Rejected by UCI

[thedarkages]

I have been rejected by UC Irvine's MFA program in Creative Writing. Funny thing is, I learned this through a recorded greeting on the answering machine of the department secretary, which said that all admittees had been contacted by telephone, and that the rest of us would receive our official rejection letters when the department got around to it. Way to go, alma mater.

My plan now is the same as it was: to write more, to write better things, and to seek publication diligently.

"Read every day; write every day." -- Andrew Tonkovich

Comments

[ryba-kit.livejournal.com]

did you have to send them a writing sample? Do you have an idea why they rejected you?

[thedarkages]

I submitted two writing samples, plus an autobiographical statement. As for reasons for rejection, the department doesn't offer them. I think one of my writing samples in particular wasn't quite as strong as the best writing I've seen out there. Given that the acceptance rate for this program is about 3%, that may have been all it took.

But what do I know?

[ryba-kit.livejournal.com]

I am sorry you did not get in. This is very disappointing. But maybe there are things you can improve in the future.
For example, there might be a way to improve your statement of purpose. I am not sure if you gave it to someone to read before you submitted. I have some experience in proofreading grad school materials, though I have never done MFA applications - if you'd like me to go over a letter of yours, let me know.
Are there other worthy programs in your area?

[thedarkages]

Dear Renee: I make a living proofreading other people's statements/dissertations/books, and I can assure you that, in this case, the cobbler's child was not the last to get his shoes.

I think I can definitely improve my writing in the future. There's always room for improvement there.

There are no programs comparable to UCI's within a three-hour commute. USC's is really a PhD program, with all the hoops and hurdles. UCLA's is not comparable. UC Riverside's is really not comparable. And, I may be a snob, but I am not going to attend a Cal State.

If I had no attachments, I would apply next year to six or seven programs throughout the United States, but my wife has a career here which we cannot afford to give up.

Thank you for your kind offer, though. I appreciate your desire to help.

[willendorf5761.livejournal.com]

That sucks. And the way they treated you sucks as well.

I'm sorry.

I look forward to seeing more of your writing.

[willendorf5761.livejournal.com]

This is cold comfort I'm sure, but the Forverts says UC Irvine is a den of antisemites. True?

[thedarkages]

It is not true that UCI is a den of anti-Semites. There is a visible and militant Islamic presence on campus, and B'nai Brith has spent a lot of effort countering it. There is also a bit of anti-Zionism in the professoriat, just because that seems to be part and parcel of the progressive platform these days. But in an institutional sense, UCI is not anti-Semitic at all.

wow

[vlforman.livejournal.com]

A den of antisemites? Who knew. I'm there for you.