Can you hold down a dayjob while earning your MFA in creative writing or journalism?
Over at the MFA Blog, readers are debating that tough, tough question. Myself, I paid the rent with a crappy bookstore dayjob while studying for my MA in journalism. It was stressful, but I did it, because I wanted to stay in New York City.
Writer and foodie C(h)ristine actually survived the working and MFA lifestyle, and had this to say: "I worked parttime throughout my MFA. I was able to swing it, though I know I cheated myself out of the whole experience (which to me is the dream of a huge block of time devoted to writing), but at the same time, I got a chance to stay financially solvent and keep my career on track (after all, we all return to the working world after the MFA)."
I think aspiring writers should shoot for the moon when they apply--try to get a scholarship or teaching work--and have this huge chunk of time where you can live as a writer. It doesn't last long.
If you can't get the scholarships, don't rule out the MFA. Even while working a dayjob and studying, you can still become a stronger, more professional writer. If that doesn't work, creative writing guru, Erika Dreifus, wrote a Poets & Writers article about Low Residency MFA programs--university writing programs for working adults.
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