2023 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[oubukibun]

Hi everyone,

My name is Manny and I was accepted into my MFA program here at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in my second year of applications.

The first year I applied to 4 Hoop Dreams: Boston University, Brown, Iowa, and Syracuse. Of course they all rejected me, but I'll get to that in a little bit. I did what we all do: ask for rec letters from our professors, fine-tune the writing, send it out for feedback, then spend an agonizing eternity contemplating how-in-the-fuck a statement of purpose will ever get written that can faithfully show who is the person behind the syntax.

Halfway through my rejections on my first year, I noticed someone in an old thread cataloged a bunch of grad programs/locations by film directors (lol), and found that such a delightfully absurd idea that I went with it--sort of. I decided, for my second year, I'd choose 6 (8? I can't even remember...) schools, well-established mixed in with lesser known, from as many corners of the US as I could. It was surprisingly easy, so I stretched my hands out and began the cycle once more. It was much easier this time, because the rejections had already come in, and having even less vanity than I already do about what I am producing, and having no set dream--I could finally write the statement of purpose with actual purpose, with an actual me embedded in it.

Cue the waitin', and the sweatin', and the heart attacks every time the 1 popped under the Gmail 'M' on my Chrome tab. Fast forward to February of last year, and I had been rejected from UCSD, then Washington, then McNeese. Maybe another, too, it's not important. Sometime in December, my gut instinct decided that the University of Alaska Fairbanks was the right choice for me, so that was the candle I lit in secret, and kept it from myself so my anxiety wouldn't blow it out. But it was there, kindling.

I did not hear from another school until March 2. I'll never forget stepping out of my shower, butt-naked, and deciding it was time to check my email (haha). What was there to greet me but an email with a document attached informing me of my acceptance into the Creative Writing program as a poet for the 2022-2025 cohort. I am a concrastinator, so I got to work quickly to make sure the TA waitlist would eventually change (it did, right before my April birthday, and as a TA, my tuition is covered along with health insurance--happy to answer specific questions about UAF if anyone is interested).

Later in March, the University of New Orleans would also accept me, but offer less information about funding and making no promises in that regard. I love New Orleans, but it was my second choice, so it was okay to let go (they, however, had some issues on that front--I still receive emails from UNO about my username being created for me, hehe; McNeese also sends me FAFSA emails from time to time, they really need to step up their app game).

Cue to my first spring semester here and the end of my first year as a grad student, and I cannot love it more. It is precisely where I needed to be, and where I intended to be. That mix is a gift all on its own, and never guaranteed, and I have no reassurances except to say that I have literally been where you are, life's shit and warts and hemorrhoids galore. But you can't let that stomp on your dream--the one thing we can offer to ourselves for free, even if only in the first instance of dreaming it, and the one thing that, for me, fuels this entire enterprise of writing.

Do not despair, just open a fresh page-- You might be surprised at how easy you will fill it up. And if good news is around the corner, laugh! This is one of the most arbitrary and most absurd cycles one can experience as a human being. Isn't experience everything? Every thing?

 

All the best to you all, and cheers!

Manny

 

P.S. Those Hoop Dreams, as it turns out, weren't my dreams at all, just the imaginary successes of a me that was never going to go to any of them. I am living my dream now.

Edited February 20, 2023 by oubukibun

[crosie]

Did anyone just get another waitlist email from a different person for Johns Hopkins? Trying to figure out what’s going on here and if I should respond to it ?

[mosss]

1 hour ago, treaux said:

Well, it's been a mixed bag day for me. Rejected from Oregon via the formiest of form emails just now. But received an offer from Wyoming via phone call this am!!  

Sorry for all those who got bad news from Arizona today; seems like they had a ton of applicants. Hoping you all get better news soon. 

I did my undergrad at WY and got to know the CW/ENGL faculty well while I was there (really love the support I got from my profs), so let me know if you have questions about Laramie/general vibes of the campus and program! Congrats!

[ElleNoelle]

I’ve had a weird but delightful day.  Friendly reminder for everyone to double check their emails.  I got an email about a prospective student day so I (with a healthy dose of confusion) searched my emails and it turns out I was waitlisted (!!!) for a program I had chalked up to a rejection (the email had been misrouted out of my inbox).

