The Writing Workshops

in San Miguel de Allende
June 23 - July 18, 2008

Housing Options

FAQ

1. Do I have to take the GREs?

Short answer – yes. The state of Lousiana requires that all students have to have GRE scores on file at the Graduate Level. However, GREs are not a departmental requirement. So while we have to have a score, we don’t look at it as a basis for admission. We just have to have a score on file before the end of your first semester of classes.

2. Do I have to go abroad all three summers?

Short answer – yes. The study abroad element is a required component for graduation. The residencies are only offered abroad, and we believe this to be an integral part of the MFA experience. Its at the residencies where you get to interact in an intense fashion with your peers and mentors. The experience is invaluable. It is also fun, though, and we’re always surprised when we get asked this question, because generally, the slower you do an MFA the better it is for you. When else are you going to get the chance to have a guaranteed audience, and have writing and reading be, essentially, your job? However, in special circumstances and IF a student has completed all coursework PRIOR to the beginning of the second semester in residence, a student may petition to have the third residence requirement waived. Approval is not guaranteed, however, and students should plan on doing three summers.

3. Can I take a year off of the residencies?

Yes. Students are not required to go abroad on consecutive summer terms.

4. Can I do more than three summers?

Yes. Students are welcome to go abroad as many times as they like, and it is not unusual for students to do four or even five summers.

5. Are there any assistantships available?

At this point the Low-Residency program does not have any assistantships available. Our students are welcome to apply for financial aid in the form of loans, however. There are also a few scholarships, ranging in amounts from $200 to $2500 that students can apply for once they have accumulated approximately 1 year’s worth of credits. These scholarships are to help offset the cost of studying abroad.

6. What semester should I begin?

As we do rolling admissions throughout the year, you can apply to begin in any semester. However, I typically recommend that students try to start at one of our residency programs, typically, the flagship program, or Brunnenburg if you are a poet. This is for several reasons. First, you get to meet the majority of the students and faculty you’ll be working with throughout your time in the program. Second, it is possible to begin during the regular academic year, and take classes in such a way that you have finished all your coursework, and are waiting for a summer to roll around so that you can complete that requirement. So beginning in the summer can have a number of advantages. However, it is by no means required, and we are happy for you to start at any time during the year.

7. How long are the residencies?

The residencies are approximately one month long.

8. I am not coming to this program straight from an undergraduate program. Will I fit in?

The median age of students in our program is 35. We have had students in their 80s before, as well as a number of students in their 20s. We also have a number of students with families (see next question). In terms of recommendation letters, anyone who knows you well, can speak to your writing or work ethic, and your ability to complete intense graduate coursework can fill them out. PLEASE SUBMIT THESE ONLINE.

9. I have a family and am worried about being able to complete the residency requirements….

We have a number of students with children, of all ages. Many choose to bring their families with them on the residency portion of the program. This is a relatively easy thing to do at the flagship program, as there are a number of summer camps, day care centers, and even nannies that can be arranged. Indeed, if there are a number of students with families of a certain age one year, the program can even help arrange such care. San Miguel is a rich area, with a lot of English speaking activities and tuition. Students can sign their children up for camps where they will learn Spanish, art, dance, and more….

10. How are classes administered? Do I have to “meet” the class online?

Online classes are done via Blackboard, an online classroom interface. Due to the fact that we have students all over the world, having a real time class meeting is very difficult to achieve. Rather, students are expected to log in daily. Professors usually require that students read everything posted in the class, by both the students and the instructors, and the classes can be quite intense. They are, however, quite rewarding and interactive. They can also be very social!

11. How can I see what kinds of classes are offered?

You can always check out what classes are being offered online for the Fall and Spring semesters via the Quick Links tab from any page on our website, or by clicking here. You can also see what classes are being offered in our summer programs by clicking on their individual tabs from any page on our website.

12. How do I find out about your alumni, and your “success rate?”

You can see what our alumni have been up to, and some of their recent publications, by clicking on our alumni page. This page is also available via our Quick Links tab, or by cicking here. However, this page is updated only once a year, usually in the fall, and only contains publications from our alumni, not our current students, of which we have several.

13 How long do I have to finish the degree?

Students can essentially take as long as they want to finish the degree. After 8 years, you have to petition for longer, but these petitions are almost always granted.

14. How can I read about the Faculty?

You can access our faculty bios page here.

15. Are you on Facebook?

Yes. We have Facebook groups for the Low-Res program, and the summer programs in Brunnenburg, Italy, and San Miguel, Mexico. You can also access these via the Quick Links tab.

For more information, please email. To apply, click here.

SAN MIGUEL APPLICATION FORM | SAN MIGUEL CALENDAR | SAN MIGUEL COURSES

If you are ready to apply to the program in San Miguel, click here for the application form.

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