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sharonlouise

Sep 9, 2004, 12:14 PM

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Hunter College MFA	Can't Post

Anyone hear anything about the Hunter MFA program? It's prettty new....was wondering what the word was.

nomojo
A.D.T.

Sep 9, 2004, 1:51 PM

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Re: [sharonlouise] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

In-state tuition definitely has its appeal if you're in NY. I've heard a few good comments about Hunter, I don't remember specifics. Their admissions are competitive at least and their "Distinguished Writers Series" has some impressive voices. With the CUNY schools though I don't know how much financial support in the form of assistantships, etc. is available. Their poetry faculty appears to be solid (William Pitt Root I think), especially considering potential visiting writers. I'm not sure who they have now. I don't think their fiction faculty is too substantial.

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/news/events.shtml

(This post was edited by nomojo on Sep 9, 2004, 1:51 PM)

rtperson
Roger Turnau

Sep 15, 2004, 4:41 PM

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Re: [nomojo] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

A few months ago Hunter announced (via email) that Peter Carey would be heading up their MFA program, which would have been a huge win on the fiction side of things, and caused me to give them a second look. But as I haven't heard anything else about it, and since I don't see Carey listed as a permanent faculty on their website, I assume the deal fell through. Does anyone else know the story with this one?

As for costs, Hunter, like all CUNY programs, is very inexpensive.

anabobo

Mar 29, 2005, 12:55 PM

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Re: [rtperson] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just wanted to update this post – I'll likely be attending the Hunter program in the Fall (made the short list), so I've researched it well. I've lived in New York for years and didn't feel like moving for school; out of NYC programs Hunter impressed me as really the best bang for the buck.

Peter Carey is indeed the Program Director & teaches fiction, he appears involved and enthusiastic, and the poetry (which is my focus) is also very solid. The faculty and former students gave an inspired (and well-attended) Open House which is always a good sign. The program offers a fellowship to teach "Intro to CW" in the 2nd year. The minimal debt and teaching experience did it for me – depends on your priorities, but to me a lack of financial burden = more personal freedom and writing time in the future. For more check out their new website:
http://sapientia.hunter.cuny.edu/~creativewriting/

(This post was edited by anabobo on Mar 29, 2005, 1:37 PM)

happycat

Feb 19, 2006, 12:54 PM

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Re: [anabobo] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I know you posted almost a year ago and might not ever see this, but did you wind up going to Hunter College? What do you think of it? I've just been informed that I'm on the shortlist, and that they may want an answer before I even hear back from the other schools I applied to (all are in New York), and I don't know what to do. I think I really like Hunter, but I feel like I don't know anything.

Any advice?

Aubrie

Feb 19, 2006, 1:34 PM

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Re: [happycat] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Happycat - how did they inform you? And what did you apply in?
I'm waiting to hear on Hunter too (!!!)

happycat

Feb 19, 2006, 5:11 PM

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Re: [Aubrie] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Fiction. The man Peter Carey himself called me Friday. He said they got 200 apps, the short list is 12, and they can only accept five. Watch me get all excited now and not get in.

Aubrie

Feb 19, 2006, 5:25 PM

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Re: [happycat] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow - I had no idea that Hunter was so competitive. It looks like I didn't make the short list!
i'm assuming that you're a New Yorker, and Hunter is great for the $ alone. And Peter Carey heading up the program is huge.
5 people. Wow.
I wish you the best of luck. I think it's a great program!

miekekoo

Feb 19, 2006, 5:42 PM

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Re: [happycat] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats on the shortlist status, happycat! You should feel really great about making it this far.

It seems odd that Hunter would notify people at this stage, before they actually whittle the list down to their top five. Are they trying to suss out who will likely accept? You should get in touch with current students to find out what they think of the program. Most programs are happy to give out students' contact info, at least to the lucky few that they want to choose their school.

Aubrie, I'm rooting for you! I think you'll get in somewhere--just a gut feeling.

Aubrie

Feb 19, 2006, 11:39 PM

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Re: [kateb] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Kate - thanks so much!
The waiting is killing me. I just want to know and get on with my life!
School or no school, this mail/email/voicemail obsession MUST end!!!!
[it still stings a little to know that I didn't get a phone call on Friday... <sigh> Such is life.]

hmm

Feb 23, 2006, 2:53 PM

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Re: [rtperson] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

By "inexpensive," I hope you mean free. There are a lot of MFA programs which will give you a full tuition waiver and a small stipend for living expenses (rent, food...). If you have to pay any tuition at all for an MFA degree, they're ripping you off.

Columbia is famous for that.

brooklynpoet

Mar 1, 2006, 6:54 PM

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Re: [happycat] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

hc,

I went to the open house at Hunter in late fall. I'm a poet so I didn't talk to the fiction faculty, but I think I have a sense of the program generally. I'd be happy to answer questions, but be warned that I was pretty turned off by their approach to admissions and didn't apply there.

I did apply to City College. But I don't particularly want to go to night school.

brooklynpoet

flatiron10

Mar 1, 2006, 8:32 PM

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Re: [brooklynpoet] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Brooklynpoet-- what did you not like about hunter? i'm looking around for programs to apply to next year and was thinking about hunter. are they not nice to prospective students?

Aubrie

Mar 1, 2006, 10:12 PM

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Re: [jennatelesca] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Brooklynpoet - I'd be interested too. The only open house I didn't make it to was Hunter. What was it about their admissions policy that you weren't keen on?
For the record - I adored Columbia's open house and was so-so on New School's and NYU's.
There was such a warm feeling at Columbia's open house.
<sigh>
Sure would like to go to Columbia.

p.s. - I live right next to the Gowanus Canal. It's super industrial and fantastic and there are not a million people pushing baby strollers and sipping on lattes. I love it.

brooklynpoet

Mar 2, 2006, 1:33 AM

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Re: [Aubrie] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Aubrie,

I'm in Sunset Park.

I'm kind of hesitant to say anything negative about any program, given that it's a completely personal reaction. Hunter is a great school, and the current students who attended the open house raved about the program. Well, of course disaffected students couldn't be expected to show up, but since there are so few students altogether, it was a healthy sample. It's a relatively young program--I forget how long they've been awarding the MFA, but I think it's around six or eight years.

What I didn't like about the application process was exactly the "shortlist" issue. The poetry faculty (I have no idea if fiction and nonfiction function this way; they met separately) explained that they were looking for people for whom Hunter is the first choice. That's understandable on the face of it--what program wouldn't want people who are excited about attending?--but it seemed to me there was an underlying anxiety about the program possibly being a "safety" school for applicants who really want to go to Columbia, NYU, etc., but who aren't accepted. They said they contact their first choices (the shortlist) and attempt to ascertain who is committed to Hunter before making the final decision. This seems manipulative to me. I prefer programs that don't pressure you to commit before the national signing day of April 15, when presumably you'll have heard from all your schools and can make a considered choice.

It's likely that most of us will make a decision before then, especially since so many people get into only one program, if any. Certainly the schools I've heard from thus far have made no secret of the fact that they'd prefer a response sooner rather than later. But they don't strike me as quite so "in-group-y." I admit I was a little turned off by the insularity at Hunter.

Plus they don't give you any funding whatsoever. Tuition is far cheaper than the other NYC schools (except for CUNY programs), but Hunter, like City College and Brooklyn, schedules all courses in the evening because they expect the students to be working full-time during the day. One of the students who spoke at the open house said she's working two jobs (presumably part-time), teaching, and working on her thesis. Not encouraging.

Hunter's definitely up-and-coming and great for people who know they want or need to be in NYC. Especially for those who prefer a small program and one that approaches coursework from the "craft" side rather than the "theory" side. It just wasn't right for me.

I'd encourage anybody who has been accepted and is seriously considering it to visit and meet the faculty. I'm thinking the only way to really determine where you want to be is to experience it first-hand.

