Salt_Shaker Posted January 1 Posted January 1 I am applying to a PhD in creative writintg so this might not be the best fit, but has anyone heard anything from UTK? I'm sure the process for PhD and MFA are different, but I figured I'd ask!
SocialKonstruct Posted January 2 Posted January 2 On 12/31/2025 at 11:19 PM, Blaze said: This is so rich. Please allow me some time to digest and reflect on your answer and respond : ) But I wanted to take a moment to say happy new year to you, and thank you so much for going into depth and for spending so much time on this topic! I really really appreciate it. I hope all your wishes for 2026 come true : ) and Happy New Year to everyone! : ) I hope 2026 has a lot in store for you : ) ❤️❤️ (and for me too ( ´▽｀)) I appreciate your feedback. For further commentary let's look at various writings from 2000-2025 1) Thomas Pynchon's Shadow Ticket (no MFA, technical writing background)- 1 When trouble comes to town, it usually takes the North Shore Line. What with tough times down the Lake in Chicago, changes in the wind, Prohibition repeal just around the corner, Big Al in the federal pokey in Atlanta, Outfit affairs grown jumpy and unpredictable, anybody needing an excuse to get out of town in a hurry comes breezing up here to Milwaukee, where it seldom gets more serious than somebody stole somebody's fish. Hicks McTaggart has been ankling around the Third Ward all day keeping an eye on a couple of tourists in Borsalinos and black camel hair overcoats up from the home office at 22nd and Wabash down the Lake, the Chicago Outfit handling whatever needs to be taken care of in Milwaukee since Vito Guardalabene cashed in his chips ten years ago, though Vito's successor Pete Guardalabene is still considered head man in the Ward, gets his picture in the social pages smiling at weddings and so forth. Loitering in the alleyway in back of Pasquale's Bella Palermo, Hicks can hear sounds of noodle-flexing sociability, smell spaghetti sauce and garlic frying and sfinciuni bagherese baking over an olive-branch fire, and it's making him hungry, though this close to payday his lunch menu is a thermos of coffee and a buttermilk cruller stashed in a pocket someplace. The explosion when it comes seems to be from somewhere across the river and nearer the Lake. Forks and glassware pause between tabletop and mouth, as if everybody's observing a moment of stillness, and nobody seems surprised. It's still the topic of conversation a little later when everybody comes piling out into the street. "Come up lookin for a little peace and quiet, next thing you know . . ." "Startin to sound like Chicago around here." 2) Mark Z. Danielewski's (no MFA at all) Tom's Crossing Earlier that afternoon, when for some reason Allison’s thoughts had angrily returned to the curse she’d laid upon Kalin before he’d left, warnin him from guns, makin it clear by insubstantial decree that even handlin a gun might cost him the horses he loved, and for the rest of his life, she and Sondra had returned to the Isatch Canyon parkin lot, where they’d promptly learned about the great rockfall. 3) Jayne Anne Phillips' (MFA from University of Iowa) Night Watch ConaLee A JOURNEY APRIL 1874 I got up in the wagon and Papa set me beside Mama, all of us on the buckboard seat. Hold her hand there, he said to me, like she likes. Sit tight in. Keep her still. I saw him lean down and rope her ankle to his. I was warm because he made me wear my bonnet, to keep my skin fine and my eyes from crinkling at the corners. In case someday I turned out after all. Talk to her, he said. Tell her she’ll like it where she’s going. A fine great place, like a castle with a tower clock. Tell her. You’ll like it, Mama, I said. A fine place like a castle, built from stone. Tell her about them palms. Palm trees in pots, Mama, and velvet sofas, like in a city hotel. And don’t call her Mama, he said. Don’t you see how she’s dressed? 