2025 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[Hjanep]

1 hour ago, DJ Lambchop said:

I see grapefruit has been accepted to JH, Cornell, and Syracuse on draft. Congrats, but remind me why people say this process is subjective…

FWIW they’re in my workshop group and are so amazing and I could see how their voice would stand out in a pile of 1000 apps. It’s actually been really helpful to know their work and watch this shake out because I’m like “yep that’s so unique and not something anyone else could write” so I get why seeing other people’s successful apps wouldn’t be THAT helpful to guide what we do going forward 

[exvat]

With the discussion around partners/pets and moving, this kinda bums me out for different reasons. Chiefly because right now is ideal to begin a program, as I have nothing tying me down, and I'm facing likely straight rejections again. No partner, no job, no home to speak of, etc. Not sure where I go from here, but it's unlikely that I'll ever be in an "easier" place of life to begin an MFA program. Adcoms are jerks for not considering this inconvenience to me personally 😂 

[sgrad]

nc state wait is killing me lol. i guess we will be put out of our misery next week based on past responses 

[everything bagel lover]

22 minutes ago, KennyK said:

@everything bagel lover I’m hoping today is the day!

For UC Riverside?? I hope so!!! ❤️ I've got my fingers crossed for good news for you!

19 minutes ago, epr said:

Just got a waitlist notification from Virginia Tech! This is my 3rd year applying to programs and my first year getting any acceptances. 
(2a/1w/2 soft rejections/3r/ 4p)

Yay Congratulations!!!!

 

[exvat]

15 minutes ago, Hjanep said:

FWIW they’re in my workshop group and are so amazing and I could see how their voice would stand out in a pile of 1000 apps. It’s actually been really helpful to know their work and watch this shake out because I’m like “yep that’s so unique and not something anyone else could write” so I get why seeing other people’s successful apps wouldn’t be THAT helpful to guide what we do going forward 

Outta reactions, but love this for them. Thanks for sharing!

[Hjanep]

10 minutes ago, exvat said:

Outta reactions, but love this for them. Thanks for sharing!

It’s also their second round - there IS hope for all of us if we can get that much better 

[Southron]

On 2/18/2025 at 2:49 PM, essentialflowers said:

Don't apologize!! We called a few weeks ago and now that the bigger schools are releasing their decisions, I know some spots may open up since many (I'm assuming) of the accepted FSU students are now being accepted at other places, too. I'd let them know their program is still your top and that you would accept an offer if it was given, here's what I said: 

 

"

Hello! I hope all is well. I wanted to reach out and let you know that FSU is my top university, and if I were to be extended an offer for Fall 2025 off the waitlist, I would accept it wholeheartedly.

If you don't mind me asking, why is Florida State your top choice? I went there for undergrad and enjoyed it, but I never really see it mentioned among people's choices for MFA schools.

 

[KennyK]

17 minutes ago, everything bagel lover said:

For UC Riverside?? I hope so!!! ❤️ I've got my fingers crossed for good news for you!

Yay Congratulations!!!!

 

If you had to speculate do you think they’d call/email during their graduate admissions business hours or afterwards? 
 

also thank you!!!!! 😭🥺🤞🏾

[everything bagel lover]

I just got offered a fellowship at Naropa!!!!!! OMGGGGG

[inthesameboat]

12 hours ago, brokenjewelrybox said:

I want to go to Syracuse so badly. Being on the waitlist is a good thing, I know it is. But it's torturous. Lol.

Ditto! Seeing some of these folks with acceptances to JHU and Iowa and places with 2x the funding gives me some hope, though... It's gonna be a long March!

[exvat]

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

[everything bagel lover]

6 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

AHHHHHHHH CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

[Ekpe]

15 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

Congrats! I've been so rooting for you from the shadows here 🎊🎉

[Sumire11]

20 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

Man, I'm really glad you got the acceptance. Have been following your journey for a while. 

 

Is it funded?

[seezeegee]

26 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

CONGRATS! SO DESERVED

[quadcrossedfingers]

I also got accepted to NYU for poetry!!! Future cohort buds?? We'll see though because I can't afford to go without funding. I really want to celebrate but I have this terrible feeling that I won't be able to go because I know at least two fellowships have already been offered. This is my only yes so far (2 waitlists at fully-funded including UMich) and I'm so worried that it'll be my only yes and I won't be able to afford to go! 

I wasn't going to apply there in the first place, it's the only not fully-funded program I applied to, but I got so excited after hanging out with some of the faculty and found out about the fellowships but I know they are so limited. And I mean living in NYC literally teenage daydream come true except for how on earth could I afford that lol. WHEW wowee I don't know what to think!

The offer came via email (weird cause I know t others got phone calls from Deborah Landau) and it said to call them to ask questions to the admissions person as well as gave Deborah's email. So I called and left a message and emailed cause I really need to know about funding! I feel very doubtful that there is any available for me based on these little signs. So idkkkk.

What do y'all think?? I am so desperate to have even one plan for what I'm doing next fall lol but just like the waitlist I feel like I can't get my hopes up or bank on it. I am 100% not going to take out loans. I'd sooner do a second round of applications next year. 

[Tuxedocat]

36 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

Congrats!!!!!!! I just ran out of reactions for today but this is so exciting!

[Hjanep]

1 minute ago, quadcrossedfingers said:

I also got accepted to NYU for poetry!!! Future cohort buds?? We'll see though because I can't afford to go without funding. I really want to celebrate but I have this terrible feeling that I won't be able to go because I know at least two fellowships have already been offered. This is my only yes so far (2 waitlists at fully-funded including UMich) and I'm so worried that it'll be my only yes and I won't be able to afford to go! 