I hope this somewhat vague response is helpful....

brooklynpoet

flatiron10

Mar 2, 2006, 4:07 AM

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Re: [brooklynpoet] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Definitely helpful. I myself was a bit quizzicle about the whole "you're in--so you definitely coming here right?" approach they have to admissions. It doesn't seem practical. Like, it makes sense to have hunter as your first choice, but if you get full funding somewhere else, free is definitely a better situation than $8,000. They make money a giant factor on the website, so why wouldn't it be to prospective students? Strange.

I'm still going to check it out, thanks for the input though!

Ditchcake

Mar 2, 2006, 11:02 AM

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Re: [brooklynpoet] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey-
I totally hear what BrooklynPoet is saying about the shortlist at Hunter, and it's seriously disconcerting to know that they said straight-out at the open house that they're using the shortlist phonecall to weed out people who don't sound... excited enough.
In fact, I was probably one of those people.
I got a shortlist phonecall (12 ppl to be narrowed down to 5 - fiction) on Fri., Feb. 17, from the director Peter Carey -- it was totally unexpected (doesnt the website say shortlist arrives at the end of March?) -- I was taken off guard and hadnt heard back anything from anywhere else yet, and when he said something along the lines of "We dont want to offer one of our 5 spots to someone only to hear a month later that theyre going somewhere else," I, for some inexplicable reason, said something stupid like, "Well, I have applied to some other schools..." (I have this kneejerk thing about keeping my options open, I guess.) It seems to have been the ethical, but absolutely wrong, thing to say, and I kicked myself right after getting off the phone. [For the record, Prof. Carey sounded perfectly nice and even jokey on the phone. Oh, so sneaky!] Then, gathering myself the next week, I called and arranged a meeting with the program coordinator to discuss Hunter.
Lo and behold, the night before my Hunter meeting, I get a rejection EMAIL from Peter Carey (ouch -- cmon, man, why you gotta hurt me like that?). I called the coordinator the next morning to see if that even means I'm on a waitlist or what (my email said the word "REJECTED" in it... and other less noticeable words too). Then things got weird and she couldnt even find my name on the shortlist, and she's supposed to get back to me about that, but that's another story... and if anyone in the Hunter offices reads this forum, they now know exactly who I am. Oops.
Anyway, just needed to get that off my back. I don't know where Hunter was on my list -- I actually chose not to make a list, because I assumed I would get a lot of rejections and then judge among the meager acceptance pile (if any) at the end of the whole process. And the more I learned about Hunter after being shortlisted, the more I liked it. But now they wont know that, perhaps because I was so flustered on the phone (or, let's be honest, maybe my writing is just worse than the others on the shortlist by far).
So, the moral of the story is, if anyone wants to send Peter Carey some spam, I can hook you up. (Kidding, Hunter office, kidding!)

-Ditchcake

P.S. Someone mentioned a global April 15 decision day - what's that about? And isn't City College's application deadline May 1, or did I misread that? Thanks.

Aubrie

Mar 2, 2006, 11:31 AM

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Re: [Ditchcake] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ditchcake - that's really bizarre. Shortlist to rejection like that? Sounds like Hunter has some sort of inferiority complex.
Too bad because it seems like they've got a great program going.
Oh well.
Who needs $125 anyways?

franz

Mar 2, 2006, 1:57 PM

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Re: [Ditchcake] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hey-
In fact, I was probably one of those people.
I got a shortlist phonecall...

Wow, I sympathize. I didn't apply to Hunter, and I don't know anything about the program, but I now know that my opinion of the school, no matter who is on the faculty, etc., will be ranking right down there with the local community college comp program. $125 app fee AND they do that?!! As far as I'm concerned, those two things automatically make them a subpar program.
Ditchcake, you're going to get other offers, I think, from schools who will treat you better.

Franz Knupfer, author of short stories and novels

brooklynpoet

Mar 3, 2006, 2:09 AM

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Re: [Ditchcake] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh, jeez, now I'm kind of sorry I was so diplomatic in my last post. Ouch! sorry to hear it, ditchcake.

That was me who mentioned April 15. This is word-for-word from my acceptance-by-email from Florida:

"We observe the national signing day of April 15, before which you should not feel compelled by anyone to make a decision. If you do make a decision to accept our offer or decline it before that time, however, do please let me know. It will help us form the best class we can. We encourage all of our applicants to carefully consider all the offers they get and to go to the school that they want to go to."

So there you go, sibyl, UFlorida and Cornell have a similar approach. I would have applied to Cornell, but I don't like snow. Syracuse, too.

BP

murasaki
Marie Mockett

Mar 11, 2006, 4:37 PM

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Re: [anabobo] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I took a look at the Hunter program and was really impressed -- the copy alone drew me in and told me that they were very serious.

I'm also attracted (mentally, of course) to the writers they have on staff. Peter Carey and Colson Whitehead are two of my favorites. They are also both commercial and critical successes.

It doesn't look like either of them have MFAs of their own.

Does anyone know? Did Peter Carey actually study creative writing in a university setting?

anabobo

Mar 11, 2006, 4:57 PM

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Re: [happycat] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi,

happycat, I saw your question a little too late -- not sure if you made your decision yet...

Anyway, I'm in the Poetry program at Hunter, second semester, and I'm very, very happy with it... The poets are a talented, laid-back bunch, and we've all become pretty close -- the profs. are supportive & give a great deal, poetically & intellectually. I haven't talked much with the fiction students so I don't have first-hand knowledge of that part of the program. In any case, good luck with your decision & whichever school you ultimately decide for.

Ana

MDeGezelle

Mar 31, 2006, 11:13 AM

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Hunter & Brooklyn POETRY [In reply to]	Can't Post

Happy Friday.

Is anyone out there on the HUNTER waitlist? If so, have you any info about the waitlist other than the e-mail that went out?

Also, can anyone tell me more about BROOKLYN's poetry program-thumbs up? down? anything? I have been in contact with Sapphire and I know that she is taking the next semester off (I'm guessing longer), which leaves Lisa Jarnot, Julie Agoos, Rick Pearse, and Lou Asekoff - all fine poets. I just don't know much about the program as a whole. The website says that they only offer teaching opportunities to those with experience. How else is one supposed to gain experience?

rusty_bucket

Apr 1, 2006, 12:51 AM

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Re: [MDeGezelle] Hunter & Brooklyn POETRY [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm on the Hunter waitlist for poetry... was notified via a nice email from Donna Masini that said she hoped I'd be pleased to be on a "very short list." How short can it be, though, if there are at least two people on it posting in this thread alone? She did not say where I am ranked. I think she mentioned she'd be in touch within the next couple weeks. Oh - she mentioned I might come to a reading by Jonathan Franzen next week to meet them. I replied with regrets regarding attending the Franzen reading, but offered to come in any other time. She didn't write me back.

Hey, I applied to Brooklyn and the admissions office lost my transcript. Twice. They didn't forward my application (which had a really wonderful letter of praise in it from a certain big beautiful frost medal-winning poet) to the program. My rejection letter came the day before I received a letter from admissions stating that they had finally found my transcript and forwarded my application to the program (though they sure cashed that $125 check within seconds of receiving it!!)! The school seems totally disorganized. A good friend went for a BFA undergrad in visual arts, and said its a bureaucratic disaster. It was nigh impossible to get anyone on the phone besides sassy 18-year-old undergrads doing work study. If you have time for the pain, though, Sapphire is full time there (albeit on sabbatical next fall), and I think it would be really fun to be in her workshop.

Anyhow, we should all be getting our MAs in some kind of literature instead. Learning the canon.
As the thirsty fox said - I'm sure those grapes are sour anyway!

