Poets & Writers Speakeasy: Writing and Publishing: MFA Programs: Application Time: Page 29

Subscribe | Give a Gift Subscription

Advanced Search

Main Index » Writing and Publishing » MFA Programs
Application Time

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

123297 registered users

1 ... 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 ... 47

View All

rice_dream_girl

Oct 22, 2007, 12:31 AM

Post #701 of 1172 (3589 views)
Shortcut

Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

hi,

i've been reading this board for a while, but haven't posted until now. so, hello! i'm from brooklyn, and i write poems, and i'm applying to 12 mfa programs for poetry this year.

i'm trying to get my recommendations organized, and finding that certain schools make things a little bit tricky. one of the programs i'm applying to is umass amherst, and i was wondering if anyone else was confused about how many recommendation letters they want? on the general graduate application, it says "at least two, consult the instructions for your program," but (of course) on the mfa program site, i don't see any instructions about how many letters to send. if anyone knows what's going on with this, please let me know.

i'm also generally confused about how necessary the accompanying recommendation forms are, but that's another story.
cheers,
amy

HopperFu

Oct 22, 2007, 10:07 AM

Post #702 of 1172 (3554 views)
Shortcut

Re: [rice_dream_girl] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Amy,
I'm assuming you have three letters lined up - since most schools require three - so I'd go ahead and just send three to them. You can always call and ask, too.
The only reason not to send the third letter would be if you are sure that one of your letters is much weaker or not particularly flattering, though if that is the case then you need to get a third letter anyway.
Don't worry too much about the forms. Schools expect that your letter writers will just write one letter and send copies.

mpagan

Oct 22, 2007, 1:41 PM

Post #703 of 1172 (3517 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Is anyone doing the Syracuse application? Am I right when I see that the GRE is only required for their MA and Ph.D programs? So no GRE for Syracuse M.F.A.?

bennyprof

Oct 22, 2007, 5:21 PM

Post #704 of 1172 (3487 views)
Shortcut

Re: [mpagan] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm applying there as well. Yep, looks like it's not required.

mpagan

Oct 22, 2007, 5:44 PM

Post #705 of 1172 (3480 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cool!

Thanks for the confirmation.

And good luck with your apps!

monarca

Nov 21, 2007, 4:13 PM

Post #706 of 1172 (3361 views)
Shortcut

Re: [mpagan] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I sent my GRE to Syracuse. Oops. Oh, well, they can toss it and I'll just be sad and out $15.

I've now finished four applications and mailed off my writing samples, today. I've been working myself up over this all summer and fall and I'm ready to stop obsessing over tiny word changes in my personal statement and apply.

What does everyone's list look like? Here's mine (pretty much in order of preference).

1. Cornell
2. Syracuse
3. Iowa
4. University of Texas, Austin
5. University of Washigton
6. University of Virginia
7. University of Michigan
8. Brown
(9. University of San Francisco, already accepted.)

I'm really quite nervous, and I was actually shaking when handing over the envelopes at the post office this afternoon. I don't think I have anything insightful to say, but I need to do something to get rid of these knots in my stomach before thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I would hate to miss out on stuffing! I just can't get rid of this fear that this process is just going to lead to a hit on my bank account now and a hit on my self-esteem in the spring. Any advice? Are tums or red wine a better option?

BLUECHEESE

Nov 21, 2007, 4:32 PM

Post #707 of 1172 (3357 views)
Shortcut

Re: [monarca] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

For Sure:

Michigan
Notre Dame
Iowa
Texas, Austin
UF

Maybe:

FSU, WUSTL, Washington and Colorado State...

I know that is a small list, and it is risky... but I'm only considering places I REALLY want to go. I don't have some urgent need to go to an MFA, I have a deep want to be a poet. for life. I applied last year, and didn't get any good funding opportunities. So I'm trying again this year. And I'll try again if this doesn't work out. I've got plenty of time, in this life. I've developed a deep commitment to and appreciation for contemporary poetry over the last year--which has been a tremendous revelation--especially, being someone who wasn't a poetry major, and who didn't even know who half of his favorite poets were a year or so ago.

(This post was edited by BLUECHEESE on Nov 21, 2007, 4:36 PM)

stephkarto1
Stephanie Kartalopoulos

Nov 21, 2007, 5:27 PM

Post #708 of 1172 (3343 views)
Shortcut

Re: [BLUECHEESE] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Blue Cheese--

I would go ahead and add FSU to that list. It's a great program, the money is comparable to UF, and the application fee is very small ($30! love it!). Why not toss your application into that hat as well?

*shrug*

Good luck with your applications,
SK

stephkarto1
Stephanie Kartalopoulos

Nov 21, 2007, 5:30 PM

Post #709 of 1172 (3341 views)
Shortcut

Re: [monarca] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Monarca,

Over the last couple of weeks I have sent out 3 of my 4 PhD applications, and I am right there with you on the stomach in knots feeling when handing the envelope over to the mailman.

Good luck. Really really!!!

And as for tums or red wine--oh, red wine for sure, buddy! No contest.

(smile)

Best of luck to you,
SK

mpagan

Nov 21, 2007, 7:26 PM

Post #710 of 1172 (3319 views)
Shortcut

Re: [monarca] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm just about ready to send out all my apps
just have a two more essays to write (Columbia and Writing statement for Syracuse)
I am applying to 11 schools

Cornell
Syracuse
Michigan
Indiana
Wisconsin
Iowa
Columbia
Hunter
Brooklyn
JHU
Virginia

Taking GRE December 15 - late I know - but I think I'm fine

Good luck everybody - I know I am going to be so happy when this whole process is done.

