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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I got an MFA at George Mason (in fiction) when I was about ten years younger than you are. I have also worked at AWP (so I've seen the sausage being made with regard to MFA programs). This is my advice -- don't bother with it. I can expound it you want, but you have probably already heard that advice?

At any rate, the most welcoming programs for writers of 50ish are going to be the low-res programs. You can easily Google and figure out which ones are the most respected. But I absolutely do not recommend them, they are cash cows for the schools so there is little to no funding. If you feel you just absolutely must get an MFA apply to only fully funded programs (you pay no tuition and you get a stipend for attending). This isn't just about wasting money on tuition (I see above you have money in a 529 to throw at this?) -- writers who are fully funded are a lot more respected than those who pay tuition. A lot more. And schools that fund some people but not others? That can be an ugly scene with resentment brewing all around (again, it's not just about money, it's about respect, it's about who is considered good).

If you just want to workshop your writing there are other ways. The big writers' workshops for instance -- have you applied to Bread Loaf, Tin House and Sewanee? I've been to both Bread Loaf and Tin House and many of my workshop mates have gone on to have very, very successful books published. [/quote]

There is also a hierarchy at Bread Loaf. If you are funded, you are considered a better writer. You might get to attend certain parties. The parties are segregated. One of my friends worked there and part of his job was gently redirecting people to the parties for their “level.” If you are top of the heap, it would be great. I have colleagues who are “in” and even teach there and this is very good for their writing career.

If you are a full pay person, people will be nice but they won’t take you seriously and you won’t get the meetings with the agents.

Sewanee has a hierarchy but it’s more subtle.

I probably wouldn’t spend money on the MFA.

Iowa is a studio program or used to be. You don’t have to take random classes. Other programs require lit classes that may or may not be relevant.

You could look into low res. My friends of advanced ages have done them and seemed to like them but I’d talk to older graduates (google them and reach out) and see if they were ostracized by other students due to their age or not.

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