dirt_wizard

Thanks for posting that article. The insight from visual artists was particularly interesting, as their MFA experiences are similar to CW but not the same. "But Samantha Chang, director of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, has a simpler metric for the decision: happiness. She says society is problematic in that people are asked to be workers first and foremost. The MFA program allows a student to have an "inner life," for two years at least. "I think that's why so many people are willing to pay for it," she told Fast Company." This paragraph at the end resonated with me. I don't know if I'm in a unique position, exactly, but I'm not pursuing an MFA because I want to be a professor, I'm doing it because I want to spend two years dedicated to improving my craft. I only recently learned that there are fully-funded programs in CW, and I'm still reeling from that discovery. Not having to worry (too much) about money would change my life. Anyway, introductions. I graduated with a BA in anthropology in 2010 and an MA in museum studies in 2014, both from a state school. I'm currently working in solar energy. What everyone's told you is true: MAs in the humanities are a scam. I learned some valuable lessons in my MA program, so I don't entirely regret it. But the museum industry is f'd up and I never want to go near it again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Last time I was on this board, I was seriously considering pursuing a PhD in anthropology, but I just can't justify that degree with how miserable the academic job market is, especially for anthropologists. I write "literary" science fiction and fantasy, so my needs in a program might be overly particular in that they'd need to be open to genre fiction AND provide funding. My partner works in tech, so the program also has to be located in a city with a strong tech community. My options feel very limited right now.

It's not impossible! Lost and Delirious in the Anthropology Graduate Application Process: Negotiations of the Self in early Graduate Socialization

This tool is absolutely terrifying, ahhhhhhh

Where is this mysterious results page everyone keeps talking about?

Thanks, everyone!

Thanks, Geodude. I like your taste in Pokemon.

Hey, future grad students! I missed the 2015 round of applications, so I working on my applications for the 2016 school year. At what point should I start contacting potential POIs? I assume February is too early, as they're likely in the middle of making their admission choices right now. Is August appropriate? October? I need an etiquette guide!

Is Duke one of the schools that explicitly asks you not to contact their faculty? I can't remember, but I thought that was bizarre.