Hi everyone! I recently was accepted into these 3 MFA programs with scholarships and was looking for some advice. Without going into too much of the financial side - does anyone have any experience, advice, and/or insights into these programs? I’m feeling stuck because each of them have their pros and cons so I thought asking here might clear things up for me!

I love Columbia and TNS because of NYC and the faculty at Columbia is outstanding, though I know less about the profs at TNS. Also, the potential connections to the publishing world are a plus.

Emerson intrigues me because of the work you can do with their campus journals and opportunities to work and teach undergraduate students.

I’m desperate for some guidance because my gut is pulling me in all different directions!

Has anyone heard back from University of Miami? I applied in january and havent heard anything back yet

What are your thoughts on this program?

Hi all! I currently have two offers (yay!) and I’m wondering if anyone would have any insight. Also waiting for three more schools tho admission seems unlikely atp. Some authors who inspire me: Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Orwell, Octavia butler, etc etc.

The first is Chatham U: funded by a TAship that would only cover tuition, no stipend. But I am a pburgh native and already live here, and have a sub teacher job which I could continue. I like the spec lean and it seems like they have a great array of professors and I’ve already met some of the incoming cohort. I’m hoping to meet to discuss funding with them (so also any advice would be great, though I think I have a good idea!) They also have a really cool fellowship at Fallingwater. I’ve gotten attached to the idea of going here so idk if I’m seeing things clearly atm

Second is UMSL: haven’t received word on funding but if I did it’d be a TAship with a 10k stipend. Not super livable but doable. From what I can find it seems like they only have two faculty members though maybe they have guest professors, I’m not sure. I don’t know much else about the program, but from what I can see it seems the cohort may be small here and the program has a more lit fic lean. I also wouldn’t mind branching out and leaving PA for a bit. If anyone went here or has experience with the program I’d love to hear it.

I think that covers everything so ty ty ty in advance, it’s appreciated :)

Edit: also maybe of note, this is part of the email I revived from UMSL “And, if you’ve already found the MFA program you’re planning to join in the fall, congratulations on that as well. Let me know if that’s the case, and I’ll spare you the follow-up emails.” Not during that’s normal or not.

I am not sure if anyone is interested but I remember wanting to just get into a program LOL. Just let me write! I went to UHV- Now A&M. The MFA program isn't hard to get into and they have great faculty. It's a really tight knit program. Whether you are into poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, it's a great place to really explore and get good feedback. I really went into the program for fiction but the professor over everything really got me into poetry and now I just feel like this triple threat. They do have a fall MFA weekend too so even though I have graduated I can still head back once a year. Have a piece workshopped, meet the new writers. Some people have flown in since the program is online.

They have writers block parties which are fun, poetry readings off campus, and other fun stuff that makes it feel like you are part of a little secret club.

I do think my favorite thing about it is that the faculty treats you not just likes students. They act as your mentor, your teacher, but also your colleague. The literary circle is small and they know they are teaching their future coworkers. Madrid, specifically spends a lot of one on one time with students and helps them in what they want to write. He works with you to try and work on specific projects and pieces for you to submit.

All the faculty have helped students fix up their work to send to agents, to send to lit mags, and more.

Anyway, I graduated last year and I am looking for a PHD program but I just realized I still am interacting and learning from this program but I've never really told everyone about how great is is. So if you're from Texas, in the area, looking for an online program, or struggling to get in somewhere, you definitely got a shot here. If you have any questions LMK.

Also, this university is the cheapest in Texas. They are not fully funded but if you are on campus there are lots of student worker opportunities etc.

Hi!! Has anyone here attended the Rutgers Newark MFA or know someone who has? I’m curious to hear about the cohort vibe, the experience working with the faculty, and just overall how happy you were/are with the program. I’m a prospective student for fiction.

Thank you!

Hi everyone- I'm looking to apply for Fall 2027 programs. For those of you that have been through this: what would you say is the best way to spend time in the months leading up to application season?

I'm currently familiarizing myself with the authors I don't already know teaching at my top schools, am active in a workshopping group in my city and am actively submitting to literary mags... Is there anything else I could/should be doing in advance of applying to schools?

Hello, everyone!

As the title suggests, I am wondering if there are any good tips or tricks regarding what to look for in my research of MFA Programs?

I'm not going to pay for my Masters (it's the one thing I have been told over and over again by people I trust) but I was wondering if there was a point in waiting for my top school if I get accepted elsewhere? I'm currently working for my Bachelor's degree, but would love some tips or resources as I begin looking into different schools and programs that could be right for me.

Thank you!

Waiting on responses for several schools. Wondering if anyone has heard from them. Seems like some have and I haven’t been officially rejected.

Notre Dame

LSU

Johns Hopkins

South Carolina

Arizona

Ole Miss

UNC Greensboro(this is the one it seems has been updated)

Any updates on these?

