Read responses from recent Solstice graduates about their experience "post-MFA."
Life After the MFA
As a graduate of the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program at Pine Manor College, you will find that the community you discovered and helped to nurture as a student will remain supportive and communicative. In addition to distributing our monthly e-newsletter for students, faculty, and alumni, we host reunions at the annual Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) conference, invite alum to attend our twice-yearly commencement ceremonies, and offer a reduced course audit fee to graduates.
As an alum, you will find that some of your most loyal supporters and best sources of writing-related information will be your fellow graduates. Alumni of the Solstice MFA Program also have a “point person” — a fellow alum who has been appointed to help coordinate gatherings, spear-head recruiting efforts by alum, and generally serve as a spokesperson for our graduates.
Our staff is also always on hand to discuss questions and concerns.
Solstice Graduate Assistantship Program
We offer four Graduate Assistantships annually: two positions each at our summer and winter MFA residencies.
The Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program’s Assistantship offers our graduates a chance to reconnect with the MFA community —easing the transition from working within a structured, mentored environment to working independently— in addition to furthering professional development. Graduate Assistants will be invited to meet individually with new students for manuscript critiques, and will assist with all facets of event management, including running the biannual student readings and participating in a “life after the MFA” panel discussion. Assistants are welcome to audit graduate-level writing seminars offered during the MFA Residency.
Solstice MFA Graduate Publications & Awards
While Solstice MFA students are encouraged to focus on drafting new material and developing technical skills during their first and second semesters, third and fourth-semester students are invited to attend seminars on the practical aspects of a writing career, including: submitting work for publication, applying for teaching positions, reading work before an audience, and finding an agent.
Following the graduation of the MFA Program’s inaugural class in July of 2008, 28 percent of our graduates have published in literary journals (both print and online publications) and 6 percent have been selected for honorable mention in national literary competitions.
Among our current students, 24 percent have published in literary journals, 3 percent have secured book contracts for academic publications, and 9 percent have placed in national literary competitions.
Careers for the MFA Graduate
Many of our students already have full-time jobs, which is one reason why our low-residency format fits so well into their lives. Twenty-one percent of our alumni have secured adjunct teaching positions upon graduating from Solstice. As a graduate of our program, however, you will have a sense of the myriad career options available to you as a writer. While many of our alumni pursue teaching positions, others continue in their chosen professions or choose other literary paths outside of academia. Our Elective Seminars & Studies sessions and our applied track/internship program provide opportunities to explore such fields as arts administration & community outreach, pedagogy & literacy studies, and publishing.
Recent Solstice Graduates on Life "Post-MFA"
It can be challenging to make the transition from an intensive course of study with regular deadlines to motivating and managing your own writing life. We asked our alumni to share their experiences and offer some advice for future graduates. Here is what they had to say:
Erika Sanders, graduated July 2009
“The ONLY thing that worked for me was to reach out to my colleagues from the program. What the Solstice program taught me is that — though the act of writing is a solitary process — being a writer is not. I need community: people to cheer me on, people to ask how it is going, and people to brainstorm with me.
So, my advice to fellow grads is to find a "buddy," so to speak, who is willing to be a part of your process. If you are lucky enough to live in a place with a thriving writing community, I suggest getting involved right away. If not, then you will need to work a little harder to figure out who will make up your community post-graduation.
Additionally, it has been good for me to maintain contact with students who are still in the program — offering advice, being supportive and encouraging. This makes me feel as if I am still a part of things.”
John Theo, graduated July 2008
“Prepare yourself for a marathon, not a sprint. Do not put the rest of your life on hold. Find a way to integrate writing into your daily life. Keep writing no matter what.”
Kimberly Mitchell, graduated January 2009
“Take the time you dedicated to working on annotations and monthly deadlines and translate it into personal writing time. Don't give yourself the chance to get out of the habit of writing. I've also found it helpful to stay in touch with fellow grads and share work from time to time. Peer and mentor critiques are sorely missed, but having fellow grads who are willing to exchange work has helped and encouraged me a lot.
Finally, just because you have an MFA from a great program, don't expect the doors to open right away. The hardest thing I've faced since graduation is the fact that writing well and having your degree doesn't mean immediate success. Again, friends from the MFA program have encouraged me and made the transition a little easier. The more I think about it, the more I value the relationships I have from my time in the Solstice Program.”
Adam Eisenson, graduated July 2008
“Upon graduating from the MFA program at Pine Manor, don't expect to become a bestselling author. Expect to dive inside your own brain and work countless hours!”
Faye Snider, graduated January 2009
“After I graduated, I went to my desk to write and [for the first time in two years] faced being on my own. I thrive on structure and deadlines and there was no mentor looking over my shoulder. It was up to me to find new structures and to develop and choose deadlines.
First, I thought about my goals. I scoured the local library and bookstores. I surfed the Web and ordered samples. I attended the AWP Conference and chatted with endless editors and their assistants. I subscribed to several journals and read Poets & Writers, especially the deadline and contest sections, as well as the Writer’s Chronicle.
Second, I developed a system for the business of writing: tracking ideas, works in progress, deadlines, submissions, and feedback.
Finally, I’ve found that the practice of writing for the self is very helpful. I keep a series of notebooks: one deals with what I am writing and where I am— brief notes to keep me moving; another holds lists of ideas, sentences, even paragraphs; and one serves as a free-write diary that keeps me focused, especially when I go off course and need to find my way back to the heart of what I’m trying to say.
When I’m in doubt or stuck, I reach out to a Solstice colleague or a good friend for support.”
Ali McGrath, graduated July 2009
“Stay connected to your classmates. No matter how much other people in your life support you, only your classmates know exactly what it's like to be a writer outside the MFA safety bubble! Use their support. Even a simple email of encouragement from a classmate can make it a good day.”
Donating to the Solstice MFA Fund
As a graduate program dedicated to providing writers of all backgrounds the opportunity to pursue their creative goals, the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing of Pine Manor College offers affordable tuition, one-to-one mentoring, and small class sizes.
The Solstice MFA Fund provides need-based grants to eligible students, supports the purchase of books for Pine Manor College’s Annenberg Library, and contributes to program development. We encourage individuals to make “sustaining gifts” on a bi-annual or yearly basis — these contributions ensure that Solstice can continue to support talented writers of limited means, expand on our library holdings, and offer inspiring and engaging programming. However, we do recognize that many writers face financial constraints of their own; gifts in any amount are appreciated.
As a charitable non-profit 501(c) 3 organization, contributions to the Solstice MFA Fund are fully tax deductible according to U.S. law.
Make your tax deductible donation by sending a *check or money order to:
- The Solstice MFA Fund
Pine Manor College
400 Heath Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
*Checks should be made out to Pine Manor College; please put “Solstice MFA Fund” on the memo line.
To make a donation by credit card, call (617) 731-7697.