In Reply To

MDeGezelle

Apr 4, 2006, 2:07 PM

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Re: [rusty_bucket] Hunter & Brooklyn POETRY [In reply to]	Can't Post

rusty_bucket...
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about the Brooklyn deal. It's probably where I'll end up going because of location, but I am still holding out for word on Hunter. I received the same e-mail that you did, wrote back and received no reply. I called the program director to ask about my # on the list or when I might expect to hear and she said that only the committee knows.
Oh well. If you are notified, would you post or send me a message.

Thanks and good luck!

........

In Reply To

I'm on the Hunter waitlist for poetry... was notified via a nice email from Donna Masini that said she hoped I'd be pleased to be on a "very short list."
Hey, I applied to Brooklyn and the admissions office lost my transcript. Twice.

Anyhow, we should all be getting our MAs in some kind of literature instead. Learning the canon.
As the thirsty fox said - I'm sure those grapes are sour anyway!

In Reply To

clarabow

Apr 4, 2006, 9:03 PM

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Re: [sharonlouise] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

from what i've heard, the hunter program is one of those schools that is rumored to make big waves when the next rankings come out...and i won't be surprised. it's got a stellar repuation and the students coming out of the program have been doing pretty well for themselves in recent years.

rocky_fona

Apr 4, 2006, 9:43 PM

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Re: [clarabow] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with Clara. In fact, the faculty at Hollins have quite a stellar repuation amongst the faculty at other programs...

rusty_bucket

Apr 5, 2006, 8:26 AM

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Re: [rocky_fona] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sigh...
yeah. (Rocky I'm assuming you mean Hunter, not Hollins, although I'm sure the same is true for Hollins.)

Congratulations on BK, Gezelle, and enjoy it. Marie Ponsot has great things to say about the faculty there, and of course about the CUNY system in general.

I will let you know (I'll be letting everybody know, believe me) if I hear from Hunter.

Cheers.

In Reply To

I agree with Clara. In fact, the faculty at Hollins have quite a stellar repuation amongst the faculty at other programs...

harko

Jun 11, 2006, 5:20 PM

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Re: [rusty_bucket] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

So, I have been accepted to Hunter, Brooklyn and City for the MFA(poetry). But, beleive it or not, Hunter is out for me. I met with a certain poet who teaches at Hunter, and is an adviser...she made me feel like I was in the presence of the high priestess of poetry! Very stuck up and presumptuous. I didn't have to think twice about rejecting hunter.

On the other hand, Asekoff at Brooklyn and Abrams at City, both of whom head the programs at those two, couldn't be nicer. This is important. I want to work with people I get a good vibe from, and who take interest in students they meet without pre-judgments.

Between the two, what do you guys recommend? What's the word?

jrea10010

Jun 16, 2006, 4:50 AM

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Re: [harko] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

So, I'm going to City College in the Fall as well. Am a eager beaver to meet y'all.
I don't know Brooklyn's program directly, and didn't apply there (because I was busy getting in my application into Hunter and I too was REJECTED there -- though not w/ tenterhooking phone call) but I can describe the neighb for folks as I live in Midwood.
I think Harlem's cooler. But then I tend to go for arroz con habichuelas more than kosher. Brooklyn is in Midwood, which has a huge Jewish demographic -- others may differ in their assessment of its coolness.
I just want to say w/r/t bureaucratic incompetence: I think that's what tends to happen when you go to a budget-strapped school. Doesn't mean that the progam itself won't be fantastic, bureaucratic troubles aside.
So, erm, City College folks, wanna talk about Fall?

ottorinophc

Apr 12, 2007, 1:17 AM

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fall 2007 program [In reply to]	Can't Post

hey. i was accepted to hunter's mfa program (poetry) for 2007.
just interested in meeting anybody who is either in the program already, or going this year.

Lglabor

Apr 13, 2007, 10:34 AM

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Re: [jrea10010] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm on the verge of applying or not applying to CCNY (the deadline is May 1). I've met with Linsey Abrams and liked her, like the program, but I work full-time and at 42 credits it would take forever to finish one class per semester. I'm having lunch today with someone who dropped out to hear what she has to say about it. City is my last possible shot at an MFA ever (all the other CUNY schools require you to go full-time) but because of my own unique set of circumstances I'm wildly vacillating about whether to try it. I'd love it if you'd PM me so we could talk further. Thanks.

piratelizzy

Apr 13, 2007, 10:55 AM

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Re: [Lglabor] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

LG,

A few years ago I was working as a graphic artist for a startup magazine. This required about 60-70-hour weeks sometimes. I was also taking three classes at a local university. You can and should do more than one class per semester toward your MFA, even if you're working full-time. If you have kids, obviously this option is out the window. You will be exhausted, and it does require some flexibility on the part of your employer. In exchange for all that work, my supervisor allowed me to come in later in the morning and/or take off during the day when I needed to get to class. I kept this up for two years and earned 32 credits. I was resentful of my own drive and ambition at times, I felt like throwing in the towel a lot, and I did have to make a point of sleeping and eating well. I had no life outside of school and work. So, it's not ideal, but it's doable.

'sup?!

jaywalke

Apr 13, 2007, 12:21 PM

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Re: [Lglabor] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

LG:

I plan on doing a MFA while working full time, too, either locally or low-residency. If I end up in a traditional program, I'll start at two classes per semester (six hours) then ratchet it up to three later with thesis hours. Right now I work full time while taking one grad course at night and it doesn't even slow me down, so two shouldn't be a real hardship.

It depends quite a bit on your job. Does it follow you home? Are you on call? I'm lucky in that when I walk out the door at 5pm, I forget the place exists until I return the next day. The other big factor of blessed freedom is: NO KIDS!

Since you are talking about NY, be sure to factor in commuting when deciding how to work this. Depending on where you live, you may spend more time traveling than in class, which takes huge chunks out of your week. If you can get classes that fall on the same day(s), it might be more economical to take two rather than one.

(This post was edited by jaywalke on Apr 13, 2007, 12:26 PM)

tenderloner
Geary'n Hyde

Apr 13, 2007, 6:19 PM

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Re: [Lglabor] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

LG, were you accepted to Hunter or just replying to this thread about CUNY schools? If Hunter, I did see something about them allowing students to attend part time, but not sure how strict they were about what constituted an exceptional situation or whatever.

It's worth a phone call, anyway.

Lglabor

Apr 13, 2007, 6:24 PM

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Re: [tenderloner] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

No, I didn't apply to Hunter because I could have sworn their website was clear about only permitting full-time study. If that's not the case maybe I'll try next year. I work in Manhattan and live in Queens so Hunter would be much less shlepping than City.

v1ctorya

Apr 13, 2007, 9:04 PM

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Re: [Lglabor] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Actually, if I remember correctly, the site did say that classes start at 5:30 pm or later and the readings that you are expected to go to are around 7 pm at night or so, I think when I was looking it was around 3 nights a week in classes and I just didn't think I could take that with my work schedule.

As for CUNY, I teach a class there now and I even though it's not in the English dept. I can tell you the dedication of the older students is phenomenal. However, the core of the administration is overworked severely, when I was taking a grad class there to test the waters i had no admin. support, it was hard for me. And it's literaly an uphill battle, there's this huge hill you have to go up to get to the college and one side is never salted when it gets iced in the winter.

Best of luck! It's never an easy decision, is it?

tenderloner
Geary'n Hyde

Apr 13, 2007, 10:16 PM

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Re: [v1ctorya] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, that's what I recall, too, classes mostly after 5:30 and readings once a week at 7. That's manageable for many people with a FT job. I think NYU said something similar and they also allow PT attendance and to stretch the program over up to 5 years.

