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jtomscha

Feb 21, 2010, 11:47 PM

Post #151 of 157 (5271 views)
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Re: [K. Peaquah] Michigan 2010 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there, K. Peaquah,

I'm a first-year here in fiction. Just now, as I looked out my kitchen window and saw the beginnings of the latest winter snowstorm descending upon Ann Arbor, I felt yet another rush of gratitude (yes, even on a Sunday night). The program, my cohort, the second-year cohort, the professors, and the opportunities this past year have really surpassed my every expectation. We are truly spoiled. Ann Arbor definitely doesn't feel like a city, but it is not a bad place to spend two/three years. Let me know if you have any particular questions. You can pm me, if you'd like. Hope to see you at the visit weekend. - J

bluepoet1

Feb 23, 2010, 2:04 PM

Post #152 of 157 (5131 views)
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Re: [K. Peaquah] Michigan 2010 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have applied there but for poetry. Congratulations to you! Did you receive a telephone call, an email or letter?

(This post was edited by bluepoet1 on Feb 23, 2010, 2:05 PM)

Peaquah

Feb 23, 2010, 2:07 PM

Post #153 of 157 (5126 views)
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Re: [bluepoet1] Michigan 2010 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I received an email last Friday and a phone call yesterday. Good luck to you!

chicagofog

Aug 12, 2010, 2:08 PM

Post #154 of 157 (2625 views)
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Michigan 2011 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am senior undergrad and planning on applying to the fall 2011 program. I've been reading the different posts about MFAs in general but I'm most interested in going to U of M. How selective of a program is it? I have been a writer since I was a child but went to school for computer science because it seemed like the "right" thing to do...now I am in my senior year and getting recruited to all these high paying tech jobs but I just want to spend 2-3 years focusing on my writing in a MFA program...could care less about money, I just want to spend more time writing! I'm just a little bit worried about the GPA portion. I'm sure by the time I apply in December my GPA will be up but right now the cumulative is only lingering around a 3.0, my major GPA is at 3.7. I have worked as an editor in chief and managing editor at various local publications as well as worked as an editor at a literary journal some years back. I'm hoping my experience in writing (resume), my writing sample, and letters of recommendation will offset my lower GPA...any advice you can give me?

jmmacleod
Jason Michael MacLeod

Aug 12, 2010, 3:20 PM

Post #155 of 157 (2616 views)
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Re: [kneelis] Michigan 2011 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got an email from AWP (Associated Writing Programs) the other day with the results of their survey on writing programs. The average acceptance rate to an MFA program was 9%. Average. That Michigan is regularly ranked in the top part of the top tier of programs likely places their acceptance rate in the 3% range, or less. I think Harvard Med School is around 4-5%.

Now, for the good news. =) Don't worry about your GPA. As long as you meet the minimum grad school requirement (usually a 3.0) that won't keep you from being accepted. It's all about your writing sample and . . . your writing sample. If there is one spot left and they can't make up their mind between you and another student they will start looking at reccomendations, etc. GPA is probably about 7th on a list of other things.

If it were me, I'd take the high paying tech job for a couple of years while enrolling in writing classes online via the Gotham Writer's Workshop or comprable institution (think Stanford offers creative writing classes online now as well). Save money. Get a great writing sample together, then apply. Your future self will thank you when you walk away from a good MFA program with little or no debt. ;)

Jason Michael MacLeod

Peaquah

Aug 12, 2010, 5:47 PM

Post #156 of 157 (2599 views)
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Re: [kneelis] Michigan 2011 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi kneelis -

I will be a first year student in Michigan's program starting this fall (or, rather, in about one month). It's definitely a competitive program - they got around 1100 applications this year for 12 spots in fiction and 10 in poetry. Yikes. However, I think it's worth taking a shot. When I went out there to visit, the profs all said that it was completely based on the writing samples, and they were just looking for people that they felt they could teach. It's really not a reflection on your writing (at all) if you don't get in to some schools. And you never know, the people at Iowa and Virginia could think you're the best thing since sliced bread while the people at Michigan and Indiana don't even get past your first story. Give yourself lots of options. :-)

If you have more program-specific questions feel free to throw them out there or PM me.

downeyr

Sep 9, 2011, 4:30 AM

Post #157 of 157 (1699 views)
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Re: [Peaquah] Michigan 2011 [In reply to]	Can't Post

This thread has been dead for far too long. Now that the submission deadline is beginning to peek its head above the horizon, I'll venture to continue the conversation about Michigan's MFA program. Right now I'm trying to write my statement of purpose and personal statement. Do any of you Michigan attendees have any words of wisdom on this? I'm especially wondering how personal they want you to get on the statement. I'm sure a personal running-off-at-the-mouth memoir isn't what they want, but I'm finding it hard to stay focused on the point of the statement. Advice?

"Only a talent that doesn't exist at all can't be improved."
-John Gardner

"A writer needs three things: experience, observation, and imagination--any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others."
-William Faulkner

"You must have chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

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