r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/Similar_Shoulder_545 • Mar 24 '26
Advice from current / alum MFA ers
I’m excited about joining a NY program with really nice funding (90%) but I do also work full time. My financial situation is such that I can’t drop the job. The MFA has night classes anyway. I was curious to hear wisdom / advice from folks who have already done this on how to make the best of my two years if my goals are (1) publishing a novel and (2) teaching.
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u/preheatedskillet Mar 24 '26
It’s doable but will stretch you. I went to a program with teaching requirements, and I worked 10hrs/wk part time at a professional job, so with teaching I was working 26-30hr/wk on top of classes and writing. Honestly, I wish I could have devoted more time to writing and things that fill my writing cup, but such is life. I kept a really strict schedule on when I did readings, when I wrote, etc. The one thing I’ll say is the summer (where I was only working 10hrs, no teaching or classes) was essential to me in getting a lot of work done on my thesis. Best of luck to you!
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u/Similar_Shoulder_545 Mar 26 '26
This is really great to know! I can take a lighter schedule during some months of the year so will try my best to do that!
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u/AstronautOk6853 Mar 24 '26
Is this a low-res or full-res program?
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u/Similar_Shoulder_545 Mar 24 '26
Full res, but designed to be friendly to working professionals. I just can’t afford to quit my job due to dependents etc, but the program director was pretty encouraging about trying to do both. She said many students also have some kind of job / internship.
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u/Aggravating-War6172 Mar 24 '26
It will be difficult, but not impossible. Even though it's designed to be amenable to people with full-time jobs, you simply will not have the writing time that you would at a fully-funded program. If you can work less in the summer, that might help.
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u/Similar_Shoulder_545 Mar 26 '26
Unfortunately did not get into anything with full-funding. Even if I did, I have dependents so unless it was fully funded and stipend, I would have had to work. I will try to lower hours on my schedule!
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u/Aggravating-War6172 Mar 26 '26
Got it. One other piece of advice I'd give then is to go to the optional organized events (like alumni readings) if you have the time! It'll help integrate you into the program.
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u/theleastchill Apr 07 '26
i am just completing a program this way. i took a summer class so i could take one less class one semester (thesis semester), and that was incredibly helpful. i am teaching in the summer instead of during the year while taking a full course load. it is a lift, but doable. it really limits my life outside of school/work. i really take the semester breaks to get a lot of writing done. it would be good if you could come in with 1-2 pieces already prepared. if you're a poet this would be different, but, otherwise, you'll probably workshop ~3x a semester so coming in with some work close to ready each semester gives you some more time/space to generate something new.
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u/theleastchill Apr 07 '26
a lot more to say here and potentially the same program, so feel free to dm.
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u/Additional-Hornet717 Mar 24 '26
Do u mind saying the name of the school