Lglabor

Apr 14, 2007, 3:18 PM

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Re: [tenderloner] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

But the thing is that NYU specifically permits students to take as little as one class per semester, and Hunter specifically, unless I misread it, does not permit this. It's not a question, only, of class times and so on, it's how part-time you can be, and Hunter won't have it. Again, unless I misread it, which, actually, I doubt. I was very disappointed earlier in this process when I found out the same about Brooklyn and the new program at Queens College. I spoke with the heads of each program and they were clear that you have to enroll as a full-time student. Yes, the classes are at night, but you're required to take a full load.

And yeah, I know that City hill, and I did wonder how hard it must be in icy conditions.

nachocheese

Apr 15, 2007, 8:53 AM

Post #40 of 149 (2993 views)
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Re: [Lglabor] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

This may be wrong, but I have heard from someone at Brooklyn that they took the program part time?

In Reply To

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 9, 2008, 9:38 PM

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Re: [nachocheese] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just wanted to start up this thread again and see if anyone else out there applied to Hunter for fall 08. I applied in memoir. anyone else?

sas998

Feb 11, 2008, 11:57 AM

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vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 11, 2008, 12:33 PM

Post #43 of 149 (2809 views)
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Re: [sas998] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Sas, I dont think your response posted.

sas998

Feb 11, 2008, 1:13 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes. I think you might have been correct....I wanted to let you know that I also applied to the program and hope to make it- the program sounds amazing. this year i applied to 8 instead of the 4 I applied to last year..all negatives. how many did you apply to?

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 11, 2008, 1:18 PM

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Re: [sas998] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Unfortunetly, I only applied to four, which I am now really regretting. I may be in the same boat as you were in last year and have to do this all over again. But i really hope not. I'm pretty excited about Hunter. I applied in Memoir. And in CNF to UNCW, Goucher, and Lesley. What about you?

sas998

Feb 11, 2008, 1:23 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

CNF - UNCW, Emerson, UNH, U of Maryland-Boston, Hollins, George Mason, Penn state, American...and I realized I made up a word on my statement of intent. But don't worry about the four-- if nothing happens this year, you'll have a year to plan and pick others. Though, I once again, procrastinated a bit. We'll see. I am hoping above hope though. And staying confident. I don't know if you're an "Office" fan, but I stare intently at my desktop daily-- "Stay Confident and You'll Always Know that Bob Vance Loves You."

-Hope that helps.

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 11, 2008, 2:08 PM

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Re: [sas998] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am a huge office fan, so yes, that does help! Maybe we'll see eachother next fall at Hunter or UNCW. I too am going to stay positive. Keep me posted if you hear from anybody and good luck!

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 11, 2008, 2:15 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

by the way, if it makes you feel any better, i found a typo in the last line of my UNCW SOP right after i mailed it. I had a heart attack for a few days, pissed that i'd wasted the 45 app fee when they would likely throw my application away immediately. But now i've calmed a bit and am letting fate take its course.

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 12, 2008, 2:02 AM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

did anyone who applied to hunter have their app. fee checks cashed yet? mine hasnt been and Im suddenly nervous my packet didnt arrive at all...

sas998

Feb 12, 2008, 9:55 AM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

.....they didn't deposit mine either!!!! what does that mean?!?!!!

smallfrog

Feb 12, 2008, 10:14 AM

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Re: [sas998] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mine hasn't been cashed yet either (I applied for fiction), but I sent my application in with both delivery confirmation and an SASP (yes, I am OCD). The delivery conf. said 2/1 (yes, I am a procrastinator and OCD), but I didn't get the postcard back until about 2/7. So I'm guessing it's just a delay in processing the apps. Or hoping so. Hunter is at the top of my wish list, and I loathe this waiting period.

Did any of you go to the Open House?

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 12, 2008, 7:20 PM

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Re: [smallfrog] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok, Hunter just cashed my check today. My app probably got there a few days before the first, so I guess it just took them a little while to process.
I didnt get to go to the open house because I'm on the other side of the country. I would have loved to though...

jeramey

Feb 20, 2008, 11:44 AM

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My check was just cashed this morning. Thank God. I've been checking my bank account religiously.

sr393

Feb 20, 2008, 12:58 PM

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Re: [jeramey] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In all the online MFA discussions that I have been reading these days, I have not seen much talk about Hunter, so it is good to know that there are others out there as excited about the program as I am. I also applied to the memoir program, and am waiting with baited breath.

I also applied to New School, but not anywhere else. I wish there were more nonfiction programs in New York City that didn't cost over $30,000 per year or require me to take commuter trains. Still, I loved both Hunter and the New School, so I don't feel like I am losing out by not being able to apply more places.

Anyway, good luck, and I hope we get to be classmates this fall!

Suzanne

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 20, 2008, 1:30 PM

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Re: [sr393] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good luck to you too Suzanne and all Hunter apps! I'm dying to get into the memoir program. they have some incredible teachers. I messed up and didnt get my New School app ready in time, but their nonfiction program also looks really interesting. My only worry is the affordability of moving to new york, especially if I dont work full time during the program, and how many loans i'll end up with, even if Hunter has low tuition. Do you live in New york? any suggestions on how to survive financially?

sr393

Feb 20, 2008, 2:46 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Originally I'm from the Chicago area, and I've lived in New York for the past 13 years. I love the city and I can't imagine living anywhere else (except maybe London), but the reason I only applied to NYC schools is because I'm married and my husband has a career here, so I can't really move away for school unless I want to deal with living away from him, and it's not worth it to me. (I'm lucky that there are two excellent nonfiction programs right here.)

The biggest expense with living in New York City is rent. It's pretty much impossible to find a place to live for under $1,000 a month, and for that, you don't get very much space. That said, there are a lot of neighborhoods throughout the city that are much more affordable and very safe. You'll just have to deal with long commutes. The good news is that no matter where you live, you don't need a car, so you can save a ton on gas, insurance, and car maintenance. Plus, I don't think food is much more expensive here than anywhere else if you shop at the right places. (Meaning: don't wait until the last minute and get stuck buying basic items that you need at corner convenience stores, because you really do pay for the convenience.)

I think it can be very tough to make ends meet on a part-time job, but people find ways.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

spamela

Feb 20, 2008, 4:12 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't want to discourage you because NYC has some amazing writing programs, but ugh, it's hard. I lived there for six years and worked in publishing full time. I did my MFA at a low-res program. I made from $27 to $34 K per year, plus student loans for grad school and I had a hard time scraping by. When I moved out of the city last year, I had three thousand in credit card bills. And I was not an extravagent spender at all.

I suggest you do not live in Manhattan. Jersey City, Queens and parts of outer Brooklyn are still somewhat affordable. And by somewhat I mean that you can maybe find a place to rent for a grand or a little less.

Set limitations for yourself, like you can only go out to eat one or two nights a week; give yourself a three drink maximum at bars; better yet, find a local bar and befriend the bartender. Most small local places practice good buyback.

Spend your weekends doing free things like walking around the city, hanging out in central park (where there are often free performances by the Met Opera in the summer), go to museums on their "free day" (usually Thursday I think?). The problem with being in New York is it's practically impossible not to spend money every time you step outside your door. To avoid this, I would avoid living in a neighborhood with great restaurants or shopping. Try to remove yourself from temptation. Good luck.

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 20, 2008, 7:43 PM

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Re: [spamela] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks suzanne and spamela, your advice makes a lot of sense. My husband will still be working full time while i'm in school, so that will help a little. spamela, where did you do your low res? and are you still working in publishing? That's what I'd really like to do after (or during) i finish my MFA, and the East Coast seems to have a lot more oppt. in publishing and magazine work. I'm hoping to make some connections in that world while I'm in school, because most companies dont seem all that impressed with my undergraduate English Lit degree. thanks again for the replies!

switchthai

Feb 20, 2008, 11:49 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

ALMOST everything said by the above posters is true, except for the $1000 / month quote on rent. I live one stop into Brooklyn, and there are 11 different subway lines that stop within two blocks of my house. I live with roomates, but my room is enormous, and has a private entrance. I pay $650/month. There are good deals, and bad deals. You have to look around, and know what you're willing to compromise on. (my block isn't the nicest, but it's so convenient that I don't care).

