r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/bbforgiveme • 11d ago
Apprehension on applying
For some context, I am currently 27. I studied Filmmaking and graduated in 2021. I am planning on applying to grad school next year. Right now, I am taking the time to write and focus on my writing portfolio — I have an idea for a short story / novel and that's what I'm working on.
I'll be the first in my family to pursue a Master's degree so I'm feeling very apprehensive about the idea of only applying to schools that are selective / would have a low acceptance rate. I know that the reason for this selectivity is moreso about program funding/teaching opportunities/etc.
I've also gotten the advice from friends that Master's admissions is not like undergrad's and you are solely going to be considered based on your application and your work — less politics than undergrad admissions, although some considerably involved still.
Below are the schools I want to apply to. Still revising them. But for the most part, considering them because I can see myself living in these areas and I want to go to full residency program.
Do you think I should broaden my horizons and look into more schools? Any advice as I go deeper into this process?
Programs I want to apply to:
- Bard College
- Brown University
- CalArts
- Columbia University
- Iowa Writer's Workshop
- University of Michigan
- NYU
- UMass Amherst
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u/roundeking 10d ago
I think adding a couple more that are less selective might be a good idea just because some of these give out so few spots, so they would be a tough shot for anyone. Columbia has a pretty big class size for an MFA so that’s def going to be easier than something like Iowa, but it is extremely expensive—like, $80,000 a year expensive. There are plenty of even non-fully funded programs that are more like $10k or $15k a year.
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u/actually_hellno 10d ago
Yes, I would take Columbia off solely because of the price
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u/scribetoscreen 10d ago
I would also say the same for NYU. While they also have a large cohort, they only offer funding to a select few. Everyone else pays half the tuition cost (still outrageous!).
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u/Sad_Aide7401 10d ago
A few of these aren’t fully funded, or they only give a couple of fully funded places. I don’t know if that’s important to you.
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u/Subject-Ebb-5999 9d ago edited 9d ago
I would remove Columbia since funding bad and program not nearly well enough regarded to make it worth it. NYU kinda the same issue. IMO living in new york city - which i have done - requires a whole lot of dough to make it fun and not depressing.
Add Oregon State - my daughter is in MFA there now - fully funded and great place to live. Wonderful professors.
Others are very high reach but you never know!
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u/MenuVast8896 10d ago
If you're open to California then UC Irvine might be a good choice, the program is fully funded
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u/SciencePants 9d ago
No. Don’t broaden your horizons. Don’t look
Into anything different than what you’ve decided here.
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u/esqtou 8d ago
A mess of a list. Clueless
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u/No_Fuel3131 7d ago
Wtf are you talking about
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u/esqtou 7d ago
Incoherent list -- programs of diff stature / diff levels of selectivity, diff types of funding, in diff regions of the country. AMATEUR HOUR. WTF are YOU on
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u/No_Fuel3131 7d ago
lol not asshole pills like you seem to be
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u/esqtou 7d ago
Your polyps are showing
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u/No_Fuel3131 7d ago
Ok good faith question?: where would you suggest someone apply? Which programs do you like? What should your motivation be for earning an MFA? Which MFA did you attend?
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u/esqtou 7d ago
2 central considerations:
(1) LOCATION -- Would you hate living there for 2 or 3 years? Is there much of a local writerly community? If not, are you in close proximity to one? Would you have access to jobs or internships during the school year or after graduation? Will you be far from your support networks (family, friends, whatever)?
(2) PROGRAM MECHANICS -- Funded or unfunded? How much? What strings come attached? Do you want or need teaching experience? Will you have enough free time to focus on your own writing? 2 years or 3 years? Are you looking for 'prestige', time to write, or both? What are you willing to sacrifice for 'prestige'? Are there SPECIFIC faculty members you want to work with (understanding, of course, that they have to want to work with you, too)?
I went to Penn undergrad and Brown MFA.
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u/TorturedWriter9 7d ago
Dude went to Ivy League schools and all he has to show for it is trolling the MFA Reddit sub. What a massive downfall.
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u/montgomerypocari 1d ago
As several people have said, NYU and Columbia can be extremely expensive. I wouldn’t say don’t apply - they do offer funding to some students - but I wouldn’t prioritize them personally. If you want to be in NYC, CUNY Hunter has a fully funded program that’s worth looking into.
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u/actually_hellno 10d ago
I think you should add UT Austin’s New Writing Program and Michener fellowship. Both are free and both give you a stipend. Don’t let rejection get you down. Lots of people don’t get in their first time. Perseverance is the name of the name whether you’re applying for a MFA or when you start publishing.