NYU Dramatic Writing MFA - Fall 2021

[euskera]

Hi all, I didn't know this forum existed. I got in! I only applied here, so... thank god.

Where is everyone seeing their financial aid info? I logged into NYU Home but I don't see it. Is it rolling out person by person?

Scholarship info attached to acceptance letter in the application portal.

 

[annewashburnfan1998]

Scholarship info attached to acceptance letter in the application portal.

oh fk. I didn't get any aid.

I don't know what to do now.

 

[euskera]

I'm sorry. I'm in a similar boat.

I'm going to see if I can figure something out, but I might have to give this up this year and re-apply to more fully funded MFA's next year (I'm a playwright) and apply to some additional programs that offer more aid that I didn't know about. It really, really sucks. To be honest, I'm kind of mad at myself for even applying to this program. Like, I didn't realize it was this expensive I guess because NYU is really sneaky about making their tuition costs public. I've been upset about it for like 2 days now, but yeah. I know that the soul crushing debt of this program will make it impossible for me to continue writing once I'm on the other side of it. It's just way too much debt for a degree that really doesn't guarantee anything.

I talked to an alum today and they said that the worst part about the debt, is that it makes it really hard for people to write on the other end of things because they're so bogged down with working jobs in order to pay their loans / rent. It really made me reconsider to be honest.

It feels extremely unfair to get this far and then not be able to attend because of tuition, but that's the raw deal unfortunately.

It's even tougher when you see some people get like 60k in aid and you're like, welp, guess they didn't like me enough.

All to say, I wish I was rich!

 

[annewashburnfan1998]

I'm sorry. I'm in a similar boat.

I'm going to see if I can figure something out, but I might have to give this up this year and re-apply to more fully funded MFA's next year (I'm a playwright) and apply to some additional programs that offer more aid that I didn't know about. It really, really sucks. To be honest, I'm kind of mad at myself for even applying to this program. Like, I didn't realize it was this expensive I guess because NYU is really sneaky about making their tuition costs public. I've been upset about it for like 2 days now, but yeah. I know that the soul crushing debt of this program will make it impossible for me to continue writing once I'm on the other side of it. It's just way too much debt for a degree that really doesn't guarantee anything.

I talked to an alum today and they said that the worst part about the debt, is that it makes it really hard for people to write on the other end of things because they're so bogged down with working jobs in order to pay their loans / rent. It really made me reconsider to be honest.

It feels extremely unfair to get this far and then not be able to attend because of tuition, but that's the raw deal unfortunately.

It's even tougher when you see some people get like 60k in aid and you're like, welp, guess they didn't like me enough.

All to say, I wish I was rich!

At least I'm not the only one in this situation. I don't know what else to do— I graduated into COVID so this was my effort to try to take control of my future but now it looks like this could be a dead end as well. I guess if I did end up getting a job in the field (I'm a tv writer) I could pay back my loans but I'm struggling a lot to envision how this could play out for me.

 

[Galadriel]

I'm sorry. I'm in a similar boat.

I'm going to see if I can figure something out, but I might have to give this up this year and re-apply to more fully funded MFA's next year (I'm a playwright) and apply to some additional programs that offer more aid that I didn't know about. It really, really sucks. To be honest, I'm kind of mad at myself for even applying to this program. Like, I didn't realize it was this expensive I guess because NYU is really sneaky about making their tuition costs public. I've been upset about it for like 2 days now, but yeah. I know that the soul crushing debt of this program will make it impossible for me to continue writing once I'm on the other side of it. It's just way too much debt for a degree that really doesn't guarantee anything.

I talked to an alum today and they said that the worst part about the debt, is that it makes it really hard for people to write on the other end of things because they're so bogged down with working jobs in order to pay their loans / rent. It really made me reconsider to be honest.

It feels extremely unfair to get this far and then not be able to attend because of tuition, but that's the raw deal unfortunately.

