2025 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[saara_is.me]

Just got off the phone with someone at UF.  They said a decision date hasn’t been chosen yet but gave me an email of the person in charge to ask them.  Will email and keep yall updated.

[everything bagel lover]

What I keep telling myself is that I will know eventually. Like they (the schools) can't just not tell me anything ever again lol 

I remember at the beginning of notification season looking ahead at the calendar and feeling like March was a million years away and now it's nearly April. I have really appreciated y'all and this community and being on this journey together ❤️ 

[glowingbrightly]

2 hours ago, Eloise2897 said:

The location is a big plus for me. It's a good balance between getting me into a city full of creative/networking opportunities while keeping me in the Upper Midwest (which is where I write about, and where all my loved ones are). The stipend is solid and the teaching load is ideal. I admire a lot of their graduates and faculty, and the program is well respected. I went to a Big 10 school for undergrad and loved how many resources and opportunities I had access to, so I'd love to return to that setting. And on top of all that I just feel a pull toward it, if that makes sense? 

“the pull” should be the number 1 reason to commit to any program. also douglas kearney! 

[decayingballads21]

pros of a 2 year program?

[saara_is.me]

UF update: the guy emailed back.  He said that they sent the decisions to the office of admission and that they’re being held up there.  He said they’re trying to get them out as soon as possible.

[glowingbrightly]

1 hour ago, decayingballads21 said:

pros of a 2 year program?

I’d say all of the pros are going to be highly idiosyncratic—age, family, funding, goals, etc.—or related to prestige—Brown is 2 years, for example

[KennyK]

@everything bagel lover or @Tinky C. Clown are either of yall able to check fb draft to see if any sfsu fiction acceptances have been posted please? 🥺👉🏾👈🏾

[janetdamnit]

On 3/24/2025 at 5:30 PM, Hjanep said:

Ok finally got my Montana R. Now just waiting on my NYU soft R but after turning them down last year… even if something crazy happened and I got in again I probably wouldn’t go so I guess that’s it for me this season! Thanks for the camaraderie party people 

Are you fiction or poetry, if you don't mind me asking? I applied to Montana for poetry and haven't heard anything.

[Hjanep]

17 minutes ago, janetdamnit said:

Are you fiction or poetry, if you don't mind me asking? I applied to Montana for poetry and haven't heard anything.

Fiction. I also feel like these decisions are being made on a semi rolling basis. I emailed last week to see if there was an update and they said they had just posted a decision to my account but it takes 7-10 days to release 🤷🏼‍♀️

[glowingbrightly]

Northwestern/Litowitz Program student on draft just shared an hour ago that all outstanding acceptances for their program have been deferred until 2026. This was a privately funded top program that I also applied to and I am shocked. I don’t want to cause panic but if you have an attractive outstanding offer, this may be the time to accept instead of waiting for something better. I just hope this is the end of news like this not the beginning. 

[gradschoolpspspsps]

27 minutes ago, glowingbrightly said:

Northwestern/Litowitz Program student on draft just shared an hour ago that all outstanding acceptances for their program have been deferred until 2026. This was a privately funded top program that I also applied to and I am shocked. I don’t want to cause panic but if you have an attractive outstanding offer, this may be the time to accept instead of waiting for something better. I just hope this is the end of news like this not the beginning. 

That's insane. I also applied for them. Ugh, what a shitty year to be applying for these programs. I'm a college counselor in a low income area and I'm really worried about my undocumented students this year, even just compared to last year things are so much worse. These are kids that have been here since they were babies, and there's drastically less options than before. I can't imagine it's going to get better as things go on. Programs like these are nervous, they don't want to take any chances. 

