Boomer not Ok Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 2 minutes ago, JPReinhold said: I have a fully-funded fiction offer and included a flash piece between two short stories. I felt very strongly about that piece of flash, though I’d heard flash is not generally looked upon in a kind light. I wanted to show I could sustain a longer story, but I also felt that bit of flash was particularly moving. It was my only fiction app and it was accepted, so I can’t speak to a pattern. If you have impressive flash publications, I’ve heard that mentioning them in your CV is a good way to extend your portfolio without directly including flash. Something to consider if you apply next cycle. Thanks for your informative response and congrats on your offer. I think I may have gone too top heavy on the flash, but I considered them illustrative of both my best writing and its range, so I felt I had to present them. And they're stories; they're not vignettes. The problem is, after I included them, I was at 10 pages and could only include another short story to make the 20 -25 page submission limit for most of the apps. For some apps, where you could submit more than 30 pages, I could get the flashes in, the short story, and some novel excerpts, so, for these apps, it was less of an issue. I guess, I will know soon enough whether the gambit paid off.
avorazan Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 Yo yo.. I'm happy to have found this thread, and figured I'd keep y'all updated as well. mess_mess, catastroph, largeheartedboy and 4 others 7
eternalwhitenights Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, catastroph said: I also figured I might as well say hi to you all, since I'm refreshing this page every 20 minutes or so during work anyway! This is my first time applying and my confidence is pretty low after reading through this forum (I found it last week) and seeing how competitive things are. But I also decided to apply last-minute, so I'll be ok either way. If I don't get into any, it was definitely a learning experience for future attempts. The only school I applied to that has sent out results so far is University of Oregon. I didn't hear anything, so I'm scratching it off my list. Nine left to go! Glad this forum is here, bc I'm trying not to rant to my friends too much-- I'm sure they're all sick of hearing me talk about it. But this process is so all-consuming. Anyway, thanks for all your posts. It's nice to help pass the time when there's nothing to do now but wait. I only applied to one school, Notre Dame, super, super last minute (like, I submitted on the last day you could), so you're not alone. Congrats on getting your applications in--that's often the biggest step, and that's a huge accomplishment all on its own. You know, I think at the end of the day, if you write from your heart, if you're authentic in your work, if you are emotionally honest in your prose and your words and your experience, and you couple that with truly focusing on programs that have both faculty and the resources relevant and helpful to your proposed MFA, and if you are truly open to learning and growing and being pushed in your work, then you're 90% of the way there. Weird shit happens (i.e. a global pandemic) that can throw things into a wild-card status, but what matters, what truly matters, is that you are authentic, that you are you, and that you write from your deepest depths. Authenticity, emotion, existential resonance--that is what matters, if your work and your words speak to the complexities and richness and paradoxes and freewheeling joys of the human experience, and you do it in a way, where you are just yourself--your work will make an impact, some way, somehow, and the key is to keep going, and keep writing. You can do it, whatever that journey ends up looking like ultimately, no matter how many zigs and zags it contains, I promise. ❤️ You've got this. ❤️ Edited February 12, 2021 by eternalwhitenights mrvisser, CayceCamus, Blackhole and 4 others 7
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 7 minutes ago, eternalwhitenights said: I only applied to one school, Notre Dame, super, super last minute (like, I submitted on the last day you could), so you're not alone. Congrats on getting your applications in--that's often the biggest step, and that's a huge accomplishment all on its own. You know, I think at the end of the day, if you write from your heart, if you're authentic in your work, if you are emotionally honest in your prose and your words and your experience, and you couple that with truly focusing on programs that have both faculty and the resources relevant and helpful to your proposed MFA, and if you are truly open to learning and growing and being pushed in your work, then you're 90% of the way there. Weird shit happens (i.e. a global pandemic) that can throw things into a wild-card status, but what matters, what truly matters, is that you are authentic, that you are you, and that you write from your deepest depths. Authenticity, emotion, existential resonance--that is what matters, if your work and your words speak to the complexities and richness and paradoxes and freewheeling joys of the human experience, and you do it in a way, where you are just yourself--your work will make an impact, some way, somehow, and the key is to keep going, and keep writing. You can do it, whatever that journey ends up looking like ultimately, no matter how many zigs and zags it contains, I promise. ❤️ You've got this. ❤️ thanks for writing this. I submitted my applications at the last moment and my recommendation letters reached late. I hope everyone makes it. I was a bit worried but now I feel maybe next time I will be more prepared. eternalwhitenights 1
mrvisser Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 Illinois and IU sent out responses. Those two were maybe a week or so ago, so unfortunately they might be done with acceptances. You still have some solid possibilities ahead of you, though. I hope these dominoes just keep falling through this next week. avorazan 1
