I've spent the summer, and now fall, avoiding this moment as long as possible. Why? No reason, really. It just always seemed as if there was something more pressing to do. . . . A sink full of dishes that couldn't wait, or sneaking in the daily workout just before the gym closed at midnight, or maybe even watching the new episode of "The Universe" on the Science Channel (I know, but what can I do, it's awesome). You see, it really didn't matter what needed to be done, it was the simple act of not doing what truly needed to be done that caused me to so severely skew the list of important events in my life.
Yes folks, I'm talking about procrastination. And, as a student and writer, it is one of those terms with which I am intimately familiar. That being said, the clutches of procrastination are no match for the hands of time. Melodramatic? Maybe. But that doesn't mean it's not true. Time has a detestable ability to keep ticking away without regard to the world around it. It doesn't care how much you're trying to hide from your future, it's going to push you toward it whether you like it or not. Which is exactly what it did to me; December 15th, the deadline for most graduate school applications, is drawing near and I'm forced to pick a place not only to matriculate but to live the next 3-5 years of my life. I've narrowed down the list to ten schools based on a variety of factors, such as, tuition, financial aid, stipends awarded, teaching assistant positions, location, faculty, length, and course work, but let's face it, ten application fees doesn't exactly fit into my budget.
As of now, my top three choices are:
1. The University of Texas. As a natural born Buckeye, this hurts me. But what am I supposed to do? The Michener Center for Writers is an amazing program that scores well in all categories except teaching assistant positions (but that's only because they think you should focus on writing, not working during your time in their program). A large selling point for this program is that they're one of the few programs on my list to offer Screenwriting as a major discipline and still allow Fiction as a minor, so I could follow both passions without feeling as if I've sacrificed one or the other.
2. George Mason University. Their program may not provide as large a stipend to their students, but it does provide the opportunity to teach underclassmen, which is a big point of sale if teaching at the collegiate level is a possibility after grad school. I must admit, it is something I've always considered, so gaining experience in the field wouldn't exactly be a terrible thing. They also have tremendous faculty, course of study, and while they remain a selective bunch, they're not quite as difficult to get into as the first choice on my list.
3. Indiana University. This program provides tuition assistance in the form of TA positions, fellowships, grants and stipends. It has an exceptional staff and English Department and is generally considered one of the top 10 programs in the country to attend. Its campus is absolutely beautiful and it has the added benefit of placing me close to my home state of Ohio, which would make visiting family and friends much easier than it is now. Yet the most attractive feature this program provides, is that even though they admit the program should only take two years to complete. . .they offer a third funded year for students to work on their thesis. Awesome.
Honestly, I don't think I could go wrong with either of these, however, they're also exclusive programs which means they only accept a select few individuals into their programs every year. I'm pretty confident in my writing skills, but I also have a very real pessimistic side to me that I just can't seem to shake. I'm also planning on applying to Texas State University, which has an up-and-coming program thanks to Tim O'brien lending his time and talents to the cause. Having received my undergrad degree from TSU, I'm already familiar with the campus, faculty, and commute from Austin so there's a comfort factor that can't be ignored with opting for the smaller school on the list.
I know having an MFA doesn't guarantee a successful future in the writing field, but it does guarantee that I will be tested to the limits of my abilities.
With any MFA program, a writer will be required to write more than he has ever written before and will quickly learn whether or not he has the discipline to give his budding career the time and effort it should be given. But it will also immerse him in an environment where writing and a love for the English language is a respectable and important form of expression. The support system in place at the graduate level--professors, students, thesis advisers--makes it easier to believe that the goal of writing for a living is not only attainable but a viable goal to hold. And that, I believe, is the most important aspect of all.
Here's to the not so distant future. I hope I make the right choice. Or at the very least. . .I hope someone makes the right choice for me.
