Poets & Writers Speakeasy: Writing and Publishing: MFA Programs: The Waiting Game...Have you heard yet???: Page 216

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

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RaoulDuke
Cobra Cobachi

Feb 24, 2009, 10:39 AM

Post #5376 of 6267 (9681 views)
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Re: [Khalilah] Alabama Rejection Letters [In reply to]	Can't Post

I was simply the squeaky wheel who got the oil; I remained in constant contact with the secretary whose job it was to handle applicants and their questions, developed a rapport, and because of this I was offered an unfunded position in the program. It turned out that they didn't have an updated transcript of mine (the updated transcript included 19 semester hours all in upper level English courses and I happened to make the dean's list within that timeframe). A week after being admitted without funding, and after sending the updated transcript at the recommendation of the secretary, I was offered full funding. I think that without the constant contact and the good relationship I developed with the secretary, she wouldn't have reminded me to send an updated transcript, nor would I have been offered an unfunded position, which is what got my foot in the door in the first place.
As a waitlister, you're typically considered to be a good fit for the program, it's just that in any given year there can be a number of applicants who are a good fit. Issues of whether or not you can teach English can arise as well when being considered for admittance, and my last year as an English major really helped me in that department.
In some cases it helps to make yourself known, hopefully in a way that doesn't annoy the crap out of the person who has your fate in their hands. Either way, I am of the school of thought that contacting programs you're waitlisted at can only help your chances.

As far as programs go that specifically state not to call, well, it's probably best to adhere to their wishes.

Hope this helps, and understand that my situation may be one of those exceptions to the rule. My main point is that calling at least once to find out your position with program isn't going to kill you, unless stated otherwise on the program website.

Ricardo

SevenFreckles

Feb 24, 2009, 11:45 AM

Post #5377 of 6267 (9608 views)
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Re: [RaoulDuke] Alabama Rejection Letters [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm in the same situation with Alabama... no rejection letter yet. The only thing that's kept me from being particularly optimistic about the idea of a waitlist, is that at the time all of those acceptances went out I was having a huge glitch with my letters of recommendation and based on some vague emails with someone at I think that chance that my application had not been reviewed yet. So I kind of figure they looked at it after the first round of decisions had been made (based on this unfounded hypothesis of rolling decisions making?) and that my rejection letter will be sent out during the next round. I don't know if that's how it works, but that's the situation I've created in my mind.

It is kind of exciting though. Alabama is one of my top picks. I don't really have my schools ranked because there are some programs that I applied to that I just don't consider an actual possiblity. But I always had this very good feeling about Alabama... I could see myself being happy there.

Like a lot of people, I have heard nothing at all from the 15 schools I applied to. I agree that no news is good news... but -some- news could be really great.

Raysen

Feb 24, 2009, 1:05 PM

Post #5378 of 6267 (9534 views)
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Waiting [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey guys!

I haven't received any news from any of my schools. Some have said Iowa, Michigan, and Alabama, among others have begun notifications. Well, I haven't heard from any of them. But I'm not worried. Amazingly, I'm anxiety-free. As I said before, this MFA thing is not a life-or-death thing for me. I've got my health and family and friends and my cool North Face winter jacket. So, to ask for more would be downright selfish. It's okay if I don't get in. I told my s.o. that if I don't get in this year, I'll have more time to remodel my garage. Time in an MFA program is time AWAY from my garage, that's what I told her.

megmarcu

Feb 24, 2009, 4:24 PM

Post #5379 of 6267 (9371 views)
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Re: [Raysen] Waiting [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also haven't heard anything from anyone...

Dare I ask...but does anyone know if Iowa is still notifying acceptances?

ANYWAY. I agree -- an MFA would SERIOUSLY cut into my sitting around and pondering time.

