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41 comments:
Sorry to come on this discussion with a question totally off the topic, but I can't seem to post a new question.
My first question then is how do I post a new question.
Second question (which really is my primary question): how can I get statistics on acceptance rates of MFA prorgrams, numbers of programs with MFAs in memoir writing or creative non-fiction, and numbers of other kinds of writing programs? Anybody know?
Thanks
Hi Tom, I'm from India, and I'm applying to nearly 8 schools, like you've mentioned. But, I haven't published anything yet, and I wanted to know if that will deter the process.
Hi Tom,
This blog has been so useful I went out and bought your book! It has helped me a ton. I know the answer to this question is always "go with your best work" but my two best short stories total 17 pages. Do you think this will hurt my chances?
Does anyone know anything about National University in La Jolla, CA? It offers an MFA in Creative Writing w/o residency.
Hi, Tom -
I finally have an opportunity to interview with "someone on the acceptance committee" of the school that just happens to be my #1 choice. I've been told the committee will be meeting over the next two weeks to start making decisions, so time is of the essence.
My aim is to explain why my GPA is not as stellar as it could have been...that's about it. I really liked my writing sample and hope those in conjunction with my fairly good GRE scores negate the GPA issue, but I'm a little worried.
Any suggestions? Should I just leave well enough alone, or defend my GPA? Any absolute no-no's to avoid while interviewing?
Thanks a bunch...
Hi Tom,
Thanks for all of the great information on this site. I just finished at a two-year school and am applying to 4-year universities this fall. I have already had a few stories published and would like to pursue an MFA after I graduate. I was wondering if you would recommend a BA in English Literature or a BA in English-Creative Writing? The more prestigious schools I've applied to don't offer Creative Writing undergraduate concentrations (UT Austin, Baylor) while the others have great MFA programs (University of Houston, Texas State) and offer creative writing for undergraduates. Thanks for your advice in advance.
I'm starting FSU's MFa program in the fall. Does anyone know of anyone in that program currently that I could ask questions of - about profs, courseload, what to do in Tallahassee, etc?
To anyone reading and willing to help:
I have been reading that an MA qualifies you to teach at the secondary and community college levels and that an MFA qualifies you to teach at the college & university levels. Does this mean that one with an MFA is NOT qualified to teach at a community college or high school even?
Thanks...
hello, i am kind of having a freak out before starting my mfa at sarah lawrence. i was waitlisted at nyu and st. mary's and accepted to sarah lawrence. i deferred a year because i was unsure about paying so much money and now i have decided to suck it up and go. my worries are these: should i have applied to three year instead of two year programs? will it be hard for me to find teaching work after i graduate because, although sarah lawrence lets you ta a comp class, it does not let you teach your own class? what do you think of the sarah lawrence program? does it seem like a place where writers thrive?
to cat... if you are looking at the midwest, three excellent programs are: university of michigan, bowling green, and university of pittsburgh
Hi. I'm currently wrapping up my BA in Creative Writing at Concordia University in Montreal, CA. I've been looking at MA programs but am seriously interested in writing for the graphic novel medium and cannot find any schools that offer this type of specialized program. Any help or hints are welcome. Thanks.
Val: I'm 54 and I was recently accepted by two low-res programs, Goddard and Antioch. For all I know, my additional years may have been regarded as a plus by the powers that be. I admit that it will seem weird being back in class after so many years, but I am looking forward to it eagerly.
I have been accepted in poetry at the 4 low-residency places I applied (Bennington, Warren Wilson, Antioch and Lesley). I am leaning towards lesley because of the BALANCE between creature comforts (can have privavcy and stay in a hotel, be near fabulous Harvard Square and close to a major airport (I live in Tucson)) and the quality of the program. I think WW and Bennington are the best programs, but require travel from the airport and a stay in the dorms. I think both AQntioch and Lesley are very good programs, maybe a step down. A I crazy to turn down Bennington or WW? I am a 50-year old just retired physician, totally dedicated to my writing, very experienced with classes and workshops and am looking for a tough, exciting program. I don't care too much about nurturing. I care about trying new things in my writing and being exposed to excellence in the faculty and my peers. Don't know what else to say , except I have to decide in a week!!!! Thanks for any comments.
I'm sure someone has asked this, but i couldn't find it -
For a poetry writing sample (for mfa applications) is it more important to show a cohesive body of work, or to select one's strongest poems even if they don't really go together?
thanks,
alex
Does anyone have any comments regarding the National University MFA? It is completely online(no residency).
