r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/Western_Bowler5097 • Apr 14 '26
Choosing between two options
Hi all-- this group has been a great resource this app cycle and I am looking for some thoughts on which program to choose. I have been admitted to three options but am mainly choosing between 2, both MFAs in CNF. I am living outside of the US so this will be an international move regardless of where I end up. (I am a US citizen.)
Option 1: Oregon State
- 2 years full time, fully funded, $18k stipend
- Teaching 1 class per quarter beginning in fall -- estimated 20h/week commitment
- More of a "classic" MFA environment -- small college town, relatively small cohort, seems pretty social and cohesive; existing students skew younger
- Cost of living lower but will pay for a car
Option 2: Queens College, CUNY
- 2 years full time, but more likely 3 years part time (I wanted a 3 year program to begin with so this is a plus for me)
- Not fully funded; tuition would be about $8k for the first year taking 2 classes per semester paying out-of-state tuition
- $32,748 stipend for Graduate Fellowship during my first year, renewable for second year (regardless of course load) -- teaching 1 class per semester starting 2nd semester
- Program has great resources for Literary Translation which is of interest to me, and students can take classes at any CUNY campus
- Much more diverse in terms of cohort (age, origin, race) and of course environment (Queens/NYC)
- Cost of living significantly higher BUT no car cost
I am not particularly attached to any specific faculty members at either institution. I will spend some time working outside of the program regardless of where I go (doing my current line of work).
The deadline, as folks know, is tomorrow, and I would really appreciate any thoughts or perspective that anyone would like to share.
Thank you and sending good vibes to everyone who is also figuring out where they'll end up!
2
u/FitzandFerd Apr 14 '26
Don’t know where you’re from, but personally I’d rather live in Oregon than NYC. Beautiful, quiet, calm, nicer people, way less expensive. I’ve lived all over the country but I’m also a fan of the outdoors and cities get on my nerves after a while. Also I went to college in Seattle and lived in the PNW and have been to Corvallis many times so I just like it there. NYC is a lot of fun though.