[Tinky C. Clown]

2 hours ago, KennyK said:

@everything bagel lover or @Tinky C. Clown are either of yall able to check fb draft to see if any sfsu fiction acceptances have been posted please? 🥺👉🏾👈🏾

nothing yet 

[everything bagel lover]

2 hours ago, glowingbrightly said:

Northwestern/Litowitz Program student on draft just shared an hour ago that all outstanding acceptances for their program have been deferred until 2026. This was a privately funded top program that I also applied to and I am shocked. I don’t want to cause panic but if you have an attractive outstanding offer, this may be the time to accept instead of waiting for something better. I just hope this is the end of news like this not the beginning. 

Oh my god this put me on high alert. I've already been stressed about just sitting on my NAU offer while I wait for CSU to figure out funding, but this is pushing me to maybe just accept it. I'd hate to lose a great offer waiting for a second one to pan out, even if the second one is my top choice. I feel really guilty even just saying it, but I think I'm gonna be committing to NAU in light of this with one foot ready to pivot if my top choice pans out. What do y'all think?

I too hope that this doesn't become a trend as the season goes on, but this feels like very precarious times.

[glowingbrightly]

9 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

Oh my god this put me on high alert. I've already been stressed about just sitting on my NAU offer while I wait for CSU to figure out funding, but this is pushing me to maybe just accept it. I'd hate to lose a great offer waiting for a second one to pan out, even if the second one is my top choice. I feel really guilty even just saying it, but I think I'm gonna be committing to NAU in light of this with one foot ready to pivot if my top choice pans out. What do y'all think?

I too hope that this doesn't become a trend as the season goes on, but this feels like very precarious times.

Yeah, I’d take it if I were you. That’s a good offer so secure it and you won’t have much to lose in case you do need to pivot. I think everyone has to weigh it for themselves but it’s better to be safe than sorry in this climate.  

 

1 hour ago, gradschoolpspspsps said:

That's insane. I also applied for them. Ugh, what a shitty year to be applying for these programs. I'm a college counselor in a low income area and I'm really worried about my undocumented students this year, even just compared to last year things are so much worse. These are kids that have been here since they were babies, and there's drastically less options than before. I can't imagine it's going to get better as things go on. Programs like these are nervous, they don't want to take any chances. 

Moments like these remind us who the most vulnerable truly are among us and to be grateful for what we have. Wishing all the best for your students and their families ❤️

[snottlebie]

29 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

Oh my god this put me on high alert. I've already been stressed about just sitting on my NAU offer while I wait for CSU to figure out funding, but this is pushing me to maybe just accept it. I'd hate to lose a great offer waiting for a second one to pan out, even if the second one is my top choice. I feel really guilty even just saying it, but I think I'm gonna be committing to NAU in light of this with one foot ready to pivot if my top choice pans out. What do y'all think?

I too hope that this doesn't become a trend as the season goes on, but this feels like very precarious times.

Not saying to not take it - do what makes you feel most secure - but also that rushing to secure a spot in fear and giving up on waitlists is also not the best thing. (Nothing is the best thing - it's shitty all around.) Imagine if you were in that Northwestern cohort and basically half the group got their offers rescinded (IDK the numbers, but they only take 2/genre). Yes, it's good you're there, but do you want to be in a miniscule cohort? If community's an important thing, do you want to be at a place that had to cut a ton of people? We don't want this application season to be a wash and it may save you peace of mind to secure your spot, sure, but think hard about your decision.

If I was the one person to say yes at northwestern and then they deferred the other person in my genre, I'd be devastated too. Either way, it sucks.

[pananoprodigy]

2 hours ago, everything bagel lover said:

Oh my god this put me on high alert. I've already been stressed about just sitting on my NAU offer while I wait for CSU to figure out funding, but this is pushing me to maybe just accept it. I'd hate to lose a great offer waiting for a second one to pan out, even if the second one is my top choice. I feel really guilty even just saying it, but I think I'm gonna be committing to NAU in light of this with one foot ready to pivot if my top choice pans out. What do y'all think?

I too hope that this doesn't become a trend as the season goes on, but this feels like very precarious times.

