Good School? VCFA??

[DancesWithDogs]

Hi Guys,

thanks in advance for any takers.

My sister applied and was accepted to the Vermont College of Fine Arts, MFA in Creative Writing. I'm very supportive of her pursuits, but just worry about her school selection.

Has anyone heard of this school? is it a good school? I read that it sorta encourages distance learning. Is that typical? Or does that signify a cash-cow scenario? (i come from a very typical type of grad school-- Public Policy, so I am not accustomed to the idea of GRE not required, but open to it)

any thoughts, ideas, opinions? Thanks a lot!

DWD

[lenegary]

Hi DWD,

Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) has a great program. Some people aren't familiar with VCFA because it's a limited residency program, but it is among the best.

Poets & Writers ranked it #1 among low-residency programs in 2011: http://www.pw.org/co...idency_programs

I graduated with a dual-genre MFA in Creative Writing (CNF & Poetry) from VCFA and continue to be impressed by by both the faculty and the students.

VCFA requires that students to be on campus for 10-days of intense workshops, readings, lectures, and other community events each semester. During those residencies, students interview faculty members and are then assigned one based on their faculty preferences.

The student and faculty member then work one one one during the residency to devise a study plan, bibliography, and assignment goals that the student will complete after he/she returns home. In this way, the program is highly individualized (and as you noted, able to be completed at a distance).

It also encourages students to adopt certain lifestyle habits of working writers, as one needs to be self-movitivated, organized, and directed to succeed. This is not to say that each writer isn't strongly supported by his/her faculty member and student community after returning home, but ultimately, one's success in this program requires an added level of responsibility in setting a schedule and protecting writing space within the changing demands of everyday life.

You can read more about the residencies and how they work on the VCFA website: http://www.vcfa.edu/...ng/how-it-works

If you're still wondering about the credibility of the program, you might want to take a few minutes to scroll through the faculty bios. http://www.vcfa.edu/...g/faculty-staff

My first semester of studying poetry at VCFA, I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Betsy Sholl. At that time, she was the Poet Laureate of Maine.

I didn't intend to write so much, but in reading your post, I definitely wanted to acknowledge your concerns and also help assure you that Vermont College of Fine Arts is a legitimate, and also exceptional, program.

Best wishes,

Lené Gary

[Patrick Ross]

Hi DWD,

You're a great brother to look out for your sister and ask this question. I'm in my second semester at VCFA in their Writing program and love it, but I'll confess when I first started researching MFA programs I wasn't that familiar with it and was a bit skeptical as a result. I was also surprised that I didn't need a GRE, but that seems typical with MFA programs. Frankly, it's hard for me to imagine what a GRE score would bring to an MFA admissions office; for a low-residency MFA program, they need to know that 1) you can write, and 2) you can work without an instructor standing over your shoulder.

I first had to learn about low-residency programs, and lenegary does a great job of describing how VCFA works, which I think structurally is not unlike other low-res programs. I know that VCFA was a pioneer in the format, however. I love the low-res format for three reasons: 1) I'm a working professional, and couldn't possibly go to a full-year on-campus program. 2) I can't imagine anything at a traditional MFA program rivals the intensity of learning and bonding that you find in a 10-day residency. 3) I am loving the individual attention I get from my semester advisor--detailed critique of my work, advice and guidance on what to read and how to grow my craft, and regular support to help stay motivated.

When I first settled on low-res I was focused first on Bennington, largely because I had heard of it. VCFA only offers MFA programs; Bennington has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. I believe Bennington also has a great program--it's also ranked high in Poets & Writers and has great faculty, just as VCFA does--but when I was accepted to both I looked at each more carefully. I found VCFA's administration and faculty far more responsive to me as a potential student, and I found as I spoke to alums that VCFA has a large and passionate alumni network, which includes highly talented and accomplished writers. I can now attest to this community, most recently when I was one of 10,000 attending the annual AWP writer's conference in Chicago and was overwhelmed by all of the VCFAers I met and connected with there. I know I made the right choice with VCFA.

Your sister needs to decided if VCFA is right for her. What I can tell you is she'll get an outstanding education, from excellent faculty, in a nurturing environment, and a long history of graduating stellar writers.

Best,

Patrick

[DancesWithDogs]

Hey lenegary, Patrick,

thanks so much for the info! I really appreciate it! My lack of familiarity with 'away' schools is... rather vast and well, its easy to distrust things you don't understand.

The input was so helpful! I appreciate it!

thx

DWD

[lenegary]

Thanks, DWD, for the reply back. Hi, Patrick. Nice to see another VCFA fan around here. Smiles, Lené

[Patrick Ross]

DWD, I'm glad this was useful. And Lené, it's good to cross paths with you as well!

Edited March 13, 2012 by Patrick Ross

[CulturalCriminal]

I know this is an older thread, but it seemed relevant to my own question:

Do low-res MFA grads get jobs teaching? 

I already have an MA in Lit and am currently lucky enough to have a full load as a lecturer, but I like the idea of getting an MFA so I can sharpen my creative writing skills and get to work with certain faculty (low-res). However, I also feel that getting another degree needs to eventually help me at least get the bump to Senior Lecturer. 

So, would adding a lowres MFA actually help at all with the details we all wish we could not deal with—getting better job stability and pay?

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

On 9/23/2018 at 11:14 AM, CulturalCriminal said:

I know this is an older thread, but it seemed relevant to my own question:

Do low-res MFA grads get jobs teaching? 

I already have an MA in Lit and am currently lucky enough to have a full load as a lecturer, but I like the idea of getting an MFA so I can sharpen my creative writing skills and get to work with certain faculty (low-res). However, I also feel that getting another degree needs to eventually help me at least get the bump to Senior Lecturer. 

So, would adding a lowres MFA actually help at all with the details we all wish we could not deal with—getting better job stability and pay?

An MFA is a terminal degree, so you could become a tenured professor w your MFA.  If that helps!