tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post6197626537238763889..comments2024-03-28T02:14:08.783-07:00Comments on THE MFA BLOG: If I Had Known Then What I Know Now....Tom Kealeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11913868167191023096noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-48825608665630259812017-07-08T21:52:30.687-07:002017-07-08T21:52:30.687-07:00Too funny. And not something I would have thought ...Too funny. And not something I would have thought of so thanks. Yellow fever shot to be admitted to Rwanda: check. Proof of childhood shots:. Oops.eastlacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04862489169357255977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-86233742514706987472013-09-25T10:53:07.959-07:002013-09-25T10:53:07.959-07:00Fantastic post I really like the document; really ...Fantastic post I really like the document; really like how we explained everything, what you are doing a great career lots of people as if you via that will style of helpful weblogs provide attention for you to us associated with many things. My spouse and i study various other useful websites from the internet websites and also I'm a great deal fascinated together with your running a blog skills, I furthermore started to produce document and this also type talk genuinely support me personally out and about. We by now saved the webpage as well as contributed ones internet sites in order to my own co-workers not just me personally nevertheless all of them similar to your blogging and site-building skills, wish a person write much more fascinating blogs in this way 1 as well as all the best for your potential sites.<br /><br />Jimmy Wilson-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Wedding-Evening-Swarovski-Crystals/dp/B00AWX332W/" rel="nofollow">Crystal Handbags</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02378236444802184226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-49996042652785177432013-04-02T08:10:59.589-07:002013-04-02T08:10:59.589-07:00Great articles and nice a website design too :)
Lo...Great articles and nice a website design too :)<br /><a href="http://www.logobench.com" rel="nofollow">Logo Designer</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04441941260055223857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-37583174373585157632013-04-02T04:06:32.955-07:002013-04-02T04:06:32.955-07:00This is great information for students. This artic...This is great information for students. This article is very helpful i really like this blog thanks. I also have some information relevant for <a href="http://www.dissertationmasters.net/urgent-dissertation-writing.php" rel="nofollow">Dissertation Editing Services</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17071999531950751897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-23195761773008855052012-12-10T17:05:58.355-08:002012-12-10T17:05:58.355-08:00MFA info on fully funded programs: http://affordin...MFA info on fully funded programs: http://affordingthemfa.wordpress.com/R.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02583017912707300954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-28677934788597969522012-10-30T14:53:41.046-07:002012-10-30T14:53:41.046-07:00Unless you are straight out of undergrad, "fu...Unless you are straight out of undergrad, "fully funded" really means, a huge pay deduction from your current job. <br /><br />15,000 stipend per year which is on the high end of most MFA programs, amounts to working a 7.00 an hour job, which in many areas of the country is *BELOW* minimum wage. <br /><br />Outside the humanities, fellowship stipends regularly go for 25000-35000 a year! 40,000 a year is not unheard of. <br /><br />Out of college for about 7 years now and being 30, I make the equivalent of 25.00 an hour plus full benefits, paid vacation and health insurance...But even my first job was making 36,000 dollars. So even these "fully funded" programs are a misnomer, I would save more money going to a school at night and paying out of pocket or doing a low res program than quitting my job for a full time program. <br /><br />So if you are already in the job world and over 25 or so, definitely something to consider. <br />jzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15298296162455209338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-65196549379915977812012-09-28T08:12:02.034-07:002012-09-28T08:12:02.034-07:00@Megan, don't worry about not feeling ready. T...@Megan, don't worry about not feeling ready. Those who do are usually the ones who aren't. But at the same time, don't use the P&W rankings as the ordered list of schools you want to be in. Every ranking system is flawed in that it must set criteria, and those criteria may or may not be the same as yours. Rather, go through the list and see which ones are the type of program you want.<br /> <br />Is it important to you how many of the program's grads get academic jobs, or is it more important how many of them are publishing? Check it out. Do you want to teach while you're in school? Some programs require it, others discourage it. Do you think you'll learn best in a literature-intensive program or in a workshop-intensive one? Different programs have very different styles.