OnwardAndUp

However, no living stipend at Catholic. They also don't have housing for graduate students.

So... as it turns out... "Nope, no stipulations. It's a scholarship from the Dean's office to cover tuition, not a TAship. No additional work required - just your classes!" This is for the scholarship at Catholic University. The TA assignment at USC involves attending 2 lecture courses twice weekly and then leading the discussion group, each once a week. And grading papers..... I believe this is every semester for the 2nd and 3rd year.

Wow congratulations on UT. They have a fantastic program from what I've heard. A former costume designer of mine was in their costume program and she loved the school. So as it turns out, the package from Catholic is a bit more appealing than I originally realized. Apparently the 75% tuition coverage at USC is based on my acceptance of a TA assignment. I asked a current student how she juggled that plus her own writing and she said that honestly, it is quite challenging. The idea of having to teach and FINDING TIME to write in an MFA program is kind of a turn off. However, it's clear that USC has a better overall rep. Still at a loss. Any thoughts??

Hmm... interesting. Why are you against applying to Columbia? I got waitlisted at NYU, so even if I get in I doubt I will be offered any kind of scholarship opportunity. I've known a few people who have gone through NYU's playwriting program as well. They seem to have had good experiences. From my point of view, when I compare their programs to other schools that don't have that big name, I just see them offering the students more. More in terms of, collaboration with students from other departments, production opportunities, personalized attention... things like that. The great thing about NYU is their networking opportunities with big name playwrights and artists who pass through. The programs I applied to were based on a few criteria. 1- The location of the school (exposure to theatre and artistic environment). 2- The amount of individualized attention the student will receive. 3- The reputation of the program. 4- Production/Play development opportunities. 5- Programs that teach across the spectrum of dramatic writing. I also looked at ACTF to survey what universities have been doing well in their playwriting categories. A friend of mine went to USC a few years ago and highly recommended the program. She got an agent after graduation and is doing well working as a screenwriting professor in Chicago. I hadn't ever heard of USC's Dramatic Writing Program before this but she her recommendation made me curious. Have you applied anywhere theotherlily?

Thanks for the feedback. One of my concerns with Catholic University is in attending a school that is so religious in nature. I fear that the university's views would constrict the artist's ability to fully explore any subject matter without censorship and with the full support of the faculty. USC seems to have a more diverse faculty with a broad background of experiences. On the other hand, DC is such a wonderful theatre city.... I agree theotherlily, there really is so little information out there about the quality and caliber of Dramatic Writing Programs. Aside from the obvious big names, NYU, Columbia, Brown, Yale... it's hard to judge what the MFA experience and outcome of the programs will be. Although I have to say, aside from NYU's big name, there wasn't much in the program that made it stand out to me more than any other program. And they don't really give much financial aid as far as I seem. Maybe I'm wrong. But I think I would rather be in a small program for 2 or 3 than lost in a big name school that accepts 22 other students.

USC offered 75% tuition coverage the first year, and 100% the 2nd and 3rd year. Catholic U offered full tuition coverage all three years.

Hi all... I've been offered admissions in two MFA Playwriting Programs, University of Southern California and Catholic University. While I would love to live in DC and I'm not a fan of LA, something in my gut tells me that USC offers a better program. I'm a playwright but seek to branch out and learn different writing styles to make myself more marketable. Does anyone know more extensively about these programs? I'd love some input on which program you think is the better choice. Thanks!