P.S. And of course the rankings also do tell you many other things -- for instance, Iowa's higher ranking is probatively associated with higher average cohort quality, meaning a) stronger workshops, and b) an alumni corps more likely to find success over the next five to ten years (one problem with just researching current alumni is that that's a retrospective, rather than prospective assessment -- and you don't really care, no one does, about what happened five years ago, when you have the means to predict, roughly, what will happen five years in the future, i.e. when you're on the job market, trying to publish, etcetera).
Hi! So, I'm right in the middle of GRE studying, researching schools, and so forth- planning to apply for Sept 2012. In the midst of all this I decided to look into UK schools as well. Having studied abroad there in the past and loving it I thought why not? I have found loads of schools/programs- most are MA's in Creative Writing w/ 1-2 exceptions that are called MFA's. Any idea if getting a degree in the UK has any major downside compared to getting one in the US that I may not be aware of? Thx!!
Oh, I might as well chime in on the nonfiction conversation. I've researched Iowa, because I was accepted there. I think this silly idea that NWP the "bastard child" of IWW comes from the fact that it offers fewer fellowships. Also, I've met IWW students who look down on NWP students because they don't understand that nonfiction writing is a serious literary genre. But as Seth has said, it's the top-ranked and absolutely the most prestigious nonfiction program out there.
I just want to say, though, I don't think the most prestigious MFA program is necessarily the best program for everyone. I picked another top-twenty program l that is actually ranked pretty low for CNF, because once you're in the program, you're either a poetry writer or a prose writer, and you can take any workshop you want. Because I like to write in multiple genres (fiction and nonfiction) this kind of program sounded way better to me. Also, I think I'll have a better cohort. My program's overall acceptance rate is about 4%. NWP's was 10% this year. As far as I know, I was one of two nonfiction writers admitted to my program, so I am hoping that the program looks for the same quality of work in admitted nonfiction writers as in all the other genres. Anyway, I think I will gain just as much from workshops with super-talented fiction writers as I could have from workshops with talented nonfiction writers--and again, that's especially true for me because I also want to write fiction.
So yes, Iowa is the most prestigious nonfiction program out there, but my thinking, when I made my decision, was that didn't necessarily mean a higher average cohort quality and stronger workshops, if you'll be working closely with writers in other genres. I hope I was right about that!
Of course, nothing I'm saying has anything to do with Columbia, though. I didn't apply there. I'm not into those programs where only a few people get funded and the others pay through the nose for tuition. That can only create bad vibes within the program, and I'm sure you get a weaker cohort that way.
Seth, thank you for providing your input. I thought/hoped you might if I kept floating the info/question(s). . . . So it's very good to know that face-to-face interviews are not at all widely practiced at the top programs. Again, though, from what I heard from actual, current MFA students in that unnamed program, unfortunately there is at least one top-30 that does it. . . . It's also strange that the original post w/ my first comments about those touchy issue(s) is now gone (http://creative-writing-mfa-handbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/current-top-40-mfa-programs.html). Hmmm.
(. . . . It is, however, possible, that the program ceased that questionable practice in the last 1-2 years. . . . So perhaps you're right that NOW there is no such top-30 program that does it.)
Anyone have any thoughts on San Diego State vs. UC San Diego? The major thing I noticed was that UC San Diego had pretty much NO info on funding on their site whereas San Diego State had some. They were ranked the same I believe at #60. San Diego is also a 3 yr program, which I'd prefer. Does anyone have any more info aside from that that may distinguish the programs a bit more for me?
Ah good to know - I only saw that they offered support in the way of teaching/research assistantships but wasn't sure if that translated into full funding for all. Well that tips the scales a bit! :)
After the student accepts the offer to attend UCSD, s/he then applies to the writing programs for 50% TAships with tuition remission. UCSD has six colleges and each college has a writing program where TAs will teach composition. Right now the MFA program has a good relationship with Sixth College that focuses on interdisciplinary writing and teaching styles so most of the grad students are being hired by them.
In the first two years of the program, if grad students did not get hired by the writing programs then a 25% TAship is offered for the first year through the literature department teaching creative writing. The other 25% is supplemented by RAships (you apply for those too but sometimes they are given to you as only MFA students are offered the application) or readerships. Readerships outside of the department don’t pay as much but you can get tuition remission.
I’m not sure if the funding situation will change or stay the same for the 2011-2012 academic year and beyond. But in my experience they do try and find something for everyone.
