2024 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[pomelo]

6 minutes ago, Jersh said:

That's so interesting--I guess I'm not the only one then. Sounds like it's North Carolina's best kept secret lol

It just so happens that I'm gonna be in Charlotte this week for a conference, so I'm planning to stop by Greensboro and maybe try to schedule a tour of UNCG while I'm there. Hopefully I'll like what I see!

Gotta try bbq while you’re in NC! Pho Hien Vuong in Gboro is my childhood comfort food and you can’t leave without trying Cookout and Bojangles. 

[TPike]

15 minutes ago, Elle18 said:

I’m a literary fiction gal! What kind do you do? Also are most of you fiction people literary or genre? I’ve always been curious about that

I'm a poetry applicant!

[antseverywhereallatonce]

43 minutes ago, Elle18 said:

I’m a literary fiction gal! What kind do you do? Also are most of you fiction people literary or genre? I’ve always been curious about that

Nice to meet you!  I tend to write genre, I usually write a mix of literary fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy.  It's really cool you do literary fiction!

[antseverywhereallatonce]

38 minutes ago, TPike said:

I'm a poetry applicant!

Poetry is so cool, wishing you the best!

[sunnysequoia]

1 hour ago, antseverywhereallatonce said:

That is totally valid, I feel like the waiting is definitely the most difficult part of the process.  I'm glad you're doing well otherwise though, and I hope you have a great move if you end up attending somewhere outside the Bay Area.  Your idea is great, and I am definitely going to consider doing something similar, thanks very much for sharing it with us all.

I've been hanging in there, thanks for asking!  I am mostly writing for fiction programs alongside a few screenwriting programs, but I admire you all doing nonfiction.  It's such a cool field, and I really love all the writing you do!

Aw thank you! The vast majority of my writing has always been personal; I love writing about my own life and constructing narrative threads from real events. Though, I never learned how to create characters and entire plots from scratch, and I genuinely don't know how fiction writers work that kind of magic 😅 Maybe I'll take a fiction workshop one semester to learn this stuff and steal some fictional craft elements for my own writing haha.

That's amazing that you're applying to some screenwriting programs! I took a few screenwriting workshops during my undergrad and absolutely loved it, and it's a shame there aren't more programs that offer this genre. What made you decide to apply to two different genres?

Tangentially related, I was actually really surprised seeing on this thread and Draft that nonfiction is much less common than I previously thought. According to Draft data, it seems like around an overwhelming 60% of candidates apply for fiction and another 30% apply for poetry? The remaining 10% being split among nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting. Idk, I thought it would be more of a 2:1:1 ratio between fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

[antseverywhereallatonce]

17 minutes ago, sunnysequoia said:

Aw thank you! The vast majority of my writing has always been personal; I love writing about my own life and constructing narrative threads from real events. Though, I never learned how to create characters and entire plots from scratch, and I genuinely don't know how fiction writers work that kind of magic 😅 Maybe I'll take a fiction workshop one semester to learn this stuff and steal some fictional craft elements for my own writing haha.

That's amazing that you're applying to some screenwriting programs! I took a few screenwriting workshops during my undergrad and absolutely loved it, and it's a shame there aren't more programs that offer this genre. What made you decide to apply to two different genres?

Tangentially related, I was actually really surprised seeing on this thread and Draft that nonfiction is much less common than I previously thought. According to Draft data, it seems like around an overwhelming 60% of candidates apply for fiction and another 30% apply for poetry? The remaining 10% being split among nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting. Idk, I thought it would be more of a 2:1:1 ratio between fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

That is really cool most of your writing is personal!  I'm terrible with writing about myself so I really admire how you construct narratives using experiences from your life.  It's also super cool that you loved the screenwriting workshops you took, and I really hope you get to take more in the future!  I decided to apply to both because I do prefer screenwriting but there are very few fully funded screenwriting programs, and in the case screenwriting doesn't work out, I would like to still pursue prose fiction writing, especially because after a MFA, ideally, I would love to attend a PhD program for Literature.

If you don't mind me asking, what kinda nonfiction do you like to write?

And I didn't know about that data, that's really interesting that it's mostly fiction! 

[TPike]

23 minutes ago, antseverywhereallatonce said:

Poetry is so cool, wishing you the best!

OMG, same to you!!

[Elle18]

2 hours ago, TPike said:

I'm a poetry applicant!

Poetry is awesome!! My friend just started her poetry mfa this year and loves it - hopefully you get some good news soon!

