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

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

The short comment (that doesn't get wrapped up in my own rather prickly feelings about writing classes and my own indecision about grad school - including which program to enter) is: have you thought of a one year, low-residency program?

I think a masters can never be a bad thing to have, but if you really are worried about it interfering with your writing, it's not worth it. The writing is the most important. And you can get contacts at plenty of places, not just MFA programs.

I wouldn't worry overmuch about your GPA, either. It's important, sure, but so are test scores and mostly writing ability. I mean if you have something like a 1.4, that might be cause for trouble, but otherwise? I don't think it will have more weight than your writing sample.

[rm.livejournal.com]

It was a 2.76.

And they only require the GRE by matriculation. It's not part of the decision process.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Even so, you've done a *lot* since that time, and I think it would be rather ridiculous for them to count a GPA from that long ago against you overmuch, in light of your resume and publishing credits. A three book deal, after all, is probably a lot more than many of their applicants have. And if that doesn't prove you can handle the work, I don't know what would.

[rm.livejournal.com]

True. The book is so entirely irrelevant, but clearly, I can get stuff done.

God, does this mean I'm supposed to ask my publisher for a recommendation? How utterly absurd as they are probably the least qualified to speak to what I can really do with words.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure why it would be irrelevant. Is it that unrelated to the non-fiction this program covers?

I don't think it means you'd have to ask your publisher for a recommendation. Although, s/he could at least comment on, you know, how well you worked within a one month deadline which shows you can do stuff on time.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I just think it would be weird to have a publisher and not have a rec from them.

Well, it's a personal memoir program. As near and dear as Severus et al are to my heart -- that's not something the publisher has seen or knows about or really anything from my life.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

That's true. Yeah, you could talk it over with the publisher and sort of discuss maybe what the program is like and what a letter of rec for it would need, perhaps. I have done this with professors when I applied to work at the Actor's Theatre.

I somehow missed, I guess, that this was a memoir program. That totally makes sense now! Though, the fact you've been published with an impressive book deal (even if it isn't a memoir) reflects very positively on you. AND it shows that you can do lots of different kinds of nonfiction writing. I can't see how that would be a liability. I fully intend to put down my fiction and poetry pubs as well as my journalism stuff if I ever apply for an MA in journalism. I just wouldn't weigh the application overly heavy towards poetry.