MFA suggestions

[mysticblossom]

So remember how last week I asked questions about Medieval Art History program?  I've been spending the better part of this last week trying to decide between an MFA in creative writing and a PhD in art history, because I'm currently about to finish a BA in creative writing but I'm also very, very interested in art history.  Right now I'm leading

Comments

[extria]

Try Hollins University in Roanoke, VA - www.hollins.edu

[royalneptune]

My writing sample was magical realism and I got in to American University. Fair warning, they aren't the best when it comes to funding.

Honestly I think a number of places would be open to more surreal work. Quality is quality, regardless of genre. Maybe try schools that are a little more...arty? Does that make sense? I would see if they have a list of published works by professors and alumni, reading the work people at the school have produced may help you find a place that fits you creatively.

[ferdiaferlin]

See if you can find any authors you like at schools that have a program. If you don't know of any teaching authors then check out some of the schools with MFA programs, look at the professors there, and check their CVs which might give you an idea of how they write.

Then if you can narrow it down a bit, see if you can contact some current or just finished grad students to get a sense of how much direction the professor gives and how much freedom they give you. I turned down one professor even though I liked the research because I found out that essentially I would be doing a bit of his work rather than having the independence to come up with my own project.

[elorie]

The fiction professors at UGA have been pretty open to my various weirdness, which ranges from the slightly surreal to magical realism to science fiction and fantasy.

[greekdaph]

I don't have any real insights, but the definitive MFA-related websites out there seem to be these. Maybe something there will help you out!

http://creative-writing-mfa-handbook.blogspot.com/

http://www.sethabramson.blogspot.com/

[apwoh]

My boyfriend used these sites to research where to apply. He is starting an MFA in poetry this fall.

I don't think you need to worry about a program pushing your writing in a certain direction. They read your writing sample and SOP, see what you have written and what your plans are, and accept you based on whether or not they think their program suits your potential.

I would like to put in a plug for my undergrad institution, UC Davis. They offer a (fully funded!) MA in creative writing. Lucy Corin is one professor whose work could be considered surreal or magical realism. At least two recent graduates -- one poetry and one fiction -- that I know of write in that style. Their program is really good because you TA your first year and then teach intro to creative writing your second year. That teaching experience is good to have when hunting for a job.

(p.s. hi Daphna!)