<br /> <br />And, most important, get on the phone and check out the personality of the program itself. You want to go someplace where you'll get along well.<br /> <br />At the end of the day, lots of people come out of top-ranked programs and go nowhere. A motivated individual can create opportunities to learn in even the worst program. Look at what you need, and go after a program that can provide it.Kylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14971315608924095910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-29560109772062416812012-09-17T12:48:59.642-07:002012-09-17T12:48:59.642-07:00I'm a recent college graduate who, up until th...I'm a recent college graduate who, up until this point, has maintained that I'm "not ready to go to graduate school." I've always wanted to wait until I could practice my craft enough to attend a Top-tier MFA program, and attend whole-heartedly. I want to go at a time when I am ready for the undertaking, and able to produce my best work. Also, I wanted to wait until I could AFFORD graduate school, although many of the programs I am interested in claim to be "fully funded." <br /><br />It is now September and most programs accept applications between October and January. Theoretically, I still have plenty of time to work on my application materials, collect letters of recommendation, etc. <br /><br />I've been wondering if applying this year might not be a bad idea. I'm feeling very motivated to begin the application process, and have been feeling really invigorated in my writing these days. My only fear is that I lack the discipline and maturity necessary to do well in an MFA program. <br /><br />So, I'm thinking about applying to four or five schools this cycle. I'm considering about twelve right now-- most from the Poet's and Writer's Top 50 list, and some not. <br /><br />I do not want to get sucked into the glitz and name recognition of a "Top" program, but I am afraid this is already happening. <br /><br />Really, I just want to attend the best program that I can--a place where I can learn from distinguished and experienced professors, study fiction writing and/or creative non-fiction, work with a talented and driven group of writers, attain a spot as a TA/GA, leave the program debt free, and enjoy a low to moderate cost-of-living. <br /><br />I would appreciate any advice folks can offer--specifically on whether or starting the application process this late in the year is a good idea, or schools and programs I should consider. <br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-72875138906374170422012-09-02T11:38:44.649-07:002012-09-02T11:38:44.649-07:00I would like to state that it is very important th...I would like to state that it is very important that you make sure you check your credit score before being awarded a graduate PLUS loan. I was accepted to California College of the Arts for this fall. I had paid my intent to enroll, housing deposit, had my plane tickets, everything. I found out from the Dept. of Education ONE WEEK before leaving that I did not get this loan. There was no co-signer option for me. I was forced to cancel my enrollment, and am devastated, to say the least. Also, I would say that CCA is not an idyllic school, unless you are a trust fund baby. It is a private school, and funding for graduate students is slim. In fact, I think I may have been totally scammed, to be honest. (75 bucks for the application fee...). I was totally enamored with living in San Francisco and attending an art school. Don't make the mistake I made. <br />I am not sure if I even want to try again...but I really do want to attend an MFA program. I want it sooo badly. I am wondering if I can get any/all advice on how to better decide where to go. The only other schools I applied to were University of Arkansas and University of Missouri-Saint Louis. I did not get accepted to either. I did not do all that well on the GRE. Not terribly, but not great. I really don't want to blow the money on it again, but I may have no other choice. I only had a 2.97 GPA when I graduated from undergrad. I was excited about this school, because they claimed to base their decision solely on your work. I also had good recommendations, but after all this time has passed, I don't know how to go about getting those again. I figure my professors have long forgotten me by now. I am totally lost and disheartened. I know I am a great writer, but I just don't see how I can find a school that fits me, that I can actually afford to attend, and that is somewhere that I will be happy. HELP ME DECIDE.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04010571896836418963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-71045680911290888482012-07-26T16:51:43.420-07:002012-07-26T16:51:43.420-07:00Oh gosh, YES. YES. I applied to way too many schoo...Oh gosh, YES. YES. I applied to way too many schools. It was a total mistake, IMO. Tops 15. <br /><br />I wrote a 2,000ish word FAQ basically detailing everything I did wrong here: http://katiemcginnis.