Completely Torn.. MA in Creative Writing

[DrNightingale]

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Hi everyone,

I am the nontraditional student in that I am graduating in 2 months with a degree in English Literature. My plan was to take 2 years off in order to meet pre-reqs through post-bacc program and then apply to med schools and attend med. school and then the residency.

As a woman, that's asking for a lot - if I was a guy this wouldn't be an issue. However, I'm 21 (22 in June) + 2 years post - bacc + 4 years med. school + 2 yrs residency = 30 years old by the time I'm done. Of course if I was to have a family, this may be problematic.

However, the real dilemma comes into play here.

Couple of months ago before making the decision to go pre-med, a thought that has been haunting me over the last few years, I applied for Master's programs in England - somewhere where I've always wanted to study. Today, I got an acceptance letter for their Creative Writing program (MA).

Their program takes only a year to complete and will suck around $25k out of me.

This poses potential problems. Not only will this add a year to my overall studies but will also suck 25k out of me - but there are so many pros to that too. It'll give me a chance to do what I love, which is write, for a whole year in a different country where I"ve always dreamt of studying, I'll be surrounded by the British culture... etc. and then I would come back and resume my pre-med plan.

However, how much does having a master's especially in creative writing improve my application? Can it at least give me a LITTLE bit of a boost? Maybe I'll stand out from other applicants because I show passion and determination for field outside of medicine?

Basically, I'm trying to see if going for the MA is worth it. I mean I want to so bad but it's so much money and if it doesn't even give me a little benefit on the med school application I don't know if I should go.


Help!!!!

 

[NY Musicologist]

It sounds like you really want to take this nifty opportunity. My two cents: live your life for yourself, not for the admissions committees. The impact this MA might (or might not) have on your medical school application pales next to the impact it *will* have on your own life. Personally, I'd be more afraid of having to look back, five or ten or fifty years later, at "the road not taken" and kick myself for missing something great. One year, in the scheme of things, is a drop in the bucket--and if taking that year to write and travel gives you a rich mental "happy place" to retreat to later on, perhaps during some horrible night on call as an intern, then it's worth it. 🙂

 

[fahimaz7]

Why would you spend $25,000 and waste a year of your life (you said you are worried about graduating at 30) on a degree that you won't be using. Will it be fun? Sure. Will it help you get into medical school? Maybe..

You already have to spend two years in a post-bacc to get to where you can apply to medical school.. Why not focus on that mission and take a few creative writing classes while you are at it?

Are you sure you want to be a doctor?

 

[ILikeFood]

Nightingale.

You are young, and just because you'll be 30ish when you're done doesn't mean you can't start a family earlier. It'll happen when it happens. There's no rule that says you have to wait until the very end to start a family.

I'd go to England, if only for the life experience. After you get settled in your postbacc routine your entire focus will be in doing well in the prereqs and making yourself a competitive applicant. Trust me, during the app process, there will be tons of people who've done research, who've volunteered in hospitals, and who've done a postbacc at some college before applying. Not many people will be able to talk about their MA in Creative Writing they got in England. It is only a year of your life and you are young. If there's a perfect age for enjoying creative writing classes in England, it is 22.

 

[RainerMaria]

I empathize. I thought about doing an MFA in fiction before med school. What made me decide not to was

1) I could take workshops while a med student, or at least write on my own
2) I would have so much more to write about bc of the med school experience
3) It costs a lot of $$$ to get that MFA

I think med schools are split on how they treat MFAs/MAs. They might see it as you're not committed to the field, or they might see it as you can add to the intellectual diversity of the school. Be prepared to defend / rationalize the degree in your personal statement (eg, "I only want to be a clinician, I do not expect a career as a writer, etc.").

Congrats on the accept. Perhaps your adviser can help sort this out. I wouldn't worry too much about the "30 by the time I get out" because most people find their mate in med school, methinks.

 

[CultureDoc]

It sounds like you really want to take this nifty opportunity. My two cents: live your life for yourself, not for the admissions committees. The impact this MA might (or might not) have on your medical school application pales next to the impact it *will* have on your own life. Personally, I'd be more afraid of having to look back, five or ten or fifty years later, at "the road not taken" and kick myself for missing something great. One year, in the scheme of things, is a drop in the bucket--and if taking that year to write and travel gives you a rich mental "happy place" to retreat to later on, perhaps during some horrible night on call as an intern, then it's worth it. 🙂

Great post! I wholeheartedly concur. 👍

Why would you spend $25,000 and waste a year of your life (you said you are worried about graduating at 30) on a degree that you won't be using. Will it be fun? Sure. Will it help you get into medical school? Maybe..