Good luck everyone!

rivera

Feb 24, 2009, 4:37 PM

Post #5380 of 6267 (9339 views)
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Re: [megmarcu] Waiting [In reply to]	Can't Post

From what I understand, they are still going to be notifying people for a while. However, if they aren't, I would feel very little hope for a waitlist. I don't know. Iowa for me was always I pipedream and I try to keep that little kernal of hope out of my brain. :)

symmetrical

Feb 24, 2009, 4:59 PM

Post #5381 of 6267 (9288 views)
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Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think (and have thought since beginning the application process) that while my writing is strong enough to get me into that final group of 40, 25, whatever, my transcripts, GPA, & GRE's are all poor enough to keep me from beating another candidate out to make that final group of 5 or so acceptances.

While I've read and heard many times about how the writing sample is all that matters, I've also read and heard that some university's CW departments have less power than others in terms of telling the graduate school who they want and will take. I've also read that personal statements and maybe LOR's are the tiebreakers used rather than GPA's or GRE's, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out I didn't wuite make it due to a below-average academic record (if only it were possible to find out why we were rejected and how close we came from each school).

Anyone else out there with similar worries, or verifiable info regarding particular schools on tie-breaking scenarios? For example I've heard and fully believe Iowa can take a person with a 1.9 GPA and a 300 verbal on the GRE if they love the writing, but a school like Maryland, Washington University, or Florida? I'm not sure.

(This post was edited by symmetrical on Feb 24, 2009, 5:00 PM)

reality writes

Feb 24, 2009, 5:14 PM

Post #5382 of 6267 (9261 views)
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Re: [symmetrical] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

hey symmetrical,
for what it's worth, my GRE scores suck. but I still got into 3 programs last year, and waitlisted at one (and all had my GRE scores). So far, I've gotten into one of my top choice programs this year. I'm still waiting to hear from the rest. I didn't retake the GRE because I thought it was a waste of my time and money. Plus, I always do bad on standardized tests (GREs, SATs, ACTs, etc.), no matter how much I prepare and study. I'm leaning more on my good transcripts, LORs, and resume as a back-up, in addition to my writing sample. My worries come more from my SOP. I hate those things. But I think if you can find a balance somewhere in your application - i.e., to show you have the capability to handle graduate work or intensive writing - you're good. Maybe the only place for concern with poor GRE/GPA would be graduate school funding. But I hate to think it's all a numbers game. Writing is subjective, so the selection process must be, too.

moomoocow42

Feb 24, 2009, 6:00 PM

Post #5383 of 6267 (9203 views)
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Re: [symmetrical] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Based on what I know (which may or may not be very much), my interpretation of how your GPA, SOP, LOR, and GRE's may impact on your application is pretty much in line with yours, symmetrical. That is, some programs have carte blanche to take whomever they want, regardless of scores and numbers, and others are shackled by the graduate school.

To give you an idea, though, I have been accepted to the University of Illinois this year so far, and my undergrad GPA was horrid. 2.46 horrid, to be exact. I actually failed out of school as an undergrad, yet managed to reapply and barely graduate (BARELY), to give you an idea of my past academic history. And U of I accepted me. Additionally the Grad School at U of I emailed me the other day, informing me that I had been admitted on the status of "limited student," provided that I meet their academic requirements for the first year, etc.

My MFA Blog -- Watch me slowly lose my sanity.

(This post was edited by moomoocow42 on Feb 24, 2009, 6:05 PM)

symmetrical

Feb 24, 2009, 6:15 PM

Post #5384 of 6267 (9176 views)
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Re: [moomoocow42] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

nice, moomoocow42, are you fiction or poetry? I'm almost expecting that if I get in anywhere this year it'll be on some sort or probationary basis. My GPA wasn't quite as low as yours (2.89) but I also failed out of school in my first undergrad attempt, eventually graduating from a different university after doing a year and a half at a community college in order to transfer.

unsaid78

Feb 24, 2009, 6:37 PM

Post #5385 of 6267 (9138 views)
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Re: [symmetrical] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cornell poetry acceptance call on TSE today.