Thanks
Jenn
I'm an Argentinian writer applying for an MFA. Does anybody have any advice for a foreign MFA applicant from a non english speaking country? Will my application be treated differently than the rest?
Here's a last minute portfolio question. Any thoughts on whether or not it's okay to include two stories that are very different from each other in your writing sample? I wrote one story five years ago that I still really like but it's a totally different style than what I write now. What should I do?
Does anyone have information on the new low-residency program at U of Alaska Anchorage? Specifically, is their normal residency program a done deal, and what is the likelihood of being able to work across genres in the low-res program? Their website leaves much to the imagination. Any info on the place in general would be helpful.
Long time listener, first time caller. Not sure where this commentage should go. But I'm a first-year poet in the MFA program at Hollins University located in Roanoke, VA. I have a relatively underdeveloped (after seeing this one) blog about my MFA experience located here:
http://proofofblog.blogspot.com/
Cheers,
LJ
i was wondering if anyone had an more tips on writing the personal statement. im applying for dramatic writing and trying to figure out the balance between being creative and directly answering the questions. (pretty straight forward...like...what are your goals as a writer and why are you applying to this program?)
i feel very stressed about writing a personal statement that "a writer" would write...
any suggestions?
My question is about cover letters. I've sent out my first two applications electronically and have four left to send by mail.
Are cover letters an essential and expected part of your application even if it is not mentioned in the admission requirements?
If so, what information should you include in it and how detailed should it be?
Thanks!
Does anyone have any information on/experience with the University of New Orleans MFA program? I'm considering a last-minute (to say the least) effort to join up as an aspiring screenwriter.
Any information on UNO or good MFA Screenwriting programs in general would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The NC State MFA information page states that "many of our candidates are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, even 60s" and offers a rationale for this bias: "you must have lived which is to be expected as richly lived lives often yield the best stories and experiences for art"... Anyone else notice this? Oh, I see. NCSU has a young program for old people.
Hey all,
First time posting. Have been an avid reader and have benefitted immensely. The only acceptance I have gotten so far is from the infamous Emerson in Boston. Reading the posts about it has been interesting because there seems to be a diversity of opinion. One post claimed the TA funding is terrible and another student says it is a good deal. Can both be true??? Also I've read complaints of overworked faculty and that the BFA may be regarded as better than the MFA. Are there any current/former students that could weigh in, I feel as though I may get more candid responses about the program on a blog than through students that the program puts me in touch with. Has there been any effort to improve these things? Also, generally how do people feel about asking really pointed questions to faculty/students on a visit, such as "I hear your faculty are overworked and underpaid and your funding is really bad and that your BFA's are openly known to be better than your MFA's. What are your thoughts on these criticisms that seem to be widespread on writers' blogs?"
Hello Tom,
First of all, I apologize in advance if this is the wrong section to post in. I tried to post in "Screenwriting" with no apparent success.
I was wondering if you had any idea about MFA rankings or university reps or prestige in the area of screenwriting? I am particularly interested in AFI and Columbia.
Thank you
Thank you so much for this blog and your book. Though I've never engaged in the conversations, I've certainly drawn guidance from the posts and the MFA blog community. I'm such a techno dummy; I think I just accidentally started a blog.....
I recently got accepted in the University of British Columbia at Vancouver and University of California-Riverside. I had an interest in them for their multi-genre components. Does anyone know anything about either program, or has anyone participated in a multi-genre program and have any thoughts on how they are organized? I'm wondering if multi-genre programs, enticing as they sound, take away focus from a student's primary genre or spread's him/her too thin. I've also applied to programs that are only in fiction, so I am wondering if anyone has thoughts on multi-genre programs in general or if anyone is familiar with either the Riverside or the UBC Program.
Thanks again for all your help!
I was wondering about people's opinions are in regards to going directly into a MFA program after graduating with a BA. On one hand, writing is my passion and I can't imagine doing anything else. On the other, a lot of people whose opinions I value have told me to wait and get some job experience.
I'm intend to pursue an MFA in 2 years. In the meantime I really want to take an NYC based fiction course/workshop with a 5 week maximum duration. Ideally the course should begin in April 2009. My schedule is constrained because 5 weeks is the maximum amount of vacation I can take.
I'd be really greatful for any suggestions.
