tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post1609335210019818569..comments2024-03-28T02:14:08.783-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: The Ones Without a ClueTom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-18322136043276791612009-05-22T07:48:53.544-07:002009-05-22T07:48:53.544-07:00We're being short changed...Lehigh?We're being short changed...Lehigh?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-24863326792632591562009-05-21T22:25:39.160-07:002009-05-21T22:25:39.160-07:00Emory University.
Its undergrad program is home t...Emory University.<br /><br />Its undergrad program is home to Natasha Trethewey, Kevin Young, Bruce Covey, Jim Grimsley, and an assortment of other notables. Also home to the Danowski poetry collection, the largest collection of contemporary poetry in the world. In addition, they offer a highly competitive fellowship to recent MFA/PhD graduates to teach for two years. No MFA program though.<br /><br />I don't know how many graduates end up in MFA programs, but I'm going to Hollins this fall and another person is going to NYU. Not too shabby.Jeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01721717255965945309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-44076620732374215652009-05-21T22:23:35.078-07:002009-05-21T22:23:35.078-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01721717255965945309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-63453399189943246352009-05-20T17:36:59.417-07:002009-05-20T17:36:59.417-07:00Rice and Carnegie Mellon are still w/o a clue.Rice and Carnegie Mellon are still w/o a clue.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-78039513805297440322009-05-20T17:21:22.494-07:002009-05-20T17:21:22.494-07:00i attended Loyola College in Baltimore, MD. i maj...i attended Loyola College in Baltimore, MD. i majored in English Literature; however, there is a writing major offered. i seriously enjoyed my English classes. the one writing class (taught by writing faculty) that i took in freshman year was taught by an IWW CW MFA graduate so go figure. Terrifying and wonderful experiences are sublime.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-50869702522599924372009-05-20T13:32:13.303-07:002009-05-20T13:32:13.303-07:00As a graduate of Princeton, I figured I could give...As a graduate of Princeton, I figured I could give my impression of the University's Creative Writing Program. The basic setup is very similar to Diane's description of UCLA. There is a creative writing department which is completely separate from the English department and is instead housed with the fine and performing arts in its own building. Anyone can apply for workshops, but must be accepted. The courses are divided into "beginner" and "advanced" workshops, with two to three of each being offered in poetry and fiction (and one in translation, typically) each semester. Two beginner workshops are usually required to apply for an advanced one. These courses are taught by the absolutely fantastic faculty there: Chang-rae Lee, Edmund White, Joyce Carol Oates, Paul Muldoon, C.K. Williams, and James Richardson, among others (and formerly, while I attended, also Linda Gregg and Yusef Komunyakaa). <br /><br />Then, just before their senior year, students have the option to apply to write a creative thesis of original work. Any student of any major can apply and be accepted, but English majors are nearly always permitted to write the creative thesis in lieu of the required literary research thesis for graduation if the creative writing department accepts their application. Four workshops and a successful writing sample are required to be accepted for a creative thesis. Then, throughout the senior year these accepted students work one on one with their assigned thesis adviser to come up with the finished work. The experience culminates in a thesis reading at the end of the year and students receive a minor certificate in creative writing.<br /><br />I was personally attracted to Princeton instead of some of the other schools I was looking at because of its fantastic undergraduate creative writing program. Though I do think that they would house a lovely MFA program (and the new emphasis on arts through the Lewis Center might be moving in that direction), I felt very fortunate to be a part of a creative writing program that focused entirely on undergraduates. It was a terrifying and wonderful experience all wrapped up into one. Most good experiences are, no?burlaperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00691187277953218952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-28027967280548957732009-05-20T08:32:58.831-07:002009-05-20T08:32:58.831-07:00Vince,
I'll be applying to UCI and probably UC R...Vince, <br /><br />I'll be applying to UCI and probably UC Riverside's low res program, am also considering Cal State Long Beach (I notice most of the faculty are UCI grads, and my current CW prof thinks it's an up and coming program). I'm also thinking about Bennington or other low res options, except that cost is a problem. I can't leave LA, so UCSD isn't a viable driving distance option. <br /><br />I've heard a rumor that USC is considering some changes with its MPW program to move it to more of an MFA, so if that happens in the next year or so, and I can figure out the $$, that could be an option too.<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestions! Now I just have to get accepted somewhere. ;-)Diane Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063344529169593551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-5073826831556178532009-05-20T04:29:18.706-07:002009-05-20T04:29:18.706-07:00Diane C--