Take this with sooo many grains of salt because I obviously know nothing, but I think if I were you, I would probs hang in there and wait for final word from CSU before you accept NAU. I haven't gotten any indication in any of my convos with people at NAU that our offers there are in danger of being revoked/deferred/whatever...Now, obviously, as we're seeing, anything can happen, but I feel pretty confident in the NAU offer's sticking power, at least for now. I would just hate for you to end up in the super awkward position of getting your dream CSU funding offer and having the excitement of it all marred by having to back out of an NAU offer you accepted. Of course that wouldn't be the worst thing ever, but I think esp since April 15th is still a wee bit aways, I would probably wait. 

edit: THAT BEING SAID, I feel firmly that at the end of the day we all have to put ourselves first in this process. These schools are a lot like companies, and I think it's so valid to treat them the way you'd treat potential employers during a job search -- i.e. you don't owe them anything. Obviously we don't wanna burn bridges but like also...see above re: don't owe them anything.

Edited March 26 by pananoprodigy

[inthesameboat]

4 hours ago, glowingbrightly said:

Northwestern/Litowitz Program student on draft just shared an hour ago that all outstanding acceptances for their program have been deferred until 2026. This was a privately funded top program that I also applied to and I am shocked. I don’t want to cause panic but if you have an attractive outstanding offer, this may be the time to accept instead of waiting for something better. I just hope this is the end of news like this not the beginning. 

I saw something similar happening at UM Medical School. A student's offer was pulled out from under them before they could accept. Very scary.

[beet_root]

Keep in mind: if you’ve been offered a spot at a school that signed the April 15 resolution, but you’re waiting on other programs before you make your final decision, you can always just accept the first offer and back out if you change your mind. If you do it by April 15, you won’t be penalized.

Better to endure the temporary awkwardness of declining an offer you previously accepted than lose out on a spot in a program.

[everything bagel lover]

9 hours ago, glowingbrightly said:

Yeah, I’d take it if I were you. That’s a good offer so secure it and you won’t have much to lose in case you do need to pivot. I think everyone has to weigh it for themselves but it’s better to be safe than sorry in this climate.  

 

9 hours ago, snottlebie said:

Not saying to not take it - do what makes you feel most secure - but also that rushing to secure a spot in fear and giving up on waitlists is also not the best thing. (Nothing is the best thing - it's shitty all around.) Imagine if you were in that Northwestern cohort and basically half the group got their offers rescinded (IDK the numbers, but they only take 2/genre). Yes, it's good you're there, but do you want to be in a miniscule cohort? If community's an important thing, do you want to be at a place that had to cut a ton of people? We don't want this application season to be a wash and it may save you peace of mind to secure your spot, sure, but think hard about your decision.

If I was the one person to say yes at northwestern and then they deferred the other person in my genre, I'd be devastated too. Either way, it sucks.

 

7 hours ago, pananoprodigy said:

Take this with sooo many grains of salt because I obviously know nothing, but I think if I were you, I would probs hang in there and wait for final word from CSU before you accept NAU. I haven't gotten any indication in any of my convos with people at NAU that our offers there are in danger of being revoked/deferred/whatever...Now, obviously, as we're seeing, anything can happen, but I feel pretty confident in the NAU offer's sticking power, at least for now. I would just hate for you to end up in the super awkward position of getting your dream CSU funding offer and having the excitement of it all marred by having to back out of an NAU offer you accepted. Of course that wouldn't be the worst thing ever, but I think esp since April 15th is still a wee bit aways, I would probably wait. 

edit: THAT BEING SAID, I feel firmly that at the end of the day we all have to put ourselves first in this process. These schools are a lot like companies, and I think it's so valid to treat them the way you'd treat potential employers during a job search -- i.e. you don't owe them anything. Obviously we don't wanna burn bridges but like also...see above re: don't owe them anything.

This is all incredibly valuable feedback, thank y'all so much.

I also emailed the professor at CSU who's been my contact person and he said "there's a good chance we'll have definite info for you by the end of this week and I will reach out just as soon as I can" which I'm maybe reading too far into but seems really promising? If it's defitinite info for me, and I've expressed twice that I would accept it immediately, then perhaps?

