Poets & Writers Speakeasy: Writing and Publishing: MFA Programs: The Waiting Game...Have you heard yet???: Page 61

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The Waiting Game...Have you heard yet???

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rocky_fona

Apr 9, 2006, 11:40 PM

Post #1501 of 6267 (10396 views)
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Re: [augustmaria] Bowling Green [In reply to]	Can't Post

That is a great funding package, augustmaria! Do you know anything about the cost of living there?

i'm a fan of the faculty at Bowling Green. Centaur of the North by Wendell Mayo stands out in my mind. He was at MacDowell Colony the same time as my wife. I haven't read his other two books.

But then again...Into the Great Wide Open is one of my favorite books of all time...are you a fan? That's quite a decision you've got to make, but try not to stress. It will al work out. As others here have said, you can't go wrong!

almost

Apr 9, 2006, 11:51 PM

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Re: [augustmaria] Bowling Green "Backup" List [In reply to]	Can't Post

Augustmaria, 5 out of 70 is still about a 7% acceptance rate. You should be very proud of yourself!

In Reply To

I e-mailed Bowling Green with a couple of questions about the waiting/backup list. It sounds like they offer acceptance to five in each genre, then move down the list if some don't bite. There's ten on the waiting list and everyone accepted gets full funding. I guess I feel okay about being on the list, even if they only got something like seventy applicants this year. Five is a pretty small number.

oliviasfortunes

Apr 10, 2006, 12:01 AM

Post #1503 of 6267 (10384 views)
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Re: [almost] Bowling Green "Backup" List [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh, man, I hope we're not switching from Indiana bashing to Bowling Green bashing.

I'm just kidding! Seriously, I agree. I just looked up the BG website...are graduate students eligible to live here: http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/communities/comm1417.html? It looks awesome! I always wanted to live in an artists' house dorm or community or co-op...but never have had the chance.

amarier

Apr 10, 2006, 2:59 PM

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Lesley [In reply to]	Can't Post

hallefrigginlujah! Lesley wants me! I went out for a super long jog, and came back to find a message from Steven Cramer! I haven't called back yet. still bouncing off the walls. I got rejected from Vermont and Bennington, so I guess in some ways, I was thinking the other schools would say no too. Happy to be proved wrong! So where are all the Lesley people? Anyone starting this summer? I'm still waiting to hear back from one school, but at least I'm going somewhere!

(This post was edited by amarier on Apr 10, 2006, 3:08 PM)

kcole7
Kristin

Apr 10, 2006, 4:52 PM

Post #1505 of 6267 (10202 views)
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Re: [oliviasfortunes] Bowling Green "Backup" List [In reply to]	Can't Post

One of my professors went to Bowling Green's MFA in Fiction and loved it. Granted, it was a long time ago, but he went on to do his doctorate at Utah. He's published several books and had some success - most notably a tenured position.

My sister was accepted at Bowling Green for her undergrad and later for her MBA. The funding packages are generous all around, and the town is a great place to live. It's safe, unlike some areas of it's neighbor to the north (Toledo.) It's a college town, but it's absolutely beautiful. Rolling hills, lots of grass... The students call it "Blowing Green" because of the wind. Around the Toledo area, the writing program has an awesome reputation, and this is in a city where UMich is also considered a local school. (It's only forty miles away.)

Get ready for snow, though. Northwest Ohio tends to be colder and snowier than other parts of Ohio. (I'm from NE Ohio, which is typically 15 degrees warmer than NW Ohio on a winter day.)

For anyone reluctant to go to Ohio, it's a wonderful place to live. The people are friendly, and once you get used to the weather, it's actually kind of nice. I live in L.A. now, and I really miss the slower pace. Bowling Green has a good music scene, and so does Cleveland - about 2 hours away. If you're willing to drive a bit, you can always find something interesting and unique to do. It's not all cows and cornfields.

rooblue

Apr 10, 2006, 5:41 PM

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Re: [amarier] Lesley [In reply to]	Can't Post

CONGRATS, Amarier! You've earned this!

darredet
Darren A. Deth

Apr 10, 2006, 6:44 PM

Post #1507 of 6267 (10137 views)
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Re: [amarier] Lesley [In reply to]	Can't Post

YES! That is excellent news. Congratulations!