Don't forget that UC Riverside, UC Irvi...Diane C--<br /><br />Don't forget that UC Riverside, UC Irvine, and now UCSD offer the CW MFA. <br /><br />VAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-51314882280772332772009-05-19T17:14:01.245-07:002009-05-19T17:14:01.245-07:00i apologize. some of the universities i've listed...i apologize. some of the universities i've listed here are richer than many third world countries..(no offense to anyone who might be living in such countries)...Boston College??Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-81202054228726319592009-05-19T16:39:09.874-07:002009-05-19T16:39:09.874-07:00I'm currently an undergraduate English major at UC...I'm currently an undergraduate English major at UCLA completing the "concentration" option in CW. We follow a different track, studying literature within genres and must complete three CW workshops (all must be in either poetry or fiction), which are very competitive to get into. I'm guessing based on the stack of writing sample submissions I saw stacked up when I turned mine in, and on anecdotes I've heard, that they get about 100-150 applications for 24-36 slots (each quarter there are 2-3 workshops of 12). I'm in my 3rd now (whew). There are also several CW awards, and if you do dept. honors, you complete a 60-pg. creative project in your sr. year with 1:1 advising by one of the CW profs who are all really good. <br /><br />I feel lucky to be part of this program, and it seems to be taken seriously within the English dept. It's like an MFA "lite" (without teaching experience, which is not my focus anyway). If nothing else, the workshop/writing sample application process is demystified, and we are building a network of peers and instructors. Also, we have Westwind, our online/print journal, which has taken two of my stories; athough it's a tiny, student-run journal, that has helped so much with breaking the ice and building confidence on the huge issue of getting "published." :-) They held a conference within the writing programs office last week (both CW and research theses), and the Westwind-published fiction writers had an opportunity to do readings of their work, more great practical experience.<br /><br />If I don't get into an MFA program (and I'm stuck fro personal reasons in LA so my options are limited), I feel that I can continue at UCLA Extension's great CW program and get my novel finished--at least I've got a good foundation and a few buddies.<br /><br />I've asked about why UCLA (and Berkeley) don't have a CW MFA, and basically I hear "budget restrictions." <br /><br />p.s. I'm an older, re-entry undergrad student, so I am lucky I was very clear on my goals when I decided on UCLA. Sorry for the length, but I love it when people give the gritty details!Diane Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063344529169593551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-78253412341337857072009-05-18T10:21:00.000-07:002009-05-18T10:21:00.000-07:00Okay...okay Harvard, Wake Forest, and UPenn at lea...Okay...okay Harvard, Wake Forest, and UPenn at least...to give the CW MFA more clout.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-75178083318628320712009-05-17T18:15:00.000-07:002009-05-17T18:15:00.000-07:00I have seen a section on several CVs titled "Teach...I have seen a section on several CVs titled "Teaching Competence." Are there measures for this among CW professors? Perhaps, it's something the AWP might want to look into...if it hasn't already done so.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-82941355443248878672009-05-17T16:02:00.000-07:002009-05-17T16:02:00.000-07:00BTW--if you are on a tight budget, going with a bu...BTW--if you are on a tight budget, going with a buddy will make the AWP Conference more affordable by splitting the cost between the two or more of you..e.g..hotel room costs..etc.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-91205921173863016662009-05-15T04:49:00.000-07:002009-05-15T04:49:00.000-07:00Make sure to remain in contact with all members of...Make sure to remain in contact with all members of your graduating CW MFA class...even if their genre is different from yours. Let them know how you're doing from time to time because it sounds like you're all in the same boat. This could lead to jobs later down the road. Also, don't discount getting a teaching gig at college campuses that are not flagship..i.e..there is University of Maryland College Park and then there is University of Maryland--Baltimore County--both need qualified teachers in their English Depts. Finally, try to get to the AWP Annual Conference with at least one buddy to meet people and make connections. Seth might have other suggestions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-33231126731498685522009-05-14T21:55:00.000-07:002009-05-14T21:55:00.000-07:00Seth,
Forgive me if this is somewhat off topic, b...Seth,<br /><br />Forgive me if this is somewhat off topic, but I think it is worthy of a column, and I'm not sure how else to reach you. I'm a recent Rodgers Fellow and graduate of the University of Arizona MFA program in nonfiction. The program was great. Alison Deming, Fenton Johnson, and Ander Monson are the core NF faculty, and they all spend an almost inhuman amount of time nurturing students and their work. My prose grew tremendously during my time at the U of A. Ander joined the faculty this year, so I didn't work with him--I've heard only great things from his students--but Alison and Fenton are mentors who've gone to the well for me often and without question. Richard Shelton--just retired--and Judy Blunt--visiting prof for a semester--have been incredibly helpful, as well. They are all consumate teachers who give as much to their roles as mentors as they do their own work. <br /><br />There was only one problem with the program, and I suspect this is almost universal among MFA programs in every genre: The degree offered almost no guidance in professional development. The credo "publish, publish, publish" has a lot of truth to it, but it won't help put you in a position to find your first job. The U of A graduate program in literature requires students to complete coursework designed to help build vitas, network, present papers at conferences, develop teaching portfolios, you name it.