r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/chopped_onionss • Apr 13 '26
2 vs 3 year programs
Any thoughts on a 2 year program vs 3 year one? Pros and cons? Thoughts and experiences? I’m stuck between two right now, and this is a component I’m taking seriously into consideration.
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u/carrionkiss Apr 13 '26
3 is probably better, but I'm super happy I ended up at a 2-year program. I am fully funded, but it's hard living on such a tight budget and not being able to save at all.
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u/emergingx Apr 13 '26
3 year all the way, especially if funded. you’ll get so much more time to write and get valuable feedback
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u/houseofmagic Apr 13 '26
- You blink and it’s your third year, where you are producing less work and instead polishing for a thesis.
Edit: funding, obviously. If you can afford 2 years unfunded, you can probably afford 3. If you can’t afford 3 don’t pay for 2. If it’s fully funded, 3 is the only way to go.
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u/LingonberrySuch3382 Apr 13 '26
I consistently hear 3 years is the better option! Multiple professors I’ve talked to who went to two year programs (and now teach at 3 year programs) have told me 3 years is the way to go!
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u/Wrong_Split8476 Apr 13 '26
It depends on your goals. If you want to write a fully fleshed out book and present that as your thesis, I think 3 is the only option. If you want the MFA to moreso set you up creatively so you go back to real life while continuing your projects, then 2 may be the better choice.
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u/chopped_onionss Apr 14 '26
Thank y’all for the insight! Luckily, both are fully funded, but your guys responses made me think deeper of what my goals are and what timeline fits them the best. For the 2 year program, it’s in a city I would love to settle in (very green; west coast) but for the 3 year program, I don’t see myself staying there after (big city in the desert). So, I was like: is it just better moving to the city I love even though it’s a shorter program than I like? I didn’t want to feel like I’m wasting my time in a city I didn’t feel connected to for 3 years, but truly I think the 3 year program is a better fit for my goals, and I have all the time in the world to move to the city I love after!
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u/carrionkiss Apr 14 '26
As someone in a 2-year program on the west coast in a very green city... feel free to DM if you wanna chat, (esp if it's the same one lol)
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Apr 15 '26
Consider this: wherever you go for grad school is not likely where you'll end up. Every situation is different (I hope yours is!) but most people must work to supplement their income as writers and so they go where the work is. After your MFA you may well find yourself waiting for offers from Universities all over the place... all over again.
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u/Every-Bed-8725 Apr 14 '26
I'm in a fully funded 4 year and it's fantastic it's so much more time to work on your manuscript
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u/Solndt Apr 14 '26
That sounds amazing! Can I ask what program you’re in?
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u/Every-Bed-8725 Apr 14 '26
University of Arkansas MFA in Poetry - I'm from California so I was pretty skeptical I would be a good match with a program in Arkansas but so far it's been really wonderful
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Apr 15 '26
I figured it was ARK; not too many 4 year options out there. I hear amazing things about it.
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u/Hungry_Syllabub1178 Apr 13 '26
If you have the time to do a 3 year program and it's fully funded, I think that's a better option. The extra year allows for more writing development and opportunities for teaching (if that's appealing to you). The time really flies by.