphabetical. She might just have a random stack of names. Rejections are not the schools priority. No one will yell at her to get them out. The question is how much of a priority are wait listed people. If they were a big priority, they would call, and you were probably rejected. If not, they would email, and maybe you are wait listed. If wait listed people are not a priority, it might mean very few wait listed people get in. There are too many variable, but you have at least a day that you are going to fill with speculation. If they did not answer their phone today, I don't see why you are sure they will answer tomorrow. 

Dude, just trying to be optimistic.

[hyperpoleme24]

Hi there!

2021 applicant for an MFA in Screenwriting from UCR. Originally I was also going to apply to UCLA but they are restructuring their program and aren't accepting applications. 

Anyone else apply to UCR? Even if to a different genre, would love to hear from you. 

[Boomer not Ok]

1 hour ago, panglosian said:

 

Hey guys, I think I can be of some assistance! I also applied to UMass, did not get an interview, but I did receive an email early this morning (1 AM-ish) telling me that they had a decision for me and to check the portal. My portal since has not changed from "Update Pending" and I have left several voicemails and emails. 

From what I can gather from a post of mine on Draft, people are in three boats right now: 1) there has been no email, and the status is "Under Review", 2) there has been no email, and the status is "Update Pending", and 3) there has been an email and the status is "Update Pending". 

The consensus seems to be that there is a mixed bag of interviewed applicants and flat-out acceptances so it's a toss-up. 

My conspiracy theory is that I'm on the waitlist because of the advance email that not a ton of other people got, but they could also be notifying people alphabetically of rejection. Either way I'm fully prepared for either outcome and ready to GET THIS OVER WITH

Hope this helps ❤️

Thanks. This is helpful. Appreciate it. Looks like UMass is done. Besides UMass and Rutgers, anyone know which other schools call for interviews? 

[eternalwhitenights]

1 hour ago, panglosian said:

Dude, just trying to be optimistic.

 

1 hour ago, uiop1 said:

Any program that accepts 5 to 10 students just doesn't have the secretarial staff. They probably have one secretary shared with other departments. She probably barely knows how to email. She might send out 10 rejection letters a day as her load. It might not even be alphabetical. She might just have a random stack of names. Rejections are not the schools priority. No one will yell at her to get them out. The question is how much of a priority are wait listed people. If they were a big priority, they would call, and you were probably rejected. If not, they would email, and maybe you are wait listed. If wait listed people are not a priority, it might mean very few wait listed people get in. There are too many variable, but you have at least a day that you are going to fill with speculation. If they did not answer their phone today, I don't see why you are sure they will answer tomorrow. 

Friends, I believe Marshall/gustav has made another appearance. Panglosian, he's been a troll on here popping up under different usernames--pay no mind. Hope you're doing all right, and I hope you got waitlisted, too. Keep us posted. ❤️

[Pinskadan]

On 2/10/2021 at 12:14 AM, Pinskadan said:

he's also getting increasingly lazy with all of these new profiles he's creating, huh? I'd sure hate to be someone who thinks being a dick is a personality trait

p sure I called it that this was Marshall's profile within one hour of the profile's creation, gee it's almost like he's so predictable it's boring

[DrMutt]

7 hours ago, hyperpoleme24 said:

Hi there!

2021 applicant for an MFA in Screenwriting from UCR. Originally I was also going to apply to UCLA but they are restructuring their program and aren't accepting applications. 

Anyone else apply to UCR? Even if to a different genre, would love to hear from you. 

Hey there! Yes, I applied to UCR's Ph.D. program for Higher Education - Education Policy & Analysis. It looks like UCR's Ph.D. program candidates aren't chosen until early March, but their Master's programs do rollout invitations. So you should be hearing from them soon!

[Botanica]

16 hours ago, DeepSyntax said:

Have been lurking the last week or so, decided to join the fun.

I worked really hard and methodically on my application over the last several months. Before I checked here I didn't realize so much activity happened in February. Based on previous years it seems some of my schools could be providing results as early as next week. Now I'm very anxious.

I am working full time, and actually just got married. I will need to move soon, so my future is partially determined by whether and where I get into any of these schools. In a weird way it will be kind of a relief if I don't get in anywhere so that I can just keep plugging along. And because I need to move on a tight deadline, I will need to make a decision before waitlists get processed - so getting waitlisted is effectively a rejection for me.

Anyhoo nice to be here and hope to engage in further discussion in the coming month. Best of luck to all.

Hi! I'm getting married in 3 weeks, facing a moving deadline, and am also feeling the anxiety. You're definitely not alone! 

[panglosian]

9 hours ago, eternalwhitenights said:

 

Friends, I believe Marshall/gustav has made another appearance. Panglosian, he's been a troll on here popping up under different usernames--pay no mind. Hope you're doing all right, and I hope you got waitlisted, too. Keep us posted. ❤️

Thanks! I knew about this guy but I didn't suspect at first.

Update: my conspiracy theory was wrong, I got denied from UMass this morning! Not upset at all (it was one of the programs I waned the least) but if anyone is looking for a waitlist it seems they went out and nobody has updated with them.

0a/0w/1r/9p

[Ydrl]

Guys, I made a friend at Barnes and Noble today. He’s an older poet and he’s so cool. I don’t meet many poets in person, especially these days, so it was refreshing to physically talk to someone who’s so knowledgeable.

[Boomer not Ok]

1 hour ago, panglosian said:

Thanks! I knew about this guy but I didn't suspect at first.

Update: my conspiracy theory was wrong, I got denied from UMass this morning! Not upset at all (it was one of the programs I waned the least) but if anyone is looking for a waitlist it seems they went out and nobody has updated with them.

0a/0w/1r/9p

I also got the 2 am email but no decision letter. I’m sure it’s a “thanks for playing but sorry...” Weird system UMass has of rejection where they make you wait a day or two for the official rejection. Bummer. Doesn’t bode well for my other apps. 1 down, 9 to go. 

[Ydrl]

Aaaaaaand Minnesota rejections are up. REJECTED lol.

[JPReinhold]

2 hours ago, Boomer not Ok said:

I also got the 2 am email but no decision letter. I’m sure it’s a “thanks for playing but sorry...” Weird system UMass has of rejection where they make you wait a day or two for the official rejection. Bummer. Doesn’t bode well for my other apps. 1 down, 9 to go. 

I'm still waiting to hear from FSU and University of Oregon. I'm assuming it's a "shove off into the mist" response as well since other responses and waitlists have gone out. I'd like the closure though. 

Really waiting to hear from Michigan, Cornell, Iowa, and Brown. I know those are long shots, but I'm glad I threw my hat in the ring. The anxiety of waiting to be rejected from those is murder. If I end up on a waitlist and it gets drawn out until April 15, I may lose my mind. 

[mrvisser]

13 minutes ago, Ydrl said:

Aaaaaaand Minnesota rejections are up. REJECTED lol.

Aw I'm sorry! I'm still waiting for Ole Miss and WashU to officially put me out of my misery.

[fishfish24]

16 minutes ago, Ydrl said:

Aaaaaaand Minnesota rejections are up. REJECTED lol.

Yep, me too. First rejection/news this round... I realize Minnesota's intake is much smaller this year, but having been waitlisted last year I was really hoping....

[arden]

Hi, everyone! I just discovered this forum this week and was lurking a bit, but the waiting is killing me, so I decided to introduce myself and talk to you lovely folks in case it might help! (You all seem great!)

I've been playing the UMass Amherst waiting game, too, amidst their spread-out notifications...As of yesterday I was "Under Review," and today I'm "Update Pending," with no email yet. I'm not on Draft (requested access but doesn't seem like I'll get it, not totally sure how it works) but it seems like from what y'all said it's game over for this one. I just wish they'd go ahead and reject me so I can let go of my last reckless shred of hope, haha. I'm trying to keep the faith about the rest of my applications, but this will be my first result, and I'm pretty much terrified to say the least.

I'm waiting on Iowa, Brown, UVA, University of Washington (Seattle), and Western Washington University for poetry... I was going to apply to Buffalo's MA with the certificate in innovative writing, too, but they're not accepting admissions this year, sadly. I'm feeling pretty stupid for throwing my hat into so many competitive rings, to say the least, especially because this has basically been my dream since before undergrad.

Best of luck to everyone, and thanks for reading ! : )