Pros and Cons

I just graduated with my BA in English (it’s been two months, actually).  During the graduation process, I applied and was accepted to Southern New Hampshire University's Master of Fine Arts in Fiction program.  Fully accredited, the MFA is a two-year program in which aspiring writers basically work one on one with a professor or published author to complete a manuscript.  In the process, the students are able to attend creative writing workshops, meet literary agents and publishers, and read and critique literature that is of a similar genre to the manuscript they are writing.  After graduation, they have a complete manuscript, contacts in the publishing world, and the credentials to teach.

I’m supposed to begin in January.

I received my Award Letter yesterday and was offered loans. I must admit that despite the odds I was a bit hopeful that maybe I could get some kind of grant.  A fraction of the cost, even, but something.  Turns out, no.   

So that brings me to my pros and cons list. 

Pros: 

1) I get a Master’s degree for writing a manuscript and reading novels (what I am doing anyway).

2) I may have a better chance of getting published someday (this is among my Top Five Goals).

3) I will be able to teach creative writing and English/Literature classes through a community school and/or online.  (Source of income to pay back debt.)

4) The MFA program is low-residency, which basically means I can do almost all of it from home (minus four week-long trips to New Hampshire resorts).   

5) I am currently a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom, so this would give me something else to do as well (I like keeping busy).

Cons: 

1) Debt.  If this were going to be my only debt, it wouldn’t matter quite as much.  But since Tim is in grad school and I had Isaac before I finished my bachelor’s degree, we already have some.  Actually, this is why I’m writing a Pro/Con list in the first place.

2) Debt really bugs me.  On the flip side, I lose my deposit if I don't go (nothing in comparison to the loan I'd be taking out and owing back, though).

3) I could potentially get published anyway.  Other unknowns have done it; what’s to stop me?

4) If it came down to a choice between opening my coffeehouse (for which I will have to go in debt) and getting a master’s degree (debt), I’d choose the coffeehouse in a heartbeat.  I have no way of knowing this for sure, although the one could significantly delay the other if nothing else.

5) What if I get writer’s block?  (This is just my own personal fear since I’d be required to turn in a set number of pages every four weeks.  Basically, ignore this Con.  I usually do).

So there you have it.  I didn’t write this blog post to get answers as much as to vent, but your advice is still greatly appreciated.  Mull it over with me, will you?  I’ve got to figure it out soon because I’m supposed to register for classes sometime this month.