amarier

Apr 10, 2006, 6:53 PM

Post #1508 of 6267 (10129 views)
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Re: [darredet] Lesley [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks rooblue and darren! yes, i'm too excited for words!

clarabow

Apr 10, 2006, 7:01 PM

Post #1509 of 6267 (10125 views)
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Re: [amarier] Lesley [In reply to]	Can't Post

CONGRATS AMARIER!!!!!!!!!!!!

commanda
Amanda

Apr 11, 2006, 7:38 AM

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Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

I apologize if this has already been covered, (I ceased my constant readership of the forum after a particularly disheartening barrage of rejections), but has anyone actually gotten a rejection from Arkansas? The website encourages applicants to e-mail the mfa@ address after April 1 if they haven't yet heard. I did, and haven't received a response. After a week, I also got D. McCombs' direct e-mail address from the English Department receptionist, (who seemed unwilling to disclose information or means to attain information), and forwarded the message. I understand that Arkansas is notorious for simply not informing people of rejections but I'm not inclined to let them off the hook. I need the closure.

(This post was edited by commanda on Apr 11, 2006, 7:41 AM)

oliviasfortunes

Apr 11, 2006, 8:36 AM

Post #1511 of 6267 (10018 views)
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Re: [commanda] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

Here, here. I contacted Arkansas after April 1st, too...and am really disgusted by their refusal to let me know by phone, email or even a poorly-spelled, unsigned rejection letter a la many of the other schools I was nixed by.

bighark

Apr 11, 2006, 9:04 AM

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Re: [commanda] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got an Arkansas rejection, but it was last year. I haven't seen anybody post anything about Arkansas for this year. Their notification process does seem a little sloppy.

franny905

Apr 11, 2006, 10:21 AM

Post #1513 of 6267 (9984 views)
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Re: [bighark] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got an Arkansas acceptance March 9 (but that was just on the manuscript, I then I had do the grad. school and assistantsip applications). They have not been easy to get in touch with, even as an acceptee--I still haven't been able to find out if I got an assistantship (and the other place I was accepted is waiting for my decision)!
If they are a good program (which I've heard-that's why I applied), they are not representing themselves very well...

almost

Apr 11, 2006, 10:49 AM

Post #1514 of 6267 (9975 views)
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Re: [franny905] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't know how many of you have the Tom Kealey book, but I thought it might help you to hear a few positive tidbits on the schools I've seen discussed and wondered about on these boards the past day or two:

Arkansas: Tom Kealey says the program alumni "have a good publishing track record" and the "faculty is impressive". He also says that the program has "a good reputation". Says that if you don't get funding, it's still "a good choice" because the "tuition is affordable for those who do not" receive funding.

Notre Dame: He calls their funding/teaching situation "impressive" and that alumni "have had good publishing success". "This is a solid program and seems to be on the rise". He also mentioned the opportunity to work on the nationally-reknown "Notre Dame Review".

Montana: "excellent flexibility...thesis is priority...Former students have had good publishing success...A program held in high regard...students who receive an offer of funding should strongly consider Montana." He also notes that CutBank, the literary journal, is associated with the program.

Emerson: "...includes an interesting M.A. degree in publishing and writing for students looking to work in the editing and publishing industry...Ploughshares, an excellent literary magazine, is based at Emerson...There are a number of interesting classes here..."

Brooklyn: "The reading seminars and especially the one-on-one tutorials are innovative and impressive...The faculty to student ratio is very good...don't fail to check this program out." He also says that he senses a strong relationship between faculty and students.

Sarah Lawrence: "Offers impressive biweekly one-on-one conferences with professors...A highly regarded faculty...beautiful campus...A solid program..." He also notes the opportunity to work on the journal Lumina and the Community-of-Writers program.

Obviously, this is only a tiny part of what is in the book. I probably shouldn't quote from his book without giving you the links...his blog is at http://creative-writing-mfa-handbook.blogspot.com/ and this is the BN link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookSearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&isbn=0826418171. I had to special-order my copy because the local bookstores didn't carry it...so you might not be able to find it at the mall yet. It's been helpful to me during this process, even though it didn't come out until right after I sent in my applications.

theapplepicker

Apr 11, 2006, 11:09 AM

Post #1515 of 6267 (9973 views)
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Re: [franny905] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree that Arkansas is having some major communication malfunctions. I enjoy the work of the faculty, and the sister MFA in translation was a draw for me, but I wasn't able to find out much about the MFA poets' experience there.