babypoet2k Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 a huge welcome to everyone who just recently posted! i took an involuntary break for a couple days and just caught up on like 4 pages on here. i'm sorry for everyone who did not hear good news. it reflects NOTHING on you as a writer, and there are SOOO many more decisions to come. i'm a first time applicant as well, and a young one at that (also an international student). so my chances are as bleak as they get, but we're here so might as well throw some long-term anxiety in the bowl until i hear back from all 6 places. in any case, just wanted to ask if there are any other international applicants on here (i'm south-asian) and how they are responding to conversations about all these places to live and climate and culture, never actually having experienced these things or knowing all that much about it. i'm afraid that my 23degreecelcius-is-cold ass will not deal well with the fact that all 6 places i've applied to go down to -3degrees on the regular. just some thoughts haha. all my love and the best of luck to everyone ❤️ sassydragon, CayceCamus, arden and 4 others 7
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 10 minutes ago, babypoet2k said: a huge welcome to everyone who just recently posted! i took an involuntary break for a couple days and just caught up on like 4 pages on here. i'm sorry for everyone who did not hear good news. it reflects NOTHING on you as a writer, and there are SOOO many more decisions to come. i'm a first time applicant as well, and a young one at that (also an international student). so my chances are as bleak as they get, but we're here so might as well throw some long-term anxiety in the bowl until i hear back from all 6 places. in any case, just wanted to ask if there are any other international applicants on here (i'm south-asian) and how they are responding to conversations about all these places to live and climate and culture, never actually having experienced these things or knowing all that much about it. i'm afraid that my 23degreecelcius-is-cold ass will not deal well with the fact that all 6 places i've applied to go down to -3degrees on the regular. just some thoughts haha. all my love and the best of luck to everyone ❤️ I am an international applicant. And I am applying for the first time. Just a last moment decision.
babypoet2k Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 8 minutes ago, Blackhole said: I am an international applicant. And I am applying for the first time. Just a last moment decision. oh wow! i'm from india too!!! if you don't mind sharing, where all did you apply? i saw your post about syracuse, and i applied there as well
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 10 minutes ago, babypoet2k said: oh wow! i'm from india too!!! if you don't mind sharing, where all did you apply? i saw your post about syracuse, and i applied there as well to Syracuse. I did my master's there. I applied to nyu, boston university and of course Iowa. babypoet2k 1
sassydragon Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 I've been lurking here for a while and I thought I'd say hi! I've applied to fiction and so far had two rejections (Ohio State and Ole Miss--but neither of these were my first choices). I'm not particularly optimistic at this point to be honest. But I've tried to tell myself that what will happen will happen, and we should be fine no matter what. I'm also an international applicant from India! catastroph, arden, largeheartedboy and 2 others 5
mrvisser Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 2 minutes ago, sassydragon said: I've been lurking here for a while and I thought I'd say hi! I've applied to fiction and so far had two rejections (Ohio State and Ole Miss--but neither of these were my first choices). I'm not particularly optimistic at this point to be honest. But I've tried to tell myself that what will happen will happen, and we should be fine no matter what. I'm also an international applicant from India! Welcome! I also just got a rejection from Ole Miss! It's great to see so many applicants from India. I had the fortune of visiting Bangalore once, and I'd love to go back and explore more of your country. Blackhole and sassydragon 2
CayceCamus Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 57 minutes ago, babypoet2k said: i'm afraid that my 23degreecelcius-is-cold ass will not deal well with the fact that all 6 places i've applied to go down to -3degrees on the regular. just some thoughts haha. Eeek I am only just feeling comfortable at 23C and below, haha. I grew up in Virginia though and can say it gets pretty humid, swampy, and sweltering there. Charlottesville may get somewhat cool in the winter, but the state overall is pretty temperate. Definitely not like the frigidity of New York! babypoet2k 1
babypoet2k Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 8 minutes ago, CayceCamus said: Eeek I am only just feeling comfortable at 23C and below, haha. I grew up in Virginia though and can say it gets pretty humid, swampy, and sweltering there. Charlottesville may get somewhat cool in the winter, but the state overall is pretty temperate. Definitely not like the frigidity of New York! oh wow that's honestly a relief to hear! humid is where i'm most comfortable (an anomaly, i'm aware). i added places that i applied to on my weather app to keep a track of the time zone and general climate, and it has been nothing short of terrifying! why humans settled in these insane climates is beyond me. i'm a tropical child and your response has made me hopeful that the US has warm (ish?) climate that might suit me. thank you ❤️ aheather and CayceCamus 2
CanadianKate Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 First rejection! UC San Diego for Fiction. orangeslice, Blackhole and mrvisser 3
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, CanadianKate said: First rejection! UC San Diego for Fiction. oh god.
