Author Topic: MFA at same school as BA?  (Read 4747 times)

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Cedes

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MFA at same school as BA?
« on: Feb 20, 2010, 07:43 pm »
I would just like some other's opinions on this. 

I was offered a position to go into the grad program here at Wayne State University, where I just graduated with my BA in December. I have a pretty decent pro/con list set up, but I was just wondering what some others would think. I would like to hear from some of you that are working SM's, and what you would think if you saw the same school for both degrees on a resume. Let me know! Thanks so much for your input!

Mercedes


Anyone have any thoughts? I have to give an answer tomorrow. Anything would be appreciated.
« Last Edit: Feb 21, 2010, 09:45 am by Cedes »

BlantonRK

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Re: MFA at same school as BA?
« Reply #1 on: Feb 21, 2010, 08:01 pm »
Mercedes,

I am always a fan of diversity of experience and education. Unless there are significantly more professional opportunities in Detroit that will now be open to you at the Masters level, I'd recommend looking elsewhere. I'm know there are many other factors involved in your decision, but those are my two cents.

Congratulations on the offer from WSU and best of luck.

BLee

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Re: MFA at same school as BA?
« Reply #2 on: Feb 21, 2010, 09:10 pm »
I suppose the ultimate question here is if you feel there is 3 years more worth of valuable information that you have not yet already heard from the faculty at Wayne State. Variety in education is important so ultimately you must decide if you will in fact improve your skills working with the same people or if you will learn more by experiencing alternative viewpoints at a different university.

You also need to look at your other options. Do you have other prospects worth looking at or is Wayne State your only opportunity, plus is it important for you to go to grad school this next year or do you feel you would do better at a year long internship or other gig.

This is a hard decision. Grad schools are hard to get into, but it is very important to look at what you need most to create the career you want.
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MatthewShiner

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Re: MFA at same school as BA?
« Reply #3 on: Feb 22, 2010, 01:35 am »
I think ultimately the question is does WSU offer you the things you want out of grad school . . .
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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

gotracigo

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Re: MFA at same school as BA?
« Reply #4 on: Mar 01, 2010, 05:12 pm »
I'm curious about what happened with this!  What did you decide?
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Cedes

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Re: MFA at same school as BA?
« Reply #5 on: Mar 03, 2010, 09:48 pm »
I ultimately decided to go.  I feel it would really help me in my career progression in the long run. Dana Gamarra, our current mentor, called to some of his contacts at other theatres, and they seem to not have an issue with me having a degree from the same university as my undergrad. Wayne's grad school is not your typical situation of grad schools as well. It actually is a fellowship with Wayne State University, as in the Hilberry is a professional space being used by the university. I am salaried, and receive benefits, along with working full shows on a professional level 2 times a school year.  It's more along the lines of having a steady job to do theatre for the next three years while gaining an MFA at the same time.  I work exclusively with the theatre, and not at all with department, as far as undergrad goes. The curriculum literally consists of two classes per semester per year associated with stage management, the rest is basic classes and whatnot. This opportnity also gives me the change to explore other areas of theatre, such as lighting design and some costume work.  I would like to have that work on my resume as well. 

Wayne is not like other grad schools, as my research has shown, and it is also the only one that fully waivers tuition. 

 

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