2021 Applicants Forum

[feralgrad]

18 minutes ago, fishfish24 said:

Did anyone else who applied to Syracuse get a "Happening@Syracuse" email this morning? I get it that's a generic graduate school email, but I'm confused why they sent it to me since it's geared toward current students returning for the spring semester and students joining in the fall... 

This has happened to me multiple times at other schools. I guess they think it's good marketing? But really it's just mean.

[CanadianKate]

20 hours ago, pattycat said:

Just popping in to say I hope everyone’s hanging in there. I’ve been a little too paralyzed with anxiety to participate.
I’m guessing Iowa will notify tomorrow or at least sometime this week (Michener as well), so good luck to all who applied there! 

Oh my gosh... My stomach just dropped! Okay. Waiting.... waiting waiting now...

[mrvisser]

Someone on Draft said they were on the phone with Iowa admissions for something and they were told that Iowa wouldn't be sending out acceptances until mid-March because of COVID.

[shanbanan]

17 minutes ago, feralgrad said:

Did anyone else who applied to Syracuse get a "Happening@Syracuse" email this morning? I get it that's a generic graduate school email, but I'm confused why they sent it to me since it's geared toward current students returning for the spring semester and students joining in the fall... 

 

17 minutes ago, feralgrad said:

This has happened to me multiple times at other schools. I guess they think it's good marketing? But really it's just mean.

 

I work on the Marketing team for a R1 university and have talked with colleagues about this extensively. Unfortunately, it's really easy for applicants (undergard and grad, alike) to end up on lists that will make them receive all marketing materials, no-holds-barred. Most applicants agree to receive all information from a school when they apply, and the Marketing dept uses this to put the applicant on a list. If the dept isn't very discriminating about what they're sending (and to whom) then it can get confusing.  I completely agree with @feralgrad though that this comes across as mean.  I've brought it up with my team and I think our school does a pretty decent job of making sure the right information goes to the right groups. I wish it were handled better at other schools. Anyway, I hope this is helpful. 

[fishfish24]

1 minute ago, shanbanan said:

 

 

I work on the Marketing team for a R1 university and have talked with colleagues about this extensively. Unfortunately, it's really easy for applicants (undergard and grad, alike) to end up on lists that will make them receive all marketing materials, no-holds-barred. Most applicants agree to receive all information from a school when they apply, and the Marketing dept uses this to put the applicant on a list. If the dept isn't very discriminating about what they're sending (and to whom) then it can get confusing.  I completely agree with @feralgrad though that this comes across as mean.  I've brought it up with my team and I think our school does a pretty decent job of making sure the right information goes to the right groups. I wish it were handled better at other schools. Anyway, I hope this is helpful. 

When I got the email this was exactly my line of thinking. Like @feralgrad, I've received these kinds of missives from other programs before, but the wording of this one was so... tempting! Hah! Syracuse would be wonderful... 

Honestly, I work so hard at not being hopeful about my applications I sometimes wonder if it's unhealthy. Having a day where an acceptance feels possible might be good for me, even if the source of the hope isn't worthy of producing it.

[NLake]

6 minutes ago, fishfish24 said:

When I got the email this was exactly my line of thinking. Like @feralgrad, I've received these kinds of missives from other programs before, but the wording of this one was so... tempting! Hah! Syracuse would be wonderful... 

Honestly, I work so hard at not being hopeful about my applications I sometimes wonder if it's unhealthy. Having a day where an acceptance feels possible might be good for me, even if the source of the hope isn't worthy of producing it.

I didn’t receive this email. So, could be a reason for you to be hopeful? Good luck! 

[cecsav]

Between the weather and the holiday, should we expect to hear anything today?

 

I'm curious how many of us are first time applicants. Also, what's everyone's living situation (married, kids, etc)? I will be moving for grad school at the same time BOTH of my kids will be entering their freshman year of college. It's extra scary, and the logistics are a big headache already. However, grad school should be an excellent remedy for empty nest syndrome. 

[Blackhole]

2 minutes ago, cecsav said:

Between the weather and the holiday, should we expect to hear anything today?

 

I'm curious how many of us are first time applicants. Also, what's everyone's living situation (married, kids, etc)? I will be moving for grad school at the same time BOTH of my kids will be entering their freshman year of college. It's extra scary, and the logistics are a big headache already. However, grad school should be an excellent remedy for empty nest syndrome. 