Zash
Zachary Ash

Nov 22, 2007, 4:01 AM

Post #711 of 1172 (3279 views)
Shortcut

Re: [monarca] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Way to go, on finishing those four and mailing them off. You're ahead of me. I'm revising, endlessly, it seems, my writing sample and sketching out a statement of purpose. The transcripts, GRE reports, and letters are done. I try to focus on the process, not the outcome, but of course my imagination runs away at times, conjuring joy or misery in April. Misery is a thin envelope.

In order of preference (fiction):

IOWA
BROWN
MICHIGAN
TEXAS/MICHENER
MONTANA
MASSACHUSETTS
WISCONSIN
MINNESOTA
UC DAVIS

(This post was edited by Zash on Nov 22, 2007, 4:04 AM)

casicasi

Nov 27, 2007, 12:46 AM

Post #712 of 1172 (3155 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Zash] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Does anyone know how the online recommendation form for Cornell's app works? I want my recommendations to be uploaded, but I don't know how to tell the people I asked how to do it.

Scrat1

Nov 27, 2007, 1:12 AM

Post #713 of 1172 (3149 views)
Shortcut

Re: [casicasi] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cornell (I think the December 15th deadline is completely bogus)
UMass
Mississippi
Virginia
Hollins
Brooklyn
Memphis
Warren Wilson
Iowa
Indiana

I was actually going to apply to Michigan, but it was the only one that required a cover letter on all the letter of recommendations, which was more complication than I felt like dealing with at the time.

It seems like everybody is applying to Brooklyn these days.

Zash
Zachary Ash

Nov 27, 2007, 3:20 AM

Post #714 of 1172 (3137 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Scrat1] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

It seems like everybody is applying to Brooklyn these days.

Michael Cunningham teaches there, doesn't he? I have half a mind to add Brooklyn to my list at the last minute.

Raignn

Nov 27, 2007, 9:09 AM

Post #715 of 1172 (3113 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Zash] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

My final list:

Pittsburgh (I also think the December 14th due date is bogus ;-)
Virginia
Illinois
Michigan
Western Michigan
Ohio State
IU

I'm in pretty good shape other than Michigan being the ONLY school that wants both a statement of purpose AND a personal statement. Ugh. I sort of combine the two, so I have about a month to figure out what to do with that one. I'll be working on my portfolio up until the very end!

monarca

Nov 27, 2007, 11:48 AM

Post #716 of 1172 (3084 views)
Shortcut

Re: [casicasi] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you provide the info (e-mail, address maybe?) and then Cornell will contact them. At least, that's what I hope! I went through in a rush the other day, getting stuff sent off and applying and none of the particular applications stands out in my mind, but that seemed to be the general trend.

On an different note, I got an e-mail from Syracuse today saying that they recieved my manuscript. I'm so happy. I hope they like it.

mpagan

Nov 27, 2007, 12:35 PM

Post #717 of 1172 (3069 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Scrat1] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

"I was actually going to apply to Michigan, but it was the only one that required a cover letter on all the letter of recommendations, "

Cover letter? Did I miss something? I just included the rec form from the application.

Scrat1

Nov 27, 2007, 12:53 PM

Post #718 of 1172 (3063 views)
Shortcut

Re: [mpagan] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, that's probably what I meant. Believe me, if anyone is wrong on anything here, it's me.

bennyprof

Nov 27, 2007, 12:59 PM

Post #719 of 1172 (3060 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Scrat1] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Just an FYI... so do Iowa, Indiana, UMass and Cornell. Require recommendation forms with the letters, that is.

DMiller

Nov 27, 2007, 1:39 PM

Post #720 of 1172 (3047 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wait a minute, there was a form for the Iowa recommendation? Seriously? Can someone show me where this form was? I couldn't find one.

Also, what are people doing when an application asks which other schools you're applying to. My instinct is to just leave it blank. Does anybody actually fill in their other picks?

Thanks.

mpagan

Nov 27, 2007, 1:42 PM

Post #721 of 1172 (3042 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm not sure about Iowa - don't believe they had a form.

bennyprof

Nov 27, 2007, 1:47 PM

Post #722 of 1172 (3039 views)
Shortcut

Re: [mpagan] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://www.uiowa.edu/...eral/gradrecform.pdf

DMiller

Nov 27, 2007, 1:47 PM

Post #723 of 1172 (3037 views)
Shortcut

Re: [DMiller] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh, and since I'm delurking, I thought I might as well introduce myself. Hey, I'm applying in fiction to the following eight schools (in order of preference):

1 - Michener
2 - Iowa
3 - Wisconsin-Madison
4 - Brown
5 - Oregon
6 - Michigan
7 - Columbia
8 - New Hampshire

Thanks to everybody who's posted information thus far. Your collective efforts have made this process a whole lot gentler.

mpagan

Nov 27, 2007, 1:48 PM

Post #724 of 1172 (3036 views)
Shortcut

Re: [bennyprof] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Your fast - I was just about to respond and say I found it - but thanks for the link

bennyprof

Nov 27, 2007, 1:52 PM

Post #725 of 1172 (3031 views)
Shortcut

Re: [mpagan] [Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

No problem. Some of them are kind of tricky to find. Indiana's, for example, is embedded inside the pdf app for the grad school.

1 ... 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 ... 47

View All

Main Index » Writing and Publishing » MFA Programs