4) Paul Harding's Tinkers (MFA from University of Iowa) He had built the house himself -- poured the foundation, raised the frame, joined the pipes, run the wires, plastered the walls, and painted the rooms. Lightning struck once when he was in the open foundation, soldering the last joint of the hot-water tank. It threw him to the opposite wall. He got up and finished the joint. Cracks in his plaster did not stay cracks; clogged pipes got routed; peeling clapboard got scraped and slathered with a new coat of paint. Get some plaster, he said, propped up in the bed, which looked odd and institutional among the Persian rugs and Colonial furniture and dozens of antique clocks. Get some plaster. Jesus, some plaster and some wires and a couple of hooks. You'd be all set for about five bucks. Yes, Gramp, they said. Yes, Dad. A breeze blew through the open window behind him and cleared exhausted heads. Bocce balls clicked out on the lawn. and 5) Tao Lin's Taipei (no MFA) 1. It began raining a little from a hazy, cloudless-seeming sky as Paul, 26, and Michelle, 21, walked toward Chelsea to attend a magazine-release party in an art gallery. Paul had resigned to not speaking and was beginning to feel more like he was “moving through the universe” than “walking on a sidewalk.” He stared ahead with a masklike expression, weakly trying to remember where he was one year ago, last November, more for something to do than because he wanted to know, though he was not incurious. Michelle, to his left, drifted in and out of his peripheral vision—far enough away for pedestrians to pass unknowingly between them—like a slow, amorphous flickering. Paul was thinking the word “somewhere,” meditatively as both placeholder and ends, when Michelle asked if he was okay. “Yes,” said Paul automatically. As they entered a building, a few minutes later, he sort of glanced at Michelle and was surprised to see her grinning, then couldn’t stop himself from grinning. Sometimes, during an argument, feeling like he’d been acting in a movie and the scene had ended, Paul would suddenly grin, causing Michelle to grin, and they’d be able to enjoy doing things together again, for one to forty hours, but that hadn’t happened this time, partly because Michelle had grinned first. Paul looked away, slightly confused, and suppressed his grin. “What,” he said in an unintentionally loud monotone, unsure what he felt exactly, and they entered a large, mundane elevator, whose door closed slowly. “What,” said Paul at a normal volume. “Nothing,” said Michelle still grinning a little. “Why are you grinning?” “No reason,” said Michelle. “What caused you to grin?” “Nothing. Just life. The situation.” ------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, five different writers... two of which are U of Iowa MFA graduates... which ones do you think have the most unique styles and voices? Honestly you can see how much Phillips' voice has impacted Harding's approach... Just a thought.
CaliMizzou Posted January 2 Posted January 2 On 12/29/2025 at 2:00 PM, HalBear said: It was good news, I hope it was for you too!! Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster. I also got good news from Tennessee. i know it says there’s no solid number/proportion that get good news vs getting dinged, but wondering if anyone had any idea? Thank you! Walter Daviss 1
guntherpingu Posted January 5 Posted January 5 On 1/1/2026 at 3:22 PM, Salt_Shaker said: I am applying to a PhD in creative writintg so this might not be the best fit, but has anyone heard anything from UTK? I'm sure the process for PhD and MFA are different, but I figured I'd ask! I'm also applying to PhD creative writing programs, and I applied to UTK as well! From my understanding, the UTK PhD program doesn't do the two separate rounds that their MFA program does. I don't expect to hear back from them until February, possibly. Looking back at previous years (if you trust what people report online), it seems like UTK sends out results around February for the PhD. Best of luck! Salt_Shaker and SocialKonstruct 2
womanonline Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Does anyone know when the Draft page will upload the spreadsheets? The one where we input where we applied and the one where we heard news back? I feel like it was done earlier last year because people had input when they moved to the second round for UTK and that's already happened now. I also saw some people got accepted to schools as early as mid-January for a few programs last year. I'm just antsy and wondering when I'll be able to obsess over the spreadsheet. XXY 1
bbeacham Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I submitted my application to Columbia (nonfiction) a few days ago and decided that now, in the middle of my busy work day, is a great day to re-read my writing sample. Found one misplaced comma. Panicked. 0/10, do not recommend re-reading.
