Working successfully in the program does require a serious commitment, however, and a student has to be organized and willing to sacrifice some other things during the two-year period that it takes to complete the program. One of the strengths of our program is a diverse faculty that can accommodate a very wide range of writing styles. We encourage experimentation and the program is designed specifically to stress individualized study. Students often do take more than two years to complete their work in the program. It is a period of very intense work and exposure to the many aspects of writing.
Students are amazed at the vast range and different experiences that are offered.
Because of the intense and personal nature of the work, students also find they quickly become part of a valuable and supportive writing community. A study plan designed during the residency outlines a schedule, specific writing goals, bibliography and aspects of writing to be addressed. Exchange and dialogue with the faculty advisor during the semester study project is very rigorous, focused and scheduled in a way to best further a student's work during the six-month semester. The student population of the MFA in Writing at Vermont College is a very mature, accomplished and focused group of writers. Because of this our faculty often comment that this is the best and most challenging teaching that they have ever done.