MFA Rankings - Not Again!

It's hard to believe that Poets and Writers returned to the same poisoned well that it drank from last year for a ranking of MFA programs but it did, with the same misleading and potentially harmful results.  Everything we said here about last year's ranking still applies.  The author of the survey has no qualifications for such work, the results are based on a poorly defined sample and erroneous assumptions, and the respondents are self-selected, which guarantees unreliable results.  Well, we could go on but it's a beautiful day.  Still, we recommend that you read the reasoned response from David Fenza, Executive Director of the Association of Writers & Writing programs.  Fenza writes:

Good advice on choosing a writing program should help you discover your own literary affinities, but no magazine’s centerfold of academic rankings is up to that task. Although AWP values Poets & Writers as a peer, Poets & Writers’ annual rankings of writing programs cheapen their usual standards. Rankings of writing programs simulate literary affinities; one should never confuse that simulation with finding one’s own authentic literary ties. 

Read David Fenza's full report on MFA rankings here.

-- sdh

Comments

[Lois Rosner]

Thank you for this important post. This bogus survey is an outrageous hoax.

[Elena Karina Byrne]

I'm interested in this--at the crossroads of a new life and changes. Was originally accepted to NYU, Columbia and Warren Wilson, foregone with having children and lack of funds...now it's free game!
Tell us more..

[Joan Kent]

What a scam artist. How could Poets & Writers be so gullible?

[Marissa Despain]

Giving space to this fraudulent work is irresponsible of P&W on a number of levels: the work itself doesn't pass the smell test for all of the reasons cited here and elsewhere. And, by showcasing writing that is so poor, P&W sends a message to its readers that one can violate every principle of good writing and still be published.

[Alexoliver]

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