Runningmom80 Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 If you have one, do you feel it was a worth while pursuit? If you decided against it, what were your reasons? I'm currently going back and forth trying to figure out if the investment is worth it. I would do a low residency program, which usually don't offer funding. Almost everything I've read on the subject says not to do it if you are going to take on debt. I'm not debt-averse, but I also don't want to put myself in a giant hole for little return on the investment. I'm not sure that I want to teach, which seems like the only reason a writer would really "need" one. My BA is in English with creative writing emphasis, and I do kind of feel like I've already done the whole workshop thing. That being said, I'd love to make connections and have a community as well as the dedicated time to work on my craft. I know I can do that without an MFA program, which is why I'm so torn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Everyone I know who has done this has deeply, deeply regretted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 There was a similar thread recently. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/565231-writer-momsdoes-one-need-an-mfa/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 There was a similar thread recently. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/565231-writer-momsdoes-one-need-an-mfa/ Ha! It must be in the air. Thank you. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 I don't have one, dh does, and many writer friends. They are worth it if you want to TEACH. If you want a job in academia, teaching other people who want their MFA, then doing an MFA is a good first step. I don't know what it's like over there, but here you'd probably need PhD and/ or substantial publications as well. My personal view is that writing degrees are great ( I have one ) but they exist mainly to employ writers with writing degrees. I would think long and hard if it involves any debt. Not convinced on the overall value to your writing - although there are one or two writers I'd go into debt to learn from - it's more value re teaching employability and networking, to some extent. Yeah, I'm not at all convinced it would be worth it for me. It does seem like a Ponzie scheme, just training more adjuncts to train the next generation of poorly paid adjuncts. I may just pick some really good programs and apply. I don't want to go just to go. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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