Also, it’s a two year program though grad students can stay for a third year if they choose to. Most who are going to stay have writing program TAships where the college agreed to keep them for another year.
The ranking for UCSD was not in the top 50 last year but if I remember Seth’s projected rankings correctly, it might be in the top 50 this year?
Been revising a lot lately in preparation for the manuscript process...looking for a piece of advice: is it better to demonstrate a wide variety of topics/content/interests in one's manuscript or is it a better idea to show a close focus on a small number of themes? I want my manuscript to portray maturity and am wondering the best way(s) to accomplish that.
I'm looking for some advice. I'm a journalist in the Air Force and I'm interested in pursuing an MFA. Since I will remain on active duty, low-residency programs are really the only option unless I wait. I'm comfortable with many of the admission requirements but I'm stumped on the letters of recommendation. Being in a military community and writing for that community I have letters from the top general in charge of public affairs, the civilian director of the agency responsible for media production and potentially a senior general. My bachelors degree is in science so I have very little interaction with academic writing professors. Will my military letters of recommendation hold any weight in applying for an MFA program?
J. Paul, I was thinking about this the other day. Having gotten through the MFA application process successfully, I honestly think the source of letters will not be a problem for you. Committees look first, and primarily at your writing sample. If that sparks their interest, they will look at other parts of the application, but only then. That said, I would guess the importance of the letters is that they can help a department decide if you're the sort of workshop participant they want on board -- thoughtful and constructive participants who are willing to take time thinking about others' work as well as their own. Basically, they want people who will contribute positively to the writing community. So a letter from a writing professor or workshop facilitator would be more valuable than a letter from a science professor. It's not too late for you to take an online writing workshop, and to procure a letter from the instructor. I think this would be a good support for your application, although I know very little about low-res programs. Good luck!!!!
This mailbag is many months old, but I just discovered something during my application process that I think others ought to know -- probably too late to do much good to anyone applying now, but should help those applying next year.
Indiana has something weird going on with their online application and deadline. The deadline is Jan 2, BUT the system won't send out the emails to your recommenders until you've submitted your application and paid the fee. In other words, you have to do the application well in advance of the Jan 2 deadline in order to give your recommenders time to get their recommendations in. The admissions page recommends you do this by the end of October.
However, once you have submitted the online application, you can't go back into it to upload items such as statment of purpose and writing sample! So you basically have to have all your materials ready when you submit it, well before the Jan 2 deadline.
I got around this by sending a panicked email and was told I could email my documents. But I thought others should know about this in case they haven't fixed it before next year.
*Question on transfer and/or prior MFA's rendering you ineligible for another program*
I'm planning to join the Peace Corps next Spring, but I want to get started on my CW MFA so I am applying to University of British Columbia (UBC)'s optional residency (distance) program.
I'll be doing the program part time, so it's unlikely that I will be finished with the program when I return. However, there's always a chance I could finish my coursework in those two years while doing PC. I would love to transfer to a full residency program when I return, but I read (specifically on University of Texas's site) that a previous MFA disqualifies you - I've also been told they look at transfers skeptically.
Here are the questions:
1. Which programs would I be ineligible for if I earned my MFA? Which would I be looked at skeptically by?(Like UT).
2. Are there any programs who actually like accepting transfers or people who already hold an MFA?
3. Has anyone had transfer experience (specifically from Low-Res to Full-Res) they can share with me?
4. Is this just an all around bad idea? Should I wait? I just really want to get started and I'd love to have a program's support pushing me forward.
*Question on transfer and/or prior MFA's rendering you ineligible for another program*
I'm planning to join the Peace Corps next Spring, but I want to get started on my CW MFA so I am applying to University of British Columbia (UBC)'s optional residency (distance) program.
I'll be doing the program part time, so it's unlikely that I will be finished with the program when I return. However, there's always a chance I could finish my coursework in those two years while doing PC. I would love to transfer to a full residency program when I return, but I read (specifically on University of Texas's site) that a previous MFA disqualifies you - I've also been told they look at transfers skeptically.
Here are the questions:
1. Which programs would I be ineligible for if I earned my MFA? Which would I be looked at skeptically by?(Like UT).
2. Are there any programs who actually like accepting transfers or people who already hold an MFA?
3. Has anyone had transfer experience (specifically from Low-Res to Full-Res) they can share with me?
4. Is this just an all around bad idea? Should I wait? I just really want to get started and I'd love to have a program's support pushing me forward.