As far as living while doing an MFA in NYC -- it's unrealistic to think that you won't be struggling unless you've really got it figured out job-wise, or are independently wealthy. i'd suggest applying for lots of fellowships.

spamela

Feb 21, 2008, 2:25 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey, VMalone. I no longer work in New York book publishing. I'm a freelance editor and I also work for a small indie press. New York was ultimately far too expensive for me (could you tell from my post?) and I didn't feel my quality of life was high enough to justify working all the time to make rent just to live there. Ultimately my writing suffered because of this, which is why I left NYC. Of course, having two incomes and splitting the rent with your spouse will help you tremendously in this area.

Also, a warning: though it may seem like working in publishing is an extension of the literary life, it's not. It's more about marketing and business meetings and slogging through a lot of really bad manuscripts. Don't get me wrong--I loved editing and still do--but I'll start a PhD program this fall to really immerse myself in the community of writers I didn't have when I worked in publishing. That said, as long as you know what to expect it's a fun field and there are a lot of opportunities in New York. Unless you're applying for bigger more literary houses like Knopf, they probably won't care about an MFA. A good interview is key.

Also, if you're really interested in the business, look into literary agencies as well. Lit agent assistants do basically the same thing that editorial assistants do. Mediabistro.com is a great website that lists publishing industry jobs. Magazine jobs are listed there as well.

Hmm...hope this post doesn't come off as a bitter downer. I wouldn't trade anything for my years and experiences in New York. They were fantastic, but in the end it was very difficult for me to be a writer there. Meghan Daum and Joan Didion found it difficult as well. Check out Didion's essay, "Goodbye to All That" (http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~zkurmus/html/didion.html)

and Daum's, "My Misspent Youth" (http://www.meghandaum.com/articles_by/art_by_misspent_youth.html)

Obviously for other people, this is not the case. Tons of writers of varying degrees of success and fame live in New York and find the city inspiring.

Oh and I got my MFA from Vermont College in 2004. All I will say about that is: I am in love with Vermont College and would marry it if I could.

Best,
Spamela

spamela

Feb 21, 2008, 2:54 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I should also add that finding a job in publishing may take awhile. It's one of the most competitive industries in the city. I waitressed for six months and had five interviews before I landed my first job as an editorial assistant at Penguin and my experience is pretty typical of the other editors I know.

Internships can help you get a foot in the door (and are part time, so would probably work well with your grad school schedule. Plus, I think most of them pay a little now.).

Also, if you're interested in the industry in general and not tied to the idea of being an editor, consider getting a job as an administrative assistant or working in a department that's not editorial (i.e. art, publicity, legal, etc.). Editorial jobs are the most competitive. It's easier to switch departments once you already have a job at a given company than to land your dream job off the street.

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 21, 2008, 6:23 PM

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Re: [spamela] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Spamela, I appreciate any insight into the publishing industry I can get. I lived in Phx after finishing undergrad and couldnt find work in the magazine/publishing world to save my life (but phx is not a good publishing market), so i ended up writing articles for local magazines and getting paid mostly in beer.
I'm hoping an MFA will make me a little more employable (besides the obvious reasons of wanting to become a better writer). Maybe this is a totally unrealistic hope. But i do plan to do more interning while im in school to build my resume as well. I applied to two low res programs as well- Lesley and Goucher. I'm so glad to hear you had a good experience at VC. what was your genre?

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 21, 2008, 6:25 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

by the way, huge joan didion fan, but i hadnt read that essay yet. thanks for the suggestion.

spamela

Feb 25, 2008, 10:21 AM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Morning, VMalone. My genre at VC was fiction. What's yours? I hope you like the Didion essay--isn't she great?

An MFA will probably not make you more employable in the realm of big house New York publishing and if you apply for jobs while you're still getting your MFA be careful--it may worry them to know that you have a 25 hour per week commitment outside of work, not to mention you'll have to stretch your vacation and sick days to cover the residencies. So be careful how you present that information.

I mean, the truth of the matter is: OF COURSE an MFA will help you be a better reader and editor. But the industry doesn't necessarily see it that way. There's sort of this cliche about editors with unfinished novels in their desk drawers at home. But then you look around and realize that there are examples all over the place of successful editor-writers and agent-writers. It's a balance, like anything else, and the more you practice, the better at it you'll become.

Indie presses and organizations like Soft Skull, 826 NYC, Open City and N+1 might be great places to look for internships. Your MFA will help you at places like this. The stuff they publish tends to be edgy and interesting. Jobs are few and far between and don't pay as well as the big houses, but the work is probably ultimately more rewarding and hands-on. Good luck!

annie0

Feb 25, 2008, 3:48 PM

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Re: [spamela] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

i just got a voicemail (and simultaneous email) from Louise DeSalvo at Hunter informing me I am on their "long list" for memoir, which I assume is their word for waitlist. Having read through this thread I'm a bit nervous, to be honest, about calling her back. I don't want to say the wrong things and mess up my chances. Then again, if they shortlist a dozen people for 6 spots and then create a long list on top of that, perhaps my chances are pretty small at this point anyway...

Does anyone have any insight into the Hunter long list situation? Has anyone else heard anything?

Thanks in advance!

candygirl

Feb 25, 2008, 3:50 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

On Seth�s blog someone just posted info about Hunter.

annie0

Feb 25, 2008, 3:52 PM

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Thanks, Candygirl!

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 25, 2008, 3:58 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Annie, I got the call and email from Louise DeSalvo too. From our conversation, she said Hunter doesnt have a waitlist. I guess they just have the people they call, and she said they try to make sure those people are really going to come. So call her back! (and then let me know if you get the same idea from the conversation) She said she's going to have current students contact me and then she'll call me back- i guess for my decision?? she did ask me if i'd applied to other schools and if i knew when they would let me know, and I said honestly, I had no idea. I hung up the phone shaking like a leaf and with a huge headache, and asked my husband if that meant i got in. it all felt really informal. it's like they try to get a feel for if you'll say yes before they send out the official acceptence letters. But i have to say, the idea of Louise DeSalvo and Kathryn Harrison looking over my manuscript and nodding yes, lets call her, makes me all giddy, and terrorized that they may have actually called the wrong person.
So congrats on the call! maybe we'll be seeing eachother at Hunter in the fall! (there are only six new memoir people so I dont know how we could miss eachother)

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 25, 2008, 4:08 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

AnnieO-
that was me on seth's blog. Feel free to PM me if you want.

Are there any current Hunter students out there who can decipher the hunter acceptance process for us?

annie0

Feb 25, 2008, 4:11 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Vanessa! I think I just posted a response to your initial post on Seth's blog... They should just consolidate these message boards, it's tough trying to keep up with all of them!

I think it's really wonderful that you've been accepted! I guess I will call Ms. Desalvo back soon... I'm just so nervous!

ouibet9

Feb 25, 2008, 4:17 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats to both of you! Anyone else heard any news from Hunter (good or bad) in other genres? I wasn't expecting to hear anything for another week at least, so this gave me a little bit of a shake up. (ack!)

sas998

Feb 25, 2008, 4:19 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Vmalone- congratulations!! And everyone else who go the call from Hunter!! That's so exciting !! She said, however, that they were calling people on the long list?? What happened to the short list? And where on Seth's blog is the information? I can't find it. I applied as well and now I'm sweating-- do you think if I don't get a call today- it won't happen ever? Finally, something is happening!

