Our Mission

The Solstice Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program of Pine Manor College is designed to help students reach their full potential as writers through a demanding curriculum that balances the workshop experience with the study of literary craft, criticism, and theory. The program embraces a wide range of voices and artistic approaches in its faculty and its students, establishing a learning environment that fosters community and celebrates the individual. Working with some of the best writers in the country, students of Pine Manor College's MFA program emerge with a deep, well-rounded knowledge of their art, a strategy for continuing the development of their creative vision, and a supportive circle of peers and mentors.

We are co-educational, inclusive, and affordable; our diverse and dedicated faculty are committed to helping students of all backgrounds achieve their writing goals.

Why a Low Residency Program?

The low-residency format enables students to pursue their writing goals while balancing the demands of work and family; learning to do so is essential for any writer who wishes to establish a sustainable creative practice. Our program ensures that students can complete their MFA in two years without have to quite their jobs, or leave home and family for more than 10 day per semester (July and January).

During the 10-day residencies, students and faculty gather on Pine Manor’s lovely, wooded campus — set on 60 acres a mere five miles from downtown Boston. Students attend workshops, classes, lectures, panel discussions, and readings, and are matched with a faculty mentor with whom to work during the intensive, six-month semester to follow.

Because our student-faculty mentor ratio is never more than one to five, students receive highly focused attention from some of our nation’s best authors.

The summer 2009 / fall semester residency will take place from July 10 to July 19.

The winter 2010 / spring semester residency will take place from January 1 to January 10.

Please see our Application Guidelines for more information about deadlines.