2025 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[gradschoolpspspsps]

5 minutes ago, jinny-r said:

Thank you, Chex! I am speechless djjdjdjd

If you want to hear anything from the current students they've connected me to, feel free to DM! It feels like a really fast decision to me now, I can't imagine if you were to get in after April 15th and had to decide. 

[zaira]

Ahhhh, congrats @jinny-r and @gradschoolpspspsps (I adore your username by the way, I keep meaning to say that). I'm so thrilled for you both!! Definitely keep us in the loop if you get any updates  

[gradschoolpspspsps]

11 minutes ago, zaira said:

Ahhhh, congrats @jinny-r and @gradschoolpspspsps (I adore your username by the way, I keep meaning to say that). I'm so thrilled for you both!! Definitely keep us in the loop if you get any updates  

Thank you (for the username as well, it makes me chuckle lol)

[Mystic_Sunshine]

@gradschoolpspspsps @jinny-r

I also received a waitlist email. However, I'm trying to remain really detached from the whole thing. 

I don't want to be optimistic at all because it may not turn into an acceptance. But now I do have something to be anxious over again. I'm hoping it does but idk  

[Nauna]

@jinny-r @gradschoolpspspsps Congrats!!! Which genre did you get offers for? That's soooo exciting!! ❤️ 

[inkidacat]

does anyone know about the waitlist person they reached out for the last spot on Syracuse fiction and if they’re attending Syracuse? I would love any info if anyone has any :(( just trying to make an informed decision. my dms are open too if you don’t want to talk about it in public. 

[gradschoolpspspsps]

14 minutes ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

@gradschoolpspspsps @jinny-r

I also received a waitlist email. However, I'm trying to remain really detached from the whole thing. 

I don't want to be optimistic at all because it may not turn into an acceptance. But now I do have something to be anxious over again. I'm hoping it does but idk  

Same offer ad for @jinny-r if you want any of the info I got from prospective students, or jsut to chat about the program, let me know! 

12 minutes ago, Nauna said:

@jinny-r @gradschoolpspspsps Congrats!!! Which genre did you get offers for? That's soooo exciting!! ❤️ 

I got an offer for fiction. 

[Chex]

1 hour ago, gradschoolpspspsps said:

I was accepted off the waitlist last night! I'm very excited, emailing my other waitlists today to try to get a clearer picture. Three days to decide!

Congrats!!! 

17 minutes ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

@gradschoolpspspsps @jinny-r

I also received a waitlist email. However, I'm trying to remain really detached from the whole thing. 

I don't want to be optimistic at all because it may not turn into an acceptance. But now I do have something to be anxious over again. I'm hoping it does but idk  

Congrats, Mystic. It's still a big deal and you should be proud. Whether it turns into an acceptance or not, you're on the right path and more success is coming. 

Edited April 12 by Chex

[Mystic_Sunshine]

2 minutes ago, Chex said:

Congrats!!! 

Congrats, Mystic. It's still a big deal and you should be proud. Whether it turns into an acceptance or not, you're on the right path and more success is coming. 

Thank you  That is really kind and you are right! Knowing that someone did like my work is reassuring and hopefully a sign that if this year isn't my year, another might be. 

[Magnolia Electric Co]

I am grateful to have an amazing offer, but more and more, I am feeling unready to start an MFA next year (nation circumstances, personal circumstances, etc.). However, I worry that if I turn this offer down, the program will rule out making me an offer in the future, even if they know I am not committing to another program. Has anyone heard of a similar situation?

[zaira]

1 hour ago, Magnolia Electric Co said:

I am grateful to have an amazing offer, but more and more, I am feeling unready to start an MFA next year (nation circumstances, personal circumstances, etc.). However, I worry that if I turn this offer down, the program will rule out making me an offer in the future, even if they know I am not committing to another program. Has anyone heard of a similar situation?

I don't think you have to worry about that! An MFA is a major life milestone, and programs know this. I doubt they'd hold it against you if you were to turn them down and apply again in the future. You can also be honest with them about your reasons. If the timing isn't right, I'm sure they'll understand. 

[OctopusCactus]

3 hours ago, Magnolia Electric Co said:

I am grateful to have an amazing offer, but more and more, I am feeling unready to start an MFA next year (nation circumstances, personal circumstances, etc.). However, I worry that if I turn this offer down, the program will rule out making me an offer in the future, even if they know I am not committing to another program. Has anyone heard of a similar situation?

If you would still want to do this program in a year, why not talk to them about the possibility of deferred enrollment?  A classmate of mine deferred for a year due to some challenging personal circumstances, prior to starting our program.

[Magnolia Electric Co]

Thank you  @zaira! That definitely makes me feel better.

@OctopusCactus I had thought that deferring was kind of a no-go for MFAs. My sense was that they were so competitive they would rather just give the spot to someone more committed on the waitlist. It's helpful that you know someone who was able to do that, though. I guess if I do reject the offer, asking to defer can't hurt because it shows the strength of my interest.

[OctopusCactus]

1 hour ago, Magnolia Electric Co said:

@OctopusCactus I had thought that deferring was kind of a no-go for MFAs. My sense was that they were so competitive they would rather just give the spot to someone more committed on the waitlist. It's helpful that you know someone who was able to do that, though. I guess if I do reject the offer, asking to defer can't hurt because it shows the strength of my interest.