Hi All,
I've been a silent participant for some time here, and it's been quite encouraging to read the posts as I've been trudging through the application process (what a process!). This is my THIRD time applying.
The first time I applied, I was a freshman in college working toward my BA in Literary Writing. I only applied to one school and was accepted. (amazing, right?) Silly and immature as I as, I decided not to attend, not even to defer a year, because I had no guidance and as I saw my college years closing, all I could focus on was the supposedly insurmountable debt that I was incurring and how much I missed my home state.
The second time I applied, I decided to try 3 schools all in the same state: Cal Arts (asked me to please apply again once I'd gained more life experience), Cal State Long Beach (did not get accepted due to technicality - make sure ALL your materials get in on time!!!), UCI (my DREAM school at the time - dumped).
Fast forward many years...here I am. Trying "one last time" and trying, above all, to get it right this time. I find myself at the witching hour finalizing the package to send to the very last school and I'm having some See's and wine...yippeeeee! Because I am DONE with applications. Whew! Methinks I'll be celebrating ALL weekend. Here are my choices this go-round:
Iowa
Brown
ASU
U of AZ
U of OR
UNM
UCR
Texas State, San Marcos
I opted NOT to take the GRE again, even though my scores were good the first time. That was 5 years ago. My question is, how does NOT taking the GRE factor into TAship decisions? Does it matter much at all?
And for the rest of you out there...are any of you that are going back after years outside of academia quite nervous about it? Are you feeling even the slightest bit hesitant about leaving your comfort zone (i.e. family, friends, places of residence) for this adventure?
Thanks!!! :-)
Hi.
I'm desperate for inside information about Hunter's Nonfiction MFA program. I'm almost done with my application but am having second thoughts. I didn't get the chance to go to their open house, as I was overseas, so I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who can give me some insight.
I'm concerned that the program focuses solely on memoir. Having studied nonfiction as an undergraduate, I've done a lot of memoir-type writing, and am now more interested in exploring other forms of nonfiction (essays, biographies, portraits, nature writing, just anything where I'm not talking about myself!). Now, I know that memoir is an excellent spring board for exploring these other forms and I shouldn't have such a narrow view about, but I'm just curious - is the program worth it if I'm not too keen on just memoir? I'd appreciate any help - I'm just full of doubts, my brain is fried, and I'm worried about wasting $125 on an application fee! Thanks.
Hi all,
Alas, today is the long-awaited April 15th. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on my situation--I'm currently sitting at the top of Cornell's waitlist (poetry) and wasn't sure if it would be appropriate to give the Admissions a call to see if my status has changed, since today is, after all, deadline day. Is this overstepping my bounds? Patience is wearing thin...
Thanks for any advice.
Thank you! I've been looking at MFA degrees for a while, and your site makes it so much easier.
I've got a couple of years before I can start applying to MFA programs, and I'd like to use this time to enhance my application. Which would you recommend: completing a two-year graduate level Creative Writing Certificate program at a respected university or earning a second undergrad degree in English Lit or Creative Writing (my first is in Journalism)?
Hi,
I've been looking around for a list of programs that feature the creative MFA combined with the critical PhD, but haven't found any such list. I know of two right now: Cornell and Indiana, and I also know Wisconsin-Madison offers something similar. Are there any other MFA/PhD programs I should know about?
The Northwestern graduate program in creative writing has a new blog, with a place for potential students to ask questions and also many lit links. You can find us at http://northwesternmamfa.blogspot.com
Best,
Sandi Wisenberg
co-director, MA/MFA in Creative Writing program
I am presently completing my hons in English and philosphy and is considering to move on to my MFA- creative writing- in Toronto.
How competive is the MFA programme in Toronto.
I am in my final yr in my degree programme and is urgently looking for vital info.
Hello! I am looking for MFA programs that seem to have emphasis or make room for novel writing in workshop context--I tend to write longer stuff, and some workshop classes I've had are not conducive to providing and receiving good feedback on this form. Has anyone had any good experiences with classes or programs that cater to larger projects, rather than the short story?
Hello,
Can you please help me understand how critical letters of recommendation are? Are they mandatory? I love to write short stories and poetry - have been writing since my teenage years - but hardly anyone knows about this so not sure who can vouch for these talents. I read somewhere that one letter should preferably come from a fellow writer or editor and another from a teacher. But I did my undergrad in science and have been working in the IT industry for the past 8 years and no one from school or work fits the bill. Please advise.
Thanks!!
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