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 25, 2008, 4:21 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Annie, I still cant get my heart rate to slow, and the conversation is over, if that makes you feel any better. I am now also second guessing wether she did offer me a spot or not (my husband says im ridiculous because she said she could offer me a hertog fellowship, which would entail being in the program), but call her back. they wouldnt call you unless you were an amazing writer. she told me they were "flooded" with outstanding applications, so think of how great it is that she's calling you.
Where else did you apply? have you heard back from any other schools?

annie0

Feb 25, 2008, 4:28 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

A Hertog fellowship too? That's amazing! That is such a cool aspect of the Hunter program.

I applied to 7 schools in CNF and have so far heard back from Iowa, who accepted me on 2/15. When I got their email, I seriously had to read it over and over to make sure they were actually offering me a place, and then I couldn't get myself to close the email window for fear that the offer would just go away! It's crazy what this process does to our self esteem!

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 25, 2008, 4:35 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Iowa! congratulations! See you are amazing! Now you have decisions to make. Do you have a top choice? Now that I may have a choice to make, I feel confused. It seems that applying to mfa programs has dropped my IQ and made me paranoid/dellusional all at the same time.

Do you live in New york or would you have to move too? (I currently live in Colorado)

annie0

Feb 25, 2008, 4:54 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think I will PM you, if you don't mind, I would love to discuss this some more. What an absurd process this all is!

sr393

Feb 25, 2008, 6:55 PM

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Re: [annie0] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats Annie and Vanessa! I didn't hear anything from them today, I am super sad to report. I think that Hunter's program is amazing. (Um, and the Hertog Fellowship? It's a huge deal, so double congrats.) You are both so lucky.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 25, 2008, 9:23 PM

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Re: [sas998] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

SAS, I applied in memoir (each genre i gather notifies separately with phone calls from their heads), and the initial call and email i got said long list- but then in our phone conversation Ms DeSalvo said Hunter didnt have waitlists, so this whole process is a mystery. I only interpreted her phone call as a positive because she said she could offer me the Hertog, but she didnt sound in any way, like they had all their decisions made. She just said they were trying to get their classes together early this year. so dont give up hope! who knows what else is coming from them? For all I know, i could be booted from their list ( i have no happy piece of acceptance paper in my hand).

sas998

Feb 26, 2008, 9:39 AM

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In Reply To

Thank you so much for the reply! This was so kind of you!! And may I just add-- the Hertog fellowship!!?? That is amazing!!! Yesterday, in the midst of all of the maddness-- I had to close out this window because I was going nuts. Hunter is my number one for memoir but last night I talked myself into accepting whatever it is to come. Thanks again for giving me advice/hope!!

mzmeg

Feb 26, 2008, 7:42 PM

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vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 27, 2008, 12:54 AM

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Re: [mzmeg] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

mzmeg, can you put your post up again? it didnt show...

mzmeg

Feb 27, 2008, 12:17 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA...question? [In reply to]	Can't Post

i was just going to say that my hunter check wasn't cashed until feb.20th.

mzmeg

Feb 27, 2008, 6:50 PM

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Re: [mzmeg] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Has anyone heard anything else from Hunter: good/bad/ugly?

sr393

Feb 27, 2008, 8:09 PM

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Re: [mzmeg] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not a peep, but I sadly suspect that the game is kind of over for those of us who haven't heard. I'm a cynic, though. As for the check cashing times, mine was cashed on Jan. 12, so I don't think that has much to do with when you will get any kind of response.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

upsetme

Feb 27, 2008, 9:00 PM

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Re: [mzmeg] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got the same "you're on the long-list, but if you say 'yes' right now I'll throw in a Hertog" phone call that's been discussed here. Pretty unprofessional and unethical, if you ask me, especially in light of AWP's agreed upon April 15 deadline for acceptance offers. Hunter, I'm told, is a signatory of AWP. When I told DeSalvo I wasn't making up my mind until I hear from all my schools, she said I basically had a week to decide. The next morning I got an email from her along the lines of "sorry, all six memoir spots are filed. Best of luck!" I thought I was in the market for higher education, not a used car. Apparently Hunter doesn't know the difference.

So to the Hunter memoir applicants who haven't heard anything, its safe to say the program is full. It could be worse, though, you could of got in.

In Reply To

Has anyone heard anything else from Hunter: good/bad/ugly?

pugalisious

Feb 27, 2008, 9:16 PM

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Re: [upsetme] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

that's disgusting. after having read previous posts of this nature about hunter, and their $125 app. fee, I changed my mind about applying, and especially having read your experience, i'm certainly glad i did. thanks for sharing and cheering me up in this tense waiting period!

vmalone
Vanessa

Feb 27, 2008, 10:16 PM

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Re: [pugalisious] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think memoir may be set, but I haven't seen acceptances in fiction or poetry yet, so depending on your genre, there still appears to be lots of hope.

mzmeg

Feb 27, 2008, 11:38 PM

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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks for posting your experience, upsetme! this sheds some light on how their list process works. i wish you the best for the rest of your acceptances.

etak

Mar 7, 2008, 6:20 PM

Post #89 of 149 (3564 views)
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Re: [mzmeg] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just heard today. Colum Mcann called and invited me to join the fiction program. I'm very excited about the program, but the shortlist wait was a bit taxing on my nerves.

smallfrog

Mar 7, 2008, 6:49 PM

Post #90 of 149 (3542 views)
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Re: [etak] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Etak, congratulations! I think it's an exciting program. When did you get get the shortlist notification, if you don't mind my asking?

etak

Mar 7, 2008, 7:11 PM

Post #91 of 149 (3530 views)
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Re: [smallfrog] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I believe it was about 3 weeks ago. I received a call first from Carey, then from Mcann a week later. Then I was invited to a class. And then I received the call this morning.

vmalone
Vanessa

Mar 7, 2008, 7:40 PM

Post #92 of 149 (3504 views)
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Re: [etak] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats etak! I'm pretty sure I'm going to Hunter this fall in memoir. The more I learn about the program, the more excited I am.

smallfrog

Mar 7, 2008, 7:43 PM

Post #93 of 149 (3501 views)
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Re: [etak] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

That does sound nerve-wracking. You must be relieved, and a heck of a writer. Cheers!

upsetme

Mar 7, 2008, 8:08 PM

Post #94 of 149 (3491 views)
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Re: [vmalone] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Congrats etak! I'm pretty sure I'm going to Hunter this fall in memoir. The more I learn about the program, the more excited I am.

Did they give you more than 24 hours to mull it over?

etak

Mar 8, 2008, 5:46 PM

Post #95 of 149 (3436 views)
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Re: [upsetme] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

They've given me a week or so.

sr393

Mar 25, 2008, 4:57 PM

Post #96 of 149 (3262 views)
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Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyone else still waiting to hear from Hunter? I applied for non-fiction, and gave up hope a month ago when other folks were called, but I still haven't heard anything. Just curious how many others are out there waiting for a word of some sort.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

etak

Mar 25, 2008, 5:06 PM

Post #97 of 149 (3256 views)
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Re: [sr393] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

No more waiting. They invited me about a week ago. But my wife and I wanted to give it some thought. Moving elsewhere is an exciting idea (I was invited to some other programs, of which Minnesota was particularly tempting), but in the end we went with Hunter. And I couldn't be more excited, or feel more confident in the program. Thus far, Colum McCann has been nothing but gracious and helpful.

joanneypants

Mar 25, 2008, 6:32 PM

Post #98 of 149 (3232 views)
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Re: [sr393] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

HI there,
I haven't heard from Hunter either. (memoir) ...I called and as of March 14th, they still hadn't even looked at my application. I have been wallowing in a sea of frustration that offers were made and yet my application hadn't even been looked at yet....

sr393

Mar 25, 2008, 6:43 PM

Post #99 of 149 (3226 views)
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Re: [joanneypants] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, that's intense - I'm shocked that they hadn't looked at it yet. I also applied for memoir, and called about twp weeks ago. The admissions office person told me that no decision had been made on my application, and that the committee was still meeting. Anyway, I am glad to hear from another person in my genre who is waiting to hear. (I guess misery loves company and all that.)

