2025 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[zaira]

8 hours ago, Magnolia Electric Co said:

This might be an unanswerable question, but how do you know if a program is right for you? Do you take the chance if it seems like a good opportunity, or should there be some kind of sign or spark or connection? I'm afraid of missing out on a great opportunity, but I'm equally afraid of committing to a bad fit. Has anyone thought through this too?

I don't think you need a spark. Not everyone feels a strong emotional pull toward a program, and that's totally fine! In fact it can be healthy maintaining some emotional distance. 

The only time I would worry about program fit from an emotional standpoint is if the culture isn't conducive to your writing process. Are you someone who thrives in a competitive environment? Are you cactus-like, growing tallest in harsh conditions? Or are you orchid-like, needing tender care in a low-pressure space? I know MFA grads who had a terrible time in their programs because the environment wasn't right. Keep an eye out for those red flags, be honest with yourself about what you need, and don't settle for a program that can't meet those needs. Ask yourself, is it a spark that's missing, or is there something specific about the program that isn't feeling right? 

Edited Wednesday at 11:07 AM by zaira

[ksiezniczka.monisia]

Hi guys! So, I'm sitting on a nice A offer, but still waiting for one school to send its decision. I already emailed them rather kindly saying that it's close to the deadline, but they never responded to that. Do you think I should keep waiting or just, you know, forget about them? I must add that the school that's not responding in theory sounds like a better fit - but, obviously, I'm having doubts now.

[everything bagel lover]

Y'all crazy news: CSU called and offered me a GTA position last night!!!

A whole 10 days after I declined my acceptance because they told me all the GTAships had been claimed. I already accepted at NAU so I just withdrew and accepted my offer at CSU because HOLY FUCKING SHIT are you KIDDING me!!! I know I haven't been active lately, I've just been lurking with nothing new to add but I had to update y'all because y'all listened to me be neurotic about this for months. 

[zaira]

1 minute ago, everything bagel lover said:

Y'all crazy news: CSU called and offered me a GTA position last night!!!

A whole 10 days after I declined my acceptance because they told me all the GTAships had been claimed. I already accepted at NAU so I just withdrew and accepted my offer at CSU because HOLY FUCKING SHIT are you KIDDING me!!! I know I haven't been active lately, I've just been lurking with nothing new to add but I had to update y'all because y'all listened to me be neurotic about this for months. 

Woah, holy fucking shit is right!! CONGRATS! Absolutely thrilled for you 

[everything bagel lover]

10 minutes ago, zaira said:

Woah, holy fucking shit is right!! CONGRATS! Absolutely thrilled for you 

Thank you!!! Also oh my god congratulations on UVA!!!!! ❤️ 

[Chex]

15 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

Y'all crazy news: CSU called and offered me a GTA position last night!!!

A whole 10 days after I declined my acceptance because they told me all the GTAships had been claimed. I already accepted at NAU so I just withdrew and accepted my offer at CSU because HOLY FUCKING SHIT are you KIDDING me!!! I know I haven't been active lately, I've just been lurking with nothing new to add but I had to update y'all because y'all listened to me be neurotic about this for months. 

Congrats, bagel! Love this for you!

[curfew]

34 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

Y'all crazy news: CSU called and offered me a GTA position last night!!!

A whole 10 days after I declined my acceptance because they told me all the GTAships had been claimed. I already accepted at NAU so I just withdrew and accepted my offer at CSU because HOLY FUCKING SHIT are you KIDDING me!!! I know I haven't been active lately, I've just been lurking with nothing new to add but I had to update y'all because y'all listened to me be neurotic about this for months. 

AHHHHHHHH THIS IS AMAZING NEWS!!! Congratulations so much, Bagel!!!! This season has been so strange and zigzaggy for just about everyone, it feels like! Best of luck on your journey:+) HURRAY

[Nauna]

9 hours ago, DJ Lambchop said:

Did anyone get an email from Syracuse about an update to their application today? This is a school I was rejected from and I checked the portal and didn’t see anything of note. 

9 hours ago, momeraths said:

Got the same thing, was also rejected. Expecting it to be an administrative error sort of thing.

Honestly, I had this from multiple schools. It seems that you hear back from the program itself as well as the graduate offices. As if we needed to be told twice that we didn't get in! 😝

[essentialflowers]

It's strange knowing my life can change soon. I'm going about my days finishing my undergraduate thesis & working & organizing events for an internship, but beneath it all, I feel so unsettled. I'm writing some really cool stuff, though. 

[gradschoolpspspsps]

20 hours ago, girlwiththegreenribbon said:

i haven't heard back from SIU. should i just email them and ask for an update? i ask because i don't wanna seem impatient or anything.

Lol I'm gonna do it I'll tell you what I hear. I'm emailing them and Boise.

[citrus]

as the april 15 deadline approaches, how long should you be waiting after sending a letter/email of continued interest to send another one to a school you're waitlisted at?

[squid05]

22 minutes ago, citrus said:

as the april 15 deadline approaches, how long should you be waiting after sending a letter/email of continued interest to send another one to a school you're waitlisted at?

I'd say once a week at most! Maybe trying giving the department a call, too? It is a hail mary move but what do you have to lose? 