I wasn't going to apply there in the first place, it's the only not fully-funded program I applied to, but I got so excited after hanging out with some of the faculty and found out about the fellowships but I know they are so limited. And I mean living in NYC literally teenage daydream come true except for how on earth could I afford that lol. WHEW wowee I don't know what to think!

The offer came via email (weird cause I know t others got phone calls from Deborah Landau) and it said to call them to ask questions to the admissions person as well as gave Deborah's email. So I called and left a message and emailed cause I really need to know about funding! I feel very doubtful that there is any available for me based on these little signs. So idkkkk.

What do y'all think?? I am so desperate to have even one plan for what I'm doing next fall lol but just like the waitlist I feel like I can't get my hopes up or bank on it. I am 100% not going to take out loans. I'd sooner do a second round of applications next year. 

I think the fellowship waitlists move quite a bit especially for people admitted off the bat and not off the waitlist. Worth holding out hope and expressing interest/needing funding 

[Eloise2897]

13 hours ago, brokenjewelrybox said:

I want to go to Syracuse so badly. Being on the waitlist is a good thing, I know it is. But it's torturous. Lol.

oof, same 🥲

[vilum]

46 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

AHHHHH I AM SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! CONGRATS YOU DESERVE IT!!!

[pananoprodigy]

YESSSS @exvat @quadcrossedfingers and @everything bagel lover!!!! CONGRATS!!

Edited Friday at 06:24 PM by pananoprodigy

[Chex]

49 minutes ago, exvat said:

Y'ALL I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO NYU FOR POETRY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLEEEEE

CONGRATS!!!!!! 🎉 🎉🎉 🎉 🎊🎊🎊🎊 When you get the funding details, make sure to respond to thank them and express strong interest in attending. Also mention that you would love to be considered for additional funding if it becomes available. 

Someone who got this initial offer (half tuition waiver) last year was later offered a dean's fellowship on April 3 (full tuition waiver + health insurance but without stipends); and then a few days later, their offer was bumped to the full package (tuition + health insurance + 34k annual stipend). From what I know, it helps to have other offers and let them know of it, but they usually have movement and things open up. 

Rooting for you all the way!

13 minutes ago, quadcrossedfingers said:

I also got accepted to NYU for poetry!!! Future cohort buds?? We'll see though because I can't afford to go without funding. I really want to celebrate but I have this terrible feeling that I won't be able to go because I know at least two fellowships have already been offered. This is my only yes so far (2 waitlists at fully-funded including UMich) and I'm so worried that it'll be my only yes and I won't be able to afford to go! 

I wasn't going to apply there in the first place, it's the only not fully-funded program I applied to, but I got so excited after hanging out with some of the faculty and found out about the fellowships but I know they are so limited. And I mean living in NYC literally teenage daydream come true except for how on earth could I afford that lol. WHEW wowee I don't know what to think!

The offer came via email (weird cause I know t others got phone calls from Deborah Landau) and it said to call them to ask questions to the admissions person as well as gave Deborah's email. So I called and left a message and emailed cause I really need to know about funding! I feel very doubtful that there is any available for me based on these little signs. So idkkkk.

What do y'all think?? I am so desperate to have even one plan for what I'm doing next fall lol but just like the waitlist I feel like I can't get my hopes up or bank on it. I am 100% not going to take out loans. I'd sooner do a second round of applications next year. 

Congrats!!! I think you stand a good chance to make it out of the waitlists or get a bumped-up offer from NYU. See my reply to exvat above. Fingers crossed for you! 

[exvat]

Thank you @everything bagel lover @Ekpe @Sumire11 @seezeegee @Tuxedocat @vilum @pananoprodigy @Chex and everyone else!!! Can hardly believe it.

Congrats to @quadcrossedfingers as well!!!! Fingers crossed for cohort buddies! May funding odds be ever in our favor!🤞🤞

Funding details will be included with a formal offer letter in the next couple of weeks, so no mention atm. NYU is my top choice, and I'll certainly let them know that. I cannot fund my own education, but to my incredible joy and amazement, people in my life have already started nudging people we know with money they'd perhaps consider parting with, as patrons of the arts, so to speak 😂 🙏😭

Alright, gonna go meditate for a bit, ground myself some. Good news can be as destabilizing as bad 🤪

Edited Friday at 06:40 PM by exvat
Also, outta reactions, but rooting for y'all!!

[spewilicious]

On 2/26/2025 at 5:49 PM, seah0rse said:

@spewilicious & @Tuxedocat re: UNH / congrats! - I'm super familiar with the area because lots of friends/family attended, Durham *is* a cute New England college town but there are also lots of nearby towns (Portsmouth, Dover, Kittery) with artsy communities & the ppl I know who went for MFA were very happy with the program. lmk if you have any questions!

Thanks! I've been hearing good things about the area and community, and it's a part of the country I haven't been to yet, so I'm very excited!

 

3 hours ago, everything bagel lover said:

Also, is anyone else else bringing along a partner/pet/dependant with you? How has that impacted your decision making process?

I'm bringing my mom, two cats, and about 25 houseplants. To be honest, that hasn't impacted my choices at all. First, because it's my mom's choice to come with or not, and two, because I'll find a way to keep my cats with me no matter what. Now, the political environment in some places has certainly influenced my choices, and there are definitely several programs I did not apply to because of the state they are located in.

I'm out of reactions, but congrats to everyone on their good news! And best of luck at getting off wait lists! 
Last note: I finally got my JHU rejection email this morning. They were not sent alphabetically.

[nauseated]

Idk if this is relevant to this thread for you guys to know but I got rejected for a Fulbright scholarship last year. I wasn't gonna reapply, but just had a sudden urge to give another go, this time for an MFA. I don't know if it will work because post-Trump funding issues are all up in the air but, who knows and what if, etc etc etc