Goucher College MFA in Creative Nonfiction
Reviewer's Name:
Taryn Chase
Review Date
August 06, 2010
Year of Graduation:
2005
Review Title:
The Best Low-Residency MFA You Can Get
Full Review of the Program:
I was looking for an MFA where CNF was the main focus, not a concentration--and my eyes were opened to the wide spectrum of non-fiction at Goucher. The quality of the faculty mentors is incredible, and the optional spring mini-residencies were a huge blessing so take advantage if they're offered.
Advice to Prospective Students:
Obviously you need to be self-motivating to be successful in any low-residency program, but it's important to tell your mentors what level of contact you need upfront. You will get out of it what you put in...
Also, I wrote a memoir for my manuscript, but I recommend those who don't come from a journalism background to test out immersion projects, and for journalism folks to write personal essays, at least for the first semester.
Overall Rating
Reputation Rating
Location
Quality of Faculty
Can't say enough about them--they're guardian angels. (I worked with Leslie Rubinkowski, Phil Gerard, Diana Hume George, and Tom French.)
Student Competitiveness
(5=most competitive)
The quality of students is high--I felt like I'd found my tribe.
Campus Facilities
Financial Assistance
Making Contacts
Diversity
Career Services/Development
Dating Scene
I found my husband there so for me it was pretty darn good!
LGBT Friendly
Social Scene in General
Family Friendly
Cost of Living (5=most affordable)
Dining Options
Stimson cafeteria rocks--and a lot of important stuff goes on over meals.
Admissions
Full-time: No
Part-time: Yes
Student Body
Genre
Creative Non-fiction