Salt_Shaker Posted January 5 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, guntherpingu said: I'm also applying to PhD creative writing programs, and I applied to UTK as well! From my understanding, the UTK PhD program doesn't do the two separate rounds that their MFA program does. I don't expect to hear back from them until February, possibly. Looking back at previous years (if you trust what people report online), it seems like UTK sends out results around February for the PhD. Best of luck! Best of luck to you too! Did you apply to many other programs? I applied to about 8 (hoping I get into at least one), but the process/acceptance is a lot less clear than an MFA. I hear programs like UTk accept maybe 1 applicant per genre, where a program like Denver and Houston accept maybe 3-6 per genre. Maybe? That's what I can tell, anyway. Not sure if you've heard different
HalBear Posted January 5 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, womanonline said: Does anyone know when the Draft page will upload the spreadsheets? The one where we input where we applied and the one where we heard news back? I feel like it was done earlier last year because people had input when they moved to the second round for UTK and that's already happened now. I also saw some people got accepted to schools as early as mid-January for a few programs last year. I'm just antsy and wondering when I'll be able to obsess over the spreadsheet. I believe last year the Spreadsheet was posted around January 5th! I expect it any day now.
guntherpingu Posted January 5 Posted January 5 3 minutes ago, Salt_Shaker said: Best of luck to you too! Did you apply to many other programs? I applied to about 8 (hoping I get into at least one), but the process/acceptance is a lot less clear than an MFA. I hear programs like UTk accept maybe 1 applicant per genre, where a program like Denver and Houston accept maybe 3-6 per genre. Maybe? That's what I can tell, anyway. Not sure if you've heard different I could only afford to apply to five (FSU, UTK, KU, Mizzou, UGA). Also hoping I get into at least one! This is my first year applying to PhDs--I'm finishing up my MFA in fiction this semester and don't want to get a job yet (lol). It took me three years of applying just to get into an MFA program, but I think I've definitely grown as a writer since then...one of my profs thinks I have a good chance, so that's nice encouragement. 2-4 per genre is what I've heard/read online...I hope UTK accepts more than just 1 per genre, that seems so small! But yes, all the programs are so wildly different, it's hard to keep track. How much funding each has changes everything (I wanted to apply to Ole Miss but I've heard rumors their funding is gone? Their grad coordinator never emailed me back so I can't confirm). Salt_Shaker 1
Salt_Shaker Posted January 5 Posted January 5 3 minutes ago, guntherpingu said: I could only afford to apply to five (FSU, UTK, KU, Mizzou, UGA). Also hoping I get into at least one! This is my first year applying to PhDs--I'm finishing up my MFA in fiction this semester and don't want to get a job yet (lol). It took me three years of applying just to get into an MFA program, but I think I've definitely grown as a writer since then...one of my profs thinks I have a good chance, so that's nice encouragement. 2-4 per genre is what I've heard/read online...I hope UTK accepts more than just 1 per genre, that seems so small! But yes, all the programs are so wildly different, it's hard to keep track. How much funding each has changes everything (I wanted to apply to Ole Miss but I've heard rumors their funding is gone? Their grad coordinator never emailed me back so I can't confirm). I'm also finishing up my MFA, so it looks like we're in similar boats! Fingers crossed. I hope it works out for the both of us. guntherpingu 1
itsgivingliterary Posted January 6 Posted January 6 happy new year everyone! I hope it brings good news to you all What schools do you guys expect to hear results from first? I'm pretty sure Ohio State releases the earliest acceptances of where I applied, so my mid january will be scary and hectic!!!
SocialKonstruct Posted January 6 Posted January 6 4 hours ago, itsgivingliterary said: happy new year everyone! I hope it brings good news to you all What schools do you guys expect to hear results from first? I'm pretty sure Ohio State releases the earliest acceptances of where I applied, so my mid january will be scary and hectic!!! Since I applied to only one MFA program, I suspect that I will hear back from UCI first before my Ph.D. programs at USC and U of Utah.
Mystic_Sunshine Posted January 6 Posted January 6 12 hours ago, itsgivingliterary said: happy new year everyone! I hope it brings good news to you all What schools do you guys expect to hear results from first? I'm pretty sure Ohio State releases the earliest acceptances of where I applied, so my mid january will be scary and hectic!!! I applied to majority PhD programs but I will say I heard from ohio state first last year then illinois and then nothing for a while lol.
