muffincreature

Thanks! Planning non-academic careers after these degrees sounds like a smart thing to do. My work has been related to writing, editing and education so I feel more comfortable staying in these fields than the corporate jobs that typically follow social science degrees. But the pay is probably much worse? I’m also thinking if a social science degree can lead to writing-focused jobs, like journalism, but I’ve been told it’s a dying field, and experience probably helps more than seven years of schooling? As you said, social science and creative writing academic job markets are both highly competitive. Is one slightly better than the other though?

Good question... I’ve been working with students on writing so I can see myself teaching that long-term, less sure about teaching social sciences. It’s just how likely will an MFA lead to teaching jobs that aren’t a super heavy load and low pay? Yeah age is a good consideration. I’m still young but 7-8 years plus more years of postdoc still seems daunting.

I extremely appreciated the advice people gave on my MFA choices! Here’s another question I have. I’ve been torn between PhD and MFA. I applied to some fully funded MFAs. Among my acceptances I’m leaning toward Wyoming and hoping to get off the waitlists of 3 presumably better programs. I also got into the PhD in anthropology at a good UC school. As a CNF writer I’m interested in ethnographic writing and its intersection with literature. I’d like to teach afterwards and I feel like the PhD at UC might lead to a better career outcome, but I’m kinda scared by a 7-8 year commitment (including fieldwork) and worry it won’t leave me time and energy for creative writing. The anthropology department seems very open to creative and interdisciplinary work (including taking classes in the MFA), but still, there’s a heavy emphasis on theory and research. A less important factor is that UC’s stipend is better than Wyoming’s, even considering the higher living cost in California. I’m not sure if anyone has debated between PhD and MFA and what you’ve decided considering your writing interests and career prospects. I feel like my heart is leaning toward the MFA but the PhD seems like such a good opportunity I shouldn’t miss. Would love to hear someone else’s thoughts on this.

That’s awesome! Thanks!

That’s exciting, thanks for sharing! Have you been a student there? Curious how you learned about their community and faculty.

I agree! It felt like they really cared about the info they put out there

Great, I’ll DM you about UNM! When you said the program is warm and close knit are you referring to Wyoming?

Thanks for this! Good advice on how to pick programs. I’m having trouble finding the comments you and everything bagel made about Wyoming. Any other reasons you both love the program? And when you said great faculty, do you have anyone specific in mind? I just saw you got into Rutgers-Camden? Congrats!!!

Hi guys, thanks for all your input. I’ve learned a lot from folks here. I’m looking for insights into my options: I’m accepted to University of New Mexico and University of Wyoming and waitlisted at Ohio State, WashU and Rutgers-Camden. I’d appreciate any comments on any of these programs, especially UNM and Wyoming. I’d also love to know how they are viewed in terms of their prestige, placement record, and faculty. Thanks!!