I got a plan, yes I do.
I have a job cocktail waitressing at a dutch pub in the west end. I’ve only worked one day but everyone seems incredibly sweet and welcoming. I am currently working Thurs/Fri/Sat–three days! Before I panic and run out and get 7 more jobs I am going to see if this is enough to sustain me. In the meantime, I am making the most of my 4 free days.
Which means, getting myself together. The hazy, medium-to-long range plan is: Short-list, and stick to, MFA programs to which I will apply. Start studying for the GRE in August (that’s the day after tomorrow!) Study 3 times a week for 8 weeks; take the GRE at the beginning of October. While waiting the 4-6 weeks for written results, start writing and fretting over application materials. This leaves a nice generous swath of time to get MFA applications in early.
MFA programs! Here are the importantest criteria:
- Full funding. That means for the whole time I am there. Tuition waiver, stipend, the whole nine. I don’t have any money and I’m not going into debt to write. I can do that spectacularly on my own.
-Location. Because duh! Wherever I wind up, I’d like to lurk around for a few years afterward.
-Length of program. I’m getting more attracted to 3+ year programs. The longer I can write, and try to publish, and write a book, the better. I talked to a woman at Tin House who earned a degree from Purdue in 3 years. She said the additional year allowed her a really concentrated year of Lit courses. She took her time and took more from it. I support that attitude.
-Teaching Opportunities/ Literary Magazine. This means more student funding and more workplace experience.
-Faculty. After Tin House, this criteria is falling down, down, down, plummeting really, on my list of priorities. I actually feel like I have marvelous, strong, attuned mentors already. And maybe, after having had an affair with an undergrad professor, getting all entangled with another authority figure isn’t the way to go. Besides, profs migrate to other programs, go on sabbatical, or suck. Perhaps a good idea to go it alone a bit.
-Reading series. Because geez oh man, that’s like my rock concert.
-PhD program. If possible. Because dudes, I love school.
Tom Kealey says, apply to 8-12 programs. MFA candidates do what Tom Kealey says. Here’s my too-short short list:
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
University of Oregon
University of Washington
University of Virginia
University of Minnesota
Purdue
Cornell
Warren Wilson
Thoughts?
s said,
July 31, 2008 at 3:21 am
i think you should go for it. yay!
d said,
July 31, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Northwestern just started a program. Univ of Michigan is a good program.
d said,
July 31, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I’m not mentioning SWesty programs, as you seem to be decidedly focused non-SW.
d said,
July 31, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I forgot to say: I. am. going. to. keep. posting. in. short. burst.s.
But seriously: I think the thing about not going to a program where a writer you adore teaches is very very wise. This was my experience at my grad school, and in retrospect I am extremely grateful for it. Because: what if your Beloved Teacher doesn’t like you? Or your work? Is a jerk? Is a lech? Is a bad teacher? Who needs the psycho-drama of THAT?
The wisdom of Tom Lux (circa 1989): Go where there’s money and where you like the weather.
ihatedanger said,
July 31, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Yeah! Listen to D! Michigan! Michigan!
I’m so excited that you’re doing this, missy. Okay, I’m just going to mutter about Michigan in your blog for a little bit. Michigan has FULL FUNDING plus stipend. They have money up the wazoo, plus Hopwood Awards (tens of thousands of dollars!), plus I am not teaching the first year (I am teaching the second year, which gives me time to try teaching). Ann Arbor is a cute town with soooo many bookstores. Problem is, it snows. Okay. We know this. The reading series is killllllllller. Check out their web site for proof. They pay for you to do an internship. I am pretty sure Ph.Ds are possible in lit if you’re interested. Also, the third year is not built in, but a number of people score a third-year fellowship. More money, more writing time! And one third-year fellowship lets you live WHEREVER THE FUCK YOU WANT.
ALSO IF YOU DECIDE TO APPLY YOU CAN COME VISIT ME. I mean, obvs you can come visit me no matter what, but you would have an excuse to visit me that would be scholarly. I could show you around the program and introduce you to people in the poetry program. I also have friends in the poetry program & I’m sure they would be happy to answer questions about it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE