We had an interesting inquiry from a reader about recommendations for female-friendly MFA programs. We were wondering what our readers thought–have any of you been in MFA programs that you would especially recommend?
Also–on a larger point, it’d be interesting to hear what our readers think constitutes a “female-friendly” program? The students, the teachers, the training itself?
I know my viewpoint: no Philip Roth. But maybe that’s just me. 🙂
Comments
Virginia — October 21, 2008
Aw, Kristen, no! Keep the Philip Roth. Especially Portnoy's Complaint. It is a great document of the history of masculinity. (No offense to the boys.) Maybe I'll just put it in one of my sociology courses. I have a fondness for Portnoy, what can I say? At age 20 I wrote the filthiest paper of my life in college for my middle-aged Jewish (male) English professor. Can't even repeat the theme here. All based on Portnoy, "bless his heart."
gwp_admin — October 21, 2008
Hmm...How bout, no Norman Mailer, Prisoner of Sex, instead? Programs I hear good things about:
Columbia
New School
...though I don't know re the woman-friendly question. Good questions,K.
nicole — October 22, 2008
I attend Hunter College's MFA Memoir program and it's fantastic. Definitely female friendly with Kathryn Harrison (The Kiss, While They Slept) and Louise DeSalvo (Vertigo, Crazy in the Kitchen) as the primary professors.
I imagine the poetry program at Hunter is good as well - strong women such as Jan Heller Levi (editor of Muriel Rukeyser's poetry) and Donna Masini.
I hear good things about Sarah Lawrence, too.
Elline — October 22, 2008
Wow -- this is an interesting inquiry! Just picking my head up to chime in now, but I'm glad to be in contact with said reader if it helps. Most MFAs are about 50/50 with male/female students, but rarely as balanced with professors. And there's a good piece in Bitch (last month, I think) about why so many fewer women who have MFAs end up publishing. I'd look for a program with female professors the reader admires and she's heard are willing to actively mentor. I'm a grad. of Columbia's MFA (way back when) and it had a strong male bias, and I've often heard and believe (in diverse programs) that male students who are more "careerist" get more attention. There's definitely an imbalance that still needs to change in this world, as I see it! Lots of luck.