2022 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI]

12 minutes ago, MDP said:

Okay uhhhhhh…I just got accepted off the waitlist at Hollins, full funding, whole shebang????? I’m in shock to be honest. Seriously haven’t even processed this at ALL. I got the email as I was on the phone with my big sister — I was telling her that I was pretty much at peace about not going to an MFA this fall / that I wasn’t expecting to switch jobs or really do anything big any time soon. The MOMENT those words left my mouth, I got the acceptance email.

As we say in AA, don’t quit until the miracle happens  WOW

Wow, congratulations! That must be an amazing feeling. That’s seriously awesome.

Are you going to accept? 

[retrotyping]

17 minutes ago, oubukibun said:

Woo-hoo!  Congrats!  Talk about kismet... 

This question is for anyone on Draft: What has been heard concerning Rutgers-Camden?  I swear it's the most infuriating silence for seemingly being so unnecessary.  Also, any word on anyone dropping from Fairbanks or New Orleans as far as funding goes?

Cheers, y'all!

I do know someone just declined their spot at Rutgers Camden. Are you waitlisted? I hope this is good news for you. And, as far as UNO, there’s someone who posted today about having some funding but inadequate to make ends meet for this situation, so stick it out — I expect there will be movement there. 

[retrotyping]

23 minutes ago, MDP said:

Okay uhhhhhh…I just got accepted off the waitlist at Hollins, full funding, whole shebang????? I’m in shock to be honest. Seriously haven’t even processed this at ALL. I got the email as I was on the phone with my big sister — I was telling her that I was pretty much at peace about not going to an MFA this fall / that I wasn’t expecting to switch jobs or really do anything big any time soon. The MOMENT those words left my mouth, I got the acceptance email.

As we say in AA, don’t quit until the miracle happens  WOW

Congratulations, friend! I was rooting for you. I’m in at Hollins too! Lmk if you decide to go! I’m still deciding between programs but I’m strongly considering it because it’s close to home for me! 

[Rm714]

1 hour ago, MDP said:

Okay uhhhhhh…I just got accepted off the waitlist at Hollins, full funding, whole shebang????? I’m in shock to be honest. Seriously haven’t even processed this at ALL. I got the email as I was on the phone with my big sister — I was telling her that I was pretty much at peace about not going to an MFA this fall / that I wasn’t expecting to switch jobs or really do anything big any time soon. The MOMENT those words left my mouth, I got the acceptance email.

As we say in AA, don’t quit until the miracle happens  WOW

I'm so, so happy for you! Every time I saw someone post about Hollins, especially if they were declining an offer, I always thought of you and thought "I really hope MDP gets in off the waitlist!" So this made my evening. I'm so excited for you!!

[gagne]

officially committed to Naropa in Boulder, CO! took a leap of faith

still haven't heard from Columbia about poetry, but it is what it is

wildest thing is knowing I'm leaving my job come June/July and this is my last year at my current school where I teach

[Guest]

2 hours ago, MDP said:

As we say in AA, don’t quit until the miracle happens  WOW

Typo: don’t quit BEFORE the miracle happens! Ahhh I am brain dead lol

[rstoner1023]

I was also accepted to the rutgers-newark poetry program! would you be down to connect orangejuicefiend and strawberrybaldwin?

[rstoner1023]

On 3/16/2022 at 9:44 AM, orangejuicefiend said:

yes please I would love that!!

hi! i was also accepted to the mfa program in poetry at rutgers newark. i'd love to connect with you and @strawberrybaldwin. mind if i reach out?

[Guest]

2 hours ago, retrotyping said:

Congratulations, friend! I was rooting for you. I’m in at Hollins too! Lmk if you decide to go! I’m still deciding between programs but I’m strongly considering it because it’s close to home for me! 

 

1 hour ago, Rm714 said:

I'm so, so happy for you! Every time I saw someone post about Hollins, especially if they were declining an offer, I always thought of you and thought "I really hope MDP gets in off the waitlist!" So this made my evening. I'm so excited for you!!

