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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

To MFA or to LSAT?

That is the QUESTION.

MFA

Pros: Spend two years (or more) focusing on my writing; workshopping with peers at or above my level; learning to teach writing; graduate with novel outline or manuscript; and creating more relationships in publishing.

Cons: Likely rejections requiring multiple application attempts over the next few years leaving the future very uncertain; possible deep debt or if I hold out for a school that offers me significant scholarship combined with aid, possible longer wait for admission to right program; graduation with only a manuscript and no real career potential; and slim job odds for MFA holder without publication.

LSAT

Pros: Secure financial future; clear goals and road to accomplish said goals; returning to challenging academia; future will be settled within the next year or so; financial assistance from parents (offered but only if necessary); and ability to someday actually buy property (house/condo) as a single woman without relying on being part of a dual income relationship.

Cons: Eventually, I'd be a lawyer.

1 comment:

Jessica said...

I must advise you to avoid the lawyerly path at all costs, based on the reasons you've stated:

"Secure financial future"
--noone's financial future is ever "secure," and potentially making more money (as a lawyer) doesn't necessarily mean your FF will be bright. You can have a successful FF the way you live now, if you choose.

"clear goals and road to accomplish said goals"
--what clear goals, and are they goals you like? if you don't want to be a lawyer, there's no point.

"returning to challenging academia"
--understandable, but what if you don't like school and drop out, or finish only not to become a lawyer? Will it still have been worth it to you? your FF may be less secure at that rate as well.

"future will be settled within the next year or so"
--WTF? Noone's future is ever settled! It's a lie we like to tell ourselves to get through the day. If you try out the occupation and decide it isn't right for you, in what way has that promised you a "settled" future?

"financial assistance from parents (offered but only if necessary);
--you mean that your parents will only offer to help you out in life financially, if you go to law school? clarify.

"and ability to someday actually buy property (house/condo) as a single woman without relying on being part of a dual income relationship"
--you could buy property now, albeit in another state, if you wanted to. Still, a weak reason to pursue this path if you feel like you will have given up on a writing dream. money can buy a house, not happiness.