2025 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[DJ Lambchop]

Welp, that’s two cycles in a row of all hard Rs. And now to apply for law school instead….

[Hjanep]

Last night while trying to check my NYU portal on my phone, I accidentally stumbled on NYU’s MBA/MFA dual degree page that helps prepare people for production jobs in I’m assuming TV and film. I already have an MBA, did not even apply to NYU back then because I didn’t want to navigate moving myself/my husband/my dog to NYC at the time (now I live here but whatever). But this seems like a cool program? And one that might bring some more work opportunities beyond teaching? Food for thought for the group. 

[smallchange]

50 minutes ago, exvat said:

Is there a Grad Cafe AWP meet-up? Even if just for hugs and therapist referrals 😂 

I live in LA and probably won’t be going bc budget but down to meet up! Have heard of some after parties and such too

[exvat]

7 minutes ago, Hjanep said:

Last night while trying to check my NYU portal on my phone, I accidentally stumbled on NYU’s MBA/MFA dual degree page that helps prepare people for production jobs in I’m assuming TV and film. I already have an MBA, did not even apply to NYU back then because I didn’t want to navigate moving myself/my husband/my dog to NYC at the time (now I live here but whatever). But this seems like a cool program? And one that might bring some more work opportunities beyond teaching? Food for thought for the group. 

That's a totally cool option, def. I also saw some cool combo degrees while prepping for my application cycle this time, but my focus is v narrow (MFA only), so I didn't bite. But the Columbia JD/MFA program was kinda compelling for a hot sec. Then I came to my senses and remembered getting an MS in something I wasn't passionate about, and how it nearly killed me.

[pananoprodigy]

I want to say a massive ✨Thank You💫 to everybody who responded to my tiny wee crash out post the other day: @exvat, @curfew, @zaira, @everything bagel lover, @Sumire11, @Tuxedocat, @Chex. I'm so sorry if I missed anyone but I read them all with so much gratitude. Your words were so kind and I'm just really grateful for this community. 

edit: And for reporting purposes I also got my Brown rejection today. Taking Ls left and right and still we rise lol 

Edited Friday at 04:32 PM by pananoprodigy

[analog_e]

Well, it's a bust. I cried for a while, including a fair bit in public while eating breakfast, but I'm feeling fine now. Just glad to have the closure. See you all next year for the arc where I get accepted to every program : )

[exvat]

13 minutes ago, exvat said:

Then I came to my senses and remembered getting an MS in something I wasn't passionate about, and how it nearly killed me.

Words of caution to those looking at another application cycle and considering degrees they're not exactly stoked about.

[Hjanep]

7 minutes ago, exvat said:

Words of caution to those looking at another application cycle and considering degrees they're not exactly stoked about.

Ok yes agree but I do just want to say. MBA is so helpful for understanding a lot of very applicable things regarding how the world works and it’s pretty broad in application. Definitely follow your dreams follow your passion etc. But if you’re thinking of maybe doing a different grad program, it’s one that is way less narrow than say law school or med school. And there is something deeply satisfying about going into an app cycle with a little more transparency around your odds based on GMAT. That being said, I’ll be seeing you all back here in the fall for round 3 of MFA apps but if I didn’t already have an MBA the NYU program would be interesting to me. 🤗

[shadygrove]

okay, kind of relieved honestly to finally just have that Brown rejection!!

thank you to everyone who's shared comforting words with folks and who's talked about the potential benefits of not getting in on a first round of apps. it's really validating and is helping me look forward to the next year (and next round) >:-)  

[analog_e]

3 minutes ago, shadygrove said:

okay, kind of relieved honestly to finally just have that Brown rejection!!

thank you to everyone who's shared comforting words with folks and who's talked about the potential benefits of not getting in on a first round of apps. it's really validating and is helping me look forward to the next year (and next round) >:-)  

Shady Grove my little love

Shady Grove I say 

Shady Grove my little love

You'll get an MFA

[glowingbrightly]

32 minutes ago, Hjanep said:

Ok yes agree but I do just want to say. MBA is so helpful for understanding a lot of very applicable things regarding how the world works and it’s pretty broad in application. Definitely follow your dreams follow your passion etc. But if you’re thinking of maybe doing a different grad program, it’s one that is way less narrow than say law school or med school. And there is something deeply satisfying about going into an app cycle with a little more transparency around your odds based on GMAT. That being said, I’ll be seeing you all back here in the fall for round 3 of MFA apps but if I didn’t already have an MBA the NYU program would be interesting to me. 🤗

I wouldn’t pay either NYU or Columbia for these dual degrees but just want to chime in and add that some of the best poets I know have MFA/JDs—including both faculty at Irvine—so it’s certainly nothing to sneeze at. Law school has much broader applications for language and critical thinking skills than one might assume at first.

[shadygrove]

5 minutes ago, analog_e said:

Shady Grove my little love

Shady Grove I say 

Shady Grove my little love

You'll get an MFA

HEHEHE right back at you, analog!!! I'll see you there!! 🫡❤️

[KennyK]

Sfsu spring break is next week. Do we think there’s a chance I could hear from them today?

[zaira]

Wish I could join all of you in applying next year, those of you going for another round! This season's my one and done. I definitely don't have another application round in me haha. Even if I don't get in anywhere this season, eh, I tried my best. 

Really hoping all of you get into the programs of your dreams next year if it didn't work out this year! You're amazing people and any program would be lucky to have you ❤️

[Sumire11]

1 hour ago, analog_e said:

Well, it's a bust. I cried for a while, including a fair bit in public while eating breakfast, but I'm feeling fine now. Just glad to have the closure. See you all next year for the arc where I get accepted to every program : )

I'm probably skipping a cycle but I wish you the best!