Wow. First of all, I don't think there is such a thing as "wasting" a year of your life (unless you just curl up in a hole for a year or something!). An interesting study abroad experience could never be a waste - cultural sensitivty, powers of observation, etc. that are learned and employed while abroad will serve you well in the medical profession and in life (regarless of whether the experience will "help" you get into med school - like NY Musicologist said, don't live your life for the AdComms!).

Sure there's the $25K to consider . . . it's no light sum, but then again, when I think that my husband and I are toying with the idea of spending an extra $25K PER YEAR over the course of my 4 years in med school to be in a place where we'd be happier (provided I get in there 😉), I've come to realize that (a) you can always rationalize educational debt 🙄 and (b) there are ways to minimize it in the long run. Maybe for you, a good solution would be to take this opportunity, but then down the road, to forego an expensive med school for an in-state school with lower tuition . . . or to look into med school loan forgiveness programs (if you're at all interested in working with the underserved). In any case, the $25K isn't really that bad.

In fact, I tend to think the MA program sounds like a decent investment. What if at the end of it, you're really hooked on creative writing and decide to take a few years to write, publish a novel, etc.? It may seem like a crazy notion now, but med school will always be there. There are people on the non-trad forum who are 40+ and successful med school applicants, med students, residents, etc. I'd say to take the opportunity that is in front of you right now and see where it leads.

If you do go to England, though, I'd also recommend finding somewhere to volunteer or shadow in the medical profession there. Learning about the English healthcare system would offer a great basis of comparison to ours; you'd be continuing to explore your interest in medicine (which might help you make some decisions when the program is over); and you might end up with some creative writing material to boot. 😀

You are young, and just because you'll be 30ish when you're done doesn't mean you can't start a family earlier. It'll happen when it happens. There's no rule that says you have to wait until the very end to start a family.

And there's no rule that says you CAN'T wait until then end to start a family. Last I checked 30 (or 31) was not considered late in life to have a baby. (In fact, i'm 28, and I can't imagine taking on the responsibility of having a child BEFORE 30 . . . but that's just me!) If you look around the non-trad forum, you'll find TONS of examples of women in the pre-med or application process, med school, residency, and beyond who have had or are having children, at various ages. With a good support system, I'd say it's doable at any point. IMHO, at 22, your "biological clock" should be one of the least of your concerns.

In any case, congrats on the opportunity you have earned and best of luck with your decision!

 

[fahimaz7]

The only reason that I said what I said was due to the OP's hint at....

"However, I'm 21 (22 in June) + 2 years post - bacc + 4 years med. school + 2 yrs residency = 30 years old by the time I'm done. Of course if I was to have a family, this may be problematic."

When people are new to the idea of medical school, especially women, they tend to count out the years that it will take to get them through their training. For a lot of women, they are not willing to push their "childbearing" years past that magical number of 30.

It's the reason why I asked if she really wanted to be a doctor. Sooner or later she'll have to saddle up, take her pre-reqs, take the MCAT, etc and get started on this incredibly long journey that is ahead of her.

Now the real question...

Can she take her pre-reqs while studying in Europe? Sure.. I would go that route if she has her mind set on the study abroad/MA experience.

 

[sunset823]

Do the MA - I did a degree in public policy (my own passion) right out of undergrad, which was two years and a lot more than $25k, but I had some amazing experiences; and to be in England for a year doing something your passionate about is great - despite lackluster numbers, I have been accepted into med school because I demonstrated my passion for something outside of medicine and how I can relate it to my life as a clinician

Having said that, I have no intention of having a family, so I'm totally cool with being 34 by the time I'm done, but I have friends getting married in med school and family who had kids during residency, you can definitely make it work

Whatever you decide, !

 

[Nasrudin]

Uhh...kiddo,

It don't matter too much the doin of this or that thing. Specifically. Different turns in the maze. Because honestly. Speaking specifically. The masters of fine arts degree is nada save the garbage heap of generations of 3rd rate artists who by their own turn, sacrificed their voice for three hots and cot. The fact that the corps you seek are Brits and the multi-national sons and daughters of considerable wealth, is just the happenstance of fancy and fashion.

