2026 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[jka0124]

2 hours ago, commandercowboy said:

I have a question for everyone...  how important is prestige? At this point, I've been admitted to a couple programs... most are on the smaller side and aren't super well-known (at least from my perspective), but I just got accepted off the waitlist at one of the smaller programs that would offer full funding + stipend and a lot of financial security because it's in a much smaller, less expensive area. However, I've been accepted to a program that (again, from my perspective) has a pretty hefty "label" BUT... the catch is that I would def have to take out loans to pay the rent/afford cost of living in the city it's in. I was offered a full tuition fellowship there for the entire duration of the program, but they don't give stipends to anyone so... no stipend. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place (that I'm very lucky to be stuck in, I'll say!), but I would love advice. Extra context: I'm in poetry, and I want to be a professor in the future. 

Prestige doesn’t matter beyond a certain level. I mean, it’s all about your writing and becoming a professor at this point requires having a record of publishing. Sure everyone ooohs and aaahhs over Iowa but, you know, not every Iowa person becomes a best-selling author. It’s really about where you’ll be supported enough to do the work. 
 

But I agree with others: do not go into debt for the MFA. Especially if this is an NYC school. Not worth it. Either go with your funded option or apply again to bigger programs next year. 

[taliaj]

Waiting might be killing me more than a rejection 😕

[mouthfullofmercury]

2 hours ago, taliaj said:

Waiting might be killing me more than a rejection 😕

same! I e-mailed the director 4/16 and haven't heard back which its just like yooo... 😕

[taliaj]

14 hours ago, mouthfullofmercury said:

same! I e-mailed the director 4/16 and haven't heard back which its just like yooo... 😕

What school were you waiting for again? Sorry, I think you said it already I just can't find it. Did they email back? (fingers crossed for you!!!)

[LB349]

Have any NYU waitlisted folks heard back?

[mouthfullofmercury]

2 hours ago, taliaj said:

What school were you waiting for again? Sorry, I think you said it already I just can't find it. Did they email back? (fingers crossed for you!!!)

WVU Fiction

[ojo534]

got accepted into a program run by one of my fave poets... was so happy and excited... met w financial services person today and they cant guarantee consistent full funding for all three years... looking like its back to the drawing board for me b/c i do not want to get my mfa while living through financial turmoil... may see me back here again next year 

[SocialKonstruct]

Still in the thick of things.

[taliaj]

3 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Still in the thick of things.

I thought you were going to CalArts?

[SocialKonstruct]

6 hours ago, taliaj said:

I thought you were going to CalArts?

Yep but still awaiting financial aid adjustment :(... not fun.

[taliaj]

8 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Yep but still awaiting financial aid adjustment :(... not fun.

Oh okay, I didn't know that was something you could do. I'm sure the waiting isn't fun, but I hope it works out for you!

[darr1]

Current UNLV MFA student chiming in! If any new admits are looking for housing close to campus, send me a DM. Looking to sublet my place while completing the international portion of the program this fall!

[thechain]

any nyu waitlist updates on draft?

[SocialKonstruct]

Looks like we don't have any updates recently. I guess our journeys are at an end?

[taliaj]

37 minutes ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Looks like we don't have any updates recently. I guess our journeys are at an end?

Not yet! I'll know around Friday-ish.

[axolotlish]

5 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Looks like we don't have any updates recently. I guess our journeys are at an end?

Still waiting with a photon-sized expectation of acceptance.

[mouthfullofmercury]

12 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Looks like we don't have any updates recently. I guess our journeys are at an end?

Still haven't heard from WVU fiction waitlist, do MFA programs ghost? Also, was placed on a waiting list for university college of Dublin.... 

Edited April 28 by mouthfullofmercury

[jka0124]

To all of y'all who may not have gotten in somewhere this year, don't give up. ❤️ 

I'll be going on the teaching market eventually, which means I will probably only have a year left in Draft (oy), but feel free to DM me here or there if you ever have any MFA questions you think I can answer. 

Godspeed, my writers. 

[taliaj]

I know I say this every x amount of days but this waiting is driving me bonkers. I'm totally understanding of why I have to wait, but also, knowing I'll get an answer one way or another on Friday is killing me. It's so close yet so far!

[thechain]

On 4/22/2026 at 6:59 AM, LB349 said:

Have any NYU waitlisted folks heard back?

no word back yet, you?

[LB349]

3 minutes ago, thechain said:

no word back yet, you?

Nope! Wondering if NYU allows its non-funded admitted cohort later than April 15th to decide, thus lengthening the waitlist time? I’ve seen no evidence of anyone accepted off the waitlist. 

[thechain]

4 minutes ago, LB349 said:

Nope! Wondering if NYU allows its non-funded admitted cohort later than April 15th to decide, thus lengthening the waitlist time? I’ve seen no evidence of anyone accepted off the waitlist. 

it's either that or their waitlist admissions process is particularly time-consuming (maybe because it's unranked?). the email i got did say the waitlist can remain open through the summer, and their faq says waitlist admissions can happen as late as mid-summer, so it seems normal for it to take a while ...

but hopefully we hear back sooner than later!

 

[violette_us]

19 hours ago, thechain said:

it's either that or their waitlist admissions process is particularly time-consuming (maybe because it's unranked?). the email i got did say the waitlist can remain open through the summer, and their faq says waitlist admissions can happen as late as mid-summer, so it seems normal for it to take a while ...

but hopefully we hear back sooner than later!

 

Hi! I applied to NYU for Poetry last year and was waitlisted. I got my rejection email/ notification that I was taken off the waitlist at the end of June. I'm wishing you luck! And if it doesn't work out, I would encourage you to apply again - I actually got accepted to NYU this year! 

[thechain]

6 hours ago, violette_us said:

Hi! I applied to NYU for Poetry last year and was waitlisted. I got my rejection email/ notification that I was taken off the waitlist at the end of June. I'm wishing you luck! And if it doesn't work out, I would encourage you to apply again - I actually got accepted to NYU this year! 

super helpful to hear, thank you so much!

[songofsolomon]

Have people in Canada heard back from the University of Guelph's MFA program yet? I've heard of two acceptances, and I saw a rejection on GradCafe dated March 27th, but I still haven't heard a peep yet!