Grad School Freak-Out

I've been talking for awhile about going back to school, but debated at length over what type of degree I wanted to get. I finally decided to go for an MFA in creative writing and then go a little further for a PhD in English. After that, the plan is to get a job teaching at a university and use money to develop a program that sets up college students with Spanish-speaking children in the area to work on English and literacy skills. Assuming I get accepted into all of these programs and jobs, and get enough funding to do all of these things, it's a pretty good and exciting plan!

So, I've been checking out some MFA programs in New York City and getting excited. I'm interested in three places so far, but I have my heart set on one of them that seems totally perfect -- a Master's at NYU that combines English, American literature, creative writing and foreign language studies. And also, they have all of these literacy outreach programs and fellowships where MFA students work with young ones in the city on their reading and writing skills. Yeah, that's right, all the things I want to be doing with myself! There couldn't be a more perfect fit for my master plan.

So, since the other applications I've looked at are due in February (I'm also interested in the New School and Hunter College), I just assumed this one was due right about then as well and was taking my time putting the pieces together. Turns out, I was way wrong... THE NYU APPLICATION IS DUE DECEMBER EIGHTEENTH!

What?!? What admissions counselors need that much time between application deadlines and when the semester actually begins? Ahhhh! So, I properly freaked out, as the app requires three recommendations, two official transcripts, a two page statement of purpose, a twenty-five page portfolio, a resume, and GRE scores. Holy shit, right? Holy shit!

But then I kicked my ass into gear and so far, I've secured my recommendations, received my transcripts, outlined my statement of purpose, signed up for the GREs (Nov 10th) and bought one of those stupidly expensive Kaplan books, and have been writing writing writing. Luckily, NYU doesn't mind reapplying so if I don't make it this year, either I'll get into one of the other programs or I'll get in next time! But ahhhh, I really hope it doesn't come to reapplying next year... eep, I'm nervous!

But whether I get in or not, this is definitely a good experience for me as a writer. I've been writing every day and have fallen into a groove where it feels good and normal to be writing that much, whereas in Boston it was a struggle to write twice a week. I'm definitely feeling very inspired here, by the vibe of Williamsburg, by the people I'm meeting, by the music and art I pass in clubs and on the streets and in the subway (59th and Lex on the 4/5/6 is gorgeous, by the way...beautiful mosaics all over the station! And Union Ave tends to have the most eclectic musical performances... one day, a woman in a dress singing high-pitched opera, the next, a black man with dreads wailing on the guitar, the next, two very buff drummers banging on buckets...). This City definitely has its own energy, and I'm completely feeding off of it right now in really good ways. Let's hope NYU thinks the same!