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]

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.