Poets & Writers Speakeasy: Writing and Publishing: MFA Programs: Montana MFA Program: Page 4

Subscribe | Give a Gift Subscription

Advanced Search

Main Index » Writing and Publishing » MFA Programs
Montana MFA Program

You are not signed in. Click here to sign in.
If you are not a member, Register here!

123302 registered users

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

View All

blarring

Mar 11, 2008, 10:44 AM

Post #76 of 154 (3280 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I was waiting for someone to ask him that! Come on, Jason, you knew that question was coming;)

Thanks

B. Lynn Arrington
"A Southerner talks music." --Mark Twain

(This post was edited by blarring on Mar 11, 2008, 10:45 AM)

danielaolsz

Mar 11, 2008, 10:48 AM

Post #77 of 154 (3269 views)
Shortcut

Re: [blarring] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

And, um, if you could find out about poetry, that would be swell.

jmmacleod
Jason Michael MacLeod

Mar 11, 2008, 1:16 PM

Post #78 of 154 (3207 views)
Shortcut

Re: [danielaolsz] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I only heard about nonfiction. =) I will say that when I got in, I did not get an e-mail or phone call--I got a letter. And this is Montana so snail mail might take a few days depending on where you are located.

Jason Michael MacLeod

lindseymorrone

Mar 12, 2008, 3:32 PM

Post #79 of 154 (3086 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Hamlet3145] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

Montana Report: Someone on Seth's blog reported being called by Kevin Canty for fiction this afternoon.

ali888

Mar 12, 2008, 4:35 PM

Post #80 of 154 (3026 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can't help but suspect these application numbers (not that anyone is stretching the truth, but that there has to have been a mistake or something); they seem too low to me too. Anyone have any thoughts on this, or know average application numbers in past years for various genres at Montana? Probably not common knowledge at all, but the numbers I've been hearing about from other schools seem higher (schools that are comparable or "lower ranked"--whatever that means--than Montana).

bennyprof

Mar 12, 2008, 4:38 PM

Post #81 of 154 (3016 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ali888] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think the location probably turns some people away. Some of the city folks, maybe. Just a thought.

lindseymorrone

Mar 12, 2008, 4:39 PM

Post #82 of 154 (3008 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

It does seem low, which will only make me feel worse if I don't get in...No ringing phone yet. Anyone else heard anything?

ali888

Mar 12, 2008, 4:56 PM

Post #83 of 154 (2984 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ali888] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

BTW, I get the feeling that most MFA applicants really are at the end of their ropes now, since the conclusion of the Wire means that it can no longer serve as an alternate obsession.

miss.modular

Mar 12, 2008, 5:07 PM

Post #84 of 154 (2969 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ali888] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

I was shocked to hear there were so few fiction apps at Montana, too...I don't get it.

lindseymorrone

Mar 12, 2008, 5:09 PM

Post #85 of 154 (2967 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana MFA (new post, because the other thread died) [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote from Seth's blog: "Oh. And in response to earlier comments about Montana: I called them as well. Their rep said they're only just beginning to make decisions/notifications for fiction and that they won't have completely decided until the end of the week."

miss.modular

Mar 12, 2008, 11:30 PM

Post #86 of 154 (2890 views)
Shortcut

Re: Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, I'm out of the running. Got my rejection letter from Montana today (I live in Seattle). Good luck to those who got in and to those who are waiting.

bennyprof

Mar 13, 2008, 12:23 AM

Post #87 of 154 (2869 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Bummer.

Well, I'll probably be right there with you in a few days. From what I've heard (and judging from the kind of stuff recently published by their alumns) the stories I included in my sample -- even if the writing is strong enough to put me into consideration -- isn't really up their alley, aesthetic-wise.

Who knows, though. I've given up trying predict these things.

miss.modular

Mar 13, 2008, 12:39 AM

Post #88 of 154 (2865 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

You know what's funny is that in Montana's FAQ, they state that they don't favor a particular aesthetic. But I guess taste, any kind of taste, operates on a subconscious level. What's your take on their current aesthetic?

bennyprof

Mar 13, 2008, 2:38 AM

Post #89 of 154 (2840 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't know. Now that I think about it, it'd probably be wrong (and misguided) of me to speculate. I've never sat in on a workshop there or spoken to any past or present students in person, not to mention the fact that I'm not all that good at assigning aesthetic designations in the first place.

Jason would be the right guy to ask, I think.

Though, if you've read God of Animals or The Farther Shore (and I've only read bits and pieces of each), from what I can tell they're both fairly straight-forward stories. That's not to imply a lack of complexity, but less of a leaning toward the experimental or postmodern traditions.