 

1 hour ago, antseverywhereallatonce said:

Nice to meet you!  I tend to write genre, I usually write a mix of literary fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy.  It's really cool you do literary fiction!

I would love to learn to write genre fiction - fantasy is so awesome! Did you apply to any of the genre fiction specific programs? 

[sunnysequoia]

1 hour ago, antseverywhereallatonce said:

That is really cool most of your writing is personal!  I'm terrible with writing about myself so I really admire how you construct narratives using experiences from your life.  It's also super cool that you loved the screenwriting workshops you took, and I really hope you get to take more in the future!  I decided to apply to both because I do prefer screenwriting but there are very few fully funded screenwriting programs, and in the case screenwriting doesn't work out, I would like to still pursue prose fiction writing, especially because after a MFA, ideally, I would love to attend a PhD program for Literature.

If you don't mind me asking, what kinda nonfiction do you like to write?

And I didn't know about that data, that's really interesting that it's mostly fiction! 

That's great that you are trying for different genres and hopefully giving yourself more options that way! I'm currently writing a memoir and that's what I intend to continue working on in an MFA

I know right?? I kinda figured fiction would be most popular, but I didn't expect nonfiction to be like... not super popular at all LOL. I guess this means I have more of an advantage in terms of competing with fewer people for the same spots hahaha.

[Chex]

6 hours ago, Scribe said:

So, just because I can't access Draft and therefore the spreadsheet, I'll post here.

I've applied to 28 programs and at 903 this morning heard back from UI Bloomington - waitlisted. anyone know a page here where there's a list of responses and dates. I've perused but no one put up a list yet. 

Hi, congratulations on getting waitlisted! Not sure if you already know this, but you could click on the results tab at the top pf your screen, amd you'll see options to either view posted results or post your own result. When viewing general results, you can filter your search by typing 'creative writing' or 'mfa' for more relevant results. 

There's no spreadsheet here, though, only on Draft. From all the reports I've seen both here and on Draft, the notifications from U Indiana Bloomington all went out on January 29. So far, I've only seen waitlists and rejections, no one has come forward with an acceptance. 

2 hours ago, Elle18 said:

I’m a literary fiction gal! What kind do you do? Also are most of you fiction people literary or genre? I’ve always been curious about that

I'm a litfic person, too! I think it's what my mind is most drawn to, fiction-wise, but I occasionally dabble in other fiction genres. 

I write poetry too, and less frequently, nonfiction. I admire all who write nonfiction such as @sunnysequoia but I'm more reticent with it because maybe I'm too scared to present my life to the world and bare my heart so directly. This is funny because a good chunk of my fiction and poetry is personal and draws from my world, but at least there I can varnish and play with it more freely. I do hope to write a collection of essays and maybe even a memoir someday when I'm ready. 

[Scribe]

2 hours ago, Chex said:

Hi, congratulations on getting waitlisted! Not sure if you already know this, but you could click on the results tab at the top pf your screen, amd you'll see options to either view posted results or post your own result. When viewing general results, you can filter your search by typing 'creative writing' or 'mfa' for more relevant results. 

There's no spreadsheet here, though, only on Draft. From all the reports I've seen both here and on Draft, the notifications from U Indiana Bloomington all went out on January 29. So far, I've only seen waitlists and rejections, no one has come forward with an acceptance. 

I'm a litfic person, too! I think it's what my mind is most drawn to, fiction-wise, but I occasionally dabble in other fiction genres. 

I write poetry too, and less frequently, nonfiction. I admire all who write nonfiction such as @sunnysequoia but I'm more reticent with it because maybe I'm too scared to present my life to the world and bare my heart so directly. This is funny because a good chunk of my fiction and poetry is personal and draws from my world, but at least there I can varnish and play with it more freely. I do hope to write a collection of essays and maybe even a memoir someday when I'm ready. 

I did NOT know this. I am super embarrassed. Thanks so much, Chex. 

[Chex]

1 hour ago, Scribe said:

I did NOT know this. I am super embarrassed. Thanks so much, Chex. 

You're welcome

[Gradapp2024]

On 1/8/2024 at 12:43 PM, Rixor said:

Hi everyone! I guess I'm just going to post my stats and schools... Talking about this process seems to make it a little less scary, and I've found some solace in reading through last year's thread, so it's only proper that I pay it forward.

I'm 22 years old and one year out of undergrad, where I got a BS in biology and minored in CW. I have one short story published in a lit magazine. I've only applied for fully-funded programs, all of them in fiction. Ten total! They're ASU, UMn, UW-M, UW-S, NAU, UNLV, UNLV-R, SFU, BSU, and OSU. 

