Making Lists, Making Moves

One of the things I highly recommend, and my professors have too, is getting started to look for appropriate programs. I started last year just browsing around trying to find programs that would suit my needs. Many M.F.A. programs only offer Fiction and Poetry, whereas I am looking for something in the Nonfiction field. I stumbled upon a program at Central Connecticut State University. Great, it’s close to home. Around 2 years to complete. Perfect. I’d save a little money since I’d be an in-state student. But hold on, it’s a LOW RESIDENCY program. What exactly is that? Well, a low-res program allows students to complete the majority of their work from home. They then are “on-campus” or at another location with their community of writing grad students for a 10 day period in the summer and then again in the winter. So a total of 40 days over 2 years. This really caught my ear. And while I’m still drawn to the Syracuse program because I’ve always dreamed of writing fiction and going to a traditional graduate school program, the low-res is more feasible. Then, as I searched further, I found an amazing M.F.A. through Fairfield University, also in Connecticut. And the 4 times that the students meet are at Ender’s Island off the coast of Mystic. Amazing atmosphere to write. Here’s what their website advertised on the main page:

“Fairfield University's 2-year low residency MFA in Creative Writing Program leads to a Master of Fine Arts with concentrations in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and screen writing. The program involves four exciting and rigorous 10-day residency periods at inspirational Enders Island, off the coast of Mystic; between residencies, you'll spend the 5-month terms developing your craft under the guidance of a skilled and caring faculty mentor while at the same time allowing you to maintain the continuity of the rest of your life - your community, career, and family.”

I ultimately made a list of pros and cons.:

Pros:

1.) I can work on the side while I’m at home.

2.) They offer the fields I’d love to work in (nonfiction) and includes my newfound interest in screen writing.

3.) I’d be saving a little money by not having to live somewhere else.

4.) It’s a great program in a great location.

5.) If I did decide to travel or live somewhere else, I’m not tied down to the campus.

Cons:

1.) Still pricey.

2.) I really enjoy a classroom setting, so working on my own all the time may be a bit daunting.

3.) I need to decide when I want to start the program. Will my writing still be up to par for acceptance if I wait a semester?

4.) It’s competitive

I recommend making a list of pros and cons for EVERY school. Look into the areas where the schools are located, but don’t let that determine your decision. That’s the beauty of the low-residency M.F.A. I’m not looking into location at all. Ender’s Island is an added bonus. I’ll do one more example of the pros and cons.

Syracuse Pros and Cons:

Pros:

1.) Excellent reputation and fully funded with a stipend. A great community of writers that both visit and are on staff.

2.) Fiction program

3.) Traditional grad school setting.

4.) In an area I would really like to live.

Cons:

1.) Only accept 12 students per year, so it’s EXTREMELY competitive.

2.) Fiction is an area I haven’t fully explored so I’d be waiting a year before I could actually apply.

3.) Far from home.

4.) Time consuming. Would I still have time for a side job and running?

READ the FAQS!!!!! I cannot stress that enough. The Fairfield FAQ page really helped me when I was worrying about the application process and applying later. Many times they say that their students are older and already have full-time families or careers. It was informative. They provide tuition costs and what to expect from the program. For example, I need to understand that I will be dedicating 25 hours a week to writing when I’m not there for my residency.

My next recommendation, LOOK AT THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. Some schools require you to take the GRE’s. Other schools do not require it. Some require multiple writing samples , a personal statement and then an extra essay. And don’t forget letters of recommendation. Some schools require two, some require three. And stay on deadlines. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get all the work done.

Final Recap of this post:

1.) Start looking at schools EARLY; and delve deep into the website’s details about what the program offers, classroom setting or residencies, application process and FAQs.

2.) Make a Pros and Cons list for each school. I only did 2, but I automatically do one for each school I find.

3.) Watch your deadlines!

4.) Do a little every day, even if it’s just pulling up the website.

Great video I found about the Fairfield program: