2021 Applicants Forum

[KLMNOP]

24 minutes ago, rroseselavy said:

This season UW only read for poetry.

Oh yeah, of course. How could I forget. 

[goodcynara]

8 hours ago, Ydrl said:

Committed to New Hampshire.

They are very lucky to get you!

 

[Cristie]

On 3/22/2021 at 4:23 PM, Graceful Entropy said:

Nawlins, where you at bruhv ?

Did you ever hear anything? 

[flyinsaucer]

Hi all! Obligatory long time lurker, first time poster. I got a 75% scholarship to SJCNY (the writer’s foundry) and I’m considering it. However, I can’t seem to find a lot of info about it online. I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who is familiar with the program or knows someone who is? Thanks and good luck to everyone ☺️ Also, I’m bummed I might not be seeing Ydrl there haha

[Ydrl]

2 hours ago, flyinsaucer said:

Hi all! Obligatory long time lurker, first time poster. I got a 75% scholarship to SJCNY (the writer’s foundry) and I’m considering it. However, I can’t seem to find a lot of info about it online. I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who is familiar with the program or knows someone who is? Thanks and good luck to everyone ☺️ Also, I’m bummed I might not be seeing Ydrl there haha

Did you get the email for the accepted students day zoom meeting? It's on the 31st I think. You might some good answers there. And the people there seem quite nice, but so does new hampshire and I can't afford SJCNY. 

[Graceful Entropy]

7 hours ago, Cristie said:

Did you ever hear anything? 

I actually did. Waitlisted. Guess you just have to yell into the void long enough and a small echo will bounce back.
Thanks for thinking of me!

[flyinsaucer]

5 hours ago, Ydrl said:

Did you get the email for the accepted students day zoom meeting? It's on the 31st I think. You might some good answers there. And the people there seem quite nice, but so does new hampshire and I can't afford SJCNY. 

I did! Thank you. Congrats on getting a fully funded offer. I would have chosen UNH as well, or another fully funded offer (if I got one)

[Cristie]

2 hours ago, Graceful Entropy said:

I actually did. Waitlisted. Guess you just have to yell into the void long enough and a small echo will bounce back.
Thanks for thinking of me!

Sure thing. I heard from UMKC today by phone and they are making decisions about funding sometime this week. It will come down to funding for me (unless someone gives up their spot at McNeese). I still haven't heard from two schools so??? Who knows what's gonna happen. 

[Writelife23]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Hunter? Haven't received any updates about my application. Have they sent out rejections? 

[M-Lin]

13 hours ago, Writelife23 said:

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Hunter? Haven't received any updates about my application. Have they sent out rejections? 

Not a word! But definitely can assume a rejection at this point, not even sure if they send out official rejections? Lol

[M-Lin]

I just have to rant again about Columbia. 

I emailed them asking if there are any opportunities for people on the waitlist to get to know the program a little more so if and when admitted, I can make an informed decision. I know every school has events for admitted students but if I miss all those events as someone on the wait list, how am I going to know if I want to attend the program or not? Especially for Columbia, it’s hard to get a real sense of what the program, classes and students are like. 
 

What I got was a form “waitlist” answer that explains how the waitlist works and a disclaimer that the adcom is not able to review additional materials, and did not address my question at all. Also no acknowledge of my name (no “Hi xxx,” or “Dear xxx”), which I find rude. I wonder if the person even read my email? ?

Edited March 29, 2021 by M-Lin

[peachy4345]

My two cents on why people should think hard before attending Columbia for grad school:

I am a current 2nd year PhD student at Columbia. The majority of grad students are currently on strike for a living wage, better healthcare, and protection from harassment and discrimination. I have been watching the process of our new graduate union try to bargain for our first contract for over two years. In these sessions, I have seen admin (and their sleazy lawyer, who charges $1,500/hr) do everything possible to stall negotiations, belittle us, and play down heartfelt testimonials that make clear why our demands are reasonable and necessary. Every time we've gotten a raise in the past, our Columbia rent magically goes up by a higher percentage. Our wages are not enough to live in NYC. There is no dental or vision coverage, and they recently removed the better health insurance plan option. The school has a terrible history with harassment and discrimination cases brought by both undergrads and grads (Google it), and at the moment they are doing everything possible to avoid meeting our contract demand about changing the investigation process to give more rights to the complainant (see link below).

We're entering the 3rd week of the strike, and Columbia has made very clear that they plan to not only doc our bi-weekly pay (which we receive for TA/RA work), but our academic stipends--yep, they are going to debit our student accounts, thereby jeopardizing course registration, degree progress, visas, and health insurance. We have a legal right to strike, but this later action constitutes illegal academic retaliation.

Long story short: I'm sure a lot of schools are as corrupt as Columbia, but I've just seen first hand how rotten this place is to the core. They only care about profit (their endowment grew $300 million during the pandemic alone), squeezing as much our of grad workers and adjuncts for as little pay as possible, sweeping bad press under the rug, and gentrifying Harlem with multi-million dollar campus expansions.

I encourage folks thinking about attending/applying to Columbia to express concerns to department chairs and administrators, and ask them why they insist on denying grad workers a fair contract: 

• President Lee Bollinger [email protected], Phone: (212) 854-9970
• Provost Ira Katznelson [email protected],  +1 212 854 2404
• GSAS Grad Admissions: [email protected]

 

https://gothamist.com/news/columbia-grad-students-strike-over-wages-and-harassment-policies-nyu-counterparts-vote-similar-actions

[ladyxlazarus]

Hi ya'll!

I saw some questions about BU. I got accepted and was notified via phone call last Friday. I am not sure what's up with fiction, but I was told I should know who else is in the poetry program by the end of this week. I will be attending BU and I'm turning down my offer to Sarah Lawrence and withdrawing my name from the NYU waitlist. Good luck to everyone!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(First time applicant, BFA '18)

Applying to: Boston University, Brown, Columbia, Northwestern, New York University, Purdue, Sarah Lawrence, University of Michigan, University of Virginia

Accepted: Boston University, Sarah Lawrence 

Waitlisted: New York University

Rejected: Brown, Columbia, Northwestern, University of Michigan, University of Virginia

????: Purdue 

Attending: Boston University 

[flyinsaucer]

hi all, was just accepted to BU for fiction. I received a phone call from Leslie Epstein this morning. I'm in shock! I was not expecting this after getting so many rejections. Anyone else attending? 

 

edit: also, to the person who said anyone rejected from NYU hasn't the slightest idea what literary fiction is (and recommended community college), go back under your bridge. I was rejected from NYU!

Edited March 29, 2021 by flyinsaucer

[Blackhole]

1 hour ago, flyinsaucer said:

hi all, was just accepted to BU for fiction. I received a phone call from Leslie Epstein this morning. I'm in shock! I was not expecting this after getting so many rejections. Anyone else attending? 

 

edit: also, to the person who said anyone rejected from NYU hasn't the slightest idea what literary fiction is (and recommended community college), go back under your bridge. I was rejected from NYU!

Wow. congrats. would you know how many do they generally take for fiction? 

[flyinsaucer]

43 minutes ago, Blackhole said:

Wow. congrats. would you know how many do they generally take for fiction? 

Thank you! I think they accept 10 people every year for fiction. Not sure about poetry, maybe the same? 

[cosmictones]

Just got accepted to Idaho for poetry off the waitlist! Pretty stoked. Still waitlisted at Houston. Anyone have thoughts on Idaho? I know it's not the most prestigious program, but the profs are super accomplished and it seems like they have a top ten pedigree in terms of poets getting published in Best American poetry and getting Pushcart Prizes. I know that only tells part of the story, but it's an encouraging part. 

[ladyxlazarus]

4 hours ago, flyinsaucer said:

Thank you! I think they accept 10 people every year for fiction. Not sure about poetry, maybe the same? 

They accept 8 for poetry! Congrats by the way. See you in the fall! 

Edited March 30, 2021 by ladyxlazarus

[SMSM1229]

8 hours ago, ladyxlazarus said:

Hi ya'll!

I saw some questions about BU. I got accepted and was notified via phone call last Friday. I am not sure what's up with fiction, but I was told I should know who else is in the poetry program by the end of this week. I will be attending BU and I'm turning down my offer to Sarah Lawrence and withdrawing my name from the NYU waitlist. Good luck to everyone!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(First time applicant, BFA '18)

Applying to: Boston University, Brown, Columbia, Northwestern, New York University, Purdue, Sarah Lawrence, University of Michigan, University of Virginia

Accepted: Boston University, Sarah Lawrence 

Waitlisted: New York University

Rejected: Brown, Columbia, Northwestern, University of Michigan, University of Virginia

????: Purdue 

Attending: Boston University 

Congrats!! ❤️ You deserve the best!  Honestly you all do, keep hanging in there everyone ❤️ sending a virtual hug 

Edited March 30, 2021 by SMSM1229

[Cristie]

6 hours ago, cosmictones said:

Just got accepted to Idaho for poetry off the waitlist! Pretty stoked. Still waitlisted at Houston. Anyone have thoughts on Idaho? I know it's not the most prestigious program, but the profs are super accomplished and it seems like they have a top ten pedigree in terms of poets getting published in Best American poetry and getting Pushcart Prizes. I know that only tells part of the story, but it's an encouraging part. 

I'm fiction/non but I had a strong interest in Idaho. I'm a big John Muir fan (and the like) and enjoy writing/studying environmental literature. One of my professors (who is our poetry professor actually) spoke very highly and encouraging about the program during one of our discussions. She did a writing retreat there for poetry. She had all good things to say. Someone else in the conversation made a little joke about men who wear Carharts going there and we all had a good chuckle over that. That may not be what you are looking for but that was our poetry prof (and I don't even write poetry but had her for an intense summer course called Book Bootcamp). She's just cool like that and I respect her opinion. The only reason I didn't apply there is I wanted to stay in the south. And all four English/Creative Writing professors (one is our Chair) I sent my list of possible schools to checked that they agreed with Idaho while there were some schools on the list that they did not check off their approval. Not sure if that helps but maybe someone else can chime in. Congratulations and Good luck!

[anna23]

Hi everyone! I just have one school left to hear back from (the University of San Francisco) and I am still waiting for a response. if anyone applied for poetry and heard back or heard any news, please let me know!! thanks in advance

[fishfish24]

Hey all! I took a (much needed and prolonged) break from gradcafe. Have to say, I missed the community! In any case, I'm a little daunted by the backlog of pages and wondering whether someone could update me on Michener waitlist news. Has there been any reported movement/debate here or on Draft (I never did get on there...). Thanks!!! Looking forward to catching up on everyone's good news:)

[Ydrl]

To the troll,

Suck my non-existent nuts, you slimy hagfish.

-L. H. S

[peachy4345]

6 hours ago, ariela luv said:

But how are you going to pay for New Hampshire? You said it is not charging tuition, but giving no stipend or teaching job. You posted that under those terms you were going to say no and apply next year.

How much is SJCNY with this 75% scholarship? Does SJCNY give everyone a 75% scholarship, much the same as NYU claims to give everyone a 50% scholarship? Jess from Draft wrote a post about not being fooled by these claimed discounts that everyone gets. It is like me charging for this advice, but giving a 100% discount. Not every 100% discount is a bargain. What even is a discount? It means someone else is paying more. It does not mean the Seller labels it one.

What do you mean you "can't afford SJCNY"? That implies that, if costs were the same, you would take SJCNY over New Hampshire. Are you actually claiming so? If you want to be honest, why don't you just say you view New Hampshire is better? 

New Hampshire is not fully funded. 

If  you haven't heard back by now, it is a rejection. With Hunter you can presume a rejection as soon as you see posts that they started interviews. 

I've said 100 times Iowa loses money on its MFA students. Columbia makes money on them. Therefore, Columbia is not going to waste time on a waitlist guy whom they won't even be charging tuition. If enough people say no, and Columbia offers you a spot, they will answer.  

As much as I say Columbia is a rip off for its MFA's, Columbia is not a rip off for its PhD program. On PhD students, Columbia loses money in the hope of building its reputation by molding a future professor. It may be true that Columbia's policy is to scrimp on funding PhD students. It may be true that PhD students might have been better off going to other schools that pay better. Still, the poster here has an agenda. It is to help his strike. It is not to transform Columbia's MFA program from a money making program into a money losing program like Iowa. I think any letter from an MFA candidate should not be in favor of the strike. Right now, Columbia's MFA is building its reputation exclusively through what its teacher's publish. Write Columbia to fire a few professors, and use the money to fund its MFA program: in other words to build its reputation also through student alum's. 

Fact check "We have a legal right to strike, but this later action (withholding stipends) constitutes illegal academic retaliation." This is just false. It is legal. You can strike, and they can legally withhold your stipend." The reason the student union's lawyers are not moving for an injunction is because it is legal. 

So many things here....first, Columbia profits from its PhD program. The vast majority of undergrad courses are taught by grad students and adjuncts--so Columbia collects undergrad tuition dollars with the promise of students in intimate classes with renowned professors, but in reality they are being taught by contingent labor. It's not that we are not great teachers, but we should be clear that Columbia profits A LOT from grad labor. (This touches MFA students if they work in the writing center or teach Core writing to help fund their program.)

And yes, of course I have a position. That position is to make people considering entering grad school at Columbia aware that there are massive and important labor disputes going on. Grad workers at private unis are only allowed to organize  because of a National Labor Relations Board case in 2016--which Columbia fought against tooth and nail. I actually was accepted to an MFA program long ago, and have many friends who have done MFAs--what you probs all know if that it's a tough field to work in, which is why it's really exciting to see publications like the New Yorker vote to unionize this week! For those of us in such difficult fields, it's critical to be aware of unions. 

As for your 'fact check,' yes employers have a right to withhold wages during a strike. However, if they debit student accounts, and grad workers can't pay that amount, a hold is placed on the account that prevents course registration, degree progress, and can interrupt visas and health insurance. THAT is illegal retaliation, because universities are not allowed to impose academic consequences for strike participation. 

Finally, thanks for assuming I'm a man. You are incorrect.

[woweezowee]

7 hours ago, ariela luv said:

 

...

Edited March 30, 2021 by woweezowee
deleting quote of troll misinformation and my response