818 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 801 – 818 of 818P.S. And of course the rankings also do tell you many other things -- for instance, Iowa's higher ranking is probatively associated with higher average cohort quality, meaning a) stronger workshops, and b) an alumni corps more likely to find success over the next five to ten years (one problem with just researching current alumni is that that's a retrospective, rather than prospective assessment -- and you don't really care, no one does, about what happened five years ago, when you have the means to predict, roughly, what will happen five years in the future, i.e. when you're on the job market, trying to publish, etcetera).
Hi! So, I'm right in the middle of GRE studying, researching schools, and so forth- planning to apply for Sept 2012. In the midst of all this I decided to look into UK schools as well. Having studied abroad there in the past and loving it I thought why not? I have found loads of schools/programs- most are MA's in Creative Writing w/ 1-2 exceptions that are called MFA's. Any idea if getting a degree in the UK has any major downside compared to getting one in the US that I may not be aware of? Thx!!
Oh, I might as well chime in on the nonfiction conversation. I've researched Iowa, because I was accepted there. I think this silly idea that NWP the "bastard child" of IWW comes from the fact that it offers fewer fellowships. Also, I've met IWW students who look down on NWP students because they don't understand that nonfiction writing is a serious literary genre. But as Seth has said, it's the top-ranked and absolutely the most prestigious nonfiction program out there.
I just want to say, though, I don't think the most prestigious MFA program is necessarily the best program for everyone. I picked another top-twenty program l that is actually ranked pretty low for CNF, because once you're in the program, you're either a poetry writer or a prose writer, and you can take any workshop you want. Because I like to write in multiple genres (fiction and nonfiction) this kind of program sounded way better to me. Also, I think I'll have a better cohort. My program's overall acceptance rate is about 4%. NWP's was 10% this year. As far as I know, I was one of two nonfiction writers admitted to my program, so I am hoping that the program looks for the same quality of work in admitted nonfiction writers as in all the other genres. Anyway, I think I will gain just as much from workshops with super-talented fiction writers as I could have from workshops with talented nonfiction writers--and again, that's especially true for me because I also want to write fiction.
So yes, Iowa is the most prestigious nonfiction program out there, but my thinking, when I made my decision, was that didn't necessarily mean a higher average cohort quality and stronger workshops, if you'll be working closely with writers in other genres. I hope I was right about that!
Of course, nothing I'm saying has anything to do with Columbia, though. I didn't apply there. I'm not into those programs where only a few people get funded and the others pay through the nose for tuition. That can only create bad vibes within the program, and I'm sure you get a weaker cohort that way.
Seth, thank you for providing your input. I thought/hoped you might if I kept floating the info/question(s). . . . So it's very good to know that face-to-face interviews are not at all widely practiced at the top programs. Again, though, from what I heard from actual, current MFA students in that unnamed program, unfortunately there is at least one top-30 that does it. . . . It's also strange that the original post w/ my first comments about those touchy issue(s) is now gone (http://creative-writing-mfa-handbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/current-top-40-mfa-programs.html). Hmmm.
(. . . . It is, however, possible, that the program ceased that questionable practice in the last 1-2 years. . . . So perhaps you're right that NOW there is no such top-30 program that does it.)
Anyone have any thoughts on San Diego State vs. UC San Diego? The major thing I noticed was that UC San Diego had pretty much NO info on funding on their site whereas San Diego State had some. They were ranked the same I believe at #60. San Diego is also a 3 yr program, which I'd prefer. Does anyone have any more info aside from that that may distinguish the programs a bit more for me?
@ ACRugs -- UCSD is fully-funded.
Ah good to know - I only saw that they offered support in the way of teaching/research assistantships but wasn't sure if that translated into full funding for all. Well that tips the scales a bit! :)
UCSD Funding
After the student accepts the offer to attend UCSD, s/he then applies to the writing programs for 50% TAships with tuition remission. UCSD has six colleges and each college has a writing program where TAs will teach composition. Right now the MFA program has a good relationship with Sixth College that focuses on interdisciplinary writing and teaching styles so most of the grad students are being hired by them.
In the first two years of the program, if grad students did not get hired by the writing programs then a 25% TAship is offered for the first year through the literature department teaching creative writing. The other 25% is supplemented by RAships (you apply for those too but sometimes they are given to you as only MFA students are offered the application) or readerships. Readerships outside of the department don’t pay as much but you can get tuition remission.
I’m not sure if the funding situation will change or stay the same for the 2011-2012 academic year and beyond. But in my experience they do try and find something for everyone.