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 4 minutes ago, CanadianKate said: First rejection! UC San Diego for Fiction. are they mailing already? via email? It is a good school. but keep the faith.
CanadianKate Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 4 minutes ago, Blackhole said: are they mailing already? via email? It is a good school. but keep the faith. Update to online portal notification sent via email.
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 2 minutes ago, CanadianKate said: Update to online portal notification sent via email. oh god. I am not even checking.
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 Just now, Blackhole said: did they send you an email to check the page? It is a damn good program.
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 Just now, Blackhole said: did they send you an email to check the page? It is a damn good program. oh, I see. They sent a notification to you.
KZK Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 Hi friends! Congrats on all the recent acceptances, waitlists and life news/updates! And solidarity to the rejections - what a painful process this whole thing is! I found out last week I was accepted as a CNF Candidate to George Mason (still waiting to hear on funding but - hooray!) and found out today that I was rejected from UMass Amherst (boo!). So that's 1a/0w/1r/7p, although based on the lack of communication from Rutgers-Camden (compared to others), I'm assuming it's a no. For those who have the time/means, I highly suggest taking an online workshop to help distract from the waiting game. I just finished one workshop and it was a great reminder of *why* I'm doing this and the joy in generating new work. I'm also starting another workshop at the end of the month, because I find the workshop/group accountability and comradery to be really helpful and motivating for my writing (which, incidentally is why I originally started considering MFAs in the first place! I've taken so many classes over the years I figured, why not do this formally?). arden, feralgrad, anna23 and 4 others 7
Blackhole Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 1 minute ago, KZK said: Hi friends! Congrats on all the recent acceptances, waitlists and life news/updates! And solidarity to the rejections - what a painful process this whole thing is! I found out last week I was accepted as a CNF Candidate to George Mason (still waiting to hear on funding but - hooray!) and found out today that I was rejected from UMass Amherst (boo!). So that's 1a/0w/1r/7p, although based on the lack of communication from Rutgers-Camden (compared to others), I'm assuming it's a no. For those who have the time/means, I highly suggest taking an online workshop to help distract from the waiting game. I just finished one workshop and it was a great reminder of *why* I'm doing this and the joy in generating new work. I'm also starting another workshop at the end of the month, because I find the workshop/group accountability and comradery to be really helpful and motivating for my writing (which, incidentally is why I originally started considering MFAs in the first place! I've taken so many classes over the years I figured, why not do this formally?). great idea. does no communication mean you are out of the game? rejection is so damn hard to take though. congrats on your acceptance
KZK Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, Blackhole said: great idea. does no communication mean you are out of the game? rejection is so damn hard to take though. congrats on your acceptance Thanks! George Mason is in my area, so I wouldn't have to relocate, which is great. No communication doesn't mean I'm out of the game necessarily - it could mean waitlist! But it seems as though Rutgers-Camden has called/emailed acceptances and since I haven't gotten anything from them, I'm assuming it's a no and I'll get my rejection in a few weeks.
shanbanan Posted February 12, 2021 Posted February 12, 2021 Hi all! My Michener application portal switched to "Attention: Your file has been forwarded to the Graduate Committee for review" as of this morning. Anybody else get this? It's the first movement I've seen on any of my applications so I'm definitely overthinking/over-analyzing over here! My guess is that this is a generic notification that all applicants receive once Michener has made their decisions and sent them over to the Graduate Committee for final processing. But I'm curious nonetheless. Happy Friday, all!
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