University of Tampa Low-Residency MFA Creative Writing Program.

I know some members here are interested or looking for low-residency MFA programs. Last year I applied, and was accepted in to the low-res program at The University of Tampa, and today was the last day of our ten-day residency period. Here are my thoughts!

The Good:

The program has three concentrations Fiction/Poetry/Creative Non-Fiction. The faculty and visiting faculty are great, and the program has a very cozy feel, everyone is friendly, and the students and mentors do help each other a lot. The program assigns five students per faculty mentor, therefore, you get great personalized feedback to your work. The residency period is intense. Each residency (twice a year Jan/Jun) runs for ten days. The day starts at 9:00am and we finish at 5:00 pm. From 7:30PM - 9:00PM is the University of Tampa MFA Lectores Reading Series. The MFA program hosts visiting writers, screenwriters, singers and other artists to campus to give a public performance from their work.

The Bad: The cost, each semester cost $8,500 and this includes all tuition, room and board fees.

The Ugly: The market for newly minted MFA's is very limited. I do not recommend that you do these types of programs unless your are being funded by either: a school, your employer, military GI Bill, paid for by a rich relative and so on. I'm using my military benefits to pay for the program.

Overall I love the program and really enjoyed the residency period. If you have any questions let me know and I will be more than happy to answer them.

 

What do you hope to do with the degree?