(ugh...)

www.mfachronicles.blogspot.com - Follow us as we begin our 1st years in MFA programs!

symmetrical

Feb 24, 2009, 6:39 PM

Post #5386 of 6267 (9135 views)
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Re: [unsaid78] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

LOL - Unsaid78, for a split second I thought you were reporting getting a call from Cornell this morning, and then "ugh"-ing to show your distaste for having to choose between four programs.

unsaid78

Feb 24, 2009, 6:46 PM

Post #5387 of 6267 (9123 views)
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Re: [symmetrical] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

I wish, symmetrical LOL That was a genuine, my stomach dropped "ugh"..lol

www.mfachronicles.blogspot.com - Follow us as we begin our 1st years in MFA programs!

moomoocow42

Feb 24, 2009, 6:48 PM

Post #5388 of 6267 (9120 views)
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Re: [symmetrical] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

LOL - Unsaid78, for a split second I thought you were reporting getting a call from Cornell this morning, and then "ugh"-ing to show your distaste for having to choose between four programs.

Ha, too funny. :)

I'm at U of I for fiction, symmetrical.

My MFA Blog -- Watch me slowly lose my sanity.

cecilpeoples

Feb 24, 2009, 10:20 PM

Post #5389 of 6267 (9003 views)
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Re: [symmetrical] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

personally, i know that my GPA and GRE was the reason i was rejected from one of my schools this year. i spoke to a friend who currently attends the school and i also spoke to one of the program's profs (who i've known for a while and was an ex-student of his during undergrad) and they told me that for some schools what you said about the writing dept and graduate school dept needing to come to an agreement is true. i was recommended for acceptence by the prof into the writing program but when he brought it to the grad dept they told him that they could be lenient on one or the other, bad grades or low GRE, but not both. so, since both my GPA and GRE were just plain ridiculously horrible, the grad school said no go. (luckly, the other programs i applied to didn't require the GRE, and let me in).

i'm sure the major writing programs don't care much about grades and GREs but i think schools that focus on lit classes and what not, more academia, have stricter rules when it comes to acceptances. then again, what the hell do i know?

Md23Rewls

Feb 25, 2009, 12:33 AM

Post #5390 of 6267 (8911 views)
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Re: [cecilpeoples] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

The GRE is the stupidest waste of money in history. It is absurd that they treat grown adults as if they are high schoolers. Being able to do a few analogies tells a school absolutely nothing about what I (or any applicant) can offer them. It should be abolished, unless somebody can give me a decent reason why it should keep on chugging. Hate it hate it hate it.

__________

Feb 25, 2009, 3:01 AM

Post #5391 of 6267 (8870 views)
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Re: [Md23Rewls] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

As someone who used to work in my school's testing center, I can tell you: money. For everyone. Money.

six five four three two one 0 ->

v1ctorya

Feb 25, 2009, 8:58 AM

Post #5392 of 6267 (8822 views)
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Re: [Junior Maas] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

As somebody who has done training on the GREs at the ETS compound I can reinforce what JM said, it's all about money. They do have free vouchers though, just don't advertise it. Also, their chefs are amazing (so I figure I got my money back in seafood) and they have their own housing on campus which was great. It was a nice getaway, but because they bring in boatloads of cash from everyone. Kind of a good scam they got going on.

SevenFreckles

Feb 25, 2009, 10:30 AM

Post #5393 of 6267 (8769 views)
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Re: [v1ctorya] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

It is hideously depressing when I actually think of how much of my money I've grudgingly handed over to ETS. Three hundred dollars just this year for 15 score reports. I don't even want to calculate the first year I applied (two times taking the test and 12 score reports.) Twenty dollars for each report is ridiculous, plain and simple.

yeahyeahyeah

Feb 25, 2009, 10:44 AM

Post #5394 of 6267 (8749 views)
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Re: [SevenFreckles] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm kind of on the fence about this issue. On the one hand, the GRE provides a standard measurement for students coming from different backgrounds. On the other hand, ETS is a monopoly and there is nothing stopping them from charging whatever they want. Then again, this is America. Aren't people allowed to make profits? Don't people have to get paid? Why do schools with huge endowments still raise their tuition every year? I also sometimes think Low Res programs are scams. I'm cranky.