It's even tougher when you see some people get like 60k in aid and you're like, welp, guess they didn't like me enough.

All to say, I wish I was rich!

As playwrights, we're kind of crazily lucky that fully funded programs exist for our MFA's (unlike film)...in most programs you literally get paid to create your body of work! Sadly, I was waitlisted at NYU, but to be honest I would never be able to justify going without a straight up full ride (or close)...it was the only program I applied to that doesn't generally give 70%-full funding for all admitted.
As a playwright, the way to build a career is through fellowships, residencies, and relationships with theaters, and there's no way to go and do those things if you have to have a super demanding day job after graduating. Ugh, why can't playwrights make money! LOL
Kind of jealous of the Creative Writing MFA program at NYU...pretty sure they get full on fellowships with stipends, etc. Sigh.

 

[queeryet_good]

Well, I'm going to AFI and I know it's hella expensive. If you want to be the Bonnie to my Clyde, we can go 50-50. Just saying!

One of my absolute favorite movies!

 

[inglesen]

I mean scholarship! Sorry.

And here's the breakdown.
View attachment 2262
Plus a semester.
View attachment 2263

Honestly the reality of it has sucked out a lot of the joy of getting in for me. It's likely I'll still go... RIP. But yeah. Yikes. Here we go, might as well gamble since the world is dying a heat death anyways. Sorry, too dark...

where did you find this breakdown?

 

[caffeinatedplaywright]

For those who were accepted: How many of you, if any, submitted GRE scores? I was waitlisted, and I'm wondering if for the next application cycle I should take the GRE, if I'm not accepted off the waitlist this time. I know it's not required, but I'm still wondering if there's any correlation. Thank you!

 

[eraserheadBB123]

On the waitlist. If anyone is having second thoughts after seeing that 100k a year price tag I'm more than willing to slide in lmao

 

[Okae23]

Hey would anyone mind sending me their application materials for those who got accepted?

 

[annewashburnfan1998]

For those who were accepted: How many of you, if any, submitted GRE scores? I was waitlisted, and I'm wondering if for the next application cycle I should take the GRE, if I'm not accepted off the waitlist this time. I know it's not required, but I'm still wondering if there's any correlation. Thank you!

I didn't, and I haven't heard anyone mention it. Seems like it would be a waste of time, they only consider your written materials really.

 

[caffeinatedplaywright]

I didn't, and I haven't heard anyone mention it. Seems like it would be a waste of time, they only consider your written materials really.

Thank you so much! That's what I figured. I asked at my parent's request. My mom is an academic and is distraught that I could qualify for a masters level program without a GRE If I don't make it off the waitlist I'll just build the ole resume, write another script and try again! Congrats on your acceptance!

 

[euskera]

Just thought I'd update everyone that I'm officially going as I've submitted my deposit. (I asked for more money & got an amount I felt justified my attending.) If anyone else is for sure going next year I'd love to get in touch!

 

[mistypigeon]

Does anyone have cool leads on stuff to apply for if they decide not to attend this program? I was thinking of compiling a list.

 

[Galadriel]

Did anybody here get in off of the waiting list today? I heard a few people got a portal update earlier.

 

[shiloh]

Did anybody here get in off of the waiting list today? I heard a few people got a portal update earlier.

Where did you hear this from if you don't mind me asking. And to answer your question, no I did not hear anything yet.

 

[autumn]

Did anybody here get in off of the waiting list today? I heard a few people got a portal update earlier.

A few? That's not good for me haha. Haven't heard anything

 

[Galadriel]

Where did you hear this from if you don't mind me asking. And to answer your question, no I did not hear anything yet.

A couple of playwrights got in on GradCafe.

 

[mistypigeon]

playwrights only? no screen or tv?

 

[s94]

I did get in off the waitlist yesterday, but I'm also one of the ones that posted the results on GradCafe. As far as I can tell, it's just two of us, so hang on tight!!! Mine was a playwriting application.