Creative writing/MFA programs for mid career

[Anonymous]

Try a non-degree course in a local MFA program and see how it feels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just audit a workshop at a local university. GMU has a program.

You can’t usually audit these courses.

Go to the Writer’s Center in Bethesda

I’m the person who wrote about UCLA extension. I’ve also taken classes at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda. UCLA is significantly better in my experience.

[Anonymous]

I have an MFA from one of the top programs in the country. I didn't pay for it. I taught for tuition. This was in my early twenties. While it was a fun experience in a fun city, I am not sure I would recommend it to someone who is my age now. I believe the oldest students in my program were in their late 20s or early 30s. I think part of the enjoyment of an MFA is getting to know the other writers and being a part of a writing community, and I don't think I would have made those connections with such a large age gap.

I have really not gotten much from my MFA, nor have almost all of the students with whom I attended. As far as I know, only one is still a working writer. But it was a good school, so I guess the name helped with some teaching jobs. However, I understand that isn't the motivation here.

I mostly feel like an MFA is two years to get to be forced to write. And if you're lucky you get to meet with some good and semi famous writers. But I'm not really sure how much I actually learned. There was not a lot of actual teaching.

[Anonymous]

If all you want to do is “participate in writing workshops” I’d use a local community college and save the money in 529 for grandkids.

[Anonymous]

I know I'm responding very late but look into low residency options. The Bennington MFA is a prestigious, mostly remote MFA with only two 10-day in-person residencies a year. The average age of participants is 45.