Wow. This makes me a little less nervous. I am a first-time applicant. I am 41. and no marriage, no kids. It is quite scary for me as well. 

[CanadianKate]

1 hour ago, mrvisser said:

Someone on Draft said they were on the phone with Iowa admissions for something and they were told that Iowa wouldn't be sending out acceptances until mid-March because of COVID.

Oh my gosh.... Wow. Another month.

[mrvisser]

13 minutes ago, CanadianKate said:

Oh my gosh.... Wow. Another month.

Seriously. If I get into another program, great, but I don't want to be waiting that long for a final nail in the coffin.

[dumblond]

Hey y'all! I'm just discovering this forum and wishing I'd found it sooner. Here to celebrate and commiserate as admissions decisions trickle in. I applied in creative nonfiction to ten schools. So far I've heard from UMass (rejected) and Idaho (waitlisted). This is my first time applying and I'm trying to keep my expectations low! My fingers are crossed for everyone here : ) 

[NLake]

1 hour ago, cecsav said:

Between the weather and the holiday, should we expect to hear anything today?

 

I'm curious how many of us are first time applicants. Also, what's everyone's living situation (married, kids, etc)? I will be moving for grad school at the same time BOTH of my kids will be entering their freshman year of college. It's extra scary, and the logistics are a big headache already. However, grad school should be an excellent remedy for empty nest syndrome. 

I am a first-timer. I’m 27 - will be 28 by the time school starts in the fall. Not married, no kids, so I recognize the logistics are a little simpler for me. 
 

I’m mostly scared about money (little to no savings, unemployed), but I know I can get by on modest income. So as long as I get a job offer soon and make it through these next few months, I think I’ll be ok on a stipend. 
 

I’ve also never lived outside my current tristate area. My family is the type to stay put, and I only started traveling around age 25. Needless to say I’m pretty excited for a new adventure. 

[M-Lin]

2 hours ago, cecsav said:

Between the weather and the holiday, should we expect to hear anything today?

 

I'm curious how many of us are first time applicants. Also, what's everyone's living situation (married, kids, etc)? I will be moving for grad school at the same time BOTH of my kids will be entering their freshman year of college. It's extra scary, and the logistics are a big headache already. However, grad school should be an excellent remedy for empty nest syndrome. 

29 and married. Freelancer so income very unstable. Only applied to nearby schools because my partner can't move for his job. Might commute to a school 4 hours away... they said it's commutable (only required to be on campus 1-2 days a week).

Oh, and also, first-time applicant. Applied to 7 schools. Fingers crossed for everyone here! ?

ps: I've recently experienced some personal health crisis. Absolutely life-changing. I understand that it feels like whether we get into an MFA program is what our lives are all about right now, but please remember to appreciate your health, your loved ones, and every breath you take  

[cecsav]

49 minutes ago, M-Lin said:

Only applied to nearby schools because my partner can't move for his job. Might commute to a school 4 hours away... they said it's commutable (only required to be on campus 1-2 days a week).

Oh, and also, first-time applicant. Applied to 7 schools. 

 

Can I ask where you're located and where you applied? There are maybe three programs within commuting distance from me. I commut an hour each way for undergrad right now. I can't imagine a four hour commute. 

Edited February 15, 2021 by cecsav

[Ydrl]

I’ve made a new ranked list of remaining schools (with consideration to my specific needs and wants):

U Maryland

U Florida

Michener

V Tech

U New Hampshire

SJCNY

___

Let’s be honest, I’m getting rejected from:

UNO (one recommendation short), Rutgers- Newark (ditto UNO), and WashU

 

[shanbanan]

3 hours ago, cecsav said:

Between the weather and the holiday, should we expect to hear anything today?

 

I'm curious how many of us are first time applicants. Also, what's everyone's living situation (married, kids, etc)? I will be moving for grad school at the same time BOTH of my kids will be entering their freshman year of college. It's extra scary, and the logistics are a big headache already. However, grad school should be an excellent remedy for empty nest syndrome. 

I've been curious about this, too.  First-time applicant here!  I am 30, married, and do not have kids.  My husband has been a saint navigating the MFA application (and now waiting to hear) process with me. 

[M-Lin]

29 minutes ago, cecsav said:

Can I ask where you're located and where you applied? There are maybe three programs within commuting distance from me. I commut an hour each way for undergrad right now. I can't imagine a four hour commute. 

