MFA and Beyond

We are the fourth class of Drexel University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. We graduated last Friday. It's been a while since I heard "Pomp and Circumstance" played on my behalf.

It's time to reflect. When I went online searching for some kind of writing program to help me get over the hump of writing a novel, I was unaware that there was such a thing as an MFA program. And that it was somewhat controversial. Seriously, that's how clueless I was. I just wanted some discipline to help me write a book, and I stumbled upon Drexel's low-residency program.

There is no ivory tower at Drexel.

"Low-residency," in Drexel's case, meant three residencies of 4 to 5 days — two in Philadelphia and one in New York. I live in rural southern Delaware, but Philly is only an hour-plus drive to the Wilmington Amtrak station, then a 22-minute train ride from there.

I can do this, I thought. I started socking away the tuition money. (No more student loans after the MBA in 1999.) My biggest chunk of writing prior to my application was the Town of Laurel (Del.) Comprehensive Plan. I had a story swirling inside my head, though, so I managed to come up with two chapters for my application. And, lo, I was admitted.

The director of the Drexel MFA program, published author Nomi Eve, is a relentless advocate for the program and her students and alumni. There is no ivory tower at Drexel. Recently, she put together a contest with Running Wild publishing founder Lisa Kastner. Get this: Running Wild will offer a book contract to the winner, and it is open to Drexel students and alumni only. Two years ago, I would not have appreciated what an incredible opportunity that represents, how it collapses the playing field or moves up the goalposts or lowers the basket or some other sports analogy. I sure do now.