tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post5368074146364429063..comments2024-03-28T02:14:08.783-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: Not to sound like your mother...Tom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-25796621552445963472007-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:002007-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00Meg,General Comments - Be weary of what you post o...Meg,<BR/><BR/>General Comments - Be weary of what you post online about yourself and your application letter (and other application materials) and stuff about your personal life. In the same mold as companies looking at myspace and facebook profiles to conduct background checks on potential hirees and business schools fact-checking the work histories of their applicants, MFA programs may Google search a candidate to see what comes up. OK, unlikely, and even is they did, they probably won't frown on anything on your blog site, but just something to think about.<BR/><BR/>On that same note, be careful of how you react to comments on your application letter. You may get comments trying to hurt your letter, if they are from applicants vying for the same coveted spots at Iowa. Unlikely scenario, and...if your letter is exceptionally good, another applicant might rip it off and use it for his/her own letter to Iowa (or other programs). Again, unlikely, and I'm presenting Doomsday scenarios, but still something to ponder. <BR/><BR/>I'm sure that your blog is harmless, and I don't mean to sound like a wet blanket. My only advice is just to proceed with caution.Mike Valentehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05655671939237508024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-29981685828792155862007-07-17T20:34:00.000-07:002007-07-17T20:34:00.000-07:00THANK YOU! these comments of yours are so valuable...THANK YOU! these comments of yours are so valuable to me! Which program are you in? Which would you recommend? I am primarily doing an MFA for the close knit writing community and mentorship and all these things have to offer me in terms of encouragement, feed back and DISCIPLINE!!!!! If you';ve time to comment on my application letter, on my blog ( a few posts down!) that would be great! This letter is to Iowa - I'm new in this game and at this minute that's the only program I know anything about. I am excited to read this blog and its links and know more. THANKS!<BR/><BR/>MegMegshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13057559601219863112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-33831022078990470272007-07-17T08:55:00.000-07:002007-07-17T08:55:00.000-07:00Yeah, the peer group, seriously. I put that up hig...Yeah, the peer group, seriously. I put that up higher than faculty. I've gotten more out of my connections with other students than any faculty-and I'm rubbing up against some notable writers here. <BR/><BR/>{It may bear noting at this point that I'm an undergrad-came back to finish the BA so as to get on with an MFA.}<BR/><BR/>The one thing I never hear other applicants mention is the importance of a sound library system. Maybe it's just me, but I'm the type of writer who uses the library, and a lot. The school I'm at now was profiled by T. Kealey in his handbook, isn't in the top 20, but still it was dully noted. The library here? It's poop. I can't tell you how many times I search for an item, say a collection of shorts called Nine Stories by JD Salinger or the Fiction Issue from The Atlantic, and said item is either "lost," "not found," "stole," "never issued," or "checked out." It's time consuming and depressing and not something I want to deal with while persuing an MFA.<BR/><BR/>To my mind, research and any school that calls itself a research university should have an ample stock of basic items such as the above mentioned book and journal issue.<BR/>I'm a writer. I'm not gonna be able to do all my research on-line, nor do I wish to. A superior library is a non-negotiable.dllhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555437716495554402noreply@blogger.com