The website is attractive, but its usefulness is limited since it only gives the basics.

The program was a mysterious stranger. It was a handsome mysterious stranger. But committing to it, knowing so little, seemed crazy.

The financial package is one of the better ones, though. Tuition waiver, $9100 stipend, and most students get a $3000 fellowship (which I think is for summer support?).

(This post was edited by theapplepicker on Apr 11, 2006, 11:17 AM)

franny905

Apr 11, 2006, 11:31 AM

Post #1516 of 6267 (9962 views)
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Re: [theapplepicker] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

The program was a mysterious stranger. It was a handsome mysterious stranger. But committing to it, knowing so little, seemed crazy.

Yes! That's exactly how I feel--it seems so risky to commit with this little info. I have gotten in touch (!) with the director today (after the dept. secretary connected me to a professor who gave me the director's phone #), and he is supposed to call me back. Did you by chance visit Fayetteville? From what I can find online, it looks nice, and was ranked one of the most liveable small cities (a factor much lacking in my other option).

theapplepicker

Apr 11, 2006, 11:41 AM

Post #1517 of 6267 (9956 views)
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Re: [franny905] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

Unfortunately, I had neither the time nor money to visit. I've heard (from an acquaintance unassociated with the program) that it's a really beautiful place, nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks, and that it has a really fantastic brand new library.

augustmaria

Apr 11, 2006, 12:18 PM

Post #1518 of 6267 (9927 views)
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Re: [almost] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

Another Tom Kealey insight on a program that, I think, hasn't been justly represented on here:

Indiana University: 60-hour degree, with four workshops, five or more literature classes, and some flexibility in taking courses outside the department...The Indiana Review is run by graduate students...Former students have a good track record in publishing and teaching...In general, there is excellent support and interest from the program in its students...Also offers class credit for work in playwrighting, screenwriting, and translation...Bloomington is a great college town...Eleven faculty members. That's a lot and that's good...This program was already highly regarded. That said, it's my opinion that its' not regarded enough. From a prospective student's point of view, or anyone's point of view for that matter, this is one of the top programs in the country. Easily in the top five.

Take that! :) I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up at Indiana in the fall. That extra year has hooked me.

clarabow

Apr 11, 2006, 12:21 PM

Post #1519 of 6267 (9920 views)
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Re: [augustmaria] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

oh, crap, augustmaria. montana didn't give you the funding, after all? do you know if rapunzel's decision to go to notre dame will increase your funding chances? i know how much you wanted to work with kevin canty...!

theapplepicker

Apr 11, 2006, 12:30 PM

Post #1520 of 6267 (11594 views)
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Re: [augustmaria] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

That third year was really important to me, too, Augustmaria.

augustmaria

Apr 11, 2006, 12:50 PM

Post #1521 of 6267 (11598 views)
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Re: [clarabow] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nope, Montana hasn't contacted me about funding as of yet. I think I'm high-ish on the list for funding, but I'm not sure.

clarabow

Apr 11, 2006, 12:56 PM

Post #1522 of 6267 (11591 views)
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Re: [augustmaria] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

So...do you have to decide by the 15th? I'd think that they might not know til then...will they give you an extension to wait and see if you get funding?

augustmaria

Apr 11, 2006, 12:58 PM

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Re: [clarabow] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have to let my other schools know--don't worry, I'm on top of it and I know I'm making the right decision.

clarabow

Apr 11, 2006, 1:17 PM

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Re: [augustmaria] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

ummmmmmmm, well, i wasn't exactly worried. i was just curious about how they work it when funding is tied to the decisions of accepted students. some of us plan to apply again next year.

rapunzel1983
Marisa Lee

Apr 11, 2006, 10:46 PM

Post #1525 of 6267 (11462 views)
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Re: [clarabow] Arkansas Rejections [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, I was wondering about that, too. Most people will hold their decisions until April 15. I didn't even make mine until today. I wonder what people who want teaching assistantships will do? Is it possible to accept at another school and then switch out if you get a TA later on? I really think anyone who wants a TA at Montana should still think they have a good chance.... because Montana has a very very variable yield rate; I spent a while talking to the director about how unpredictable it is.... it ranges from 50% to 100%.

I really wish school would start. I want to get all that good stuff--course catalog, housing info, etc.

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