build a life that builds the world.
Welcome to part VIII of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we tried to find ways to make our time productive as we play the waiting game. Today, we examine how to choose the MFA program we want. If you play your cards right, you’re going to end up being the … Read more
Welcome to part VII of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we sent off our application(s). Today we make our time productive as we play the waiting game. One reason you might have for entering an MFA program instead of writing on your own is to create formal structure around your … Read more
Welcome to part VI of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we had a word on why visiting grad schools is worth your time, effort, and money. Today we send off our application(s)! You’ve been drafting your personalized letter of intent, tweaking your resume and vita, plunking down cash for transcripts, … Read more
Welcome to part V of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we examined strategies of building our reference pool. Today we have a word on why visiting grad schools is worth your time, effort, and money. It’s probably been a while since the college visits you took during high school, and … Read more
Welcome to part IV of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we looked at the importance of organizing the application process to save our sanity. Today we examine strategies of building our reference pool. They say it’s all who you know, and the reference process is no different. Even in an … Read more
Welcome to part III of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we looked at steps we can take to prepare ourselves for a write-every-day / ready-every-day MFA lifestyle. Today we look at the importance of organizing the application process to save our sanity. Every MFA program has a slightly different application … Read more
Welcome to part II of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Yesterday, we asked ourselves the tough questions about whether or not we feel we’re ready for an MFA. Today we have three goal-orientated ways to prepare yourself for a two- or three-year lifestyle of late nights writing like mad and reading … Read more
Welcome to part I of our “Applying to a Creative Writing MFA program” series. Today we ask ourselves the tough questions about whether or not we feel we’re ready for an MFA. There are many reasons to pursue an MFA. Perhaps you want to teach English writing and/or literature. Maybe you’re looking to break into … Read more
Staring tomorrow, join us for a nine-part series on how to successfully apply to a Creative Writing MFA program. Expect daily posts featuring my thoughts on what to consider when deciding whether to apply, how to prepare yourself mentally to read and write hardcore for two or three years, organizing your application process, references, visiting … Read more
I’ve solved my dilemma from last week, mostly due to a deadline. Book orders were due last Friday, and I’ve decided to go with Into the Wild. The parallels between the researched, journalistic approach Krakauer takes is simply too similar to the explanatory synthesis the students will be writing earlier in the semester to pass … Read more