TonyB79

Off the top of my head, I know I've seen programs that favor religious, environmental, and nature-based writing (as well as a few that offer emphases in young adult lit). I haven't seen one that specifically favors queer lit, although being fairly liberal environments, I'm sure there are schools that would be open to it.

If it's anything like undergrad writing workshops, some people will say "Great description!" and pretty much nothing else, while others will tear you to pieces.

I've also heard that publishing conventions and the like are a good networking opportunity... with agents, publishers, other writers, etc. Avoid signing events and book fairs, however - waste of time.

You'll certainly be the cutest one in your program! I'm at work at the moment, but I will get back to you w/ feedback when I have a chance.

I'm getting my bachelor's in Communication. I had heard that, for instance, if you wanted to get an MAT and be certified to teach English or Social Studies, your English and Social Studies courses would be built into the requirements for the MAT degree. But, at Kent State at least, it appears to be an entirely separate (and quite substantial) core of courses that must be completed prior to entering the program. In other words, I'd heard that the MAT was designed for folks who didn't necessarily major in Education, and/or the field they want to be certified in, for their undergrad, but that appears not to be the case, at least in terms of Kent's program.

Debating which of these two type of programs to pursue (or whether to look into some sort of "alternative" path to teaching licensure). I've heard the MAT is designed for people who didn't major in Education or teaching for their undergrad, but I was looking at Kent State's program, and evidently it requires a LOT of pre-program coursework for whatever you want your licensure to be. Just wondering if anyone has any insight on this, which is the better way to go, etc.

What would be the lowest I'd pay (in Philly, NJ, anywhere) for a one-bedroom or a small (fit for a single person) house? I'm planning on applying to Rutgers for the fall, and I'm wondering whether my 21k/yr stipend is going to be livable or not.

9 Apps (MFA in Creative Writing): Cornell University of Michigan University of Wisconsin Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) University of Iowa University of Alabama Virginia Tech Rutgers - Camden Southern Illinois University

There are some nearby communities (like Haddonfield, NJ) that may be a possibility. So what is the crime like? Is it a serious issue for those going to school at Rutgers? Do you have to pass through the dangerous areas, etc. in order to get there?

The Michener program funds at $27/yr for 3 years. Michigan funds at $22k for 2 years, then gives every graduate a third-year fellowship of the same amount.

Hmm... well maybe I shall have to look into this more fully.

As someone who is considering going for his MFA and has done quite a bit of research on the subject, here is my advice: Unless you have the money to spare, don't do it. Do NOT go into debt to get an MFA, because it doesn't sound like you absolutely *need* it where your writing is concerned (i.e., sounds like you already have plenty of discipline and drive; you don't need the structure and support of the program to actually *get* you to write). As far as teaching is concerned, there aren't a lot of tenured teaching positions out there, so you'd probably end up doing adjunct - part-time - work. If you can get into a fully funded program (free ride, and you get a stipend to live off of), that's great. But again, it's not something I'd go into debt in order to do.

Interesting... the info on the creative writing MFA website says the "usual" stipend is 12k BEFORE taxes.

Thanks for the reply, Mocha! What are the prospects for finding a job within, say, half an hour's drive of Carbondale? That stipend feels awfully slight, and I'd love to be able to supplement it with something if possible, but I'm worried because the surrounding area looks so rural. :/

Thinking of applying here for the fall - looks like my stipend will be around $12k/yr. Is that livable, do you think?

I'd avoid anything "genre" (action/adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.), and I wouldn't mention those pretensions in your essay - at least, not if you want to have a better than slim chance of getting in. If you write really amazing, descriptive, literary/bordering on high falutin' Southern Gothic or gay fiction (without any vampires, witches, trolls, and so on), might be best to just lead with a great writing sample, rather than going into it in your essay. If you're applying to a Southern school - Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth are all fully funded or close to it, as I recall - they might be more interested in fiction with a strong Southern bent. As far as genre-friendly programs, your best bets are North Carolina State, (possibly) Brown University, Rutgers University-Camden, or Southern Illinois University. N.C. State isn't officially fully funded, but rumored to be headed in that direction; Rutgers isn't, but the stipend is pretty generous if you get a teaching assistantship. University of Houston is also rumored to be genre friendly.

You know, I've been reading through a lot of these city guides lately, and I'm hearing pretty much the same thing pretty consistently as far as the small, fairly secluded college towns are concerned: in general, rent is high if you live close to campus (which of course everyone recommends, because parking on campus is always a nightmare - hence people prefer to walk). It's cheaper if you live farther away, but then you have to deal with having to commute. There's usually plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants, and so on (college towns), but you may be quite a ways away from any major cities.

Thanks, everyone!

I've been thinking of going for my MFA in Creative Writing, as well as a Master's in Education. Hoping that, between the teaching component (as well as lit and elective courses) in the first degree, I will be able to reduce the amount of credits needed for the second. Has anyone worked with trying to "dovetail" requirements for two degree programs like this? If so, what's the process like? How should I go about trying to look into it? Any insights would be appreciated.