So Underrated We Are Overrated
October 27th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
On The Huffington Post a couple weeks ago, though I just saw it yesterday for the first time, Seth Abramson listed 25 MFA programs that he deemed “The Top 25 Underrated Creative Writing MFA Programs”. This list included my very own UNLV, which was a nice nod of support. Odd in some ways that a program that recently got particular attention from The Atlantic (here and here) could be underrated, but then again as someone in the field I felt that many of Abramson’s programs were pretty ‘obvious’–moreso I’m sure to me than to others. Cornell, for instance, which was listed in the top ten programs according to The Atlantic, was still eligible as underrated for Abramson’s list. I’m curious what exactly made a program underrated. My guess would be something to do with number of applications. Also, I guess, even though The Atlantic‘s list is more recent, the old US News list from way way way long ago still seems to in many ways be the most well known, at least until the recent emergence of Abramson’s own list on Poets & Writers. Maybe it has something to do with the semi-rational/scientific way (in the sense that a methodology and ranking system was used, though the two systems differ entirely) US News‘ and Abramson’s lists operate, whereas The Atlantic attempts a somewhat more holistic approach that is less scientific and more rooted in the logic of the humanities.
Whatever the reasoning, I guess it is still good to get listed here and get some more attention for the program. I’ve been rather happy with the program and even the city (which, though Vegas is not New York City or San Francisco, is still superior to where the vast majority of MFA programs are housed and is also relatively cheap), so I’m glad to see the program continue to get recognition. Here’s what Abramson said in his little blurb about UNLV:
If you can stand the heat, there’s so much to like here: the opportunity to workshop with creative writing doctoral students, the presence of one of the nation’s most competitive postgraduate fellowship programs, a stellar faculty, a stand-out focus on international issues and public service, and full funding for all for three years. [Website]