I'm in NYC! So have many (partial or no funding ?) options... The 4-hour commute is in Boston. I guess it's not really a commute. I would have to stay there one or two nights a week. 

[Boomer not Ok]

Anyone apply to Columbia? If so, just wondering what you thought about the response piece for the app. I applied to 11 schools and Columbia was the only school that requested this additional piece of writing apart from the writing submission. Just wondering how important it is. 

[DeepSyntax]

4 minutes ago, Boomer not Ok said:

Anyone apply to Columbia? If so, just wondering what you thought about the response piece for the app. I applied to 11 schools and Columbia was the only school that requested this additional piece of writing apart from the writing submission. Just wondering how important it is. 

I attended the open house and basically I think they want to know whether and how you are engaging with contemporary literature. It's not nearly as important as the writing sample, but I think it helps if you choose something that you really respond to as an artist. I believe Victor LaValle said they want to see "what makes you the most excited" and "addressing the text in a voice that feels authentic to you."

[susweekly]

On 2/15/2021 at 3:26 PM, Boomer not Ok said:

Anyone apply to Columbia? If so, just wondering what you thought about the response piece for the app. I applied to 11 schools and Columbia was the only school that requested this additional piece of writing apart from the writing submission. Just wondering how important it is. 

Hiii! I applied to Columbia — I actually had a lot of fun with the literary response essay. I wrote about my favorite contemporary collection, The Babysitter at Rest (a beautiful book out of the Dorothy project at WashU). I wanted to pick something relevant to my work that was enough of a “deep cut” while still being something the admissions committee could have theoretically read. That writer, Jen George adjuncted at Columbia for a semester so it seemed a natural choice. What did you write about??

 

by the way — does anyone have any idea when Columbia notifies? It’s among my top choices, even though the funding it notoriously bad. 

[JPReinhold]

17 minutes ago, Gandoph said:

I disagree. You say to be honest. I think you have a better chance at UNO than at Michener. Michener takes only 1% of applicants. I suspect UNO will take more than 1% of applicants with a missing recommendation. So if you want to be honest and discount your odds, start with Michener.

Marshall - that you?

[Boomer not Ok]

Hi, nice to meet you. I wrote my response on David Mitchell's Utopia Avenue, which I was reading at the time. I liked the book, but felt his genre blend of fantasy with historical fiction did not work well, not nearly IMO as well as Whitehead's Underground Railroad. But I didn't get into that comparison or criticize. Stayed positive and went a bit experimental with how the story made me conceive of a counter life for one of the characters, which may come across as hokey, crazy, or get points for risk taking...? Anyway, I was wondering how much the response piece matters, given mine may come across as trying too hard to be different. 

This is my first time doing MFA apps, so I have no idea when Columbia announces decisions. Hope it works out for you.

[Greel]

Hi all! Was nervously lurking, but figured I should at least join in to commiserate. Received an email from University of Idaho (CNF concentration) today saying I'm high on waitlist & to schedule a call to chat about the program. Overjoyed to be waitlisted honestly-- I'm a first time applicant and was expecting to be wholesale rejected this year.

Wondering if FSU has already notified people? I saw via results that they'd called Creative Writing PhDs but didn't see about MFAs, but someone earlier mentioned they figured they were already out of the running since they hadn't heard? 

Anyway, hello everyone! Hope we can all take a deep breath together haha. (0A, 1W, 0R, 7P)

[mrvisser]

26 minutes ago, Greel said:

Hi all! Was nervously lurking, but figured I should at least join in to commiserate. Received an email from University of Idaho (CNF concentration) today saying I'm high on waitlist & to schedule a call to chat about the program. Overjoyed to be waitlisted honestly-- I'm a first time applicant and was expecting to be wholesale rejected this year.

Wondering if FSU has already notified people? I saw via results that they'd called Creative Writing PhDs but didn't see about MFAs, but someone earlier mentioned they figured they were already out of the running since they hadn't heard? 

Anyway, hello everyone! Hope we can all take a deep breath together haha. (0A, 1W, 0R, 7P)

Welcome! You ever been to Moscow, Idaho? Not much out there but it's a cool little town and the area is gorgeous.

[Greel]

3 minutes ago, mrvisser said:

Welcome! You ever been to Moscow, Idaho? Not much out there but it's a cool little town and the area is gorgeous.

I haven't! Looks beautiful though. And my parents live in rural Maine so I'm used to the small town life