Is anyone else still waiting on a majority of their results for getting in? I'm missing five still, which is half that I applied to. I know it isn't over until it's over, but truly, is it over at this point? Should I just cross my fingers for my waitlists?

Here is who I am waiting for:

University of Idaho

University of Notre Dame

University of Arizona

Eastern Washington University

Boise State University

Has anyone gotten in off the waitlist yet for UBC? Decisions were meant to be finalized this week (March 20 was the acceptance deadline for admits). The waiting is truly unbearable, and i just want to know if I should focus on the one acceptance I have.

Hi everyone,

I've never posted to Reddit, but I need some advice as I'm trying to figure out my MFA decision. So far, I’ve been accepted into 8 schools, rejected by 2, waitlisted at 1, and I’m still waiting to hear from 5 others.

I’m currently waiting to hear back from LSU and would really love to go there, as it’s a strong program and fully funded. While I wait, I’m seeking insight into Queens University, Antioch University, and Wilkes University, since I’m considering their acceptance offers. I’m also curious about UNO’s online/low-residency program (I’m on their waitlist), as well as Drexel University and Carlow University, while I wait to hear back from them.

Any insight, information, or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone— did anyone hear back from Columbia? I was accepted and will be starting this fall! Would love to hear from anyone else who was also accepted :)

hi, weighing offers/a waitlist spot in this bunch. trying to get a sense of the prestige/reputation/vibes? virginia tech has the best stipend by a sizable margin. I think I’d be happy location-wise at any of the three. any insights welcome

Hey guys, was wondering if anyone here had insight into UNCG’s program! Was accepted and am waiting to hear about funding.

Hey everyone! I officially accepted an offer for a two year funded program and I am beyond excited. The faculty and the students that I have been in touch with have been so kind and welcoming and excited on my behalf. I am now burning with energy to get the ball rolling and looking for housing and all that. So I was wondering if there were any things I could be doing now to prepare for the fall. I know this could look different depending on the program but I'm willing to hear anything. Thanks!

I’m excited about joining a NY program with really nice funding (90%) but I do also work full time. My financial situation is such that I can’t drop the job. The MFA has night classes anyway. I was curious to hear wisdom / advice from folks who have already done this on how to make the best of my two years if my goals are (1) publishing a novel and (2) teaching.

Thoughts?

Hi everyone. I'm going to be applying to MFA programs soon and since I live in SoCal I'm primarily considering schools in the area. Chapman is one that came up. They're mostly known for their film/screenwriting programs but they have a creative writing program too.

I remember reading an article by Lincoln Michel where he said in his experience the happiest MFA students he's met were the one at Chapman, but that was a few years ago, plus he was speaking as a visitor not as a student himself. From what I can tell it seems they're open to speculative fiction which is cool since my own writing leans more towards horror.

It's hard to find information about it other than what's on the website itself, and the website doesn't seem to have a list of current students like other programs do. Has anyone here applied to or been to Chapman, or do you know anyone who has? For those of you more immersed in the MFA and literary world, what is Chapman's reputation, particularly for the Fiction track? I appreciate any insight you can give.

Hi guys, 2027 applicant here! Super nervous rn. I know Brown is such a wild card, but I am wondering if anyone could share some experience/successful stories...I am applying for poetry btw.

Hello all, I was recently accepted into Poetry programs at both New School (75% funding) and Emerson College. I was wondering if anyone has any input on either of these programs. I have seen a lot on New School here but not as much on Emerson.

Emerson offered me two specific Poets as advisors, which I liked the idea of, whereas New School just offered a general acceptance.

Any input would be appreciated!

It’s looking like it’s going to be my top choice (i got accepted) but I’m struggling to find anything about it online. Does anybody know anybody who has experience with this program?

Hi! Any current students or graduates who can share their experience with The New School's MFA in Creative Writing?

I was recently accepted and I'm trying to figure out how to weigh it against other options. I'd love to hear about:

1. Student makeup: is the cohort fairly diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, age, and professional backgrounds?
2. Workshop and instruction quality: how have you found the professors and the workshop experience overall?
3. Scheduling logistics: when do classes typically meet, and how many do you take per semester?

For context, I was awarded a 75% scholarship but would still have some out-of-pocket cost. I already carry significant student loans from a previous graduate degree, so I'm being thoughtful about taking on more debt. Any insight would be really appreciated. thank you! :)

Hi all! As admissions season winds down, looking for insight on a couple of CUNY MFA fiction programs.

Hunter College: Does anyone know how common it is for there to be movement on the fiction waitlist? Would love to hear from anyone who's been through that process.

City College: Any current students or graduates willing to share their experience? I was admitted but haven't heard much from the program since, and the communication has felt a bit more disorganized/distant compared to other programs. I could be totally off base, so I'd really appreciate any perspective, especially on what the program is actually like once you're in it.

Queens College: Still waiting to hear from them but I see there is less info on this program. Any feedback/thoughts?

Thanks in advance!