WHAT IS AN M.F.A. PROGRAM IN CREATIVE WRITING?

An M.F.A. program in creative writing is a graduate level program of study which confers a Masters in Fine Arts in poetry, fiction, drama, or sometimes another genre of writing. Some of these programs give an M.A., or a Masters degree. There's not a big difference between the M.A. and the M.F.A., though the M.F.A. may be a little more rigorous in some places, sometimes requiring a foreign language. The M.F.A. is typically considered a "terminal" degree.

Most graduate-level writing programs are two-year programs that require the student to take a series of creative writing workshops and courses in literature.

SHOULD I APPLY TO AN M.F.A. PROGRAM?

You should apply to an M.F.A. program if you really enjoy writing and believe that you may want to pursue a lifelong relationship with the muse. Most M.F.A. programs give you two years of graduate workshops in the genre of your specialty. That means you get to concentrate for two full years on the vocation you may enjoy more than any other.

WILL AN M.F.A. HELP ME GET A JOB?

Years ago, an M.F.A. may have helped writers secure teaching jobs. Today, with the college teaching market so tight, it is highly unlikely that an M.F.A. will help a writer get a teaching job. The degree may provide some ancillary benefits when applying to high school or community colleges-especially if the M.F.A. program provides an opportunity to teach. But a writer should not apply for an M.F.A. program with the idea that he or she will be gaining in college-level employability. In recent times, even most PhD's in English do not find tenure track jobs on the college level.

HOW CAN I BEST PREPARE TO GET INTO A PROGRAM?

Write as well you can. Then polish your writing. Ask for help from writing teachers and specialists. Then be brutally honest with yourself when selecting sample work to send to programs. Send your best. Publishing may help a little, especially if you manage to publish in a prestigious journal, but undergraduate publishing is relatively rare and unnecessary. The most important thing is that your portfolio appeals to the editorial sensibilities of the admissions committee. Make your portfolio the best work you have. Revise and proofread.

Most programs require letters of recommendation from writing teachers and specialists. Be sure to ask your potential letter writers if they can write you "a strong letter." If they can't, thank them for their time and look elsewhere.

Some programs may require that you take the GRE's and the English subject exams. These tests are often pro forma, especially since M.F.A. programs most often have close administrative ties to larger graduate programs in English. The portfolio matters most. But in some places, the exam scores are taken seriously. The best way to study for the subject exam is to immerse one's self in the Norton Anthology of English Literature and any American literature anthology of your choice. Such study may seem daunting, but you will learn about great works of literature and your writing will benefit immeasurably. You will even learn from that work you do not like.

IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE FOR M.F.A. PROGRAMS?

Yes, most M.F.A. programs have financial aid programs, but the degree of available funds differs greatly from school to school.

ARE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS AVAILABLE?

Many M.F.A. programs offer limited teaching assistantships. Graduate writers are often asked to teach introductory composition or creative writing classes. Most are one-year part-time teaching assignments and pay enough for a single grad student to get by. Some programs offer two year assistantships, but that is rare. At certain programs, a "scholarship" is offered in the form of a two-year teaching assignment. College teaching is good experience for those writers who may want to go on to teach at any level.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOP PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA? THE U.S.? ABROAD?

There are many excellent programs throughout California and the United States. I attended UC Davis from 1977 to 1979, and I enjoyed that program immensely. But it's hard to say what the "best" programs are, because the answer depends on so many variables. For instance, if you are a student who likes to write narrative poems, then a program featuring writing instructors who are lyric poets exclusively may not be the best for you. If you prefer rural living, then obviously an urban program probably won't be at the top of your list. To find out about programs, purchase the AWP GUIDE TO WRITING PROGRAMS, by logging onto the Associated Writing Programs web site and finding the purchasing information Graduate level creative writing programs also exist in Canada and England.

HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE A PROGRAM TO APPLY TO? HOW CAN I KNOW IF MY STYLE MATCHES THE PERSONALITY OF A PROGRAM?

I recommend that prospective M.F.A. students ask themselves several key questions.

On cost: How much can I afford to pay? Can I afford to go out of state? Can I afford to go to the more expensive private universities? Is financial aid available? How much?

On suitability: What writers do I admire? What writers do I try to emulate? Do these writers teach at M.F.A. programs? Are they good teachers? (As poet Brenda Hillman has said, the best writing teacher helps students to identify what is idiosyncratically best in their work and exploit it.) Do they have a history of caring about their students? Do they attend office hours? Do they respect styles of writing other than their own?

On location: Do I care about what part of the country (or state) I will live in? Does it matter if I live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?

On curriculum: How many students are in an individual workshop class? (Usually twelve is the maximum in any good program.) How many credits are required for completion? Can I help to edit a literary magazine? Is a language exam required for graduation?

After answering these questions, you may have a good idea about the specific M.F.A. programs that would be best for you. Now ask your professors and anyone who has had experience at different programs about their impressions. Sometimes famous poets are poor teachers, and sometimes little recognized poets are good teachers. Some programs foster an unhealthy competitiveness between students. Learn what you can. Then narrow down your choices and apply.

HOW MANY PROGRAMS SHOULD I APPLY TO?

Admissions competition is steep; thus, I recommend that students apply to six to eight programs. Apply only to programs you are certain you would attend.

WHAT ARE LOW-RESIDENCY M.F.A. PROGRAMS?

Low-residency MFA programs are becoming quite popular in the United States. While such programs do not offer the day-to-day intimacy a student might have with professors and peers in a regular MFA program, they are especially well-suited for students who have family commitments, or who have difficulties with job schedules, or who simply can’t leave home for an extended period. Students who succeed in such programs must be self-motivated and disciplined.