M-Lin Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 3 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I got a call yesterday. I thought it was the Amazon delivery person and I had just woken up so I didn't even understand much. But the professor was kind and gave me his email id so I wrote to him and apologised. I am supposed to call him this weekend. I can ask him if you'd like me to. would be amazing if you could ask. thank you!!
Blackhole Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Just now, M-Lin said: would be amazing if you could ask. thank you!! of course. :::))))
Cristie Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 17 minutes ago, cecsav said: I would be afraid that a public forum like this might count as previously published when it comes to submission rules. Many (if not most) literary journals exclude work that has even been posted to a personal blog or website or to publicly accessible social media pages. I'm willing to sacrifice one to get help I can apply to other works. That thread is there is you want to participate, I'm more concerned with improving (seeing where I went wrong) right now so I can fix it and get in next year. But you make a good point, thanks for that. Wouldn't that then apply to submitting those works to numerous colleges? I do not know all of the ins/outs of this.
iai Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I got a call yesterday. I thought it was the Amazon delivery person and I had just woken up so I didn't even understand much. But the professor was kind and gave me his email id so I wrote to him and apologised. I am supposed to call him this weekend. I can ask him if you'd like me to. “Amazon delivery person” I love this. ? Would totally be me too, to be completely honest. Blackhole 1
Blackhole Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Just now, iai said: “Amazon delivery person” I love this. ? Would totally be me too, to be completely honest. It was in the morning, which must be late night for the professor. it was just funny because I almost fell out of my bed when the phone rang. iai and Boomer not Ok 2
Boomer not Ok Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I got a call yesterday. I thought it was the Amazon delivery person and I had just woken up so I didn't even understand much. But the professor was kind and gave me his email id so I wrote to him and apologised. I am supposed to call him this weekend. I can ask him if you'd like me to. Thanks. That would be great. It seems like CU is done with acceptances but the reporting on Results seems very low given cohort size, so I’m not sure.
Blackhole Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Just now, Boomer not Ok said: Thanks. That would be great. It seems like CU is done with acceptances but the reporting on Results seems very low given cohort size, so I’m not sure. I guess. But I read it on draft and here that CU and NYU take almost everyone. So I don't even know if should be happy or sad.
cecsav Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Cristie said: I'm willing to sacrifice one to get help I can apply to other works. That thread is there is you want to participate, I'm more concerned with improving (seeing where I went wrong) right now so I can fix it and get in next year. But you make a good point, thanks for that. Wouldn't that then apply to submitting those works to numerous colleges? I do not know all of the ins/outs of this. The publication process is very different from the application process. Writing samples can include previously published works, as they are meant to be representative of your writing skill and style. Adcoms will not be publishing anyone's writing samples. However, most journals and contests require submissions to consist solely of unpublished work. I think it has something to do with copyrights as well as exclusivity. For example, if ten poets have the same ten poems published in five different journals, why would someone bother reading (and paying for) more than one? Edited March 24, 2021 by cecsav
M-Lin Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I guess. But I read it on draft and here that CU and NYU take almost everyone. So I don't even know if should be happy or sad. That is simply not true. I'm rejected by NYU for one, and possibly Columbia as well? Don't let that mess with your head!!! Congratulations on your acceptance! iai and Boomer not Ok 2
Blackhole Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Just now, M-Lin said: That is simply not true. I'm rejected by NYU for one, and possibly Columbia as well? Don't let that mess with your head!!! Congratulations on your acceptance! after five rejections, you have already been to hell and sort of crawled out of the pity party. but Columbia is way too expensive and the money they are offering is not enough. I told them I can't attend if they don't give me more money so they have asked me to call again. Let's see.
M-Lin Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Just now, Blackhole said: after five rejections, you have already been to hell and sort of crawled out of the pity party. but Columbia is way too expensive and the money they are offering is not enough. I told them I can't attend if they don't give me more money so they have asked me to call again. Let's see. that seems to be the problem for most of their accepted students. I do hope they work out something better for you. such a shame with all the amazing writers on the faculty and no funding for their students ?
Blackhole Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Just now, M-Lin said: that seems to be the problem for most of their accepted students. I do hope they work out something better for you. such a shame with all the amazing writers on the faculty and no funding for their students ? that's so true. I hope they budge. M-Lin 1
Boomer not Ok Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 3 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I guess. But I read it on draft and here that CU and NYU take almost everyone. So I don't even know if should be happy or sad. Don’t let the haters get you down. M-Lin 1
Cristie Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 5 minutes ago, cecsav said: The publication process is very different from the application process. Writing samples can include previously published works, as they are meant to be representative of your writing skill and style. Adcoms will not be publishing anyone's writing samples. However, most journals and contests require submissions to consist solely of unpublished work. I think it has something to do with copyrights as well as exclusivity. For example, if ten poets have the same ten poems published in five different journals, why would someone bother reading (and paying for) more than one? Where do you honest get help then? None of the rejection letters give you a WHY...so I'm stuck in a guessing game.
cecsav Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 1 minute ago, Cristie said: Where do you honest get help then? None of the rejection letters give you a WHY...so I'm stuck in a guessing game. Oh heck. I'm sorry, I was unclear. I think it's an excellent idea to form an online workshop/critique group! I was just suggesting a different format, perhaps via email or a shareable Google Doc rather than posted publicly within this forum. Cristie 1
iai Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 26 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I guess. But I read it on draft and here that CU and NYU take almost everyone. So I don't even know if should be happy or sad. There are still many of us here waiting to hear back from CU, so just a thought. ?
Ydrl Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 @Blackhole @Cristie @caramelcarrottop Not to barge in on the conversation, but are you first time applicants? It's typically harder for someone to get in to the best programs on the first try (I personally aimed for the best schools last year and got burned real real bad). There are a lot of young people that get in, but I watched a panel from Iowa on youtube full of older applicants and they came to the conclusion that the more life experience you have, the better. And I got lost in a conversation and don't know what I was saying anymore. I don't think this is helpful but still gonna post it. FairleyAlfy 1
caramelcarrottop Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 Yes, it was my first time applying. I didn't realize that they were more interested in literary fiction rather than popular fiction. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I didn't know any better and didn't realize the multitude of schools out there that were fully funded. Hence, I applied to the big name programs: Iowa, Johns Hopkins, Michigan (Helen Zell), Brown, Cornell (I never sounded like any of the Cornell grads...looked at their youtube readings) and UC Irvine.
Cristie Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 51 minutes ago, Ydrl said: Not to barge in on the conversation, but are you first time applicants? It's typically harder for someone to get in to the best programs on the first try (I personally aimed for the best schools last year and got burned Please...barge (and you weren't)...this is the only way I'm going to learn and figure this all out. I'll take all the advice I can get! Bring it. Any word from Florida? Or did I miss that?
Ydrl Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 30 minutes ago, caramelcarrottop said: Yes, it was my first time applying. I didn't realize that they were more interested in literary fiction rather than popular fiction. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I didn't know any better and didn't realize the multitude of schools out there that were fully funded. Hence, I applied to the big name programs: Iowa, Johns Hopkins, Michigan (Helen Zell), Brown, Cornell (I never sounded like any of the Cornell grads...looked at their youtube readings) and UC Irvine. There are some programs that aren't interested in literary fiction exclusively. I think @feralgrad writes horror??? Correct me if I'm wrong. I would look on this link: https://www.pw.org/mfa It's not easy to find, but there are mentions of programs that don't mind or are interested in genre fiction as well. It's gonna take some searching for sure. I know this because I viewed every school in the US on their database in a state I wanted to live. Cornell was intimidating in an exciting way to me. I also applied because of the youtube readings. caramelcarrottop 1
turtlesfordays Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 Acceptance rates at most schools (especially fully funded programs like many of the non-NYC big name schools) have acceptance rates of about 0.5-3% (based on what I was told in rejection letters this year and research from previous years). So I would say refrain from believing that any aspect of who you are is preventing you from getting in. There are just too few acceptances and too much subjectivity in writing to say for certain what would give you a better or worse chance. Still, for anyone applying again, the advice I always see from schools is that you should submit your best work. Don’t submit work that you just wrote because you probably won’t have a clear idea of its quality. Plan ahead, get feedback on your sample, and remember that most schools are looking for literary fiction (if you want to focus on popular or genre fiction you will have to really research to find the right schools for that). This is some of what I’ve learned from my research, I hope it is helpful! Ydrl 1
SMSM1229 Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 @Blackhole What time of day did they call you, if you don't mind me asking? Congratulations that is incredible
omgalexx Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 3 hours ago, cecsav said: I still haven't heard from University of New Mexico. I was rejected by them 2 weeks ago! Maybe that’s a good sign for you!
Boomer not Ok Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 (edited) I saw the Hunter prof say what he said AFTER I had applied. IMO their Youtubed Open House gave off a weird vibe. Since they publicly list their admits, as they pair them with established writers to do "research" for them, I tried to find some published work from their admits but couldn't find any. So I've no idea what they look for and I regretted applying there. As for the age thing, I'm not sure, but if you are past 40 I don't think it works for you, at least with funded programs. My only proof of this, though, is getting a waitlist at a mostly funded program (McNeese), but bear in mind this program only requests an SOP and writing submission. So, they had no idea about my age, recs, "quality" of undergrad institution, and since they don't charge to apply, I assume they get a fair amount of apps. But I could be wrong about the age thing, although I think most programs indicate the average age is mid to late 20s. Edited March 25, 2021 by Boomer not Ok
Ydrl Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 25 minutes ago, Cristie said: Please...barge (and you weren't)...this is the only way I'm going to learn and figure this all out. I'll take all the advice I can get! Bring it. Any word from Florida? Or did I miss that? It took a lot of research both this year and last year. By a lot I mean I spent around 50 hours total doing program research. Last season was around 30 of those hours I would say, spent more time on that than I did school work. Also Florida has been silent. I'm not entirely sure what's going on. I called them on Monday to make sure they even got my application, which they did. Carla still hasn't emailed me either, I emailed more than once for different reasons. Nothing. I'm about to steel myself and just email the poetry program director to find out a timeline.
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