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RM2
Rosalie Mingus

Mar 24, 2011, 9:46 PM

Post #2351 of 2528 (4566 views)
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Re: [EllaJ] Summer 2011 Acceptances [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the update, Ella! Congratulations, too! I'm assuming you got an acceptance to WW. That's awesome. I'll hang in there a little longer. Have you decided where you'll be going?

EllaJ

Mar 24, 2011, 9:54 PM

Post #2352 of 2528 (4561 views)
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Re: [RM2] Summer 2011 Acceptances [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you! I realize I should have said that I heard (good news) from WW :) I don't know where I'm going yet, but the goal is to decide this weekend. Have you heard from any other schools so far?

RM2
Rosalie Mingus

Mar 24, 2011, 10:18 PM

Post #2353 of 2528 (4555 views)
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Re: [EllaJ] Summer 2011 Acceptances [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ella--Oh, have fun deciding! I'm sure it will be difficult, but it's a good problem to have, no? I've had good news from Spalding and am waiting on Bennington and WW. Thanks for asking. Let us know here how you've decided after you notify the schools, if you don't mind.

EllaJ

Mar 24, 2011, 10:26 PM

Post #2354 of 2528 (4551 views)
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Re: [RM2] Summer 2011 Acceptances [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations on Spalding! I've had nothing but good experiences with them. It seems like such a great program. Good luck with your decision as well :)

maybemd

Mar 24, 2011, 11:14 PM

Post #2355 of 2528 (4538 views)
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Re: [EllaJ] Summer 2011 Acceptances [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations on the good news! Let us know what you decide.

EllaJ

Mar 25, 2011, 9:52 AM

Post #2356 of 2528 (4494 views)
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Re: [maybemd] Summer 2011 Acceptances [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you, Maybemd :) I will definitely post here when I've made a decision.

mic
Mik Demeter

Mar 27, 2011, 10:41 PM

Post #2357 of 2528 (4383 views)
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Re: National University [In reply to]	Can't Post

Does anyone have an opinion, knowledge, or experience of National University's MFA in creative writing?

lmorris

Mar 28, 2011, 11:12 AM

Post #2358 of 2528 (4351 views)
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Re: [kscrawford] Trying to decide... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi, KSC,

What a wonderful dilemma to be in--to have to choose from so many great schools! :)

I can't really offer any great advice to you, considering the fact that I am going to be starting at Spalding in the summer and cannot yet speak from any residency experience, but I guess I can tell you how I made my choice.

I applied to only two schools and ended up choosing Spalding. I haven't been offered any scholarships (although I'm not sure if they've made that decision for the summer residency yet...), but it was still my top choice. As you said, the people there are ultra-friendly, and I made contacts with several Spalding grads and current students who said the atmosphere is amazing. Apparently, Sena Jeter Naslund, the director, firmly believes in creating a positive, nurturing environment for her writers, and it seems to be working!

I also chose Spalding because, as a full-time teacher, I liked the option of doing a nine-month semester. I have NO IDEA how full-time workers manage to do six-month semesters and fit in all that writing. I don't think I'm capable of that.

And lastly, I chose Spalding because there are a couple faculty members whose writing I have admired since before I even considered doing an MFA. In particular, I really like Sena Naslund and Silas House.

Also, as you said, their office staff is unbelievable. Every question I have had has been answered immediately, and all the ladies have been so friendly!

Now, I'm sure all your other schools also have great faculty members and a good, positive writing community, so you probably can't go wrong with any of your choices. Just thought I'd let you know how I made mine.

And again, congrats on getting accepted to SO MANY schools! Did you apply for Spalding's spring or summer semester? If it's summer, maybe I'll see you at the residency!

kscrawford

Mar 28, 2011, 6:03 PM

Post #2359 of 2528 (4280 views)
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Re: [lmorris] Trying to decide... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi, lmorris.

Thanks for the great insights, and the words of encouragement. It's great to hear from someone who's made the choice and is psyched to get started.

If I go with Spalding, I won't begin until the Fall residency in November. And, if I do choose Spalding, I'll at least start out doing the Fall/Spring residencies in Louisville... until my schedule gets too nuts, or I start to get an unmanageable yen for travel. (The study abroad option, too, is a big plus. I'm hoping that I'll be able to work that into my degree at some point.) I couldn't get my act together to apply in time--or to be ready in time--to start this summer. I'm sure me starting later was one of the reasons they were able to offer me a scholarship.

