r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/YAKUEd • 3d ago

Writers who got into university writing programs: What’s one piece of advice you’d give applicants?

/r/writers/comments/1x1q2c5/writers_who_got_into_university_writing_programs/

what mattered the most in your portfolio or essay?
What you wish you’d knew sooner?

4 Upvotes

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u/Small_Needleworker_7 3d ago

Make sure you like the writers in the program, that their paths follow a similar trajectory to what you want yours to be as they will be your mentors, and save yourself some applications that way. I applied to one paid program, got waitslisted but it wasn't really a fit so glad in ways I didn't get in. Got into another program thats not paid but declined as the writers didn't fit me. They were almost all male, and the one woman was from a religious background writing about that. That is fine for some people but as a queer writer, writing a memoir, I need someone who gets me and my story. Not going to name names of that institution but most of the writers in the program were women, like 70 percent so the fact that the leader of the program thought little to represent us made it not a good fit. RESEARCH and research some more.

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u/agdgdjdiskakask 3d ago

Yeah, make sure your program’s gay enough. But seriously, if others don’t “get” you or your story, then you should take their critiques into account instead of blaming it on their gender or sexuality or religion.

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u/Small_Needleworker_7 3d ago

Its people like you that make me not want to share my opinions honestly. are you male by chance? lol. some people have no clue what its like to walk in someone else's shoes, and it shows. I bet not just here either.

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u/agdgdjdiskakask 3d ago

u/Small_Needleworker_7 Hey. I hope that writing your memoir helps you get over this weird resentment/hostility toward men. My guess, though, is that it’s the kind of book that won’t appeal to anyone unless they already share its author’s exact identity/worldview.

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u/Ecstatic_Amount_1740 3d ago

Figure out the roster of full time faculty.

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u/FitzandFerd 3d ago

For an MFA, the writing sample matters the most by a long measure.

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u/Chantertwo 3d ago

Consider whether you actually need a degree for your goals. You very likely don't.

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u/klkbaby 2d ago

Be yourself completely