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/the-mfa-faq-the-odds-and-ends-of-applying-for-mfa-creative-writing-graduate-programsCat Professorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17490823678874791279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-85473150834696609542012-07-12T19:26:13.564-07:002012-07-12T19:26:13.564-07:00Can anyone advise me on whether purchasing the boo...Can anyone advise me on whether purchasing the book "Creative Writing Mfa Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students (Revised & Updated)" is worthwhile. It was published in 2008, which means its information was compiled even before that. Anyone think it's out of date, still relevant?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11176471486731877683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-73015474191322076412012-07-09T10:34:28.689-07:002012-07-09T10:34:28.689-07:00@Sylvie,
Indiana is a great program. Grad student...@Sylvie,<br /><br />Indiana is a great program. Grad students teach Engl comp *and* cw classes.Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07562065459652200531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-89584501625504599472012-07-06T00:06:42.514-07:002012-07-06T00:06:42.514-07:00wow its a great blog.... must be great to see you ...wow its a great blog.... must be great to see you <b><a href="http://www.bonzoi.com" rel="nofollow">write a book</a></b>Inheritx Solutionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09377773054667042065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-52677420000886667042012-07-04T03:01:10.438-07:002012-07-04T03:01:10.438-07:00What about Goddard?What about Goddard?Nontradgradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722203271460142758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-19992050708118384882012-06-19T13:35:14.159-07:002012-06-19T13:35:14.159-07:00Sylvie:
I'd like to recommend that you add St...Sylvie:<br /><br />I'd like to recommend that you add Stony Brook Southampton to your list of possibilities. There are creative writing teaching opportunities, but none of it is required. <br /><br />If you'd like me to send you the program brochure (it's beautiful), just email me at sallyjane.kerschen-sheppard@stonybrook.edu<br /><br />Best of luck to you, and keep checking this blog. There is a lot of valuable information here!Sally Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03339610821236757646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-8959740247488361192012-06-10T16:17:55.879-07:002012-06-10T16:17:55.879-07:00The vaccination record was also a surprise to me! ...The vaccination record was also a surprise to me! <br /><br />And don't forget once you accept an offer--REGISTER FOR THE CLASSES YOU WANT ASAP. I'm already on a wait-list for a class...in June.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097606384649756852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-3632973945174473172012-06-10T08:39:09.480-07:002012-06-10T08:39:09.480-07:00Hi Everyone,
I'm not sure if this is the rig...Hi Everyone, <br /><br />I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes. <br /><br />I'm planning to apply in poetry for 2013, and I'd like to get a list of schools I'm applying to going as soon as possible. I'm wondering if those in the know can help me out with that. <br /><br /> I'm ideally looking for programs that don't require any teaching, and will also consider programs that let you teach creative writing (but don't overload you with courses). Schools that require you to teach freshman composition will be a definite no for me. (I have reasons for this which I could explain, but don't want to bore you all with them unless you are really interested). <br /><br />So I'm wondering if there's a list out there somewhere of programs with no teaching requirements or programs where you get to teach creative writing. If there's not a list, if anyone knows of programs like this, please let me know. The only one I know of so far is UT-Austin (Michener), and I'm definitely going to apply there, but I need more options as I know Michener is extremely competitive.<br /><br />Of course, this is not my only concern regarding which programs to apply to, but its the one which is the toughest to figure out. I know I could just go through all the MFA program websites and figure it out one by one, but that will take a lot of time. Even advice about how to search this more effectively would be welcome. <br /><br />Thanks for any help anyone can offer.Sylviehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12021791827656649119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-80874454945744516592012-05-10T21:21:22.438-07:002012-05-10T21:21:22.438-07:00The content is really informative I really learned...The content is really informative I really learned lot of new things....Tnanks a lot for great post.<br /><br /><a href="http://financemarketreports.blogspot.in/2012/05/leasing-life-handbook.html" rel="nofollow">Leasing Life Handbook</a>Market Research Reportshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01338849502816267355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-86493853694581795002012-05-10T07:44:38.562-07:002012-05-10T07:44:38.562-07:001. Expect to not know what to expect.
2. Don'...1. Expect to not know what to expect.<br /><br />2. Don't bother checking the status of your application daily... I kept checking, and it ruled my life.. and in reality, if they want you... they will call you on the phone or contact you in another more personal manner.<br /><br />3. Funding is somewhere over the rainbow, and if you want to go ONLY if funded... then you may have to turn down one or more GOOD acceptances to wait to be funded.Pebbleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01029202354959299882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-26295548538123105652012-05-07T19:50:13.294-07:002012-05-07T19:50:13.294-07:00I have now learned, as well, that you shouldn'...I have now learned, as well, that you shouldn't take it too seriously if you receive two rejection letters from one school. Apparently Boise State really didn't want me. Heh.TheIronCagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01930153479028832391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-78367775211396908862012-05-07T11:09:49.568-07:002012-05-07T11:09:49.568-07:00Site administrators:
When do the 2013 applicant po...Site administrators:<br />When do the 2013 applicant posts begin?<br />How does one enter the Facebook page for MFA applicants 2013?<br />Resources?<br />Guidance?<br />Guidance.<br />Guidance!<br /><br />Thanks so very much for your work on this site and for applicants in general. I have taken a 12 year writing hiatus to now pursue my MFA. As a father of three, and a professional editor and college administrator, I am certain I would not have returned to my dream if not for continuously checking in with this blog and the community it created. <br />Thanks to everyone who creates, posts, shares and dreams of the writing life in the past years-you have left a wellspring of wisdom and guidance for those of us now navigating.<br />You are all my inspiration and I look forward to being an active member of this blog for the next year!<br /> Thank, again.<br />J.D.JDEvanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00865631178649746975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-64823193727108235752012-05-02T04:59:22.711-07:002012-05-02T04:59:22.711-07:00Radio, the time and the cost are the main impedime...Radio, the time and the cost are the main impediments that kept me from visiting campuses before applying. My professors told me to wait and see which programs accept you, then visit (if possible). I realize that visiting a campus first will have a bearing on whether you even apply, but there's not much we can do. <br /><br />It is SO EXPENSIVE traveling these days, whether you fly or drive. Then you'll need a place to sleep if you're far from home, so add in the cost of an overnight stay. Oh, and if you have to ask for time off from work? Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching...Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09494937385249122763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-15156693939929605722012-04-29T08:18:10.479-07:002012-04-29T08:18:10.479-07:00did anyone visit the campuses prior to applying? i...did anyone visit the campuses prior to applying? if so, did it help when u applied (maybe when writing the personal statement)? i am thinking of driving down the east coast next week to check out a few campuses, but am wondering if it's worth the cost. also, if u did visit the campuses, did u schedule a meeting with faculty or current students? please let me know. and any advice concerning visitations would be appreciated.radiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371229435038126865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-73951689065583809702012-04-27T02:25:00.717-07:002012-04-27T02:25:00.717-07:00Send stories, not a novel excerpt, even if the pro...Send stories, not a novel excerpt, even if the program claims to be happy to consider the latter. They're reading so much in such a short period of time, who can blame them for not being willing to engage with something long and incomplete?<br /><br />I applied to 5 schools and the only offer I got was from the one that insisted on stories only. I've been working on my novel for over 4 years, getting detailed feedback from my agent at every stage. It's undoubtedly my best work, but the excerpts I submitted got me nowhere. The stories that got me accepted are 5+ years old. Perhaps others will disagree, but if I was applying again I'd stick with stories.<br /><br />Also, don't take the GRE lightly. My solid score has made the difference between getting a TA position and missing out, and the funding that offers means I should emerge from the program debt-free.<br /><br />Finally, keep writing, and do it because you want to, not because you want to apply for an MFA! It saddened me to see people on here 'going back to rework my sample' after getting rejected. Don't think of your work as just another piece of material to submit!<br /><br />Best wishes to all - not sure if this forum kept me sane or drove me mad, but either way I would have been lost without it...BJHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034746115610201694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15642985.post-91509213221401918872012-04-25T10:39:39.171-07:002012-04-25T10:39:39.171-07:00Not to sound too cynical, but throughout the proce...Not to sound too cynical, but throughout the process, make sure your are informed by facts and not a PR machine. Make certain any claims that a program makes broadly on its website or in other promotional material are backed up with actual support in the program. <br /><br />A program that says it stresses the importance of community engagement, for example, means nothing if there is no institutional support or connections to community organizations at the school. <br /><br />A program which brags they have gotten world-famous authors for their reading series (or who give a list of 5 authors who have read in the past) means nothing if the authors they get when you attend are all friends of the professors. (Not to say that famous writers are better writers. They’re not. But if it matters to you, make sure that you’re really getting it.)<br /><br />A program which claims they encourage multi-genre work means nothing if that program doesn't have faculty that teach all of the genres they flout on their website. <br /> <br />Faculty and administrators of MFA program aren’t evil and they’re not out to sucker you, but sometimes they will speak of the MFA program they want to exist at their school, not the MFA program which currently does exist. <br /><br />How do you make sure you’re not getting hoodwinked? Ask questions of as many people as you can without being obnoxious. If a program has a specific component which seems especially interesting to you, ask to speak to faculty or students about that element. If you are accepted to a program, ask to speak to current students about what they think of the school. Don’t be afraid to ask them about the strengths and weaknesses of the program as they see it. If you have even the slightest worry that something might be too good to be true, it is much better to follow up before-hand.Gabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07320270925543251074noreply@blogger.com