Rerelease: Jess Silfa — Application Series — MFA Draft

16 snips

Oct 22, 2024

Jess Silfa, a talented writer and poet from the South Bronx, shares invaluable insights born from seven years with the MFA Draft Facebook group. They tackle the intricacies of the MFA application process, from crafting personal statements to navigating recommendation letters. Discussion includes the transition from MFA to PhD, exploring community engagement, and addressing the emotional challenges of applying. Jess emphasizes preparation, transparency, and the importance of a supportive community for aspiring writers on their academic journeys.

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ADVICE

MFA Funding

Fully funded MFAs provide tuition and stipends for all; partially funded may offer full rides to some or partial funding to all.
Partially funded programs create uncertainty about funding amounts.

ADVICE

Hidden Costs

Inquire about program fees and health insurance coverage (including vision and dental) before accepting any offers.
Also, research additional university-level funding for minority or disabled students.

ANECDOTE

Faculty Research

Jess wouldn’t recommend professors’ books, yet they were great teachers; conversely, some favorite authors were terrible teachers.
Research faculty interviews on craft and teaching over their published works when applying.

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The leaves are turning, the pumpkin spice lattes are brewing, and that means the MFA applicants are revising and re-revising their personal statements. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we’re bringing you last season’s (super informative) application episode. Stay tuned for a new episode in your feed soon.

Happy MFA Application Season to all who celebrate! Jess Silfa returns to the show bringing seven years of experience with the MFA Draft Facebook Group. On this episode, Jess and Jared offer advice for applicants across a wide range of topics: teaching, funding, health insurance, fees, faculty, letters of recommendation, writing samples, statements of purpose, negotiations, timelines, and more. Good luck, friends.

Jess Silfa is a writer and poet from the South Bronx. They hold an MFA from Vanderbilt University in Creative Writing (Fiction) and are currently pursuing their Ph.D. in Creative Writing at the University of Cincinnati. They have received a Displaced Artist Fellowship from Vermont Studio Center, a grant from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Mae Fellowship, and a Ricardo Salinas Scholarship for Aspen Summer Words. Jess serves as President for the Disabled and D/deaf Writers Caucus and helps run the MFA Draft Facebook group. Jess’s first novel, the story of a tight-knit immigrant community rattled by the war on drugs, goes on submission this fall. Learn more at www.jesilfa.com.

MFA Writers is hosted by Jared McCormack and produced by Jared McCormack and Hanamori Skoblow. New episodes are released every two weeks. You can find more MFA Writers at MFAwriters.com.

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