Ivy League vs. State School for MFA

[somethingtothinkabout]

I'm getting my MFA in creative writing in the Fall. (Please please please don't tell me not to do it. I already know some consider it a useless degree.)

I've been accepted to 2 programs (WOOO!!!!)- one at Columbia University and one at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Both are excellent programs- probably top 5 or so, making it extremely hard to choose. Does anyone have any opinions regarding either program?

Columbia is like 3x the cost of NC with very little funding, but it's been my dream school for a very long time. It has a stellar faculty and when it comes to publishing, you can't really beat NYC. It's a 2 year program, but after those 2 years are up, I worry about being in debt for the rest of my life. It also has a much larger cohort, but I don't really mind that. More writers to connect with! Aside from the cost, the program is a dream. 

North Carolina has a great program, but I'm not very excited to live in NC. I'm pretty liberal, as well as disabled. I've heard that Wilmington is very *southern* in its mentality. (Not to bash southern states. I know most people and places are probably lovely!) I've read on numerous forums that Wilmington is not the most tolerant place and is known for being fairly racist. I fear individuals will also be ableist, and I don't want to subject myself to that kind of environment. These are just things I've read, though. Does anyone know anything else about Wilmington or UNCW? What the culture of the city is like? It's a 3 year program, and while much cheaper than Columbia, I would hate to go there and be absolutely miserable.

[ExponentialDecay]

In re program quality, I would post on the relevant sub, because that's where the people who go/have gone to MFAs hang out. In re Wilmington, there's a thread in the City Guide forum already. You might want to ask there.

That said, dude, no. Never ever take out loans for an MFA. You will never pay them back. Aren't most of the reputable programs fully funded? If you're dead-set on Ivy, I think Cornell is.

Edited March 14, 2016 by ExponentialDecay

[Vulpix]

I would echo not taking out loans for Columbia, although you could argue that being in NYC and the writing opportunities available there would outweigh the type of network/potential you may find in NC.  I don't know anything about Wilmington but if it's actually as bad as you think it is, then I suppose you have to follow your gut and go to NYC.  But I really do think interminable debt is the lesser choice.

[rising_star]

A few things come to mind.

1) You're going to find ableist/narrow-minded people everywhere, including in NYC. It may even be harder, at times, to find likeminded people in a big city due to the sheer number of people living there.

2) The debt you'd get from going to Columbia may indeed be something you spend the rest of your life paying off. Have you done any of those student loan repayment calculators yet? If not, you should ASAP. Get a sense of how much that will cost you per month and for how long before you decide whether to take on that debt.

3) Wilmington, NC is actually a pretty fun city with a liberal bent. Take a look at reddit, city-data, and the "City Guide" here to get a better sense of what Wilmington is like. I have several liberal friends who live there and they all like it a lot.

Personally, I wouldn't take on that much debt for a degree which doesn't guarantee me highly paid employment post-graduation.