Edited February 20, 2023 by ElleNoelle

[shhhh]

50 minutes ago, crosie said:

Did anyone just get another waitlist email from a different person for Johns Hopkins? Trying to figure out what’s going on here and if I should respond to it ?

Yes, this just happened to me as well! Got sent a waitlist email last week, and a second today.

[beldani]

is anyone else waiting to hear back from WUSTL? i saw that fiction acceptances went out a few weeks ago, and some rejections have been posted since then, but i haven't heard anything and my portal still says it's in review. good sign? bad sign? i'm so sick of the wait haha

[Catpaw]

3 hours ago, beldani said:

is anyone else waiting to hear back from WUSTL? i saw that fiction acceptances went out a few weeks ago, and some rejections have been posted since then, but i haven't heard anything and my portal still says it's in review. good sign? bad sign? i'm so sick of the wait haha

Yeah I haven't heard anything either. My status just says "Submitted" — not even "In Review". (Which makes me suddenly worry that they didn't even process my application if they didn't change the status to "In Review" but surely they must have?) I've been assuming it's a rejection since I haven't heard anything from them.

[halsklo]

57 minutes ago, Catpaw said:

Yeah I haven't heard anything either. My status just says "Submitted" — not even "In Review". (Which makes me suddenly worry that they didn't even process my application if they didn't change the status to "In Review" but surely they must have?) I've been assuming it's a rejection since I haven't heard anything from them.

i’m in a similar situation where my app just says “submitted” and has said that since dec. it’s definitely led to lots of anxiety on my part 

Edited February 21, 2023 by halsklo

[O. Green]

7 hours ago, SarahRuth said:

I also just received a rejection from the University of Arizona (for fiction and nonfiction). It looks like they only accepted two percent of applicants this year - seven spots instead of the twelve spots advertised on the application. I guess they just didn't get the funding for more spots? Crazy considering how good their program is. 

I'm a Tucson native and worked really hard to be able to return to my hometown (I LOVE Tucson!), so I didn't apply anywhere else. Any other older-ish writers in the same boat? In my 20's it was easier to uproot my life for opportunities like these. Not so much now.

Congrats to the waitlisted and accepted folks! Sorry to have discovered this community so late in the game. It's really neat to see everyone supporting each other on here!

Yes—similar boat! I'm sorry to hear you didn't make it in this year. Wishing you lots of luck for next year, and/or for whatever is next for you!

I'm rooted in Madison, WI and, for the foreseeable future, am not able to move for a program. I feel lucky that my dream program in every way—faculty, curriculum, structure, etc.— is in Madison. And I was lucky enough to be waitlisted this year. I am over the moon to be considered, but trying to use this time of uncertainty to figure out what next year looks like if I don't get in, and how to continue building structure and community and learning in poetry in a way that excites me and keeps me accountable to writing & revising intentionally. I'm really curious and would love to hear what that looks like for others, too.

Feel free to message me if you'd ever like to connect! I also didn't realize these forums existed until earlier this week. I'm trying to stay off of them as much as I can given the anxiety of the wait (ha), but also so appreciating all of the support everyone shows each other! I know there are so many incredible writers applying for so few MFA opportunities. I am so excited for folks celebrating acceptances, and so motivated by hearing how people are responding to waitlists & rejections. And I love finding other writers to read and follow! I've looked at Arizona's program many times over the years (it's amazing!!) and will be sending good wishes your way as you figure out next steps. 

[lanadelreystan]

Michigan seems to have notified two poetry acceptances by phone in the past week. It’s weird to me since they’ve typically notified everyone about their acceptance, waitlist, or rejection all at once on the same day. Has anyone heard back from Michigan in any capacity? 

[dagreenkat]

1 hour ago, lanadelreystan said:

Michigan seems to have notified two poetry acceptances by phone in the past week. It’s weird to me since they’ve typically notified everyone about their acceptance, waitlist, or rejection all at once on the same day. Has anyone heard back from Michigan in any capacity? 

