Five Things to Consider if You’re Thinking About Getting Your MFA

This semester, I’ve had the opportunity to take a class on publishing, and in this class, I’ve heard from industry professionals from across the board: from writers to editors, from agents to booksellers, from illustrators to marketers. During these discussions, the question of whether it is worth pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing frequently cropped up. Many of these people have earned an MFA, and many of them have not, but I have found that they all share the same basic wisdom about this prestigious degree. Here are five simple things you should consider before you apply to an MFA program:

1. Cost. It is a truth universally acknowledged that there isn’t much money in writing. Sure, you have your J.K. Rowlings and your Stephen Kings, but they’re exceptions, not the rule. If you’re going to take the time out of your life to perfect your craft, you shouldn’t have to focus on how you’re going to buy groceries or pay your rent while you’re doing it. You also shouldn’t have to worry about paying for that time many years down the road. Thankfully, the list of fully-funded MFA programs is ever-growing. Check out a list of partially and fully funded programs at www.themfayears.com!

2. Location. It’s no secret that New York City is the publishing capital of the world. Writers, editors, and agents have flocked there for decades. But don’t think you have to attend a program in Manhattan to get the best experience as an MFA candidate. There are plenty of small programs in small towns that have produced incredible writers. Focus on the program, rather than the location.

3. Career. If you think you need an MFA to get a career in publishing or to make it as a writer, think again. An MFA is great for growing as a writer and an editor, but what matters most when you’re applying for a job is experience—working as an intern or a temp. If you’re already in or near NYC, it’s not necessary to earn an MFA to advance your career. However, if you’re coming from farther away, it may help to attend a program in the city, where you can have access to resources both within and outside your program.

4. Motivation. The benefits of attending an MFA program can be summed up in one word: time. A program, especially a fully-funded one, gives you the time—two or three years of it—to write, to explore styles and plots and techniques for which you might not otherwise have time. Don’t apply to an MFA because you feel like you have to in order to finally crank out that bestseller, apply to an MFA program when you feel like you can finally take advantage of this time.

5. Personal Growth. The subject of reasoning brings me to personal growth. Like I said, as an MFA candidate you have plenty of time to experiment with your craft. However, it’s also important to realize that you may not be ready for this experimentation. In an MFA program, you don’t just write. You critique and receive critiques in turn. If you’re not at a point with your writing where you’re ready to have it ripped apart, take some time to get to know your craft in private before bringing it to an MFA.

Whether you’re considering an MFA or you’re ready to jump right into that next novel, expose, or essay, Melanie Cutler is here to help! Contact her for your writing needs today!