[gradschoolpspspsps]

2 hours ago, everything bagel lover said:

What schools are folks still waiting on that aren't soft r's? I know a good amount of people are done receiving news for this season.

I'm not really sure what's a soft r, I'm pretty new to this forum. I'm still waiting on Boise State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SIU, USC, and West Virginia. 

I'm currently waitlisted at Arizona State, Miami University, Ole Miss, and UTK. 

[everything bagel lover]

Just now, gradschoolpspspsps said:

I'm not really sure what's a soft r, I'm pretty new to this forum. I'm still waiting on Boise State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SIU, USC, and West Virginia. 

I'm currently waitlisted at Arizona State, Miami University, Ole Miss, and UTK. 

Congratulations on the waitlists! That's quite a few and I've got my fingers crossed for you that one or more pan out!

Soft r means that acceptances and waitlists have already gone out for the school, but you haven't heard anything. This usually means that they haven't sent rejections out yet but you're 99.5% sure you're getting one. For example, Wyoming sent out acceptances and waitlists last week and I wasn't a recipient of either, so I'm assuming that the rejection letter will be forthcoming. I'm already counting it as a rejection even though they haven't explicitly told me that it is. Rejections tend to lag behind acceptance and waitlist notifs.

[writercl]

year 2 of almost being rejected everywhere (applied to a mere 3 poetry programs last year and 8 this year with a mix of both poetry and fiction). still waiting on UH, as I have received no official correspondence, but not feeling super great about that either. trying not to lose hope on this last app, but it's hard not to! i've thought over applying for m.a. lit programs that are still open to apply to and have nice looking programs. i feel a little weird about it, as well as burnt out (applying to schools and writing what feels like a bazillion statement of purposes). i know i can still be a writer without doing an MFA program, but i want to be a professor, so i do need a degree. i enjoy researching my literature interests, so it's obviously not the worse idea to pivot a bit, if it means getting the ball rolling and continuing my pursuit of education and knowledge. but man!! this kind of stinks. i'm trying to allow myself to be disappointed... if that makes sense. i know i have other options, and i am grateful for that... but it doesn't negate the fact that this does, in fact, stink.

happy to have a community of writers like this, in this forum, though. i haven't been that active this year compared to last year, but it was nice to know that y'all were here.

praying for you guys ♡ keep writing, stay strong, keep the faith, remember that a rejection from a program does not mean you are not a good writer and that no admissions committee could ever take your pen and paper away from you.

keep. writing.

[Sumire11]

9 minutes ago, zaira said:

Wish I could join all of you in applying next year, those of you going for another round! This season's my one and done. I definitely don't have another application round in me haha. Even if I don't get in anywhere this season, eh, I tried my best. 

Really hoping all of you get into the programs of your dreams next year if it didn't work out this year! You're amazing people and any program would be lucky to have you ❤️

I hope you'll keep on writing. Best of luck!

[Hjanep]

I sent notes to NYU and Montana asking for status updates and Montana said: 

The department has input a decision however it takes approximately 7-10 business days for the Graduate School to process so it will hopefully be next week that you hear back.

🫠

[Lady Gladys]

22 minutes ago, gradschoolpspspsps said:

I'm not really sure what's a soft r, I'm pretty new to this forum. I'm still waiting on Boise State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SIU, USC, and West Virginia. 

I'm currently waitlisted at Arizona State, Miami University, Ole Miss, and UTK. 

I'm pretty sure Notre Dame notified, so that is probably an r. Still waiting to hear from Boise here, too. I haven't seen anything.

[zaira]

11 minutes ago, Sumire11 said:

I hope you'll keep on writing. Best of luck!

Oh absolutely! I'll never stop writing. Next step will be the query trenches if the MFA doesn't happen. Can't wait to replace my MFA rejections with agent rejections, let's gooooo! 

[gradschoolpspspsps]

37 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

Congratulations on the waitlists! That's quite a few and I've got my fingers crossed for you that one or more pan out!

Soft r means that acceptances and waitlists have already gone out for the school, but you haven't heard anything. This usually means that they haven't sent rejections out yet but you're 99.5% sure you're getting one. For example, Wyoming sent out acceptances and waitlists last week and I wasn't a recipient of either, so I'm assuming that the rejection letter will be forthcoming. I'm already counting it as a rejection even though they haven't explicitly told me that it is. Rejections tend to lag behind acceptance and waitlist notifs.

Thank you!! I was pretty sure that's what it meant, I'm just not sure which have gone out yet

16 minutes ago, Lady Gladys said:

I'm pretty sure Notre Dame notified, so that is probably an r. Still waiting to hear from Boise here, too. I haven't seen anything.

Okay, good to know, thank you! I thought Boise was still waiting. Maybe we'll hear today still. I'll mark Notre Dame as probably off. I was kinda hoping for that one, my little cousin just got in there for undergrad and it would've been so fun to be there with him. 

[glowingbrightly]

Just realized CU-Boulder is the only school I haven’t heard anything from…

[everything bagel lover]

1 minute ago, glowingbrightly said:

Just realized CU-Boulder is the only school I haven’t heard anything from…

What genre are you? Fiction and poetry notifications have gone out. I'd maybe check your spam or the portal directly. If there's nothing, you should reach out to the director. Or if you're CNF, idk what the call is because there's no data in the draft about CNF at Boulder.