BenAfflecksmokingacigarete Posted January 6 Posted January 6 hi all! long-time lurker, first-time actual applicant. curious if anyone has advice for second round of UTK? since you have to submit a fully new application, i'm wondering if folks are submitting the exact same writing sample they used in the first round or using something new to show a bit of variety? I mean presumably the application will be read anew, but how many readers could there be really? appreciate any wisdom, thank you!
merpgirl Posted January 6 Posted January 6 37 minutes ago, BenAfflecksmokingacigarete said: hi all! long-time lurker, first-time actual applicant. curious if anyone has advice for second round of UTK? since you have to submit a fully new application, i'm wondering if folks are submitting the exact same writing sample they used in the first round or using something new to show a bit of variety? I mean presumably the application will be read anew, but how many readers could there be really? appreciate any wisdom, thank you! I don't have much wisdom to add since I'm also a first-timer, but I'm using the same exact materials I used during the first round. The email said they started anew and that it was fine to repeat material, and since the stuff I'd submitted for R1 was my strongest work, I decided to go with it again. Not sure if there is a "best" approach for this--from my understanding, R1 doesn't "mean" much unless you're someone who was on the fence about applying. In that case, being advanced to R2 might be the push you need to fully take the plunge, but other than that, it doesn't seem like R1 means much else anyway. Good luck with your apps! BenAfflecksmokingacigarete 1
womanonline Posted January 6 Posted January 6 19 hours ago, itsgivingliterary said: happy new year everyone! I hope it brings good news to you all What schools do you guys expect to hear results from first? I'm pretty sure Ohio State releases the earliest acceptances of where I applied, so my mid january will be scary and hectic!!! Ohio State is the earliest for me also!! At least based on stalking last year's Draft sheet. I think Ohio State is the only one I'll hear from in January and then they'll start trickling in early February to late March. I'm trying to think of it as exciting instead of torturous.
HalBear Posted January 6 Posted January 6 On 1/3/2026 at 6:58 PM, nunyaaaaaaa said: Is UTK a prestigious program? From my understanding, it is not historically prestigious, but it is on the way to that designation. I think tje accessibility of the first round encourages more writers to apply, but their cohort is one of the smallest in the country. They only take 5 writers an application season. I think this year they are accepting 3 fiction writers and 2 poets. It has a miniscule acceptance rate which in a way can give rise to "prestige." Their recent alums have been wildly successful and their faculty is quite talented. Whoever ends up in this program will be very lucky
womanonline Posted January 6 Posted January 6 The Draft is liveeeee!!! It has begun prufrock_, eelteamsix and merpgirl 3
C.B. Posted January 7 Posted January 7 All apps are in! MFA in Fiction: Iowa, Michener, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Michigan, Johns Hopkins, UMass Amherst, Houston, Columbia, and San Francisco State. What a ride it’s been. Applied to five schools last year, no acceptances or waitlists. This year’s writing sample is far better by all accounts. And that’s I could have wished. The rest is out of my control. Best of luck to everyone! SocialKonstruct 1
catsaregood.pdf Posted January 7 Posted January 7 Does anyone know if getting a 2nd Bachelor's looks bad on an MFA?
Mystic_Sunshine Posted January 7 Posted January 7 18 hours ago, womanonline said: The Draft is liveeeee!!! It has begun My advice to people is try not to check it a gazillion times a day. It made my mental health 100% worse. Also best of luck to everyone ❤️ womanonline and HalBear 2
molemola Posted January 7 Posted January 7 (edited) I am feeling very LFG about this all! I think the key is to plan a fabulous vacation you get to go on if you don't get in anywhere. If I get in, woohoo, if not, ATHENS. edit: will not be going to Athens because I just got an acceptance to UIUC!! Over the moon and shocked?? And also very much debated posting because it feels LESS ANONYMOUS NOW somehow but whatever, I would want to know if the shoe was on the other foot, so here I am. Edited January 7 by molemola berp prufrock_, itsgivingliterary, MamaCats and 5 others 8
BenAfflecksmokingacigarete Posted January 7 Posted January 7 aghhh Facebook wont let me make a new account after I deleted my old account a few years back 😭 Is there no other way to see the spreadsheet than the facebook Draft group??
Chex Posted January 7 Posted January 7 2 hours ago, molemola said: edit: will not be going to Athens because I just got an acceptance to UIUC!! Over the moon and shocked?? And also very much debated posting because it feels LESS ANONYMOUS NOW somehow but whatever, I would want to know if the shoe was on the other foot, so here I am. Congratulations! Woohoo!!! 🎉
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