And then kids. Marriage. Biological clocks. Mating schedules. Public forum surveys.

F@ck man. Nobody's got a clue. The type of people who talk to strangers about what they should do in a life w/out knowing them are too f'n stupid to know that they too, don't have a clue.

Just drink some mushroom tea. Camp out under the stars. And then read your own post again.

 

[montessori2md]

Uhh...kiddo,

It don't matter too much the doin of this or that thing. Specifically. Different turns in the maze. Because honestly. Speaking specifically. The masters of fine arts degree is nada save the garbage heap of generations of 3rd rate artists who by their own turn, sacrificed their voice for three hots and cot. The fact that the corps you seek are Brits and the multi-national sons and daughters of considerable wealth, is just the happenstance of fancy and fashion.

And then kids. Marriage. Biological clocks. Mating schedules. Public forum surveys.

F@ck man. Nobody's got a clue. The type of people who talk to strangers about what they should do in a life w/out knowing them are too f'n stupid to know that they too, don't have a clue.

Just drink some mushroom tea. Camp out under the stars. And then read your own post again.

I hope you apply to my school....
If you were going to spend a year doing ANYTHING, is this what you would choose?

Dude, what would you do if someone handed you $25k right now? Me, I should take that money and pay off some of my every growing student loans, but I would personally spend my summer in the Philippines on the beach drinking and eating, and then bounce around the pacific. Maybe I'd set aside 5k for a bounce across the pond for Christmas.

But then, I'm not really into lit.

 

[Blahblahologist]

Nightingale-- do you write poetry or fiction?

 

[Bleurberry]

Although I accept your situation isn't the norm, you aren't exactly "non-traditional", lol. Granted I don't frequent this sub-forum as much as I should, but I think there was a consensus back in the day that 28-30+ is sort of where non-trad is typically at.

There are post-bacc programs that are a year, sign up for one.
22 is still really young. 23 when you get accepted + 4 + 4 residency years lets say, you're 32. Still safe for child baring.

But, Um... do you want to be a writer? I wouldn't dream of doing a creative writing master's program unless I was committed to writing, and unless I had disposible income, and that's no joke.

 

[fastjack]

can't tell you anything about being a women, but i got a degree in creative writing as well (MFA though). i think it helped show breadth in my application, especially since i'm going into an MD/PhD program and there will presumably be a lot of writing. so it won't hurt you there. in fact, i think it helped me significantly.

you won't be too old, either, at least from the perspective of many med schools. now whether you'll be too old in your own eyes is something you'll have to decide for yourself. and, once you do settle down with a family, will you be willing to go back to school?

good luck making that decision, but i'd personally take the MA program now if i was you. well, in fact i did it and don't regret it a bit.

 

[Pembleton]

I was an English major. After college, I wanted to get an MA in English too but decided against it. I had no idea what I was going to do with the degree. I just wanted to continue my literature studies for another year. And like you, I would have pursued medicine later. I didn't get the Master's because after college I felt I should do something practical. I wound up in the advertising/marketing business. Eventually I completed some post-bacc classes and started medical school at the age of 31.

I sometimes regret not going for the MA. At the time, I used to think that "education for education's sake" was enough rationalization to pour in $25,000 for a degree I wasn't going to use professionally. As I mentioned above, my practical side won out and I didn't get the degree. But sometimes when I'm in the thick of medical school's drudgery and memorization, I think of my past interest in literature and how I had to in effect put that aside to do well as a medical student. In medical school, it is very difficult to keep up with one's interests. So maybe it would be good for you to study literature now while you still have a chance. Once you start med school though all that will be put to side, whether you like it or not.

However, I honestly think you should ask yourself if you are willing to pile on another $25,000 to your student loan debt for a degree you will not be using in any practical sense.

 

[DrJosephKim]

You hit the nail on the head with this line:

Of course if I was to have a family, this may be problematic.

I have met many women who have struggled with the family/school/career balance. I think this is one of the most difficult decisions one has to make. I wish you the best and remember that you may also enjoy some medical writing as a hobby or adjunct career. Best of luck!

 

[washdc09]

.

 

[njbmd]

Hi everyone,

I am the nontraditional student in that I am graduating in 2 months with a degree in English Literature. My plan was to take 2 years off in order to meet pre-reqs through post-bacc program and then apply to med schools and attend med. school and then the residency.

