NYU Dramatic Writing MFA - Fall 2021

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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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