something I am pondering

[rm]

In the wake of the reaction to some of my really good LJ Idol stuff, and a realization I've had about a unifying theme in my work, I am currently considering applying to MFA programs.

Well, not exactly.

I am currently considering applying to the CUNY non-fiction MFA program, because it's local, I think I can get in, and I can afford it.

Pro's?
- having more than a damn BA
- specifically, being qualified enough to teach writing classes, good for the non 9-to-5'ers life (I want to get rid of the Germans).
- Being forced to write
- Gaining structure to what is now at least a moderately structured idea for the non-fiction book people have been trying to get me to write for years.
- Some small credential to help in the publishing game.

Con's?
- Dealing with a school, especially a city school, will make me crazy. I will have to meet obligations I find idiotic and insulting.
- Good-bye free time.
- $$
- Application process: irksome
- Okay, it's a short list, but I can't really emphasize enough how easily annoyed I am.

Issues?
- Writing samples. I could clean up that thing about why I went to Australia and IT WOULD ROCK, but I am afraid the committee would also be all "oh, Jesus fuck, more sex work, SHUT UP."
- I have several great people to ask for recommendations. I feel uncomfortable asking all of them.
- Like Chinese food, this may just seem like a good idea before it actually shows up.


So now you know.


ETA: Having just looked at my transcript, it seems exceedingly unlikely I could possibly be admitted to the program, with an appallingly low GPA both overall and in my major and no real trend of improvement over 4 years. Yup, what I did form 1990 - 1994 DETERMINES ALL. Hey, at least I have a bazillion other careers.

Comments

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

They won't tell you you're an idiot, but they may not "get it." However that's a hazard of any workshop, especially if you're writing anything out of the realm of generic experience.

The quality of the student body also will affect the quality of your workshopping. If you can find even two or three people who get you, you're doing well.

Who's the nonfiction faculty at CUNY? I am wary of a lot of new nonfiction programs, they are springing up everywhere and are largely untested.

[rm.livejournal.com]

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/creativewriting/who.shtml

I feel decent about them because I feel like they would get some of my interests and experience (there seems to be thematic work about loss as well as culture and class, and a recognition that you can be both a fiction writer and a non-fiction writer).

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Oh you are fine. And the director is Australian!

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yes! Hunter has a section for academic work done outside of the US on its application. I am debating including the NIDA stuff. It doesn't seem directly relevant, but I suppose I can talk about what being a storyteller means in the personal statement.

I also have to do a 500 word project proposal that they only require of memoir students.