Roundup: MFA-ccident? Or Worth It?
In our Roundups segment, we’re looking back at all the great posts since the blog started in 2009. We explore posts from our archives as well as other top literary magazines, centered on a certain theme to help you jump-start your week. This week we have posts on MFA programs.
Okay, so bad pun in the title. But the question is a sincere one that has been asked a lot recently. Is it worth it for an aspiring writer to get an MFA? The following articles from Ploughshares and from around the web contribute to the conversation…
From Ploughshares:
- Are you an MFA writing student? Tell us what you’ve learned, tell us how you’ve grown as a writer! Read “New Blog Feature: Writing Lessons” for submission guidelines.
- Christine Sneed argues in favor of graduate school in “Wherefore and Why the MFA?”
From Around the Web:
- Have you seen PW’s 2012 MFA Rankings? Could be a good place to start. Here’s their methodology for the rankings.
- In “To MFA or Not to MFA” Lorin Stein via The Paris Review writes, “I find it hard to believe that spending so much time with other young writers—people so much like you—is good for the spirit, or makes you a more interesting person.”
- Seth Abramson gives us “The Top 25 Underrated Creative Writing MFA Programs (2011-2012),” which based on the article’s comments is apparently pretty controversial.
- AWP’s Guide to Writing Programs is free, easy to use, and has over 800 graduate and undergraduate writing programs in the U.S. and abroad.
- Robin Black for The Review Review says, “Not every writer needs an MFA; but every writer does need an environment that takes your work and your aspirations seriously!!”