[itsgivingliterary]

any other Iowa waitlistees being ghosted by them lol? I sent two emails about being interested but didn't get a reply either time--not a huge deal, I assume they have a lot going on rn, but obviously doesn't feel great either

[snottlebie]

2 hours ago, itsgivingliterary said:

any other Iowa waitlistees being ghosted by them lol? I sent two emails about being interested but didn't get a reply either time--not a huge deal, I assume they have a lot going on rn, but obviously doesn't feel great either

yeah, same. I did hear that their grad coordinator person is extremely busy and ghosts the students themselves 👻. I wouldn't take it personally - some programs just do not respond to emails. Does anyone know if Iowa will actually send an email when all slots are full?

[Tuxedocat]

7 hours ago, itsgivingliterary said:

any other Iowa waitlistees being ghosted by them lol? I sent two emails about being interested but didn't get a reply either time--not a huge deal, I assume they have a lot going on rn, but obviously doesn't feel great either

 

4 hours ago, snottlebie said:

yeah, same. I did hear that their grad coordinator person is extremely busy and ghosts the students themselves 👻. I wouldn't take it personally - some programs just do not respond to emails. Does anyone know if Iowa will actually send an email when all slots are full?

I’m on the Iowa poetry waitlist. I was notified by a faculty member who has been responsive. I assumed the same would have been true for fiction but I suppose not.

From what I have heard from people, you will be notified if a spot opens up for you, and I hope they would let you know if everyone has accepted, but I have heard of people being on the waitlist until the summer in case any of the accepted students back out. 

[itsgivingliterary]

4 hours ago, snottlebie said:

yeah, same. I did hear that their grad coordinator person is extremely busy and ghosts the students themselves 👻. I wouldn't take it personally - some programs just do not respond to emails. Does anyone know if Iowa will actually send an email when all slots are full?

 

1 minute ago, Tuxedocat said:

 

I’m on the Iowa poetry waitlist. I was notified by a faculty member who has been responsive. I assumed the same would have been true for fiction but I suppose not.

From what I have heard from people, you will be notified if a spot opens up for you, and I hope they would let you know if everyone has accepted, but I have heard of people being on the waitlist until the summer in case any of the accepted students back out. 

thanks for the info! yeah I'm on for fiction. I wasn't super pressed about them not responding because I assumed they were busy, but y'know. It's still stressful, haha. Nothing we can do but wait, I guess!

[squid05]

Hi all, just venting. Pretty bummed out my top choice hasnt accepted or rejected me. Their updates have been scant. I dont know if I am next up for an offer or just waiting on a rejection. or if they have their cohort picked out and I am on a waitlist, but havent been told.

I know there's a ton of applicants but this late in the game I feel like whoever is still in the running should know some sort of general standing. IDK, I know Im not special but I do feel left in the dark which stinks. 

[penitentwanderer]

hey @Hjanep, do you have any updates on your friend? (if you're comfortable sharing) Any info you can share (whether it's just if they've narrowed things down or declined any offers or made a decision) would be helpful, as I think at least 4 schools' worth of waitlists are still pending! 

 

And sorry @squid05 - it's also been radio silence for me as well. Hoping they'll at least answer whether or not they'll inform us once the slots are filled, but losing faith on that. We've just got to tough it out 5 more days and then there should be (?) more clarity. 

[Hjanep]

2 hours ago, penitentwanderer said:

hey @Hjanep, do you have any updates on your friend? (if you're comfortable sharing) Any info you can share (whether it's just if they've narrowed things down or declined any offers or made a decision) would be helpful, as I think at least 4 schools' worth of waitlists are still pending! 

 

And sorry @squid05 - it's also been radio silence for me as well. Hoping they'll at least answer whether or not they'll inform us once the slots are filled, but losing faith on that. We've just got to tough it out 5 more days and then there should be (?) more clarity. 

Apparently they committed to JHU last night so hopefully movement soon

[inthesameboat]

For my Syracuse waitlisters, has anyone dared to ask for any more updates about the waitlist status/ how many people accepted/rejected the initial offer? I know 1 person accepted the initial offer as of 3ish weeks ago, and now it looks like someone has rejected their offer and chosen JHU. Any other intel?

[essentialflowers]

I reached out to the head of the department I'm waitlisted at twice since February, and it's been radio silent. I am so frustrated!!

[Eloise2897]

1 minute ago, inthesameboat said:

For my Syracuse waitlisters, has anyone dared to ask for any more updates about the waitlist status/ how many people accepted/rejected the initial offer? I know 1 person accepted the initial offer as of 3ish weeks ago, and now it looks like someone has rejected their offer and chosen JHU. Any other intel?

apparently 5/6 have accepted their offers so far!

[inthesameboat]

7 minutes ago, Eloise2897 said:

apparently 5/6 have accepted their offers so far!

Ah!! Any idea if these are all initial offers or are some waitlisters in there too?

[Eloise2897]

5 minutes ago, inthesameboat said:

Ah!! Any idea if these are all initial offers or are some waitlisters in there too?

no clue tbh

[Lady Gladys]

8 minutes ago, inthesameboat said:

Ah!! Any idea if these are all initial offers or are some waitlisters in there too?

Should be at least one waitlister. Could be more, but that is what I know.