Back to school....

Senusret I · #1 07-28-2007, 04:28 PM

I just realized I didn't answer a single one of your questions.

I'm sorry.

I just got caught up in making sure you didn't repeat my mistakes.

CrimsonLadybug · #2 07-28-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I just realized I didn't answer a single one of your questions.

I'm sorry.

I just got caught up in making sure you didn't repeat my mistakes.

No, you did. I was looking for first hand experiences. And you're right. Most colleges don't hire professors without a PhD. I know my creative writing professor, who later became my advisor when I added the emphasis, only had his MFA but he had also had couple of chapbooks published and was at one point considered for Poet Laureate (I think he was like choice #99 out of 100 possibilities but still his name was in the pot). And my Lit Crit professor had only gotten that far as well but that's only two out of a faculty of twenty or so.

If I did decide to go for the MFA I would be doing it with the goal of teaching creative writing, either at a community college or adult education center, or possibly high school level. Somewhere the students are in it for enjoyment and not because they have ultimate designs on an MFA.

Senusret I · #3 07-28-2007, 06:09 PM

One more thing to consider.... if you want to teach high school English, the MFA would be GREAT! Just don't forget that you will still have to become a certified teacher... so you might want to combine the MFA with an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) if you're so inclined. Or somehow get enough education coursework to count toward the No Child Left behind standards.

If you considered a low-residency MFA program, you might be able to do regular grad work in another field. That might require a lot of discipline, but hey, who knows.

Good luck with everything!

CrimsonLadybug · #4 07-28-2007, 06:19 PM

I've considered the low-residency program option. Naropa, one of the schools I was considering, only offers "Creative Writing" as an LR. They have an in-resident program called Writing and Poetics as well but the actual creative writing program isn't. I don't know if I would enjoy it as much as actually being in the classroom. Banter is one of the best parts of a creative writing program, IMO.

SoCalGirl · #5 07-29-2007, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Generally speaking, can (should) I go back and retake some of those C classes to try to get a better grade before even applying?

Does anyone know the answer? I've been contemplating this for about a week now. Is it possible, once graduated, to retake classes to increase a gpa? Or would the better option be to get a 2nd BA/BS before going for a masters?

AlexMack · #6 07-29-2007, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

Does anyone know the answer? I've been contemplating this for about a week now. Is it possible, once graduated, to retake classes to increase a gpa? Or would the better option be to get a 2nd BA/BS before going for a masters?

TBH it seems like you'd have to wing it on specific university policy. Like, for instance, UMASS allows you to repeat a class if you got a C- or lower but you may only do it for five classes through your academic career. But they may not have a precedent for after graduation. My guess is that they wouldn't. It sounds like a very unique situation.
(I, unfortunately, have much experience retaking classes. Thankfully my success story is excellent. An F to an A-!)

SoCalGirl · #7 07-29-2007, 03:24 AM

I was much more of the burn and churn student. Just keep moving forward!

CrimsonLadybug · #8 07-29-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porkfriedrice

(I, unfortunately, have much experience retaking classes. Thankfully my success story is excellent. An F to an A-!)

I too have experience with retaking classes and also boosted one grade from an F to an A. I think who teaches the class has a lot to do with the grades earned. My success was in Shakespeare and I hated the professor who taught it the first time.