Reported by Barbara Beckwith
Speakers: Helen Elaine Lee, novelist, M.I.T. writing prof; taught at Queens U. low-residency MFA program in Charlotte (NC) and Solstice June low-residency MFA program at Pine Manor College. Kimberly Davis, fiction writer/poet, Emerson College MFA graduate, teacher of fiction workshops at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education (CCAE). Kevin Mclellan, poet, Vermont College MFA graduate, teacher of CCAE poetry workshops.
An M.F.A. degree can give you credentials to teach writing (note: there are fewer than 100 tenure track jobs nationwide). However, says Elaine Lee, author of two novels, who teaches at M.I.T without an M.F.A.: "There are two routes to a college-level job teaching writing: an M.F.A. and a book." Note: 3-year MFA program at Tuscaloosa (Alabama) has a high success rate re: graduates getting full-time teaching jobs.
M.F.A. Programs are either high residency or low residency.
Pros of high residency prorams: An M.F.A.program will give you an intense craft-focused experience. You may work on a literary journal. You may do some teaching. "There's a level of craft excitement," said Kimberly Davis. "At Emerson, I found writing buddies for life." You may make professional contacts who can help you move ahead in your career. And some high residence (and high prestige) M.F.A programs can be cutthroat. Cons: High residency programs can cost as much as $20,000 - $30,000 and draw younger writers with less real-life experience.
Pros of low residency programs: Attract writers of a wide range of age and experience [note: Pine Manor's Solstice program is known for diversity vis-a-vis race, ethnicity, sexual identity]. You can live anywhere for most of the year, exchanging writing and reading assignment/critiques with your advisor; students and teachers then periodically come together for intense on site sessions of (10 days, perhaps). Cons: "You need a high level of motivation because most of the time you're with yourself and that blank piece of paper," said Kevin McLellan, who, in his second year, quit his job and house-sat to allow him to focus and be fully productive.If you can't afford the money or time that either high or low residency M.F.A programs usually entail, consider inexpensive non-degree but high-quality summertime programs (eg: William Joiner Center program at UMass Boston) or 1-2 week writers' conferences/retreats/colonies (Cape Cod Writing Program, The Writing Retreat in Quebec or Mexico). Apply for a 1-month stay at Yaddo, Mcdowell, etc.
Consider taking workshops or classes offered by the National Writers Union, Grub Street, Harvard Extension, and adult ed centers (Cambridge, Boston, Brookline). All three speakers agreed these are cheap, high caliber, nurturing, and supportive. "There is nothing in an M.F.A. program that can't be replicated out in the world, especially in the Boston area," said Kimberly Davis.