Etak, congrats to you on getting in! I've seen the faculty in action twice, and they seem like a great bunch of people who truly enjoy each other's company. I'm jealous.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

upsetme

Mar 26, 2008, 1:40 AM

Post #100 of 149 (3176 views)
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Re: [joanneypants] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

They told me in early Feb. the six memoir positions are filled ... bunch of lying liars, if you ask me ...

upsetme

Mar 26, 2008, 1:53 AM

Post #101 of 149 (4400 views)
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Re: [upsetme] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

From: Louise DeSalvo [louisedesalvo@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:47 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Hunter College Program in Memoir

Dear XXXXXXXXXXX,

This is to let you know that we've already filled all our six available slots in our memoir program at Hunter.

I wish you well in your search for a suitable program and congratulations, once again, on your award.

All best wishes,
Louise DeSalvo
Jenny Hunter Distinguished Scholar in Literature and Creative Writing

sr393

Mar 26, 2008, 11:10 AM

Post #102 of 149 (4369 views)
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Re: [upsetme] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, you'd mentioned that before, so that's why I assumed I was not accepted. It would be nice if they'd just cut folks loose if that is the case, but I wonder if they hold back on a few in case people who accept later rescind due to other offers they received. Who knows?

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

upsetme

Mar 26, 2008, 12:05 PM

Post #103 of 149 (4356 views)
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Re: [sr393] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree. The system is unapologetically brutal on the applicants.

vmalone
Vanessa

Mar 26, 2008, 12:37 PM

Post #104 of 149 (4342 views)
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Re: [sr393] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

From what I've gathered in my conversations with Louise DeSalvo, the six memoir spots are filled. I dont say that to be a downer, I still think it's possible that people change their minds, and maybe they offer those spots.

sr393

Mar 26, 2008, 12:59 PM

Post #105 of 149 (4330 views)
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Re: [vmalone] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, I understand that all the spots are filled. That's why I don't understand why they just don't send the rest of us our rejection letters already.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

vmalone
Vanessa

Mar 26, 2008, 1:18 PM

Post #106 of 149 (4323 views)
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Re: [sr393] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

agreed.

jeramey

Mar 31, 2008, 5:33 PM

Post #107 of 149 (4243 views)
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Re: [vmalone] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Got my rejection letter today, for memoir...finally.

I'm in Texas, fyi.

storytales

Apr 1, 2008, 10:03 PM

Post #108 of 149 (4193 views)
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Re: [sharonlouise] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Is anyone else out there still waiting for a response from Hunter for fiction? I applied in January and still haven't received any response. Contacting the department has gotten me nowhere.

sr393

Apr 3, 2008, 1:54 PM

Post #109 of 149 (4131 views)
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Re: [jeramey] Still waiting? [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's funny - I live literally across the park from Hunter, and I got my letter the same day you did.

Oh well.

------
Suzanne
http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com

ignorantsun

Apr 4, 2008, 6:47 PM

Post #110 of 149 (4080 views)
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Re: [storytales] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm still waiting for a response in poetry. I called on 4/2 and the sercretary said she had no information on the status of applications, but that the faculty was reviewing apps "as we speak." So it looks like there may still be some admissions, though I'm not getting my hopes up.

dkabwang

Dec 10, 2010, 3:20 PM

Post #111 of 149 (3420 views)
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Re: [sharonlouise] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello, I wanted to restart this thread again!! Anyone applied to hunter for fall 2011???

patrickdunn

Dec 10, 2010, 4:40 PM

Post #112 of 149 (3412 views)
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Re: [dkabwang] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Planning on it.

cigarettes

Dec 22, 2010, 5:01 PM

Post #113 of 149 (3307 views)
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Re: [patrickdunn] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yezzz

chicagofog

Dec 22, 2010, 11:40 PM

Post #114 of 149 (3287 views)
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Re: [dkabwang] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yup!

jamilinzi

Dec 23, 2010, 5:00 PM

Post #115 of 149 (3266 views)
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Re: [dkabwang] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am! It *would* be my top choice, except for them not offering full funding and the cost of NYC being so tremendously high.

In a perfect world, if I got accepted to Hunter + another one of my schools that *did* offer full funding and was in a location with a much more reasonable cost of living, I don't know what I would do! I'm applying for nonfiction across the board, but specifically memoir, which is why Hunter is so appealing to me-- nowhere else is that specialized. But could I really rationalize paying $10,000+ in tuition for the first year plus at least $1,000 in rent a month, where somewhere else I would get free tuition plus a stipend? I just don't know. What are your guys' thoughts?

cigarettes

Dec 23, 2010, 5:54 PM

Post #116 of 149 (3258 views)
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Re: [jamilinzi] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I feel you, jamilinzi. Hunter is, at this point, tops for me too, though I'm applying in fiction. I like everything I've heard about the program, admire Peter Carey's devotion to it, am a city person who prefers commuter campuses, etc. But... but... funding. Though the cost wouldn't be horrible for me, because 1. I'm instate, and 2. I live close enough to NYC that I could conceivably be one of those glamorous "divides her time" people, as in "cigarettes divides her time between her actual place of residence and the couches of her long-suffering friends and family." And there is always the possibility of one of those Hertog fellowships, which would take care of in-state tuition.

But I have been wondering that myself: what if I got into another program with full funding? If I had to make the decision today, I think I would try to make Hunter work. It's a problem I'd like to have, frankly.

In Reply To

chicagofog

Dec 26, 2010, 5:22 PM

Post #117 of 149 (3194 views)
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Re: [jamilinzi] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I completely know how you feel. I would also be doing the $10,000 for tuition + $1000 rent. I absolutely love the program so I think I would just figure out a way to make it work but if I was offered full funding somewhere else...hmm..not sure what I would do. NYC is a great location for writing but I'm not sure if I would let location trump an equally great program and funding somewhere else. That's assuming I even get in anywhere...one can dream though!

joe_elliott
morgan avery

Jan 24, 2011, 4:26 PM

Post #118 of 149 (2975 views)
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Re: [dkabwang] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, poetry. Anyone else for poetry?

oscarwrites

Feb 1, 2011, 2:57 PM

Post #119 of 149 (2867 views)
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Re: [joe_elliott] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good luck to you all applying to Hunter! I just sent in my application (for fiction). Does anyone know how many fiction applicants they take out of about how many applicants? I also applied to Brooklyn, but am disappointed that Michael Cunningham is no longer there.

pdunn

Feb 1, 2011, 3:12 PM

Post #120 of 149 (2860 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sent mine in last night (fiction, too). I thought I saw somewhere that they take 6 per genre, but I could be wrong on that since I can't remember where or what gave me that impression. No idea how many apps they get, either. So basically, I'm useless and just wanted to say, "Me too!"

pdunn

Feb 1, 2011, 3:15 PM

Post #121 of 149 (2859 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Found it. This says 6 per genre, per year: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/creativewriting/what.shtml

oscarwrites

Feb 1, 2011, 3:27 PM

Post #122 of 149 (2855 views)
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Re: [pdunn] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, that's worse than winning the daily double, considering there must be hundreds applying. Well, again good to you all (and me included)!

GFirmino

Feb 3, 2011, 10:53 PM

Post #123 of 149 (2782 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good luck to you guys. I'm applying as well. Pretty sure their acceptance rate is 2.5%, as posted on the mfa blog. pretty intimidating... but, who knows? this process just seems very subjective to me...

kagail
Kelli Gail

Feb 10, 2011, 10:36 AM

Post #124 of 149 (2664 views)
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Re: [Gi] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi I had a question. I applied to Hunter and the website is saying my application is incomplete because they didn't receive my college transcripts yet. But my college told me they were sent out Jan. 19th. I called Hunter and they told me that it usually takes two weeks for them to update the website to say they have received all your information.
I am worried that because they said they haven't accounted for it yet, it will somehow disqualify me for even being considered. Does anyone have any insight into this? Thank you.

