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REliana

Mar 3, 2006, 3:23 PM

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Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

I haven't heard anything from my three (yes three, I'm poor) schools, but I am pretty sure they are rejections. Here is my question. Are there any good MFA programs with TA opportunities and good funding that have rolling admission? Here is another question; is it stupid to attend a low-residency program (Lesley) for a year, and then try to transfer next year to a full-time program?

pongo
Real men bake bread.

Mar 3, 2006, 4:04 PM

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Re: [REliana] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

Transferring from a low-res program to a regular one might be tricky, since low-res programs don't usually have all those courses and so on. Residential programs like to be able to give you credit for courses you've taken, and a semester studying with one mentor doesn't convert well to that system.

dmh

Poetry: It's not just for sissies any more.

Difficult Listening, Sundays from ten to noon (Central time), at http://www.radiofreenashville.org/.

http://home.comcast.net/~david.m.harris/site/

poetastin

Mar 7, 2006, 2:04 AM

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Re: [REliana] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

I think Texas State admits in the spring. I'm interested in seeing a list of others, if anyone has one.

sovietsleepover

Mar 7, 2006, 2:22 AM

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Re: [poetastin] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

I'm pretty sure University of Pittsburgh does. The catch being, of course, no chance of funding 'til the fall unless you manage to wrangle a workstudy answering phones at the nursing school or something.

amarier

Apr 4, 2006, 7:45 PM

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What are your plans if you don't get in anywhere?	Can't Post

Ok, guys, new topic? I wasn't quite sure where to post this, and I thought this was as good a place as any.
So for those of us who haven't been accepted anywhere (or who are facing the quite likely possibility that they won't get in anywhere), what is the plan?
I've gathered, from posts here and there, that many people will apply again. It sounds like lots of people do that- try and try again. I, for one, didn't apply to enough programs (only 4).
I must say that if the last 2 remaining programs say no (they are WW and Lesley), or if for some reason I decide not to accept (unlikely), I highly doubt I will apply to programs next year. I won't say ever, because I really can't say. The process is so exhausting- I have wasted so many hours thinking about it, refreshing the posts here- and just being in this state of limbo for so long, waiting to hear... well, i don't know if i'm up for it again.
Also, I just keep coming back to the thought that I'm going to write no matter what, and I believe I can be a better writer if I continue to write, read a lot, go to the occasional workshop... I keep coming back to the thought- do I really need an MFA? and i think the answer is no. not that it wouldn't be a valuable experience- why else would I have applied?
(fyi, I only applied to low-res programs. not interested in going to a residency program)
I'm thinking quite seriously, that if I don't get in anywhere, I will probably apply to a library science school for an MLS. Maybe that sounds really different than getting an MFA- and it is- but it suits my interests, and my love of books, being in libraries (I work in one currently), printing, writing, etc- it all fits together for me. In fact, I applied for MLS right after undergrad, was accepted, but decided not to do it.
I feel really good about it because not only do I know I would still be writing and on my way to wherever it is my writing's headed, but I would have something concrete to look forward to, something new I would be learning that would supplement my writing and interests.
So for those of us who maybe didn't get the news we were hoping for, perhaps it's for the best and the plans we make will be better than we expected!

Aubrie

Apr 4, 2006, 8:07 PM

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Re: [amarier] What are your plans if you don't get in anywhere?	Can't Post

Hey Amarier,
I have actually managed to come out of this (0 for 4 schools being this) in a pretty much positive light. I am one of those people who will apply again next year with certainty because I know this year I wasn't ready. If I get negged again next year, it might be a different story. But I have learned soooo much from everyone here on these boards, everyone's wants out of their respective programs, what made them apply where, etc. etc., that I'm almost looking at this as a learning process. A practice run. An expensive one :( .
I'm also going the workshop route and hope to be a little less shy about sharing my manuscript(s) this time around as very few people read my work before before I sent it out this time (ssd being one of them!!-thanks! p.s. - VC, right?).
This is the first time I've really found myself in an (online?!) environment with other writers. My friends are great...but not writers. So everyone here is about as close to a community that I have right now.
So in a roundabout way, what I'm trying to say is that I think this was for the best for me. If I had been accepted, I think I would have been really intimidated and might not have gotten as much out of my first year as I should. And then I'd be wasting even MORE money.
That's my .02.

Edited for strange tense issues I've been having.

(This post was edited by Aubrie on Apr 4, 2006, 8:12 PM)

kcole7
Kristin

Apr 4, 2006, 9:28 PM

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Re: [amarier] What are your plans if you don't get in anywhere?	Can't Post

Quote

I'm thinking quite seriously, that if I don't get in anywhere, I will probably apply to a library science school for an MLS. Maybe that sounds really different than getting an MFA- and it is- but it suits my interests, and my love of books, being in libraries (I work in one currently), printing, writing, etc- it all fits together for me. In fact, I applied for MLS right after undergrad, was accepted, but decided not to do it.

Nothing wrong with having a solid career plan. After the MFA, I'm not sure what I'll do - hopefully, teach someone or edit something (could that be any more vague?) If that fails, I'd go for the MLS, too. There is a huge demand for librarians, and I've heard that in five years or so, there will be a major shortage. My sister finished her MLS through a distance program, and it turned out to be the best thing that she's ever done. So you definitely wouldn't need an expensive program!

One question, though: I thought all library positions required an MLS. What kind of a position can you get without one? (I'm interested because it may be how I pay for the MFA.)

On another note, have you heard back from all of your programs for sure? You may still get in. It's late, but not too late. Don't give up yet!

amarier

Apr 4, 2006, 10:01 PM

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Re: [kcole7] What are your plans if you don't get in anywhere?	Can't Post

kristin-
i'm a clerk at a library. not high paying, so not sure if one could earn a living during an mfa doing that. on the other hand, i love it. i've had lots of very random and mostly crappy jobs, and this is the only thing i've done for 2 years straight that i actually like. meet lots of people, lots of books around, etc.

and yes, it's true i could still get into a program. maybe! but it's just that the hamster has been running, and i started thinking about what i would do if i didn't get in. if i do get in, i'm sure i'll be pleasantly surprised and go for it!

wonder01
Miriam Terron-Elder

Apr 5, 2006, 10:06 AM

Post #9 of 15 (3063 views)
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Re: [REliana] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

In Reply To

I applied to 5 schools and didn't get into any of them. I'm sort of down about it, but it is my first time applying to an MFA program. My question is: does anyone know anything about the Draper Program at NYU? I've been on the web site, etc., but I'd like to hear opinions from grads or anyone currently enrolled. Thanks!

darredet
Darren A. Deth

Apr 6, 2006, 5:49 AM

Post #10 of 15 (2940 views)
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Re: [amarier] What are your plans if you don't get in anywhere?	Can't Post

Hi amaria:

It's good to hear you are thinking of other career/educational options.

However, if you really want to work on getting into an MFA program, here are my suggestions. Look for conferences where there will be faculty from schools you want to apply to. I did this twice at the same conference. The second go round Ellen Lesser, of Vermont College, said my work had improved dramatically over the past year. When I had my private conferences with both her and Jack Driscoll, of the Stonecoast MFA, I discussed my personal statements. I applied to both of these programs a couple of months later and was accepted into both. I start VC in June.

Continue to read and write. If and when those rejections come in from WWC and Lesley, make sure you sit down that day and write. It gives you the umph to push on.

You might want to consider a writers group. Join or start one. The key here is to work with people who have similiar goals--improving their writing, give good, contructive feedback, publishing, etc. I just started one recently and am a little concerned with the goals of the people who came. I'll play it by ear for a little while, and if it doesn't work out, I'm done.

I once thought about getting my MLS. Where I live there are not many options, and the pay is not good enough. I work in a library for a corporate company here in NH and manage to tolerate it. Instead of books, I deal with maps, GIS data, and the like.

Best of luck to you and plenty of well wishes.

Darren

gloviczk

Apr 11, 2006, 1:10 AM

Post #11 of 15 (2820 views)
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Re: [REliana] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

Any Poetry programs still accepting apps for Fall 06?

Thanks! Peter

oliviasfortunes

Apr 11, 2006, 8:37 AM

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Re: [gloviczk] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

I think The New College in San Francisco takes apps for a few more months.
Hope it helps you out.

PamukisGreat

Apr 11, 2006, 9:50 PM

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Re: [REliana] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

I would not suggest becoming a staunch 2nd amendment activist after getting nothing but rejections.

motet
Dana Davis / Moderator

Mar 21, 2007, 12:07 AM

Post #14 of 15 (2371 views)
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No, you're not the only one	Can't Post

Didn't get in to your #1 school? Did get in to any school? Well, you're not alone.

What are your plans in the meanwhile?

kiiro

Mar 21, 2007, 4:50 AM

Post #15 of 15 (2325 views)
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Re: [REliana] Rejected? What are my options?	Can't Post

I don't know about programs, but I have another suggestion!

Just chill out for a year. Take a writing class in your spare time and continue improving. And always, always keep writing! I was rejected last year from all my places, and the year off really helped me grow as a writer, and it added to my experience as a person. It's scary and sometimes sucks, especially if you're unable to find a decent-paying job (*raises hand*), but IMO it'll do some good.

You might look into substitute teaching in high school, junior high, or elementary school. You don't have to be certified in most places, and it'd look good next time you apply. You'd be almost guaranteed a TAship, I'd think, with teaching experience--even if it is basically babysitting a classroom! (Sadly, I didn't know I could do this until last month, far too late for it to do me any good, but I hope it helps you!)

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