pinot noir Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 I was accepted into two schools--my top choice and my safety school. I applied to five programs and I am happy with the results, but here is my dilemma: these schools are about as opposite on the spectrum as you could imagine. One is Ivy League (Columbia) and is offering me no funding... zilch... nada! UC Riverside, on the other hand, is offering me a full tuition waiver and a moderate stipend ($6000/year). The program is fine, but I don't know if I would thrive there. My wise professor told me, "If you want to be a writer, you have to go hang out where writers hang out," and as much as a I value his opinion, the thought of going into 50k debt for the first year of a writing degree is absolutely freaking me out to no end. To make things worse, Columbia is having their reception this Thursday the 14th and UCR's deadline to respond is the 15th. I have four hours from the time I get off the plane to decide. I live close to Riverside, so it would be somewhat convenient as I wouldn't have to move. New York would be a huge change... and I just don't know if the cost is worth it... Any thoughts... anyone? -sincerely, east coast vs. west coast.
emmm Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 That much debt is too much. Go with the funded offer. And CONGRATS!
Teelee Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 If you think going to columbia will help you land a job in the future then you should seriously consider.
cheshirequeen Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 I'm inclined to think that the school with the professors you want most to build a working and personal relationship with would be the best choice. That said, $50K of debt after the first year is very scary. Would you have to take on a part-time job, too?
renster Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 That is a lot of debt for a writing degree, but I see the allure. How many years is the program, and would you have to pay for all of those years if you went to Columbia, or is there a chance of funding down the line? How great of a chance of funding? Do the jobs that graduates of the Columbia program get justify the debt - i.e., would you have a reasonable shot of making enough so you wouldn't be hurting terribly after graduation? Also, it might be helpful to do an analysis of how feasible it would be to earn the amount of money you would need to pay off your Columbia loans in a number of different scenarios - best case scenario, normal scenario, ok scenario, and worst case scenario. Hard decision, good luck! I was accepted into two schools--my top choice and my safety school. I applied to five programs and I am happy with the results, but here is my dilemma: these schools are about as opposite on the spectrum as you could imagine. One is Ivy League (Columbia) and is offering me no funding... zilch... nada! UC Riverside, on the other hand, is offering me a full tuition waiver and a moderate stipend ($6000/year). The program is fine, but I don't know if I would thrive there. My wise professor told me, "If you want to be a writer, you have to go hang out where writers hang out," and as much as a I value his opinion, the thought of going into 50k debt for the first year of a writing degree is absolutely freaking me out to no end. To make things worse, Columbia is having their reception this Thursday the 14th and UCR's deadline to respond is the 15th. I have four hours from the time I get off the plane to decide. I live close to Riverside, so it would be somewhat convenient as I wouldn't have to move. New York would be a huge change... and I just don't know if the cost is worth it... Any thoughts... anyone? -sincerely, east coast vs. west coast.
lyonessrampant Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 Is this for an MFA? If so, there's no way I'd go into that much debt. The job field for my field (English lit) is really tough, and from everybody I've talked to, it's WAY tougher for creative folk. Even getting a teaching position is really hard with just an MFA since a lot of creative folk are either getting a Ph.D. in creative writing in place of or after the MFA. I'd take the funded position if it were me. Best of luck whatever you decide!
juilletmercredi Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 You said $50K after just the first year. But assuming that you are applying for an MFA (which is what it sounds like), don't these degrees normally take 3 years to finish? What are the chances of you getting funding in your 2nd and 3rd years? You have to plan for the eventuality that not only will you have to borrow money for your first year, but that you will have to borrow for those years, too, unless there's a very high chance you will get funded in your second and third year. I also checked the School of the Arts webpage and just the tuition is $50K. That's not including living expenses. I think that a grad student could scrape by comfortably on $25K here in NYC, so you're looking at $75K for your first year, and possibly for your second year, too. The price for the third year is $7-10K, which is much lower, but you still have to borrow living expenses. Anyway, you're looking at $150K for your first two years and $35K for your third year...that's a lot of money, and it's unlikely that an MFA will get you a job that can pay off that kind of debt. For me it would depend on my assurance of getting funding my second year. If close to 100% of the students get some kind of funding their second and third years, then the $75K for the first year *may* be worth it. However, that's higher than even most first-year teaching positions, so honestly, it may not. I've always been of the "follow the money" mindset. I'd go to Riverside.
ComeBackZinc Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 TAKE THE MONEY! Remember, it's always easy to consider debt that you won't have to pay right away. It's a lot harder to actually confront life with that kind of debt hanging over you when you start having to pay it. Follow the money.
jmacnomad Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 (edited) I'm in 50k debt for my MA. Although I do not regret doing the MA (it led to some amazing things), at this point, I would not chose to go into debt for my next degree. It's hard to have that money hanging over my head and knowing if I pay the minimum payment over 20 years, it will double my total payback to 100k. I wasn't smart about money the first time around, but I'm determined to be next time. This all being said. An education is not just about money and landing a job, it's about the experience of learning and growing in an intellectual community. If that is worth 100K to you, then go for it. Edited April 12, 2011 by jmacnomad
jprufrock Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 I'll write what you already know but are afraid to accept: You are a wonderful writer and do not require a sheet of paper confirming such. Go with the money. joops 1
pinot noir Posted April 12, 2011 Author Posted April 12, 2011 Thanks guys! This really helps... and to answer a few of your questions: yes, there is opportunity for teaching positions in the second year which includes full tuition waver and a stipend, but these positions are competitive as well and would push the degree up to a three rather than two years (third year tuition is like $1000 though). Anyhow, I'm heading for NY today and I will have a response when I return... I am seriously leaning toward the money...
pinot noir Posted April 12, 2011 Author Posted April 12, 2011 I'm inclined to think that the school with the professors you want most to build a working and personal relationship with would be the best choice. That said, $50K of debt after the first year is very scary. Would you have to take on a part-time job, too? Of course. Although I can't imagine life without some kind of work
pinot noir Posted April 12, 2011 Author Posted April 12, 2011 That is a lot of debt for a writing degree, but I see the allure. How many years is the program, and would you have to pay for all of those years if you went to Columbia, or is there a chance of funding down the line? How great of a chance of funding? Do the jobs that graduates of the Columbia program get justify the debt - i.e., would you have a reasonable shot of making enough so you wouldn't be hurting terribly after graduation? Also, it might be helpful to do an analysis of how feasible it would be to earn the amount of money you would need to pay off your Columbia loans in a number of different scenarios - best case scenario, normal scenario, ok scenario, and worst case scenario. Hard decision, good luck! Yes, there is a chance of funding i.e. teaching position the second year which includes tuition waiver and stipend. These positions are competitive, but I believe I have some experience to make me eligible. That being said, the tuition would only be applicable for the first year
pinot noir Posted April 12, 2011 Author Posted April 12, 2011 I'll write what you already know but are afraid to accept: You are a wonderful writer and do not require a sheet of paper confirming such. Go with the money. Thank you. U sweet
Schaudenfreuded Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 1. GO TO UC RIVERSIDE 2. GET PAID BY SCHOOL 3. SAVE MONEY 4. MOVE TO NY. LIVE THE STARVING WRITER FANTASY. 5. ???? 6. PROFIT. That's what I'm doing...more or less... /Going to U Chicago for something else ///plan to move to Mexico and pull a Bola~no after... jbriar and pinot noir 2
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