I have a toddler at home, and will be teaching three courses next semester, so we'll see how it all works out. I'm going to try and do some major planning and frontloading this summer in order to get ready; in truth, I'm hoping all the business in my life will morph me into a multi-tasking wizard. Ha.

Anyway, best of luck to you! Perhaps I'll see you in Louisville at some point. I'm going to try and make my final decision over the next couple of days.

My best,

KSCD

lmorris

Mar 28, 2011, 6:52 PM

Post #2360 of 2528 (4270 views)
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Re: [kscrawford] Trying to decide... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I forgot to ask: in what genre did you apply? I guess that could make a difference in which school works. Good luck with the decision!

kscrawford

Mar 28, 2011, 8:02 PM

Post #2361 of 2528 (4262 views)
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Re: [lmorris] Trying to decide... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I applied in both Fiction and Creative Nonfiction. I'm a fair newcomer to CNF, though--fiction's definitely my first love. It seems that most schools offer the chance to do some cross-genre studying, though VCFA and Spalding are the only two so far who've accepted me in both. I applied to Pacific in Fiction, as you can only choose one there.

Argh. This is the toughest decision I've had to face in quite some time.

kscrawford

Mar 28, 2011, 8:07 PM

Post #2362 of 2528 (4259 views)
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Re: [ahanridge] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Amy in AZ,

I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain a little bit about Spalding? I've recently been accepted in F & CNF, and the folks there have been wonderful so far.

I'm trying to decide now between a couple of other programs, and I'm wondering: What's it like being a "big" city like Louisville? Much of my writing is inspired by the natural world (read: I'm an outdoor nut), and I'm wondering if I'll like it there? Is it a pretty town? Does it have character?

Any insight you can give would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

KSC

ahanridge

Mar 28, 2011, 8:22 PM

Post #2363 of 2528 (4253 views)
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Re: [kscrawford] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

I love Louisville. I'm from a tiny town in the mountains of AZ and I'm very comfortable at residency. For one thing, I appreciate a chance to experience theater and art galleries, for example, that I'll never experience in my tiny town. Google the 21C. It's a Louisville hotel with a world-class art collection open to the public and one residency all Spalding MFA students spent time at the 21C. At several residencies we've shared special live theater performances exclusively for Spalding students. I've loved all those opportunities. Spalding stresses not only that "writing is writing" (so we all have exposure to writing and reading across genres), but Spalding also stresses the interrelatedness of the arts, so we always have shared arts experiences beyond that of writing while at residency and I appreciate the kinds of arts opportunities the city of Louisville affords us. I went to school in Chicago, though, so Louisville is nowhere near the size of some of the major cities I've lived in.

Students at Spalding Louisville residencies have an option to stay at the gorgeous Brown hotel, also. Google that hotel! It's a lovely hotel which makes for a lively center of activity during residency. Students can stay at the dorms if they wish, but I've always appreciated the beauty and uniqueness of staying at the Brown. May students gather at the Brown lobby in the evenings after the long days and that's a wonderful way to get to know fellow students.

As for your writing subject matter, I don't think 10 days at residency affect that at all. Many students (and faculty for that matter) at Spalding are like you and write of the natural world and landscape. Residency is simply 10 activity-packed days and to me, Louisville is a nice place to experience those busy days. And remember, residencies abroad are an option with Spalding, too, if they are in your budget.

Hope this helps,

Amy in AZ

EllaJ

Mar 29, 2011, 1:21 PM

Post #2364 of 2528 (4193 views)
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Made my decision! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just wanted to say that I made my decision: I'm going to Warren Wilson (!!!) and leaving spots at Vermont and Spalding (both with modest scholarships) and Queens. It was a really tough decision--tougher than I imagined--but I feel great about my choice.

That said, my news is bittersweet because I have decided to defer one semester. I actually feel pretty bad about it, but I think it's the best decision for me (and my family.) Has anyone else on here deferred? Please tell me it's not the end of the world!! The potential good news is that maybe this will leave another fiction slot open for the upcoming residency. So, good luck if this helps any of you :)

I think I'm going to do an online workshop in the interim, so if anyone has recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Also, if any of you are current or future WW students, I hope to meet you next December!

maybemd

Mar 29, 2011, 1:38 PM

Post #2365 of 2528 (4189 views)
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Re: [EllaJ] Made my decision! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm thrilled to hear you picked WW! I was hoping you would. Will look forward to meeting you next winter. Feel free to PM with any questions.

