So my choice was made. From there I had to find which MFA programs offered a nonfiction track. Of Poets and Writers’ ranked top 50 schools for writing MFAs, only 15 offer creative nonfiction. From that list and Huffington Post’s “25 Underrated Writing Programs,” I narrowed my list to 11 schools. I made a chart on oversized paper to compare these programs based on factors like funding, location, prestige, atmosphere, and whether they allowed cross-genre work. From there I narrowed it down to the four I’ll be applying to. In keeping with the pull Murphy’s Law has on my life, the one I most want to go to has the earliest application deadline, which is fast approaching.
Each of these schools has about twenty forms to fill out for the application process. In addition, I have to write a personal statement (maybe four, each tailored to its university), arrange for transcripts to be sent, arrange for letters of recommendation, and send a writing sample of about 25 pages. None of the programs require the GRE, but it’s recommended because good scores could translate to more financial aid, so I’ve scheduled to take it this Saturday. That sucker is 4 ½ hours with a ten minute break. It’ll be like taking a taxi from Balkanabat to Ashgabat, only quieter and less smelly one hopes.
So I've been getting really well acquainted with my computers the last few days. All the grad schools have their initial applications to be filled out online, and, of course, any writing I’m going to submit needs to be electronic. I get weary of using the computer at home because the surroundings are stifling to me, (also I get dirty looks from others who want to use it) so I like to take my laptop to a restaurant with wi-fi. There is a study out that shows a restaurant/café environment is conducive to the creative process. I have several places scoped out for their wi-fi. Both the St. Louis and Alma McDonald’s have it but they don’t have any electrical sockets to plug my computer into, and my battery life isn't very long. Pizza Hut is great if you want to get the buffet. But I feel like I should limit how often I go there as I overeat, and repeatedly getting up and down to get my food distracts from my writing. Mancino’s and Stucci’s have good food, but you can’t get free refills on your pop, so I also don’t go there as often as my favorite place, Qdoba. Qdoba is great because I get my food and take it to a table in the back corner of the restaurant away from everyone, plug in my computer and get to work. Plus, free refills and a rewards card so I can get free food sometimes. The only problem with Qdoba is it’s in Mt. Pleasant and one of my parents doesn't like that I drive their car up there so often.
So, if anyone knows of any places in Gratiot County that have wi-fi and free refills, plus outlets for my computer, let me know.
In the meantime, I’m working away at writing personal statements and figuring out my writing sample. I’ll probably submit portions of my blog, but what I’ve chosen from it so far is over 60 pages, so I have the unexpected problem of having too much material. Plus I may end up submitting different samples to different universities based on their requests. And all of this grad school stuff is in addition to worrying about getting into classes next semester to renew my teaching license, finding work for the interim, and arranging more 3rd Goal appointments. Oh, appointment just reminded me I need to see the doctor…