Thank you both!!! @retrotypingAhhh that would be so awesome if we both ended up there! 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI said:

Wow, congratulations! That must be an amazing feeling. That’s seriously awesome.

Are you going to accept? 

Thank you!!! Just saw your comment haha. I'm thinking I will.  Definitely feels like it’s time to move into a new phase of my life!

[koechophe]

4 hours ago, MDP said:

Okay uhhhhhh…I just got accepted off the waitlist at Hollins, full funding, whole shebang?????

Really, genuinely happy for you! Boy, did they make you wait for it lol, but I've really been hoping you'd get a good result. I wish you all the best in your program ? 

So pleasantly surprised at how many of us on the forum got into programs this year. It's been great to see. 

 

[orangejuicefiend]

3 hours ago, rstoner1023 said:

hi! i was also accepted to the mfa program in poetry at rutgers newark. i'd love to connect with you and @strawberrybaldwin. mind if i reach out?

omg congrats, yes would love to connect!!

[sassydragon]

7 hours ago, MDP said:

Okay uhhhhhh…I just got accepted off the waitlist at Hollins, full funding, whole shebang????? I’m in shock to be honest. Seriously haven’t even processed this at ALL. I got the email as I was on the phone with my big sister — I was telling her that I was pretty much at peace about not going to an MFA this fall / that I wasn’t expecting to switch jobs or really do anything big any time soon. The MOMENT those words left my mouth, I got the acceptance email.

As we say in AA, don’t quit until the miracle happens  WOW

OMG congratulations!!!

[CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI]

10 hours ago, MDP said:

Thank you!!! Just saw your comment haha. I'm thinking I will.  Definitely feels like it’s time to move into a new phase of my life!

That’s great. Best of luck if you do, best of luck if you dont. 

Either way, awesome that you got some validation. 

[CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI]

21 hours ago, retrotyping said:

Hey there! They told me the waitlist was 12 people long. I emailed the director for my ranking and they provided it, so I would reach out if you’re curious! It does look like poetry spots are starting to open up, and I saw at least 1 fiction spot open up, but I suspect there will be more movement there as some of the draft posters seems to be accepted to multiple programs in addition to South Carolina. 

any movement on the usc list? 

[retrotyping]

30 minutes ago, CHRISTOPHER QUANG BUI said:

any movement on the usc list? 

Nothing recently 

[retrotyping]

Since y’all asked… Wait list movement/spots opening at the following (everything I’ve seen from the last 24 hours) 

UNCG - fiction 

CSU - fiction (unfunded)

Stonybrook - poetry 

Southern Connecticut - poetry 

Rutgers Camden - fiction (filled already I think?)

Columbia - fiction 

Temple - fiction (unfunded)

 

also, I should mention.. these spots look like they’re filling way faster than what is being posted about so, if you’re off the waitlist, you’re likely to know before someone posts! I think these updates can just provide some assurance that movement DOES happen, even in really good programs, so you should be comfortable holding on to some hope.

Edited March 31, 2022 by retrotyping

[immyc]

17 hours ago, Nicolas M. said:

I'm in a similar position to yours so I feel you! First time applying, waitlisted at Syracuse and only got into Columbia (which I can't afford) - I know it's tough but we have to stay strong these last two weeks! Best of luck to you

Thank you, it's nice knowing there are people out there in the same boat! Very much hoping you get into Syracuse, but even if you don't this time around, it's incredible to be waitlisted at such a selective program. 

[strawberrybaldwin]

13 hours ago, rstoner1023 said:

hi! i was also accepted to the mfa program in poetry at rutgers newark. i'd love to connect with you and @strawberrybaldwin. mind if i reach out?

YES! you're free to reach out!

 

[maz]

Oof, finally got my rejection from BU. They said I was in the top group of applicants, which is nice to hear, but super bummed. Straight rejections for me. It's my first year applying, and I know that it can take several tries to get in, but I'm not sure yet if I can handle the waiting game another time!! That has been far worse than the rejections themselves.

[koechophe]

33 minutes ago, Elwolf said:

It's my first year applying, and I know that it can take several tries to get in, but I'm not sure yet if I can handle the waiting game another time!! That has been far worse than the rejections themselves.

