2025 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[Lady Gladys]

8 minutes ago, muffincreature said:

I extremely appreciated the advice people gave on my MFA choices! Here’s another question I have. I’ve been torn between PhD and MFA. I applied to some fully funded MFAs. Among my acceptances I’m leaning toward Wyoming and hoping to get off the waitlists of 3 presumably better programs. I also got into the PhD in anthropology at a good UC school. As a CNF writer I’m interested in ethnographic writing and its intersection with literature.

I’d like to teach afterwards and I feel like the PhD at UC might lead to a better career outcome, but I’m kinda scared by a 7-8 year commitment (including fieldwork) and worry it won’t leave me time and energy for creative writing. The anthropology department seems very open to creative and interdisciplinary work (including taking classes in the MFA), but still, there’s a heavy emphasis on theory and research. A less important factor is that UC’s stipend is better than Wyoming’s, even considering the higher living cost in California. 

I’m not sure if anyone has debated between PhD and MFA and what you’ve decided considering your writing interests and career prospects. I feel like my heart is leaning toward the MFA but the PhD seems like such a good opportunity I shouldn’t miss. Would love to hear someone else’s thoughts on this. 

What would you like to teach? Also, I would consider how much of your career is ahead of you. If you are 50, then 7-8 years in a PhD program doesn't seem like a good payoff for 15 years of teaching, but if you are 30, I can see how it would make more sense.

[Xaesla]

Finally got my iowa letter. Does anyone else find it a bit annoying and pretentious that they still insist on sending out letters?

[everything bagel lover]

Good morning, my little forum friends. I had several dreams about getting in off of waitlists for programs and then ended off with a dream about a zombie apocalypse so I think this week will be fruitful. Tomorrow is the decision deadline for who whoever has the gta at csu. I’m feeling optimistic because of what the professor said but they could also totally award it to someone else.

How are y’all on waitlists feeling going into this week? 
 

Also, since it’s two weeks before decision day, I feel like UNLV sent out acceptances and the people are just not on draft or here. 

[zaira]

5 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

Good morning, my little forum friends. I had several dreams about getting in off of waitlists for programs and then ended off with a dream about a zombie apocalypse so I think this week will be fruitful. Tomorrow is the decision deadline for who whoever has the gta at csu. I’m feeling optimistic because of what the professor said but they could also totally award it to someone else.

How are y’all on waitlists feeling going into this week? 
 

Also, since it’s two weeks before decision day, I feel like UNLV sent out acceptances and the people are just not on draft or here. 

Good morning, bagel friend! Really hope you get good news on the CSU front today or tomorrow. 

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about my waitlist because I saw someone say they turned down a fiction offer at UVA. There's a chance! I've decided I'm happy no matter the outcome though. I'd be completely thrilled to get off the waitlist, but I also know there are others on the waitlist with me so I'm not getting my hopes up too high. 

We might see quite a bit of waitlist movement this week from a number of schools! Seems like some folks are making decisions now. Fingers crossed. 

[everything bagel lover]

Just now, zaira said:

Good morning, bagel friend! Really hope you get good news on the CSU front today or tomorrow. 

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about my waitlist because I saw someone say they turned down a fiction offer at UVA. There's a chance! I've decided I'm happy no matter the outcome though. I'd be completely thrilled to get off the waitlist, but I also know there are others on the waitlist with me so I'm not getting my hopes up too high. 

We might see quite a bit of waitlist movement this week from a number of schools! Seems like some folks are making decisions now. Fingers crossed. 

I saw that too! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you!! ❤️ I imagine it’s not ranked/you don’t know where you’re at on it? That’s a really great attitude to have going into this! I feel like it’s so hard to balance your own peace with excitement/anxiety. 

Thank you, me too! ❤️ 

I also think we’ll be seeing a lot of movement as people begin committing and pulling out of queues. 

[gradschoolpspspsps]

I hope there's movement! I'm also feeling pretty good about my waitlists, I'm thinking maybe this week I should reach back out and reiterate my interest? Also really hoping to hear back from those last couple pending schools, it seems like it's cutting it really close! I have to plan a bridal shower this month too so it's feeling like a lot going on.

[Jane Wyman]

Re: waitlists, I did some astrology forecasting, tarot readings, and I Ching readings to (fruitlessly and unscientifically) try to figure out what would happen, and they were all along the lines of, "Be patient, things are moving around behind the scenes, but not in the manner in which you might think, so be prepared for change but also be not prepared for it, patience is a virtue, blah blee."

This is true of the waitlist process as well as millions of other processes, including photosynthesis. I'm trying to focus on writing and my daily grind, but I'm just not that virtuous.

[Hjanep]

33 minutes ago, zaira said:

Good morning, bagel friend! Really hope you get good news on the CSU front today or tomorrow. 

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about my waitlist because I saw someone say they turned down a fiction offer at UVA. There's a chance! I've decided I'm happy no matter the outcome though. I'd be completely thrilled to get off the waitlist, but I also know there are others on the waitlist with me so I'm not getting my hopes up too high. 

We might see quite a bit of waitlist movement this week from a number of schools! Seems like some folks are making decisions now. Fingers crossed. 

Fingers crossed for you! Are you on other waitlists / admitted elsewhere or are you UVA or bust for the season?

[zaira]

Just now, Hjanep said:

Fingers crossed for you! Are you on other waitlists / admitted elsewhere or are you UVA or bust for the season?

I'm UVA or bust! It's actually my only opportunity to get into a fully-funded MFA because I'm not applying again next season.  Kinda increases the pressure 😬 

I might try for a low res program in the future though 

[Allrich90]

I've got accepted to a Low Residency MFA program at SAIC. I felt like most of my cohort were exploring different arts to find themselves. I'm pretty sure of my direction, which is writing. Let me know if any of you have heard anything about the program and if it is worth it.

[Eloise2897]

At this point, I've found personal peace with every outcome--I'll be excited no matter where I go. However, I'm stressing in part because I want to have a clearer financial picture. I've been comparing UHaul costs, rent prices, transit costs, and all manner of other things for the past two weeks. I'm putting away as much money as I can at the moment regardless, but I would still like to be able to draw up a more specific budget.

[P i e r r o t]

54 minutes ago, zaira said:

I'm UVA or bust! It's actually my only opportunity to get into a fully-funded MFA because I'm not applying again next season.  Kinda increases the pressure 😬 

I might try for a low res program in the future though 

I saw that post on Draft and also immediately thought of you! Rooting for you from the sidelines, saying little witchy prayers, etc. Keep us posted!

[Mr. Scribblo]

11 minutes ago, P i e r r o t said:

I saw that post on Draft

hi, 
could you let me know when it was posted or who shared it? i've been searching draft but can't seem to find it.

[zaira]

12 minutes ago, P i e r r o t said:

I saw that post on Draft and also immediately thought of you! Rooting for you from the sidelines, saying little witchy prayers, etc. Keep us posted!

Awwww, thank you so, so much. This means the world, really. I love this community. I'll happily take all of your little witchy prayers! ❤️ 🕯️

[Eloise2897]

22 minutes ago, Eloise2897 said:

At this point, I've found personal peace with every outcome--I'll be excited no matter where I go. However, I'm stressing in part because I want to have a clearer financial picture. I've been comparing UHaul costs, rent prices, transit costs, and all manner of other things for the past two weeks. I'm putting away as much money as I can at the moment regardless, but I would still like to be able to draw up a more specific budget.

Here's what the I Ching said this morning: "This hexagram references the positive concepts of anticipation and expectation. A time of growing power and energies which have not yet revealed themselves. Diligence and focus must be at maximal levels because a time of great flourishing is near. The period of late winter (just prior to the springtime) is also referenced here." 

I like the sound of "great flourishing." "Energies which have not revealed themselves" makes me think I'm going to get at least one other option...

[decayingballads21]

Hi friends!! hope everyone’s hanging in there. Hoping good news comes your way this week if you’re still waiting on programs. @everything bagel lover sending you all the good vibes and luck for CSU funding!!! 🤞🏻 

im currently torn between two great programs. Idaho and Oregon state. Faculty and courses/community at both is amazing, and I know they’re both great choices. Teaching load is a bit higher at idaho but I honestly don’t really mind that. Idk how I’m supposed to choose 😔 right now, I’m mostly trying to figure out if I would like a two year program or a three year, as that’s the biggest difference between both and the only “con” I can find for osu.
 

I always said I’d only go to a 3 year program now I’m thinking 2 wouldn’t be so bad. I keep thinking what if I can’t write a manuscript in that time, or I have less options post grad, but I don’t think any of that is true.
 

Anyone have any thoughts on this specifically, or anything to add about either of these programs? 

[Jane Wyman]

13 minutes ago, decayingballads21 said:

Hi friends!! hope everyone’s hanging in there. Hoping good news comes your way this week if you’re still waiting on programs. @everything bagel lover sending you all the good vibes and luck for CSU funding!!! 🤞🏻 

im currently torn between two great programs. Idaho and Oregon state. Faculty and courses/community at both is amazing, and I know they’re both great choices. Teaching load is a bit higher at idaho but I honestly don’t really mind that. Idk how I’m supposed to choose 😔 right now, I’m mostly trying to figure out if I would like a two year program or a three year, as that’s the biggest difference between both and the only “con” I can find for osu.
 

I always said I’d only go to a 3 year program now I’m thinking 2 wouldn’t be so bad. I keep thinking what if I can’t write a manuscript in that time, or I have less options post grad, but I don’t think any of that is true.
 

Anyone have any thoughts on this specifically, or anything to add about either of these programs? 

I'd look at cost of living for both places. Not sure if that's a consideration, but I suspect OSU will be pricier.

Also, Oregon and Idaho are quite different politically, although of course a college town is a college town.

You could check out the faculty and see who you vibe with more?

[prufrock_]

2 minutes ago, Jane Wyman said:

I'd look at cost of living for both places. Not sure if that's a consideration, but I suspect OSU will be pricier.