<br /><br />I was lucky in that I learned these things in an American Studies masters program at Utah State before I came to Arizona. Others in my class weren't so lucky. The fact is that for those of us who seek to support our work through teaching, a CV is much more than its publication lines. The literature folks know this, and if we hope to compete with them for jobs in English departments, we need to learn this, as well.Ben Quickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05653855327554679389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-61300288498060004622009-05-14T15:21:00.000-07:002009-05-14T15:21:00.000-07:00i'm sorry. i have to let everyone know that the d...i'm sorry. i have to let everyone know that the director of Harvard's CW program did in fact attend the IWW...so kudos! their undergraduates are lucky. Harvard CW MFAs??? Just an after thought.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-35959763341374367482009-05-14T07:33:00.000-07:002009-05-14T07:33:00.000-07:00i think there is a tug of war regarding the teachi...i think there is a tug of war regarding the teaching of writing and where it belongs in academia. does it deserve attention or a lack of attention? also, is it just another facet under English departments. the English Phd professors sort of smirk; however, they don't teach writing unless they have the Phd in CW...and i think their numbers are even less. Freshmen Composition courses are a pain in the butt to teach anywhere. it's a part of the transition between high school and college for students. how do they successfully write a college level research paper? we teach them MLA style...ie..where and when to place a footnote on the page..etc. We're lucky to have the AWP looking out for us. what does MLA have to say? i don't know. Seems like the AWP does work that MLA would rather ignore. And then there are the so called advanced writing courses..what in the world?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-41467249067057124272009-05-13T07:21:00.000-07:002009-05-13T07:21:00.000-07:00there must be some very competent CW professors te...there must be some very competent CW professors teaching undergraduates at these schools and small, liberal arts colleges nationwide. Thank you IWW, Michigan,NYU..NEO...Vanderbilt...etc...it was money well spent.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-768350400316218892009-05-12T08:56:00.000-07:002009-05-12T08:56:00.000-07:00What would be illuminating is a run down of how ma...What would be illuminating is a run down of how many of these schools w/o a CW MFA program do in fact have faculty who are alumni of established CW MFA programs.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-89780701138232890932009-05-12T06:44:00.000-07:002009-05-12T06:44:00.000-07:00Thanks so much Vince and Joe !Thanks so much Vince and Joe !DuhGodesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817054836865705020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-28716015429863884302009-05-12T05:59:00.000-07:002009-05-12T05:59:00.000-07:00DuhGoddess--
I mentioned Hamline's program. Ther...DuhGoddess--<br /><br />I mentioned Hamline's program. There is also a Children's Literature MA/MFA program at Hollins University. Whether or not your writing deals with Christianity/ Christian beliefs and values--arguably--fits under your prerogative as a writer. <br /><br />VAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-33918204766776641892009-05-12T05:18:00.000-07:002009-05-12T05:18:00.000-07:00DuhGodess,
I know that Seattle Pacific Universit...DuhGodess, <br /><br />I know that Seattle Pacific University emphasizes spirituality and Judeo-Christian themes. It's a low residency program though--don't know if that is what you're looking for. Anyway, here is there website: http://www.spu.edu/prospects/grad/Academics/MFA/Joe Irelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930050743880875900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-18116534553043805412009-05-12T04:36:00.000-07:002009-05-12T04:36:00.000-07:00MT--
I'm serious regarding finding your passion f...MT--<br /><br />I'm serious regarding finding your passion for writing while still an undergraduate. These programs also accept students fresh out of college with newly minted bachelors degrees..these VERY lucky ones have been prepared well. <br /><br />VAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-22177739883732246672009-05-12T04:10:00.000-07:002009-05-12T04:10:00.000-07:00Hamline University offers a Writing MFA for writer...Hamline University offers a Writing MFA for writers dealing with Young Adult and Children's Literature.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11939556181617016148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-73698407509296602042009-05-12T03:38:00.000-07:002009-05-12T03:38:00.000-07:00Hi! I know this might sound off the cuff, but are ...Hi! I know this might sound off the cuff, but are there any top MFA programmes that specifically focus on Christian fiction writing for little children?DuhGodesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817054836865705020noreply@blogger.com