It really does suck. But I will say, the second time was easier for me than the first. The second time, I sort of knew what I was getting into and felt better about my apps, and I also was more ready to accept not getting in.

You might take a year off in between (I probably would've been wise to tbh, but no regrets here), but even if you don't, I highly recommend finding some good people to workshop with and just focusing on your writing while you wait. It really helped make my second round a lot easier.

I've seen a lot more people get in on a second/third/fourth round than a first one tbh. 

[Guest]

I just accepted my spot at Hollins  Much love to everyone on this thread!!!

[gagne]

Columbia [thinks they have] rejected me.

I add the brackets because I committed to Naropa last night.

[1moreX]

Hello all - I'm still waiting to hear from Florida State (FSU), where i'm waitlisted in fiction, and would appreciate knowing any movement off the waitlist. I'm not on Facebook.

Meanwhile, I have a question. I'm itching to email FSU and ask to speak to current or former students about the program, as I've done with schools I've been accepted to, or participate in other opportunities they offer accepted students to understand the program better. Though FSU is my first choice, I would not accept their incredible offer without finding out more about about it from the inside. I've done my due diligence with every other school l and it has totally changed my personal ranking of them. Do you know how a waitlisted student requesting this kind of access is perceived? Has anyone done this?

Also, I want to share something I've discovered in talking to people about their schools: As far as I can tell, there is no either/or of funded and non-funded schools. ALL the schools I've researched, including Sarah Lawrence, offer teaching and other opportunities, such as Writing Lab work or journal editing, to offset tuition. These are not called teaching or professional assistantships, but they function that way. In some cases the teaching offered in a supposedly non-funded college covers more than the cost of tuition. All the students I've talked to, including at SL, say "almost everyone gets something."  Of course there is no stipend at these school, covering living expenses, too. But at no school I've researched is there no funding. Maybe i'm misunderstanding "fully funded," but these are the gray areas i see.

Ok everyone -- thanks for listening and good luck to all still waiting to hear.

My results:

Accepted in fiction: Brooklyn, George Mason, Florida International, Sarah Lawrence

Waitlisted: Florida State

Rejected: University of Florida, Pitt, Indiana, Notre Dame

Still waiting to hear: CCNY, Queens

Edited April 1, 2022 by 1moreX

[koechophe]

30 minutes ago, 1moreX said:

Do you know how a waitlisted student requesting this kind of access is perceived? Has anyone done this?

This is viewed as totally normal and please feel free to do this. The thing is, schools know that people on waitlists can sometimes have to make some REALLY quick decisions (since a lot of movement happens like the week before the deadline). So they are aware that people want to be ready. You are totally welcome to do this, it is not a breach of etiquette whatsoever.

30 minutes ago, 1moreX said:

As far as I can tell, there is no either/or of funded and non-funded schools. ALL the schools I've researched, including Sarah Lawrence, offer teaching and other opportunities, such as Writing Lab work or journal editing, to offset tuition.

So the term "Fully funded" is a specific category: It means that 100% of students accepted receive a tuition remission (for all the tuition) and a stipend of some sort. That is a particular category of schools.

That being said, there are a lot of schools who are "partially funded," meaning they fund some or all of their students with offers that remit some or all of their tuition and possibly include stipends too.

Sometimes people end up with better funding at "partially funded" universities than fully funded ones. The categorization is a little bit asinine because "fully funded" schools can charge huge amounts in fees and have super expensive costs of living, making them less economic than partially funded ones.

I would still be careful with schools that say there are "opportunities" for work that will help you pay for it without being specific. A lot of schools require you to work for them for XXX amount of time (usually a year) before they start remitting tuition (if we're not talking specific, department promises). Also, a lot of times these spots are competative, so it'd suck to end up at a school, think you're going to get funding, and then not. 

Usually best to make sure you've got a solid, specific funding offer before acting. That's why people find fully funded ones appealing--it's already baked into their acceptance. But "partially funded" places can be a much better option than people give them credit for. 

Edited April 1, 2022 by koechophe