California College of the Arts MFA in Writing

Reviewer's Name:

anon

Review Date

April 05, 2009

Year of Graduation:

2010

Review Title:

gourmet junk

Full Review of the Program:

This MFA writing program is like being at the most beautiful banquet table and not allowed to eat. I am surrounded by vibrant artists, there is a pond with Koi outside the beautiful writing studio...yet the writing classes are a turn off, and like most adults, I support myself, which is IMPOSSIBLE if you are attending this program. Please read that three times. CCA provides one merit scholarship, some token teaching assistantships ($1000 per semester?), and need based grants...for which you will be filling in the remaining $40,000 of tuition with loans...then somehow figuring out how to pay for a room ($800), studio ($1200) or apartment ($1500) in San Francisco or the East Bay (I am giving the lowest rents you'll find). Plus food, transport, books, living. All said, this program is simply not worth it. I came in...ecstatic to be here, with publications under my belt, a very concrete reason for wanting to be at an art school, and at this one particularly. I immediately encountered instructors with obnoxious egos, a wholly unhelpful administration, one class that was described by another classmate as "camp" (as in summer camp arts and crafts), one instructor who was described by another classmate thusly, "I think he has neurological problems," and one amazing, visiting writer who ditched on the whole of our registered independent study.

Advice to Prospective Students:

Please be fully supported by mom and dad if you intend to live, eat and concentrate on school at CCA. This program is a shiny, high priced commodity. My suspicion is that it exists to as a monetary feeder for the fine arts, design and visual crit. departments which seem %100 more vital.