So, so far, 0a/0w/0r/10p  

I'm trying to temper my expectations--I realize it's extremely unlikely that I'll get into any of these programs--but I hope I get at least one 'a!' 

Wishing all of you the best of luck! 

No Iowa, Arizona, Virginia or Syracuse? What was criteria for apps? Just curious. Good luck! Ps. Agreed - very competitive 

0a/0w/1r/15p

 

[Elle18]

7 hours ago, Chex said:

I'm a litfic person, too! I think it's what my mind is most drawn to, fiction-wise, but I occasionally dabble in other fiction genres.

I write poetry too, and less frequently, nonfiction. I admire all who write nonfiction such as @sunnysequoia but I'm more reticent with it because maybe I'm too scared to present my life to the world and bare my heart so directly. This is funny because a good chunk of my fiction and poetry is personal and draws from my world, but at least there I can varnish and play with it more freely. I do hope to write a collection of essays and maybe even a memoir someday when I'm ready. 

I wish i could write poetry! I was never able to take a class back in school but I always find myself wishing I did. 

I actually write nonfiction too - it feels like most people in here dabble in a few areas which is so cool. A few of my teachers actually wanted me to apply for nonfiction programs instead which sometimes just makes me fear that I suck at fiction but they didn’t want to tell me lol!

[CorneliusBreadicus]

Hey everyone, first time poetry applicant here! Applied to 11 programs: Northwestern, WUSTL, UT-Michener, UT-NWP, Idaho, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, UTK. All top programs -- in hindsight I wish I'd applied to at least a couple lesser known ones. 

Has anyone heard from the second round for Mississippi or Arkansas yet? 

[sabrina2013]

Has anyone heard from Indiana University for poetry? I've only seen fiction applicants get decisions

[prufrock_]

1 hour ago, CorneliusBreadicus said:

 

Has anyone heard from the second round for Mississippi or Arkansas yet? 

I haven't heard back from either yet -- but i'm fiction.

[writernity]

Awesome to see the diversity of what everyone writes!! I'm a fiction specialist myself, and occasionally dabble in (not very good) poetry. I mainly write literary and literary-spec fic, but also some less literary horror, mystery/thriller, and queer romance. I also write (and program, draw, and voice act for) visual novel games!

I haven't had an opportunity to take any courses in screenwriting or nonfiction, but would love to try them out. I'd also love to do more playwriting. Basically, I want to explore every form of writing I can! Which is an appeal of a couple of programs I applied for. But I'd also be happy to buckle down and focus on really polishing a publishable novel manuscript + maybe a couple short stories, especially since professorship hinges more on publications than anything else and that is the eventual goal.

[triciadawn]

3 hours ago, CorneliusBreadicus said:

Hey everyone, first time poetry applicant here! Applied to 11 programs: Northwestern, WUSTL, UT-Michener, UT-NWP, Idaho, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, UTK. All top programs -- in hindsight I wish I'd applied to at least a couple lesser known ones. 

Has anyone heard from the second round for Mississippi or Arkansas yet? 

Not yet. Arkansas started notifying of round 2 around this time last year, so should be any day now. I’ve been constantly refreshing my email. 

[Rixor]

4 hours ago, Gradapp2024 said:

No Iowa, Arizona, Virginia or Syracuse? What was criteria for apps? Just curious. Good luck! Ps. Agreed - very competitive 

0a/0w/1r/15p

 

I was a biology major and first-gen, so the prestige of masters programs was completely alien to me when I was applying. I only learned after joining Draft, but by then I'd already spent $800 on applications and promised my recommenders I was done haha. I also don't have any confidence that I'd get into someplace like Syracuse (even though I adore George Saunders' work)--during my English minor, the department head told me it was near-impossible for STEM grads to get into MFA programs. Hoping that's not the case! I applied to schools mainly based on location. It's my dream to move to the PNW, I adore it, so those schools are my top choices. Thank you! Good luck to you too! Where did you apply/how did you choose where to apply to? 

7 minutes ago, writernity said:

Awesome to see the diversity of what everyone writes!! I'm a fiction specialist myself, and occasionally dabble in (not very good) poetry. I mainly write literary and literary-spec fic, but also some less literary horror, mystery/thriller, and queer romance. I also write (and program, draw, and voice act for) visual novel games!