v1ctorya

Feb 25, 2009, 10:49 AM

Post #5395 of 6267 (8737 views)
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Re: [yeahyeahyeah] Tiebreakers, transcripts, etc. [In reply to]	Can't Post

well, consider that ETS is technically NOT-for profit. . .makes one wonder. Then they admit that the test shows bias against certain socio-economic backgrounds (read, non-white non-middle-class and up) despite the best efforts, because NO test can accurately reflect the ability of everyone, only on what someone considers a majority.

I'm not torn, I think it's unnecessary, but I would spend another week on their compound in a heartbeat.

SevenFreckles

Feb 25, 2009, 11:35 AM

Post #5396 of 6267 (8684 views)
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Alabama [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've been optimistically thinking that I could be on some sort of unofficial waitlist for Alabama because I didn't receive a rejection letter a little while ago when some folks reported getting one. However, I just discovered today that the English department never actually received my application from the grad school. Somehow they lost my personal statement-- even though I submitted it online with the rest of my application. So... I don't know how that happened, but I wasn't aware of the situation until I contacted them, which kind of stinks. I might be worth doing some research if anyone else out there hasn't heard from Alabama yet. I feel like it's probably too late for good news, since they accepted people weeks ago, but oh well... :(

rainafields

Feb 25, 2009, 12:25 PM

Post #5397 of 6267 (8617 views)
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Re: [SevenFreckles] Alabama [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would still follow up with them.

As someone who got into Alabama for Fall 09, I wanna say it's still early in the same for them...& that's all the info I can provide on that.

Don't lose faith.

germericanqt

Feb 25, 2009, 12:40 PM

Post #5398 of 6267 (8587 views)
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Re: [rainafields] Alabama [In reply to]	Can't Post

Someone on TSE said that Syracuse hinted they'd be notifying soon-like some time in the next week. I can do little else right now but send powerful brainwaves New York-wards, making dark promises to George Saunders about how I'll thank him should I be admitted. Also trying to get in touch with the devil, re: what is my soul worth to you?

khopper

Feb 25, 2009, 1:09 PM

Post #5399 of 6267 (8532 views)
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I give up [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've been watching this thread (and I'M IN, and TSE, and the MFA Blog) faithfully for the past month now, and I've realized that I really didn't do enough (didn't workshop, barely tried on the GRE, threw my SOPs together in a hurry) to get in anywhere, least of all a program that can fund me.

Instead of saving my money to move halfway across the country, this morning I bought a plane ticket so I can travel all the way across the country--and part of an ocean, too--in order to escape the MFA blues. My mom lives in Hawaii, and has been strangely supportive of the MFA dream, considering that when I was seven and told her that I wanted to be a writer, she told me to copy the entire contents of a "chapter book" called Dear Baby so I would learn "how hard it is." At the end of March, I'm going to go cry on her shoulder, snorkel, and try to regroup.

Then I'm going to get myself into a workshop, write, write, write, study for the damn GRE, and eat ramen to fund my travels and the next round of applications.

megmarcu

Feb 25, 2009, 2:19 PM

Post #5400 of 6267 (8445 views)
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Re: [khopper] I give up [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh my goodness, isn't it SO expensive to apply? I looked at my bank account in February and was like, "Hey, where'd all my money go?" (I was also, in my nervousness, single-handedly supporting the sour patch kid industry for a time...)

Although I have 6 schools to hear from, I'm beginning to wallow. It's "spring" break here at the University of Michigan, 30 degrees (a serious warm up from a few weeks ago!) and my roommate is in El Salvador. I've been spending a lot of time alone in my pajamas -- which is bad for me, since I'm a get-dressed-as-soon-as-I'm-out-of-bed sort of person. I feel much better sitting around in denim than in sweat pants.

I need to befriend someone in Hawaii. I've never been snorkeling but it seems like absolute rapture right now.

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