And @pananoprodigy I had the same thought about the social guilt and anxiety and how that would really take away the joy of the whole commitment process for either school. I agree, NAU feels fairly solid; it's not the highest stipend in the world and it's GTA based, plus they did sign the resolution and only some are funded so they're hopefully fine. I do just feel in my gut that I should wait but the NU students having the rug pulled really freaked me out. I think, given the information I've received from CSU, I will hold off on committing to NAU out of fear. However, if they award the GTA to another cohort member, I'll probably commit just in case and then, if I must, pivot.

I really can't thank y'all enough for your sound reasoning and input ❤️ 

[penitentwanderer]

6 hours ago, beet_root said:

Keep in mind: if you’ve been offered a spot at a school that signed the April 15 resolution, but you’re waiting on other programs before you make your final decision, you can always just accept the first offer and back out if you change your mind. If you do it by April 15, you won’t be penalized.

Better to endure the temporary awkwardness of declining an offer you previously accepted than lose out on a spot in a program.

Everyone has to do what's best for them, but if you do take a spot (that you're hoping not to take, i.e. waiting on movement elsewhere), you are kinda fucking over the people on the waitlist, as they're informed the spots are all taken. So they take other offers, or take job offers, or renew their lease, etc. It has a huge ripple effect. 

[everything bagel lover]

24 minutes ago, penitentwanderer said:

Everyone has to do what's best for them, but if you do take a spot (that you're hoping not to take, i.e. waiting on movement elsewhere), you are kinda fucking over the people on the waitlist, as they're informed the spots are all taken. So they take other offers, or take job offers, or renew their lease, etc. It has a huge ripple effect. 

This is also my concern with confirming a spot when I'm unsure. I've been in the waitlist dance before and am currently biting my nails on a funding waitlist, and I don't want to muddy the waters for others. I really just hope that places deferring acceptances doesn't become something regular (or even happen more than once at this point).

[beet_root]

39 minutes ago, penitentwanderer said:

Everyone has to do what's best for them, but if you do take a spot (that you're hoping not to take, i.e. waiting on movement elsewhere), you are kinda fucking over the people on the waitlist, as they're informed the spots are all taken. So they take other offers, or take job offers, or renew their lease, etc. It has a huge ripple effect. 

Unfortunately, that’s the bummer of being on the waitlist. It’s not unusual for spots to open up at the last minute (or even after April 15), and programs often inform waitlisters that this may be the case.

Seems to me like an issue of the system, not the student.

[zaira]

Out of curiosity, if every applicant accepts offers from a program, would the school inform waitlisted folks that there are no spots available? Would they wait until April 15th to inform? Or would they just hold onto waitlists indefinitely?

I've heard of people getting off waitlists as late as a month before classes are set to start. How does that work? They just decide to remain on the waitlist despite all offers being accepted? 

[snottlebie]

10 minutes ago, zaira said:

Out of curiosity, if every applicant accepts offers from a program, would the school inform waitlisted folks that there are no spots available? Would they wait until April 15th to inform? Or would they just hold onto waitlists indefinitely?

I've heard of people getting off waitlists as late as a month before classes are set to start. How does that work? They just decide to remain on the waitlist despite all offers being accepted? 

They usually email applicants once they know. 

[everything bagel lover]

20 minutes ago, zaira said:

Out of curiosity, if every applicant accepts offers from a program, would the school inform waitlisted folks that there are no spots available? Would they wait until April 15th to inform? Or would they just hold onto waitlists indefinitely?

I've heard of people getting off waitlists as late as a month before classes are set to start. How does that work? They just decide to remain on the waitlist despite all offers being accepted? 

In my experience with one school, when all positions had been filled they said it is "very unlikely" that anything will change between now (it was late April) and the start of the term. So I didn't like remove myself from the waitlist or anything at that point, and the language left the door a tiniest crack open just in case they needed to reach back out last minute but I understood that this was deeply unlikely.