This may or may not reflect Montana's overall aesthetic. After all, that's taking a sample of only two alumni out of dozens over that past five years. But even if it does, I suspect the same trend can probably be found at most programs.

-B

bennyprof

Mar 13, 2008, 12:05 PM

Post #90 of 154 (2775 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

...I also get mixed up with the terms, especially when it comes to the types of realism: post-realism, rough realism, new realism, magic realism, surrealism, stir-fried realism, realism with a side of bacon...

It's all too much to keep straight, so I don't even try.

(I get minimalism, though. I think.)

miss.modular

Mar 13, 2008, 1:00 PM

Post #91 of 154 (2729 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Haha! I hear you, B. I i'm a fan of stir-fried realism myself. Delicious for the mind and mouth.

girlonfoot

Mar 13, 2008, 6:41 PM

Post #92 of 154 (2653 views)
Shortcut

Re: [miss.modular] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Also got my Montana rejection in the mail yesterday (Washington, D.C.). Was mad-bummed, since I was hoping to combine the best things in life there (writing and mountains). But, then I drank a beer, caught up on Lost, and decided to write a novel before I go through this mess again NEXT year. I then drank another beer, scrounged some pity from the dog and my missus, read a little of Jitterbug Perfume, and this morning I felt significantly better. Best of luck to all still waiting to hear. Hope you get in.

Yugao

Mar 13, 2008, 6:57 PM

Post #93 of 154 (2634 views)
Shortcut

Re: [girlonfoot] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just got my Montana rejection too. It's okay, because I think there is no way my husband would have agreed to move there at this point.

bennyprof

Mar 14, 2008, 12:05 AM

Post #94 of 154 (2572 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Yugao] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yep, mine came today too. Incidentally, the envelope was very small, the letter cleverly folded. Sort of cool, I thought. Unique, anyway.

pareidolia

Mar 14, 2008, 12:13 AM

Post #95 of 154 (2568 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I wonder if they will accept anyone by postal or if they called everyone they wanted. I just thought I'd hear more than the three or four acceptances on these blogs since their program is pretty big.

Wishful thinking...

jmmacleod
Jason Michael MacLeod

Mar 14, 2008, 12:36 AM

Post #96 of 154 (2556 views)
Shortcut

Re: [pareidolia] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

In workshop tonight I asked Dee how how admissions were going and she said that five people have been called for fiction. Those are not all the people who will be admitted, but these are the initial people offered TAs. Note the word, initial. The longer you go without a rejection letter in your mailbox, the more likely you will get either a phone call or an acceptance letter.

I should also mention that there are going to be a number of people offered admission, but not funding. If you are one of these people, and Montana is your dream school, there are ways to make it work and various loop holes to take advantage of. I'd be happy to give those folks the low down.

P.S. I was accepted by a letter not a phone call.

Jason Michael MacLeod

aathema

Mar 14, 2008, 11:16 AM

Post #97 of 154 (2503 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Hamlet3145] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'd like to echo Jason here: if you haven't received a rejection yet, there's still hope. Back in 2006, I didn't get the call until April 10th or so, and I was offered a TA.

http://www.postmfa08.blogspot.com

ali888

Mar 14, 2008, 1:40 PM

Post #98 of 154 (2445 views)
Shortcut

Re: [aathema] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Question for current Montana students: Montana is a 2-year program, right? Is it possible to finish in 3 years (take an extra year)? Does that happen often? If so, do students with a TA their 2nd year get a TA for that extra 3rd year if they take an extra year to finish, or are students with TAships only funded for 2 years?

jmmacleod
Jason Michael MacLeod

Mar 14, 2008, 1:59 PM

Post #99 of 154 (2427 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ali888] Montana reject! [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you are funded, you get the TA for two years. You don't have to graduate in two years though. The graduate college's policy is that you need to graduate within five. A number of those without TAs take longer to graduate in order to spread out the cost and to get residency.

To sum up: you could take 3 years, but you would be unfunded for the 3rd.

Jason Michael MacLeod

meadowlands1

Mar 15, 2008, 8:37 AM

Post #100 of 154 (2360 views)
Shortcut

montana word [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi all. Received a call on the 7th, but am waiting for a formal mailed acceptance. Want to say no to another program and job, or at least hold on until I get hard info from MT. Despite the wonderful call, I won't be completely calm until I see the offer and funding in writing. Anybody get in and receive this stuff in post?

Jason or anyone else in the know-- can you speak to job opportunity in Missoula? (concerned about spouse). Thanks.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

View All

Main Index » Writing and Publishing » MFA Programs