I don't think it's at all common but at least in my program it's not impossible, either.  My classmate did have to explain the circumstances that led to her requesting a deferment. She had been hit with something very hard that was beyond her control.  As you say, can't hurt to ask when you've already got the offer.

[jinny-r]

9 hours ago, gradschoolpspspsps said:

If you want to hear anything from the current students they've connected me to, feel free to DM! It feels like a really fast decision to me now, I can't imagine if you were to get in after April 15th and had to decide. 

That would be great! I'll take you up on your offer if I do get accepted, thank you!

9 hours ago, zaira said:

Ahhhh, congrats @jinny-r and @gradschoolpspspsps (I adore your username by the way, I keep meaning to say that). I'm so thrilled for you both!! Definitely keep us in the loop if you get any updates  

Thank youuu!

8 hours ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

@gradschoolpspspsps @jinny-r

I also received a waitlist email. However, I'm trying to remain really detached from the whole thing. 

I don't want to be optimistic at all because it may not turn into an acceptance. But now I do have something to be anxious over again. I'm hoping it does but idk  

Same boat, I worry about going through the motions of grief again if I don't get in. But still, I'm happy that we both got waitlisted! Congrats to you!

8 hours ago, Nauna said:

@jinny-r @gradschoolpspspsps Congrats!!! Which genre did you get offers for? That's soooo exciting!! ❤️ 

Fiction! Thank you!

[muffincreature]

I just learned about UNLV and fell in love with the program, especially its lit translation and study abroad requirement, which fit my interest so well! I’m accepted to Wyoming and now I’m thinking if I should reapply and include UNLV next year… Does anybody know how many people UNLV accept a year? I’ve liked the small size and personal attention at Wyoming and I’m not sure what it’s like at UNLV. And the nonfiction faculty seem to be more journalism-focused, is that right? Any info on the program and how it compares to Wyoming would be appreciated! 

[decayingballads21]

no clue how I’m making this decision in 2 days 

[inthesameboat]

On 4/12/2025 at 11:56 AM, inkidacat said:

does anyone know about the waitlist person they reached out for the last spot on Syracuse fiction and if they’re attending Syracuse? I would love any info if anyone has any :(( just trying to make an informed decision. my dms are open too if you don’t want to talk about it in public. 

I emailed a little while ago and they said that they're still waiting to hear back from 2 people they've extended offers to. No idea if this is still up to date, because other people have said 5/6 slots are taken. Also, no idea if these are waitlisters they're now extending offers to or still the original 6. I will say the admissions person seemed doubtful that there would be any movement before April 15th, and that most likely people would hold out until the very last second

What schools are you deciding between?

Edited April 13 by inthesameboat

[Magnolia Electric Co]

37 minutes ago, decayingballads21 said:

no clue how I’m making this decision in 2 days 

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I've been thinking through a similar scenario, and I have been convinced that money and teaching load are huge factors in overall MFA enjoyment. At first I thought 1/1 and 1/2 teaching sounded pretty similar, but when I think about the actual time difference, 1/1 is significantly lighter. And similar for stipend: at first, a difference of a few thousand seemed small, but when I actually work out the cost of living, I realize that having enough to live comfortably is huge. So for me, those factors come before anything else. A wonderful program that overworks me for not a lot of money might start to feel less wonderful very quickly.

[penitentwanderer]

does anyone have any info on cornell (fiction)? I'm assuming they reached out to someone on the waitlist but feel free to shoot me a message if you don't want to share publicly. at this point, just want to mentally rest!

[Tuxedocat]

Accepted to Iowa for poetry!!!!!! Just turned down NYU + fellowship so that money should move to other people soon. Deciding between Iowa and Michigan now...but leaning towards Iowa

[Jane Wyman]

1 hour ago, Tuxedocat said:

Accepted to Iowa for poetry!!!!!! Just turned down NYU + fellowship so that money should move to other people soon. Deciding between Iowa and Michigan now...but leaning towards Iowa

They called you tonight??

[Tuxedocat]

7 minutes ago, Jane Wyman said:

They called you tonight??

It was in the afternoon that I got the call!

[Penguintariffs]

12 hours ago, muffincreature said:

I just learned about UNLV and fell in love with the program, especially its lit translation and study abroad requirement, which fit my interest so well! I’m accepted to Wyoming and now I’m thinking if I should reapply and include UNLV next year… Does anybody know how many people UNLV accept a year? I’ve liked the small size and personal attention at Wyoming and I’m not sure what it’s like at UNLV. And the nonfiction faculty seem to be more journalism-focused, is that right? Any info on the program and how it compares to Wyoming would be appreciated! 

I’m completing my undergrad now at UNLV and it is the only school I applied to for my MFA in Fiction. I know they typically accept about 5 students per genre per year (poetry, fiction, CNF). Not familiar with CNF specifically, but so many of the professors there have been amazing as an undergrad and really helped my writing. Everyone also gets full funding (21k per year stipend + the possibility of an additional scholarship). First year most help in the writing center and then there is teaching 2nd year. I love UNLV and can’t believe it’s not more popular. From what I understand, the international requirement happens the third year. 

[vilum]

hello all! this season was a bust for me. applied to five schools and ended up with two waitlists: nyu and vanderbilt. i know vanderbilt is never going to happen but i wonder if anyone knows anything about nyu’s waitlist movement… any information is much appreciated. thank you