I wish! Silence here. These programs are switching up their usual patterns on us. 
 

I am optimistic about getting more results this week though. February is wrapping up, and before Arizona I hadn’t heard a peep in 12 days, so I’ve got fingers crossed for a batch of notifs this week.

[daredcomet]

6 hours ago, shhhh said:

Yes, this just happened to me as well! Got sent a waitlist email last week, and a second today.

Is this for poetry? I've only received one waitlist email sent out today.

[crosie]

8 hours ago, daredcomet said:

Is this for poetry? I've only received one waitlist email sent out today.

Nope fiction! That might be the reason for the duplicates if they sent out poetry yesterday

[flameazalea]

still no response from Oregon State. if i'm not mistaken several folks heard back from them a few weeks back, so i guess it's safe to say that's another rejection too? not sure haha. is anyone elsse awaiting a response from them?

[crosie]

Just got a weird waitlist email from South Carolina lol. Def thought I’d been rejected there 

[SarahRuth]

12 hours ago, O. Green said:

Yes—similar boat! I'm sorry to hear you didn't make it in this year. Wishing you lots of luck for next year, and/or for whatever is next for you!

I'm rooted in Madison, WI and, for the foreseeable future, am not able to move for a program. I feel lucky that my dream program in every way—faculty, curriculum, structure, etc.— is in Madison. And I was lucky enough to be waitlisted this year. I am over the moon to be considered, but trying to use this time of uncertainty to figure out what next year looks like if I don't get in, and how to continue building structure and community and learning in poetry in a way that excites me and keeps me accountable to writing & revising intentionally. I'm really curious and would love to hear what that looks like for others, too.

Feel free to message me if you'd ever like to connect! I also didn't realize these forums existed until earlier this week. I'm trying to stay off of them as much as I can given the anxiety of the wait (ha), but also so appreciating all of the support everyone shows each other! I know there are so many incredible writers applying for so few MFA opportunities. I am so excited for folks celebrating acceptances, and so motivated by hearing how people are responding to waitlists & rejections. And I love finding other writers to read and follow! I've looked at Arizona's program many times over the years (it's amazing!!) and will be sending good wishes your way as you figure out next steps. 

Thanks O Green! Congrats on being waitlisted at Madison. Such a charming place. I can see why you would want to stay there. I hope you get in! I imagine Madison has quite a writing community. 

Simply letting my letter writers know my situation has helped enormously. They've already invited me to reading or writing groups; and one of them has even offered to edit my novel when it's complete. Plus, I was fortunate to be a literary awards finalist for the local book festival, so I plan to network there.

I suppose I'll re-assess next year and see where my life and skillset are at, but for now I'm going to forget the MFA and just write and network and read. 

[treaux]

26 minutes ago, flameazalea said:

still no response from Oregon State. if i'm not mistaken several folks heard back from them a few weeks back, so i guess it's safe to say that's another rejection too? not sure haha. is anyone elsse awaiting a response from them?

I only see a waitlist from Oregon State for CNF from this week on the results board. Has there been more posted on Draft? 

[jjooeeyy]

21 minutes ago, crosie said:

Just got a weird waitlist email from South Carolina lol. Def thought I’d been rejected there 

I just got a waitlist there as well!

[CheezWhiz]

Just received waitlist email from minnesota fiction

[1badgloop]

Waitlisted at Minnesota for fiction!!

[A.B. Yehoshua]

22 minutes ago, CheezWhiz said:

Just received waitlist email from minnesota fiction

Waitlisted for Minnesota CNF.

[c_eddy]

Anyone else here apply to WVU for poetry? If so, hear anything yet?

[poefire]

Received an acceptance email from Michigan for poetry this morning, holy fuck.

Also weird that it looks like the people last week got phone calls whereas people this week are getting emails?

[treaux]

12 minutes ago, poefire said:

Received an acceptance email from Michigan for poetry this morning, holy fuck.

Also weird that it looks like the people last week got phone calls whereas people this week are getting emails?

Congratulations!!!! 

[ElCompaAV]

Has anyone heard anything from UCI? 

Edited February 21, 2023 by Ey_Adrian