Also, Oregon and Idaho are quite different politically, although of course a college town is a college town.

Exactly what I was thinking! if financially it's all the same, i'd go to oregon (i lived there before and loved it, it's so greeeeeeeen). It's a progressive state politically, while Idaho looks rather red. but yeah oregon's kinda pricey.

 

as for two vs three years, i've been debating that with myself lately. while having an extra year of guaranteed funding makes taking the mfa leap less scary, i think i can write a good thesis in two years anyway. (plus my savings spaced out over two years makes life prettier than vs three years.)

[decayingballads21]

1 minute ago, prufrock_ said:

Exactly what I was thinking! if financially it's all the same, i'd go to oregon (i lived there before and loved it, it's so greeeeeeeen). It's a progressive state politically, while Idaho looks rather red. but yeah oregon's kinda pricey.

 

as for two vs three years, i've been debating that with myself lately. while having an extra year of guaranteed funding makes taking the mfa leap less scary, i think i can write a good thesis in two years anyway. (plus my savings spaced out over two years makes life prettier than vs three years.)

So I love the faculty at both. I did feel like I *connected* more with idaho faculty, specifically but the people at both places are all amazing and I know I’d thrive in either environment. I think OSU offers more of a variety of courses, which I love, and the quarter system actually allows for me to take workshop 6x and craft courses 6x, which is sort of amazing and kind of makes up for the less time I think.

 

the political climate of idaho DOES worry me, but I know the town and campus itself is fine. I’m actually considering living in Pullman, Washington for healthcare reasons, and I think that would be slightly better. But yeah, still, Oregon is much more green and vibrant, and idaho would be more of a good place to intensely focus for three years - no distractions, very rural and quiet. 
 

it’s so tough! When it comes down to the nuts and bolts it’s like how do you even choose. 
 

I appreciate the insight 

[P i e r r o t]

51 minutes ago, Mr. Scribblo said:

hi, 
could you let me know when it was posted or who shared it? i've been searching draft but can't seem to find it.

It was from a comment on the big "waitlist movement" thread.

[Tinky C. Clown]

also is it just me or did oregon state waitlist a ton of people. i feel like everyone and their mama on draft reported an oregon state waitlist

[everything bagel lover]

CSU called, GTA was accepted by someone else they offered a fellowship but I couldn’t take that without tuition remission :,( I’m sad that the door to CSU has closed but very very grateful for my position at NAU and will be committing today! It’s bittersweet but I’m relieved to know ❤️ thank you everyone for the positive vibes you sent my way

[Hjanep]

1 hour ago, decayingballads21 said:

So I love the faculty at both. I did feel like I *connected* more with idaho faculty, specifically but the people at both places are all amazing and I know I’d thrive in either environment. I think OSU offers more of a variety of courses, which I love, and the quarter system actually allows for me to take workshop 6x and craft courses 6x, which is sort of amazing and kind of makes up for the less time I think.

 

the political climate of idaho DOES worry me, but I know the town and campus itself is fine. I’m actually considering living in Pullman, Washington for healthcare reasons, and I think that would be slightly better. But yeah, still, Oregon is much more green and vibrant, and idaho would be more of a good place to intensely focus for three years - no distractions, very rural and quiet. 
 

it’s so tough! When it comes down to the nuts and bolts it’s like how do you even choose. 
 

I appreciate the insight 

FWIW my aunt lives outside Sun Valley and says she is genuinely very frightened for how red and backwards Idaho is (the newly elected legislature is trying to make abortion a death penalty offense and make birth control entirely illegal, people wear guns out in the open on holsters, they’re banning books including Harry Potter). I used to live in Portland, OR and I do think you get some far right extremists in Oregon when you leave the cities but I would personally be much more comfortable in Corvallis 

[inkidacat]

Is anyone else here waitlisted at Syracuse for fiction? I know that one person confirmed that they were attending, but does anyone else know of any other waitlist movement? 

Edited March 31 by inkidacat

[glowingbrightly]

1 hour ago, decayingballads21 said:

So I love the faculty at both. I did feel like I *connected* more with idaho faculty, specifically but the people at both places are all amazing and I know I’d thrive in either environment. I think OSU offers more of a variety of courses, which I love, and the quarter system actually allows for me to take workshop 6x and craft courses 6x, which is sort of amazing and kind of makes up for the less time I think.

 

the political climate of idaho DOES worry me, but I know the town and campus itself is fine. I’m actually considering living in Pullman, Washington for healthcare reasons, and I think that would be slightly better. But yeah, still, Oregon is much more green and vibrant, and idaho would be more of a good place to intensely focus for three years - no distractions, very rural and quiet. 
 

it’s so tough! When it comes down to the nuts and bolts it’s like how do you even choose. 
 

I appreciate the insight 

I’m not normally one to advocate avoiding tenuous political climates but someone on draft who teaches in Idaho mentioned some state laws that restrict speech in regard to things like abortion and gender identity. I could exist in a red state, and sometimes I think it’s even better to write from a more divided community, but I’m not sure I could teach with such threats to freedom of speech and the ability to basically care for young queer students.