RM2
Rosalie Mingus

Mar 29, 2011, 2:03 PM

Post #2366 of 2528 (4181 views)
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Re: [maybemd] Made my decision! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Soooo glad for you! :) It seems that everyone who is accepted at WW goes there!

dkabwang

Mar 30, 2011, 2:47 PM

Post #2367 of 2528 (4102 views)
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Re:WILKES University? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Can anyone tell me anything about WILKES University Low -Residency program?
How is the faculty? Classes? Residencies in the summer? Just anything and everything about the program please!

kscrawford

Mar 30, 2011, 6:03 PM

Post #2368 of 2528 (4074 views)
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Re: [ahanridge] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, Amy in AZ. It does help!

Are you using your MFA to teach? That's certainly a goal of mine, though I know it's no guarantee.

Is anyone out there using a VCFA or Spalding MFA to teach?

KSC

ahanridge

Mar 30, 2011, 6:12 PM

Post #2369 of 2528 (4070 views)
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Re: [kscrawford] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

I already hold another M.A. and teach online and, yes, hope to teach writing online once I complete my MFA with Spalding. I would love to teach for another low-res program someday, also, but know that my publications along with my MFA have a lot to do with landing those jobs.

Best,

Amy in AZ

jlgwriter
Jeanne Lyet Gassman

Mar 30, 2011, 6:15 PM

Post #2370 of 2528 (4068 views)
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Re: [kscrawford] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am. I have an MFA from Vermont and teach at a local community college--as an adjunct. When I was at Vermont, I received a great piece of advice from one of poetry faculty: If your goal is to teach after you graduate, start teaching now. She suggested looking for entryways into the teaching field that don't require the masters, such as tutoring at adult ed centers (or community colleges), teaching at park & rec programs, working as a substitute for public schools, etc. All of these will help you network and build up your resume.

I've found that my MFA from Vermont seems to have some panache in the teaching arena. Since accepting a job at the community college, I've had five other offers to teach in some capacity. None of these offers were for full-time jobs, but I haven't been looking for full-time work, so I don't know if that's relevant or not.

Oh, I live in Arizona, too.

Jeanne
http://www.jeannelyetgassman.com
http://jeannelyetgassman.blogspot.com

http://www.jeannelyetgassman.com
http://jeannelyetgassman.blogspot.com

(This post was edited by jlgwriter on Mar 30, 2011, 6:16 PM)

kscrawford

Mar 30, 2011, 6:19 PM

Post #2371 of 2528 (4065 views)
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Re: [ahanridge] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Amy,

We're in the same boat: I teach online, too--a Business Writing course. But I've been adjuncting, teaching seated classes in English (comp & lit) at a small, 4-year college for the past 7 years, and I'd love to find a full-time teaching job.

Thanks for all your help! Best of luck to you!

KSC

pongo
Real men bake bread.

Mar 31, 2011, 8:11 AM

Post #2372 of 2528 (4017 views)
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Re: [kscrawford] Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

An MFA without good publications will not help you get a tenure-track job. For that matter, a PhD won't help much more. There are very few permanent positions available in the humanities.

I got my MFA in 1998 and started teaching that fall. In that time I've had seven semesters of full-time temporary work; all the rest was adjunct.

Poetry: It's not just for sissies any more.

Difficult Listening, Sundays from ten to noon (Central time), at http://www.radiofreenashville.org/.

http://home.comcast.net/~david.m.harris/site/

lou27

Mar 31, 2011, 7:56 PM

Post #2373 of 2528 (3953 views)
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Re: Bennington [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello!
I heard from Bennington yesterday (3/30) and I'm in for fiction. I'm very excited, and I would love to hear from anyone who knows about the program.
Good luck to everyone!

RM2
Rosalie Mingus

Apr 1, 2011, 11:22 AM

Post #2374 of 2528 (3896 views)
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Re: [lou27] Bennington [In reply to]	Can't Post

Can't help with info, but I still wanted say, Congratulations!! Such a distinguished literary tradition, there! I didn't get in there, but would love to read your thoughts on your first residency when you go. Please post them, here!

rm

lou27

Apr 1, 2011, 1:08 PM

Post #2375 of 2528 (3878 views)
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Re: [RM2] Bennington [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you! I had already assumed I hadn't gotten it, so it was a nice surprise.
My first residency is in June, and I would be happy to post about it afterwards!

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