As I re-read my blog post from yesterday, it occurred to me that whenever I was rejected by my top choice educational program, it always winds up being to my benefit in the long run. Had I attended NYU's law school, I likely would be a lawyer today. If I hadn't talked Columbia into taking me off the waitlist for the MPA program, I would've gone to NYU, had no debt from grad school (or very minimal debt), and been tapped into a much stronger and connected alumni network. So while my rejection from Hunter stings, I am looking at the positive side of it. It clearly was not meant to be.
Now we'll see if my tarot card reading was right. She strongly felt that I would be attending New School in the fall, and while I woulod be very overwhelmed at first, it would ultimately be a good fit for me. (Of course, she also thought I would get into Hunter, but the vibes from New School were stronger. We all know how Hunter worked out...) Hopefully, I'll get some notice yea or nay from them this week.
In the meantime, back to my exciting data entry and database management work. Thank goodness for mind-numbing repetitive tasks, right?
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Don't feel bad about the Hunter thing. There are a lot of factors, well beyond your control, working entirely against your favor:
ReplyDelete1. The economy sucks, as you so well know, so droves and droves of people are applying to MFA programs because they are writers and have no other skills (that's why I went!). Also, in general, MFA's are getting more popular, so they're more competitive. Six slots is INSANELY difficult, meaning you're up against a HUGE and often really strong pool. Some of those people have insanely good recommendations from top writers, as well (connections are big). Also, keep in mind that they choose by genre so you're ACTUALLY fighting for two slots (2 for poetry, 2 for non-fiction, 2 for short story) at best. They may also accept playwrites and/or screenwriters, which would reduce your chances even more).
2. You're up against people with literary backgrounds and are chosen by people with literary backgrounds - that often makes a difference, even if they don't say so.
3. Merciless subjectivity. Get used to it. Learn to love it. There's no such thing as merit, unless you win a Pulitzer or something. Even publishing a book only gets you so far - most writers struggle to get a second book published, regardless of how well the first one did. All publishing decisions are based on whim and whim only; even talent means nothing. And grades? Mere letters, signifying nothing. Will your piece be published? Only if the editor happens to be in a good mood when she reads it. If she has heartburn when she happens to pick up your piece, tough shit. Will you get into the MFA program? Only if they think your pieces happens to demonstrate that you're the one kind of person they happen to want at that particular moment. Grades and work experience mean zero. (This may seem contrary to #2, but grades and literariness aren't even in the same universe, I'm afraid.)
Anyway, here's hoping some good news comes from New School, but even if doesn't, keep this in mind:
The MFA is an utterly useless degree. I cannot stress that enough. It does not teach you to write - if you can't write when you enter a program, you will not be able to do it on the other end.
Writing cannot be taught. Period.
Thus, if you already can write, it won't teach you one damn thing. All it does it give you time and motivation to write. The degree itself will not impress anyone, anywhere and does not make you more or less inclined to be published.
I'm not saying this to discourage you, MFA's are fun and you meet some great people, they just have no practical purpose and anyone with good self-motivation, like yourself, can do just as well on their own.
I'm a big believer of the "not meant to be" school. What was my biggest disappointment ended up to be one of the best things of my life.
ReplyDeleteI found my high school sweetheart of 6 years who was also my fiance (with a ring and a date) in bed with a slut-tramp-cunty-mccunterson. I thought my life was over. As life went on - he went on to have three failed marriages in 12 years and is currently living with his grandmother and jobless. Awww... NOT!
I on the other hand found the ideal man (but he is mine so you can't have him). Have two completely awesome and wildly talented children. Have a job where I have been promoted to a position way above my abilities and make an awesome salary that I'm willing to give up for some sanity.
Sometimes what seems devastating is really the best thing ever. We just don't see it until later.
I wish the same for you Wonderful Cussing-Woman.. (sorry, been drinking tonight - feeling all nice and shit.)