As a woman, that's asking for a lot - if I was a guy this wouldn't be an issue. However, I'm 21 (22 in June) + 2 years post - bacc + 4 years med. school + 2 yrs residency = 30 years old by the time I'm done. Of course if I was to have a family, this may be problematic.

However, the real dilemma comes into play here.

Couple of months ago before making the decision to go pre-med, a thought that has been haunting me over the last few years, I applied for Master's programs in England - somewhere where I've always wanted to study. Today, I got an acceptance letter for their Creative Writing program (MA).

Their program takes only a year to complete and will suck around $25k out of me.

This poses potential problems. Not only will this add a year to my overall studies but will also suck 25k out of me - but there are so many pros to that too. It'll give me a chance to do what I love, which is write, for a whole year in a different country where I"ve always dreamt of studying, I'll be surrounded by the British culture... etc. and then I would come back and resume my pre-med plan.

However, how much does having a master's especially in creative writing improve my application? Can it at least give me a LITTLE bit of a boost? Maybe I'll stand out from other applicants because I show passion and determination for field outside of medicine?

Basically, I'm trying to see if going for the MA is worth it. I mean I want to so bad but it's so much money and if it doesn't even give me a little benefit on the med school application I don't know if I should go.


Help!!!!

Here's my take from the standpoint of a member of an admissions committee:

You are not a non-traditional student but a student who majored in English, and decided to look into the pre-medical route because you perhaps noticed that there are many English majors pulling merchandise across the scanners at Wal-Mart when the writing career doesn't pan out. When the panic set in, perhaps the "rents" said that you need to find a "practical skill", the pre-med bug bit and you decided that you would do the post bacc pre-med thing.

Now, the only problem is that you applied for and got into a Masters program in English which is what you wanted all along. Your dilemma is not trying to figure out how to do medical school and have a family (not mutually exclusive anyway) but how to do the Masters in English and still not wind up pulling merchandise across the scanners as Wal-Mart or something else essentially at minimum wage. (Nothing wrong with minimum wage jobs but hard on the lifestyle). In short, you need to figure out what you actually want to do and it looks like medicine is likely not what you want to do but you want the wages from.

People who are English majors who want to attend medical school generally take the pre-med coursework, major in English because they love the subject matter and do well; take the MCAT and apply to medical school in their junior year (not a masters in English) and enter medical school. You stated in your OP that you have "dreamt" of an English career not medicine, again problematic in terms of medical school admissions.

Now, figure out what you actually want to pursue and pursue it, not with the idea of an after thought but with the idea of "this is my life's passion". At age 21, you have plenty of time to prepare yourself for medical school if that's ultimately what you want and let the biological clock take care of itself. Many woman have babies in medical school and in residency.

 

[BennieBlanco]

I would probably drop the english deal, start working out and dressing really nice, and snag a rich guy.

It worked for Michael Jordan's new girlfriend.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I'm 21 (22 in June) + 2 years post - bacc + 4 years med. school + 2 yrs residency = 30 years old by the time I'm done. Of course if I was to have a family, this may be problematic.

I'm a little confused by the OP's adding the years of residency to the time when she would be "done". From what I can tell and what I have observed - a resident is a doctor and is treated like a doctor for most purposes. She sees patients, makes diagnoses, wears the long white coat and is called doctor. The only difference is that the resident spends a few moments telling her plans to an attending physician.

When I got my first job as a programmer/software engineer, I thought of myself as a programmer - not as a student. It is true that I had to get my designs approved by my team lead and work the least desirable project - but I was programming - which I loved to do. Then one day I got to be the team leader and approve other people's designs. Finally I got to the place where they just sent me the problem in emails and I stayed at home and fixed it in my home office.

But I count my programming career as beginning when I got paid for my first pitiful excuse for a monstrosity of a program.

 

[Latetotheparty]

I'm a little confused by the OP's adding the years of residency to the time when she would be "done". From what I can tell and what I have observed - a resident is a doctor and is treated like a doctor for most purposes. She sees patients, makes diagnoses, wears the long white coat and is called doctor. The only difference is that the resident spends a few moments telling her plans to an attending physician.

They also work longer hours and have a less flexible schedule that they are generally in less control of.

That said, my sister is in her third year of residency, is 30 years old, and just had her first child (and planned for it this way) so it can be done.