GFirmino

Feb 10, 2011, 12:13 PM

Post #125 of 149 (2644 views)
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Re: [kagail] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there,
I'm on the same boat as you. And I sent my transcripts pretty early as well. I think some of them went in november. I'm choosing not to worry though. I figured they just didn't update their system. I heard something on the mfa group about waiting for 2 weeks after their 2/1 deadline to see any changes. And if you don't see anything, to give them a call. Hope this helps.

kagail
Kelli Gail

Feb 10, 2011, 12:39 PM

Post #126 of 149 (5338 views)
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Re: [Gi] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

thank you and good luck!

GFirmino

Feb 10, 2011, 7:17 PM

Post #127 of 149 (5302 views)
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Re: [kagail] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good luck to you, too!

callieStacks
Callie Stackhouse

Feb 13, 2011, 12:29 PM

Post #128 of 149 (5203 views)
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Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

*raisinghandhighannoyinglytwistingwrist*

Greetings, I too submitted for the Fiction program and it still says my transcripts have yet to be received. But I'm not worried either. *shrug*

Good luck folks.

*loudlyprayingthatIamoneofthesix*

oscarwrites

Feb 14, 2011, 1:50 PM

Post #129 of 149 (5137 views)
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Re: [kagail] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Same thing happened to me, so I gave the office a call and the person I spoke to reassured me that everything was in order; a week later or so I saw that the status of my application had been updated. I sent all my stuff pretty early too--just before Thanksgiving. I'd give them a call or email. Good luck!

oscarwrites

Feb 14, 2011, 7:21 PM

Post #130 of 149 (5076 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Does anyone know about when the fiction shortlist for Hunter is announced?

cigarettes

Feb 14, 2011, 10:07 PM

Post #131 of 149 (5054 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

There was one person who got a good news e-mail from Peter Carey last week, so seems like it can't be long now. Also, at least one person was accepted for memoir today.

oscarwrites

Feb 15, 2011, 1:02 AM

Post #132 of 149 (5021 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's earlier than I thought--the website said something like mid-March, I think. Do you know if it was "Good news, you've been shortlisted"? or "Good news, you've been accepted"? I wonder how many places in fiction there are this year. . . . doesn't look so great for me since I sent in my application early November and there are already deciding. Oh, well.

cigarettes

Feb 15, 2011, 8:20 AM

Post #133 of 149 (5005 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

But oscarwrites, why is it bad for you? The deadline was Feb 1. Your app was in months early! Historically, people have gotten fiction offers from Hunter anytime between late Feb. and April. On the other hand, I think they admit about 6 every year. THAT's a good reason for white knuckles.

The e-mail that the person (not me) got was to ask if he understood the funding situation at Hunter, and to ask what other schools he applied to--I guess he had left that off his application. But Peter Carey also said he liked the guy's writing sample, so obv. they are reading and sorting, and I don't think he would e-mailed if the guy hadn't made it through some kind of cut.

Okay--enough gossip and speculation for one morning. But really, it's too early for any of us to despair!

oscarwrites

Feb 27, 2011, 7:48 PM

Post #134 of 149 (4655 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Seth's blog says Hunter notified for fiction on 2/26. With only 6 spots I imagine it's pretty much over.

cigarettes

Feb 27, 2011, 7:56 PM

Post #135 of 149 (4651 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Seth's blog says Hunter notified for fiction on 2/26. With only 6 spots I imagine it's pretty much over.

Probably so, oscarwrites. Unless someone who got a call is on the fence now and ultimately turns them down... but yeah, doesn't look so good.

oscarwrites

Mar 1, 2011, 12:17 PM

Post #136 of 149 (4521 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, cigarettes! Does Hunter send out rejection notices or leave it up to the applicant to figure out he's been rejected? And would you happen to know about Brooklyn College, whether notification for fiction has gone out yet? Unfortunately, I applied to only those two, so if not Brooklyn, then I'm out for the year.

joe_elliott
morgan avery

Mar 1, 2011, 4:57 PM

Post #137 of 149 (4467 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I only applied to Hunter, for poetry. Seth's blog hasn't said anything. I'm pretty much giving up...

cigarettes

Mar 1, 2011, 8:59 PM

Post #138 of 149 (4433 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Ram90016
Rachel Mead

Mar 10, 2011, 9:37 PM

Post #139 of 149 (4177 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi! I just joined and found this thread. I applied to 11 schools for an MFA in fiction....but Hunter is my first choice, hands down. Has anyone heard anything yet??

cigarettes

Mar 10, 2011, 10:26 PM

Post #140 of 149 (4172 views)
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Re: [Ram90016] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Acceptances have gone out in all 3 genres already. I think they give people a fairly short time to think about the offer, and then they move down the list if anyone declines. So technically, I believe we are not out of the running yet.

In Reply To

Hi! I just joined and found this thread. I applied to 11 schools for an MFA in fiction....but Hunter is my first choice, hands down. Has anyone heard anything yet??

tjwell01
Jett Wells

May 11, 2011, 3:11 PM

Post #141 of 149 (3756 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I go to Hunter College undergrad to make up credits from a mishap at Syracuse University. I've heard Hunter College has a great MFA program, but the campus is dingy...and I've never seen so many college smokers in my life. It's gross.

oscarwrites

Nov 2, 2011, 3:48 PM

Post #142 of 149 (3058 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cigarettes--Do you know anything about the MFA memoir program at Hunter? I didn't get into the fiction last year and am thinking of applying to the memoir program, as my writing is going in that direction. I heard it's even tougher to get into than the fiction program. Thanks!

cigarettes

Nov 2, 2011, 6:02 PM

Post #143 of 149 (3046 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Funny--I had the same thought last year when *I* didn't get in for fiction.

I think they admitted more in memoir last year than they will this year. It's a two-year program, and they had extra spots last year to fill, so it seems like that means they'll take fewer people this year. I think the total is 12 and they admitted 8 last year, so only 4 this year. But DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT! If you're interested, you should def. write to them.

oscarwrites

Nov 2, 2011, 9:12 PM

Post #144 of 149 (3038 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

As always, thanks, cigarettes! I think I will try give memoir a try, even though the chances are very slim, what with only 4 places. How many applicants do you think they get a year? How good is the program, anyway?

oscarwrites

Nov 3, 2011, 10:09 PM

Post #145 of 149 (3016 views)
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Re: [cigarettes] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

As always, thanks, cigarettes. Think I'll give it a try even though chances are slim. Do you know how applicants there were? Btw, have you heard anything about the Writers' Institute at CUNY? Is it any good?

In Reply To

oscarwrites

Feb 17, 2012, 12:09 PM

Post #146 of 149 (2545 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

cigarettes--just to let you know I got the acceptance call from Hunter yesterday (whew, it was the only program I'd applied to!).

juggernautjuggernaut
Juggernaut Juggernaut

Feb 22, 2012, 1:04 AM

Post #147 of 149 (2430 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also received my acceptance to Hunter's nonfiction program!

cigarettes

Apr 9, 2012, 10:46 AM

Post #148 of 149 (2099 views)
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Re: [oscarwrites] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey, just saw this. Congratulations! You are an inspiration.

filmicfront
Damon Colquhoun

Jan 27, 2013, 11:07 AM

Post #149 of 149 (1348 views)
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Re: [juggernautjuggernaut] Hunter College MFA [In reply to]	Can't Post

juggernautjuggernaut, I'm curious, how did you structure your memoir outline for your Hunter app?

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