I haven't had an opportunity to take any courses in screenwriting or nonfiction, but would love to try them out. I'd also love to do more playwriting. Basically, I want to explore every form of writing I can! Which is an appeal of a couple of programs I applied for. But I'd also be happy to buckle down and focus on really polishing a publishable novel manuscript + maybe a couple short stories, especially since professorship hinges more on publications than anything else and that is the eventual goal.

Ahh that's so cool! If you'd be willing to message and link your visual novel games I'd love to check them out. I'm in a volunteer gamedev group as a writer for an upcoming game and it's been a ton of fun. Trying to learn programming to work independently but man, this math stuff is hard!!

Super cool to see everyone's genres! I write literary fiction. My second short story in my sample had magical realism elements which apparently isn't good for litfic applications ahhh so I hope that doesn't count against me. In my free time I do genre, but I'm not very good at it. I'd like to get better. 

[antseverywhereallatonce]

13 hours ago, Elle18 said:

Poetry is awesome!! My friend just started her poetry mfa this year and loves it - hopefully you get some good news soon!

 

I would love to learn to write genre fiction - fantasy is so awesome! Did you apply to any of the genre fiction specific programs? 

Thank you, literary fiction is really amazing too, and it's so cool you do that.  I didn't apply to any of genre fiction specific programs, but outside a few literary fiction places, I tried to mostly apply to MFAs that were supportive of people writing anything.  How about you?  Did you apply to mostly literary fiction MFAs?  It's also so cool you're working on genre fiction, have you been doing fantasy?

13 hours ago, sunnysequoia said:

That's great that you are trying for different genres and hopefully giving yourself more options that way! I'm currently writing a memoir and that's what I intend to continue working on in an MFA

I know right?? I kinda figured fiction would be most popular, but I didn't expect nonfiction to be like... not super popular at all LOL. I guess this means I have more of an advantage in terms of competing with fewer people for the same spots hahaha.

That's really amazing you're working on a memoir, I wish you the best of luck with it, and will be rooting for you!

[writernity]

ALERT: Two people on Draft have gotten Pittsburgh interview emails! From past years, it seems they interview anyone they're going to accept/waitlist in late Jan/early Feb.

53 minutes ago, Rixor said:

during my English minor, the department head told me it was near-impossible for STEM grads to get into MFA programs.

I don't think that's necessarily true-- most schools seem to look only at the quality of your writing and say they don't care about your background, though I do know some programs (like Pittsburgh) do prioritize those with a background in English. I did a psychology major and creative writing minor myself, and if anything learning in-depth psychology has greatly enhanced my writing. Which is something I tried to stress in my SOPs lol 😅 Maybe some of the highly competitive programs might factor it in when deciding between final applicants, but I really doubt it's a major concern. However, I do know that schools like to see that you'd do well in a workshop environment and be able to contribute good feedback, so having a writing/English minor or participating in a couple of workshops is probably a boon.

1 hour ago, Rixor said:

Ahh that's so cool! If you'd be willing to message and link your visual novel games I'd love to check them out. I'm in a volunteer gamedev group as a writer for an upcoming game and it's been a ton of fun. Trying to learn programming to work independently but man, this math stuff is hard!!

I'm happy to share! Game writing is lots of fun!! I just took an online narrative games writing workshop with Greg Buchanon-- I definitely recommend it for learning more about games writing and the industry, as well as meeting a lot of awesome people. I do not have much programming skill myself lol, I used Renpy which is a VN engine that's really easy to use and pretty quick to learn! It runs on Python and doesn't really require any math, just figuring out the basic language. Plus it's free!

1 hour ago, Rixor said:

My second short story in my sample had magical realism elements which apparently isn't good for litfic applications ahhh so I hope that doesn't count against me.

Most of my samples had some speculative or surrealistic elements, so I'm also hoping that 😅 Personally, I feel like strict genre divides are often pointless and it's so hard to tell what fits in where. As long as the stories are literary at their core, a lot of schools seem open to speculative elements, but definitely not all of them, and sometimes it's hard to tell which.

[prufrock_]

something i didn't anticipate but should have known: the closer we get to the likely response days, the higher my anxiety is getting!

[triciadawn]

I'm struggling to finish my cover letter for Minnesota State. I wasn't aware that funding applications were separately, or I wouldn't have applied. I thought everyone accepted received funding. Should I even bother at this point if it's not my first choice? 

[girlgenius]

A current student at U of Minnesota mentioned on Draft that notifications would be going out "very soon".......😵‍💫! (according to an email they received from admin on Friday)