Also, it’s a two year program though grad students can stay for a third year if they choose to. Most who are going to stay have writing program TAships where the college agreed to keep them for another year.
The ranking for UCSD was not in the top 50 last year but if I remember Seth’s projected rankings correctly, it might be in the top 50 this year?
Been revising a lot lately in preparation for the manuscript process...looking for a piece of advice: is it better to demonstrate a wide variety of topics/content/interests in one's manuscript or is it a better idea to show a close focus on a small number of themes? I want my manuscript to portray maturity and am wondering the best way(s) to accomplish that.
I'm looking for some advice. I'm a journalist in the Air Force and I'm interested in pursuing an MFA. Since I will remain on active duty, low-residency programs are really the only option unless I wait. I'm comfortable with many of the admission requirements but I'm stumped on the letters of recommendation. Being in a military community and writing for that community I have letters from the top general in charge of public affairs, the civilian director of the agency responsible for media production and potentially a senior general. My bachelors degree is in science so I have very little interaction with academic writing professors. Will my military letters of recommendation hold any weight in applying for an MFA program?
J. Paul, I was thinking about this the other day. Having gotten through the MFA application process successfully, I honestly think the source of letters will not be a problem for you. Committees look first, and primarily at your writing sample. If that sparks their interest, they will look at other parts of the application, but only then. That said, I would guess the importance of the letters is that they can help a department decide if you're the sort of workshop participant they want on board -- thoughtful and constructive participants who are willing to take time thinking about others' work as well as their own. Basically, they want people who will contribute positively to the writing community. So a letter from a writing professor or workshop facilitator would be more valuable than a letter from a science professor. It's not too late for you to take an online writing workshop, and to procure a letter from the instructor. I think this would be a good support for your application, although I know very little about low-res programs. Good luck!!!!
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This mailbag is many months old, but I just discovered something during my application process that I think others ought to know -- probably too late to do much good to anyone applying now, but should help those applying next year.
Indiana has something weird going on with their online application and deadline. The deadline is Jan 2, BUT the system won't send out the emails to your recommenders until you've submitted your application and paid the fee. In other words, you have to do the application well in advance of the Jan 2 deadline in order to give your recommenders time to get their recommendations in. The admissions page recommends you do this by the end of October.
However, once you have submitted the online application, you can't go back into it to upload items such as statment of purpose and writing sample! So you basically have to have all your materials ready when you submit it, well before the Jan 2 deadline.
I got around this by sending a panicked email and was told I could email my documents. But I thought others should know about this in case they haven't fixed it before next year.
*Question on transfer and/or prior MFA's rendering you ineligible for another program*
I'm planning to join the Peace Corps next Spring, but I want to get started on my CW MFA so I am applying to University of British Columbia (UBC)'s optional residency (distance) program.
I'll be doing the program part time, so it's unlikely that I will be finished with the program when I return. However, there's always a chance I could finish my coursework in those two years while doing PC. I would love to transfer to a full residency program when I return, but I read (specifically on University of Texas's site) that a previous MFA disqualifies you - I've also been told they look at transfers skeptically.
Here are the questions:
1. Which programs would I be ineligible for if I earned my MFA? Which would I be looked at skeptically by?(Like UT).
2. Are there any programs who actually like accepting transfers or people who already hold an MFA?
3. Has anyone had transfer experience (specifically from Low-Res to Full-Res) they can share with me?
4. Is this just an all around bad idea? Should I wait? I just really want to get started and I'd love to have a program's support pushing me forward.
*Question on transfer and/or prior MFA's rendering you ineligible for another program*
I'm planning to join the Peace Corps next Spring, but I want to get started on my CW MFA so I am applying to University of British Columbia (UBC)'s optional residency (distance) program.
I'll be doing the program part time, so it's unlikely that I will be finished with the program when I return. However, there's always a chance I could finish my coursework in those two years while doing PC. I would love to transfer to a full residency program when I return, but I read (specifically on University of Texas's site) that a previous MFA disqualifies you - I've also been told they look at transfers skeptically.
Here are the questions:
1. Which programs would I be ineligible for if I earned my MFA? Which would I be looked at skeptically by?(Like UT).
2. Are there any programs who actually like accepting transfers or people who already hold an MFA?
3. Has anyone had transfer experience (specifically from Low-Res to Full-Res) they can share with me?
4. Is this just an all around bad idea? Should I wait? I just really want to get started and I'd love to have a program's support pushing me forward.
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